'my novel'

[kickassangel]

so...
i have almost finished my first ever attempt at a novel, and i have some questions.

is there a 'standard length' for a novel?
this will prob be about 35,000 which seems very short to me.

however, it is kind of 2 separate stories woven together. one of them is only 12,000 words, and is the 'better' piece i think. not sure if it stands alone though, as is written very stream of consciousness style & was meant to be a contrast to the 'main' story, which is more 'godd chic lit' style ( i like to think kate atkinson, but could be very wrong)
is it better to try separating the shorter story & review it as a short story, or is 35,000 long enough?

not really thinking anything will get published at this stage, but just want to teach my self the discipline of writing, so would appreciate some guidelines

have to post & run but will check back later
thanks

That does sound short. Am writing a novel atm and on track for around 75,000 words I think.

this is what i thought. really, i'm just seeing if i can write a novel, and i had this idea floating around.

at the moment, it all works how i want it to work, but is neither a novel or a short story, so basically a good exercise, but not the real deal?
i could shorten the 12,000 word bit,but i like it how it is!!
think i'm more suited to short stories anyway, was always way short of whatever word limit i had for degree essay - i knida say the important bits then assume the reader will work the rest out for themselves.

sorry to make you shudder, dandy. just hoping the 'normal' part is not terrible chic lit, but it's not meant to be fantastic either. the idea is a 'normal' type story with this other story running alongside in a totally different style. there's a link between the 2 stories, although it is never made explicit. ( i liked 'behind the scenes' btw, but not so keen on other ka stuff)

i can think of ways to make the 'normal' story longer & more complex, but then it would make the 'other' story stick in your mind less.