Perhaps I should force myself to stop doing shorts until I have completed one or both of my novels. Perhaps I am just using my drive to write to create things that are ultimately harder to sell. I am led to understand the short-story market is more competitive and less finacially rewarding than the novel market--not that the novel market is an easy nut to crack.
It also concerns me that short stories are different creatures to write than novels and the more I do it, the worse my novel writing skills will become. I realise they share many of the same skills, but perhaps a novel can look overwhelming when you are used to writing shorts.
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited November 16, 2007).]
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It also concerns me that short stories are different creatures to write than novels and the more I do it, the worse my novel writing skills will become.
I have the opposite problem--I've been trying to write short stories; i turn to novel writing instead.
Many many successful authors have written short stories, either before, during, or after their novels, a fact which would seem to disprove your earlier concern.
Is it genetic? Just kidding -- but I would prefer his problem rather than mine.
I do have trouble completing short stories. I have trouble writing them at all. I don't think that if you CAN do both, one will hurt the other, or I don't see why it should. I just have a terrible time getting a complete story arc in a short story. One or the other just seems to come easier to some people and I've been thinking of giving up on short stories altogether. I've even had editors tell me that my short stories are just novels missing the rest.
You're right that the monetary reward, if there is one in writing these days, is in novels.
But I can easily imagine that short stories come easier from some people just as novels come easier for me. I don't think that it means you have to give up on novels though. I have a feeling I could learn to write short stories if I worked hard enough at it. I just don't have enough motivation to do so.
Some writers don't seem to suffer from that and find them equal. But I don't think that means that those of us who find one or the other a struggle are imagining it. If you want to write novels, I'm sure you can if you make yourself. And I don't think it would hurt your novel writing to write occasional shorts.
Edit: But it is important to finish a novel--especially that first novel. Someone having that done (and it wasn't a good one but it was WRITTEN) was a big step for me in proving to myself that I could complete that big a project. I recommend kicking yourself in the rear until you get one done.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited November 16, 2007).]
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited November 16, 2007).]
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited November 16, 2007).]
This reminds me of a similar problem described by a variety of authors: once they tell the story, whether in person to a friend or in an outline, they lose the urge to write it. Maybe something similar is happening to you. If you find yourself avoiding working on the novel and writing short stories, then I'd suggest jotting down the idea for the short story, and then turning back to your novel. you can always work on the short story later, but you need that drive to complete your novel.
On the other hand, if you're happy writing ss, why write a novel? maybe you just need to write ss for a while, and at some point, you'll tire of it, and turn to your novel.
Sorry for this two-handed advice. But I just though I'd throw out options for you.
I would not worry about the ss "hurting" you abilities to write a novel, however. I think the two are complimentary. The question as to which one comes more easily might very well be a matter of genetics, and the sort of things we prefer. But it doesn't mean you can't do both; one form just might take more work than the other.
I just got TWO rejections on short stories today. Maybe that's why I don't enjoy them. Honestly, I sometimes think novels are easier to sell. And both were "nice" rejections as rejections go. Well, I'm not sure it was nice to tell me the story had no soul--but believe me I've had worse. Still, it is so hard to sell short stories, it seems to me, that I feel like just throwing in the towel.
This from an editor: (yeah, I'm whining)
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You have a gift for pace and scene. However, this story doesn't seem to have a soul. What I mean by that is that while it is entertaining, there doesn't seem to be a point to it.
I mean--wtf? I was telling a story. It was entertaining. Blech! It didn't have a point beyond that. *kicks dog and thinks bad violent thoughts about editors*
Sorry, you picked a sore point with me. Short stories and I don't get along well. I'll stop whining now.
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Thank you for submitting "***** . . ." for our consideration, but we are unable to use it at this time.
Regards,
AD
At least they complimented you, and told you why. Mine was...well, nothing.
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited November 16, 2007).]
Edit: Funny thing, editors only compliment your work when they're NOT going to buy it. Blech!
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited November 16, 2007).]
OSC started with short stories and turned Ender's Game into a novel. He has had success with both.
Jamie Ford (a member of this board) took a short story and turned it into a 6-figure book deal.
Anything that helps you improve your writing skills is good. Short story writing is a different type of writing, but you still have to write scenes, dialog, and description. In a novel, you have many scenes leading to the end. A short story is more like one or two scenes with a climax.
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I guess it was something JeanneT said on another post. He said he has no trouble finishing novels...
My problem with shorts, seems to be similar to Jeanne's. I try to write a whole novel in a short story. If I wanted to write them badly enough, there are books out there to help you. And getting short stories published is a good way to break into the business. But the short story market seems to be as competitive as the novel market anymore, so why spend all your effort on that if you want to write novels? But then, if you're good at it, why not?
I'm still trying to solve a technical problem in a big novel I have on hold right now. Three povs and the storyling/plotlines all intersect in one big scene, change the direction of each others' plotlines and go running off in totally new directions.
So far I haven't read where anyone else solved this problem. I'm working on it bit by bit in some short stories.
Every writer probably has an affinity toward one or the other. I start short stories all the time in an effort to try a few ideas out. I then apply it towards the project I am working on with a fresh approach so to speak.
There is so much advice out there to either write what you like or develop a short story before tackling a novel. In the end I think it is all a matter of personal choice and what works for you. Everyone has their own path.
Short stories aren't bad for you in and of themselves. Allowing yourself to drop the task at hand for the distraction of doing anything else is what's bad for you. Try to stick with the novel.
Personally, I have a great deal of difficulty getting my focus back when switching from one thing to another - each time it's like starting over. I don't have the free time available where I can afford to stop and start like that....
As for what you should do next - if you have two novels started, which one is drawing you to work on it? Which one appeals to you the most? Which one is driving you crazy, wanting to know what happens next??? (I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, and completely anti-outlining - it just doesn't work for me - but I usually know where the story begins and ends - it's that wonderfully mysterious middle that's such fun to write!) Pick the one that will be the most entertaining to write, or that you know the most about. That's what I'd do, anyway.
Lynda