what is a play-novelette?

Question

i know John Steinback wrote "Of Mice and Men" of it but i cant find any inforamtion on what the exact meaning of it is. I myself am a young writer and im a total drama geek. I want to right my own book/play but i need some more information on what this is. please let me know and feel free to leave me with information in like an email or on here and i will be sure to include your name in thank yous for your kindness, help, and time.

Sincerly,

RC

Answer 1

This is the first time I've heard of this format, and I'm an English teacher. I'm guessing it might be something Steinbeck innovated. The most my searches came up with is "a play in story form", but I haven't read the play so I'm not sure what that means. The source link gives Steinbeck's reason for writing in - maybe creating - the form.

Good luck in your ventures.

Answer 2

I would encourage you not to worry about the form Steinbeck used. He was one of the greatest writers of all time so he earned the right to create his own rules. You might think about grabbing a few books on playwirtting and try follow the patterns they use first. Then tackle try your own ideas of structure out. The world already had a Steinbeck now we need an RC

Answer 3

No offense at all, but I'm not a fan of John. It's a personal thing and to me as tedious as Kafka.

As a writer and with many years of theater involvement, I might be inclined to equate "novelette" to a simple format, one act "play"

The issue being,,, less labor intensive for me while still engaging the audience deeply enough to "GET IT" , be involved in it, and relate closely to it, in a very susinct format.

With regard to my own interp of that particular title, I suggest John meant we are all both,,,Mice & men at different times, in different situations, for varying reasons, often crossing the line between both,
Kudos to the teacher.

Steven Wolf