Short Stories vs. Novels
A little question has been wandering in my mind these last days, and I’ve decided to write it down here.
Those of you who are writers, are trying to be published, or are simply readers, do you think that the best course of action is to submit short stories in an attempt to be published in magazines, fanzines and anthologies, instead of working on a novel? Or, on the contrary, is publishing a novel or two first the right solution, before dispatching short stories around?
On the one hand, one could present the argument that it is best to be known through short stories before submitting a novel, because this sort of legitimates the author–much like a company would ask for previous experience before hiring you.
On the other hand, the format of the short story isn’t as evident as it appears to laymen’s eyes, and since selling such texts isn’t the easiest thing, what are the real chances given to unknown people in that area? Is working on short stories a waste of time? Should they focus on a novel instead?
I’m wondering about that, since myself am not the best judge in that regard. I’d rather leer toward the first solution, given my professional orientation, in which lots of previous jobs = valuable experience, not instability. But am I not too inexperienced in terms of writing to really have an opinion on that?
Is this only a question worth being asked, or am I nitpicking?
FILED UNDER : Writing & Stories
TAG : novel, short story, writing
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Comments
Benjamin Solah
Yeah, I’m tossing up between the two this year. Hence why my goals aren’t as clear as I’d like them to be.I do think shorts can provide the editor with some confidence in you, but novels and shorts are very different beasts and just because you’re good at one, doesn’t equal being good at the other.
Yzabel
Exact. On the other hand, I so seldom did give a chance to short stories that I don’t even know if I’m good at them or not. 😆 Isn’t it stupid.
fred charles
I’ve read numerous times that getting your name out there with short stories will help you get your novel published since you will be somewhat known.My problem with this is that I hate writing short stories, lol. I prefer to write flash if I have to do it at all.
Karen Lee Field
My opinion on this changes constantly. But I’ve gone full circle and come back to do what interests you the most.I don’t like writing short stories that much, so I’ve decided to concentrate on novels and only write a short story when I want to.