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And the beat goes on...


Steve E

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Slang has a way of evolving, changing, backtracking, taking unexpected turns. Here's something that might have happened a while ago but I just noticed it.

 

By definition:

Novella - a short novel or long short story.

Novela - another term for telenovela (a television soap opera or a script for one).

 

I have recently seen both these terms used interchangeably. Typos? Perhaps. The "L" is in a tricky finger position on my keyboard.

 

Enter Novelette. Definition: a short novel, typically one that is light and romantic or sentimental in character.

 

I have also seen this used interchangeably with Novella. Certainly a novelette is a novella but not all novellas are novelettes.

 

I plead with the writing and reviewing community to retain the original dictionary meaning of "novella" and not use them interchangeably with "novela" and "novelette". Okay, I know this isn't the best venue for this plea but I have to start somewhere.

 

-Thothette.

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Slang has a way of evolving, changing, backtracking, taking unexpected turns. Here's something that might have happened a while ago but I just noticed it.

 

By definition:

Novella - a short novel or long short story.

Novela - another term for telenovela (a television soap opera or a script for one).

 

I have recently seen both these terms used interchangeably. Typos? Perhaps. The "L" is in a tricky finger position on my keyboard.

 

Enter Novelette. Definition: a short novel, typically one that is light and romantic or sentimental in character.

 

I have also seen this used interchangeably with Novella. Certainly a novelette is a novella but not all novellas are novelettes.

 

I plead with the writing and reviewing community to retain the original dictionary meaning of "novella" and not use them interchangeably with "novela" and "novelette". Okay, I know this isn't the best venue for this plea but I have to start somewhere.

 

-Thothette.

 

Hear. Hear. Why create new words to do what the old ones are supposed to, unless it puts the idea more succinctly or uniquely?

 

Novella and novel are the only ones I need.

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I plead with the writing and reviewing community to retain the original dictionary meaning of "novella" and not use them interchangeably with "novela" and "novelette". Okay, I know this isn't the best venue for this plea but I have to start somewhere.

 

I had planned to say something witty and provoking, but I've already forgotten. Which is which?

 

IF

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Omelet/omelette? Novelet/novelette? You pays your money, and you takes your pick.

Mmm. Omelets. I know what I'm having for lunch now.

 

I keep my books long and wordy and avoid the whole problem. :lol:

Margot the Loquacious

Genius.

 

- Thoth the Verbose.

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