I’ve noticed so many people are entering the world of microfiction and I think that is great. To celebrate all of those who are veterans or wanting to join in on the fun and ease of writing microfiction I created
. It’s also in the same spirit as all other “stacks” that have been popping up in the last year. Another home for great storytelling and to share our work with the masses can only be a good thing!However, and here is my “hot take” you could say, I’ve noticed some truly long stories that are described as “microfiction” and, IMHO, I disagree and find the labeling to be misleading. It led me to go back in my Notes (not Substack Notes but my iPhone Notes) where I keep little factoids for my own personal reference. Just a few of my Notes include (but are not limited to) different types of editors and their definitions, my editing process from beginning to end, list of Kickstarters I’ve backed and received or I’m waiting to receive, and the one I bring forward for today “how I define word counts.”
Now I know everyone differs on where they land on what the exact word count is for a specific genre or format of fiction work and so what I am about to share is my own way of defining it. I’m not at all trying to suggest that however you define these same phrases is incorrect. I also wanted to share this because I know there are so many who wonder what the right term or word count is and might not feel comfortable asking the question (or even Googling it) in our fiction social circles. So, I’m going to start from the shortest to the longest:
6-word story | Yes, this is a thing and it’s actually been around for quite some time. I stumbled upon it quite by accident when I was looking for short story contests to enter. A skill unto itself, the idea behind writing a 6-word story is both powerful and demanding of the writer.
50-word story [dribble] | Ah, the 50-word story. There was a time that I was going to write 50 word stories much in the same vein that I now write my 100-word stories but I thought better of it. Not that I couldn’t work within these confines but it is quite a skill that many want.
100-word story [drabble] | Obviously, I’m familiar with this style of writing because I’ve been writing it for a couple years now. I actually discovered a website (no longer in existence) that housed “drabblers” that were submitted by anyone. This style is actually pretty popular and if you can master this length, I believe it is the best of the “microfiction” style to work with. Not too short and not too long.
250-word story [postcard fiction] | If I had not discovered 100-word stories I likely would’ve been the queen of postcard fiction. I just love the name of it. The idea being that the story is just the perfect length to fit on a postcard! How brilliant!
300-word story [nanofiction] | I have written the occasional 250 word story but I think I’ve grown so regimented by needing the story to be an exact number that the looseness of “under 300” is too vague for me. I bow down to those who can craft such a story and not feel the urge or desire to expand upon it.
750 to 1,000-word story [sudden/short-short fiction] | A great length for great storytelling. After coming from a world of writing a story in 100-words exactly, I can tell you that entire universes can easily be crafted if given ten times that number to work with! This is also a length that can be tricky, though. You may find yourself falling victim to the storyline and going well beyond the called upon word count parameters. Be warned!
1,500-word story [flash fiction] | This is a great length for publications and I’ve seen it used a lot in contests and things. An easy length to read and judge and also to write. Give you just that extra bit of space to add that scene you otherwise would have to cut if you were forced to the 1k cap.
1,500 to 7,500-word story [short story] | Most popularly known. The money-maker is how I think of it. Most collections of short stories that you see in bookstores are made up of stories that are this length. Typically ten to fifteen of these stories should do it. So, if you’re thinking of writing a collection of your own (I am doing this as well) then aim for this range and you’ll be alright.
7,500 to 20,000-word story [novelette] | A fairly “new” concept but not uncommon within certain genres. I’m thinking about YA and fantasy/sci-fi specifically. Those stories that are epic in size and series. A novelette is a great little entry point into the world created without having to devote yourself to an entire story. Many writers will write a novelette as a reader magnet to introduce their future epic story to a reader. A small taste of what’s to come.
20,000 to 50,000-word story [novella] | Another “new” concept for introducing a world where you intend on sharing longer novels. Another great reader magnet format that you can use as well. It can be more than double that of a novelette so there’s no reason why you couldn’t (or shouldn’t) put your novella in ebook form and sell it either for a couple bucks. Novellas can also make great prequels for your planned novel series as well.
Anything beyond 50,000 words would then take you into the realm of beach-read or cozy-mystery novels, all the way through to epic fantasy with hundreds of thousands of words. I can break down what those word counts look like as well? For now I just wanted to share how I define everything that isn’t a novel.
What word length do you write for your stories? Have you ever tried to write some of the other lengths? I’d love to read your shorter works so please do share them in the comments.