Transitional writing

[Janrae Frank]

One of the things we hear often is that people don't read.  The Japanese have developed a transitional literary form called the "light novel."  These differ from what we have always thought of as "light reading."

The emphasis is on structure and accessibility.  They are also short.  They are intended as a graduation from manga and children's material to the heavy works aimed at the adult market.  However, that does not mean that they lack tension and maturity of theme.

I think it would pay to have a look at them as a way of exploring another literary medium that has done very well over there and is slowly being imported to the uk and us markets.

[steven the git]

Is that like novellettes?
Also makes me think of short movies.  Featurettes.

Do like the idea of trying any and every form of writing. I struggled to write anything short for years and years, but once I got into short story writing it really helped me to tighten up. The restriction on space meant no rubbish or fat being allowed on.

Also the more ways to get people reading the better.

Interesting concept.