One might read the title of this post and say, “Duh.”

And really, it seems easily recognized that writing a novel would take longer based on word count alone, as opposed to a flash fiction or short stories or novellas.

Beyond the obvious word count, though, I personally require more time for my stories. The longer length gives me the opportunity to weave in extra sub plots and give fun nods or make potentially obscure references. My secondary characters get to have more time devoted to them in terms of back story and character building. There might even be the seeds planted for stories of their own, maybe.

But to be honest, the true issue for me with novels is that they’re similar to a long distance run. I’ve got to pace myself. If I sprint too hard, too often as I write the story, I’m in danger of gassing myself out. I suddenly find myself drawing a blank and too tired to focus on what was supposed to happen next. My scenes become flat and lifeless,  a whole lot of telling and not any kind of living the story. It wouldn’t do any story justice to leave it in such a condition.

And then there’s outside variables. This past year and a half, I had a whole lot of Real Life drop on my head like a ton of bricks.  Yes, there was a whole lot of emotion there that could be funneled into my writing and my characters, but at the same time…there was a whole lot of challenge. Yes, I could blame Real Life, list it out for all to sympathize. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But the accountability still lies with me.

The stories I write need me in order to come into being and they’ve been delayed. It’s time to finish them, polish them and share them for those who might enjoy them. It’s  not anyone else’s fault they’re not finished yet and it’s not because Life isn’t fair. Life is what it is. I’m working on it, my friends, and thank you for hanging with me through the long dry spell.

The happy aspect of it all is this: Fighting Kat (working title) is a full length novel, approximately three times the length of Hunting Kat and packed with action.