Happy Wednesday, Booklovers!
Instead of this week's Coffee Chat interview, I'm happy to introduce author PJ Sharon with a guest post on novellas, a shorter writing structure that is quickly gaining popularity.
You have the blog, Paula!
Writing a Novella Series and Other Literary Adventures
by P.J. Sharon
by P.J. Sharon
Hi Ally and friends,
Thanks for inviting me to share your space and talk about two of my favorite things—books and writing!
When I wrote and published SAVAGE CINDERELLA back in 2012 I had a feeling my main character, Brinn Hathaway, had more story to tell. I went on to publish four more full-length novels before I came back to answer her call. It had taken me that long to decide how her story would go on—and more importantly—how it would end. And what would be the best way to tell it? Should I continue in alternating points of view in third person? Or dig deeper and move to first person point of view to stay fully in Brinn’s experience? Should I write full-length novels or keep them shorter and more stream-lined with less sub-plots?
I knew a novella series would be a bold move, but it made sense to me. Novellas were becoming more popular, were presumably quicker and easier to write (although I haven’t necessarily found this to be true), and since this series would fall into the NA (New Adult) category due to the character’s ages (19-25), I figured college-aged kids might enjoy these “reading snacks” since they are inundated with school work and have little reading-for-pleasure time. No matter what, I knew this series would be special and would appeal to a wide audience.
Thanks for inviting me to share your space and talk about two of my favorite things—books and writing!
When I wrote and published SAVAGE CINDERELLA back in 2012 I had a feeling my main character, Brinn Hathaway, had more story to tell. I went on to publish four more full-length novels before I came back to answer her call. It had taken me that long to decide how her story would go on—and more importantly—how it would end. And what would be the best way to tell it? Should I continue in alternating points of view in third person? Or dig deeper and move to first person point of view to stay fully in Brinn’s experience? Should I write full-length novels or keep them shorter and more stream-lined with less sub-plots?
I knew a novella series would be a bold move, but it made sense to me. Novellas were becoming more popular, were presumably quicker and easier to write (although I haven’t necessarily found this to be true), and since this series would fall into the NA (New Adult) category due to the character’s ages (19-25), I figured college-aged kids might enjoy these “reading snacks” since they are inundated with school work and have little reading-for-pleasure time. No matter what, I knew this series would be special and would appeal to a wide audience.
Brinn’s journey from kidnap survivor to rookie cop is made more unusual by the fact she had essentially grown up in the wilds of the North Georgia High Country, having been left for dead by her kidnapper at the age of ten. Believing her parents were dead, that no one wanted her, and that the police were her enemy, she survives alone in the hills until she is discovered by a young nature photographer, Justin Spencer, who captures her heart and convinces her to return to the world. I won’t give away the story of SAVAGE CINDERELLA (you can download it for free if you like or read it in its entirety on Wattpad), but I knew at the end of that book Brinn had become an inspiring heroine and that her journey was just beginning.
Throughout the original novel, a secondary character, Cody Hansen (Justin’s best friend and Brinn’s ally in her quest for justice), kept coming back to me. A former Marine and POW, he and Brinn shared a special bond that made me wonder if the connection between them could lead to more than just friendship. Even my Wattpad readers wanted to talk about “team Justin” and “team Cody”. That’s when I had the idea for FINDING HOPE. The story picks up a year after Brinn’s return when Cody (now with the FBI missing person’s task force), asks Brinn’s help in finding a young girl who was kidnapped. Reluctantly, Brinn agrees to help, but she has no idea the favor will lead to danger, intrigue, and a stand-off with human traffickers.
Novella one led to novella two, LOST BOYS. Cody disappears in pursuit of the traffickers and Brinn and friends must travel to South America on a rescue mission that leads to the mysterious jungles of Colombia and brings Brinn face to face with a powerful Cartel. Amid danger, action, and adventure, Brinn must navigate the complexities of romantic relationships, the unexpected pit-falls of friendship, and the haunting memories of her past.
In my most recent novella, SACRED GROUND, Brinn and company are led to Wyoming to search for a missing Marine but soon find themselves embroiled in a battle between a Native American tribe and a mining company determined to desecrate what could be a sacred burial ground.
You may notice a recurrent theme in the series, each dealing with current events and social justice issues that are near and dear to my heart. This is one of the best parts of writing as an Indie…I get to tell stories that I feel need to be told. Whether they are ripped from the headlines or topics calling for a spotlight, I’m glad to bring attention to important social issues that may not be on the radar of most young adults.
Each novella is a complete adventure of its own, but they are all connected by Brinn’s ongoing journey of recovery and the difficult choices she must make in trying to follow her heart while overcoming the scars of the past. There is always action, suspense, and of course, a sweet romance, but the underlying journey of Brinn’s recovery is at the heart of the series. I am currently working on the next novella, BROKEN ANGEL, due out this fall, and I have one more book planned for the series. Depending on how that goes, we’ll see if five books will be enough to tell all there is to tell about this complex, kick-butt heroine.
Who Brinn will choose in the end is still a mystery to me, but I’m so looking forward to exploring her adventures for a little while longer! I hope you’ll jump in and take the ride with me. You can read Holt Medallion and NERFA winner, SAVAGE CINDERELLA for free to get you started. Trust me, once you meet Brinn, her haunting, heroic, and inspirational story will captivate your heart and you’ll want to read on.
I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with me on social media, leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads if you like the books, or leave a comment below to be in the running to win an e-copy of a novella of your choosing.
Do you enjoy reading shorter fiction? Pros and cons…discuss!
Each novella is a complete adventure of its own, but they are all connected by Brinn’s ongoing journey of recovery and the difficult choices she must make in trying to follow her heart while overcoming the scars of the past. There is always action, suspense, and of course, a sweet romance, but the underlying journey of Brinn’s recovery is at the heart of the series. I am currently working on the next novella, BROKEN ANGEL, due out this fall, and I have one more book planned for the series. Depending on how that goes, we’ll see if five books will be enough to tell all there is to tell about this complex, kick-butt heroine.
Who Brinn will choose in the end is still a mystery to me, but I’m so looking forward to exploring her adventures for a little while longer! I hope you’ll jump in and take the ride with me. You can read Holt Medallion and NERFA winner, SAVAGE CINDERELLA for free to get you started. Trust me, once you meet Brinn, her haunting, heroic, and inspirational story will captivate your heart and you’ll want to read on.
I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with me on social media, leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads if you like the books, or leave a comment below to be in the running to win an e-copy of a novella of your choosing.
Do you enjoy reading shorter fiction? Pros and cons…discuss!
About the Author:
In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and yoga instructor, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books. PJ has two grown sons and lives with her brilliant engineer husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.
Social links:
Website: http://www.pjsharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon http://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ and her books on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Read FREE chapters on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/pjsharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5
In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, and yoga instructor, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books. PJ has two grown sons and lives with her brilliant engineer husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.
Social links:
Website: http://www.pjsharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon http://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ and her books on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Read FREE chapters on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/pjsharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5
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