What are the main differences between a novel, a novella and a short story?

A novel is the longest form. It typically has complex plots, many characters, and can span a long time period or cover a wide range of topics. For example, 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. A novella is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story. It has a more focused plot and fewer characters. 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka is a well - known novella. A short story is very concise. It usually focuses on a single event or idea and has a limited number of characters. O. Henry's short stories are good examples.

A novel is a big, hefty work. It might have sub - plots, character arcs that develop over time, and a lot of world - building. Novellas are more compact. They don't have as much space for all those extra elements as a novel does. The length allows for a deeper exploration than a short story though. A short story is brief and to the point. It aims to convey a single mood, idea or event in a short amount of words. So, in terms of length and complexity, novel > novella > short story.

Well, a novel can be hundreds of pages long. It gives the author room to develop elaborate storylines and a large cast of characters. Novellas are shorter, usually between 20,000 to 50,000 words. They can still have a complex plot but not as much as a novel. Short stories are often less than 10,000 words. They're like a snapshot, quickly getting to the point. A novel is like a long journey, a novella a shorter trip, and a short story a quick stop.