Why Short Stories Aren't Novels

Why Short Stories Aren't Mini-Novels I spend a lot of time here at the Corner writing about short stories. I talk about how to shape them, how to hone them, how to edit them, and how to think about ideas and plots in terms of short stories. But many people who write short stories are actually only writing them as a kind of practice for the big day when they will finally write a novel. Short stories may seem like building blocks to the novel, but their structure is actually quite different. When you're starting out as a writer, it's important to know the difference between the two.

1. Novels expand character, stories rely on plot.
It's true that both novels and stories are all about character. But the ways they choose to reveal character are completely different. Novels have much more time than short stories to show an entire character's life, background, relatives, fears, worries, desires. They can show character by simply showing character -- by having a chapter describing the character's background, for example, or saying outright where he came from, what his job and family are like, and why he hates his mother.

After the jump: more reasons why short stories shouldn't be written the same way as novels.

Short stories, by contrast, want to hint at all of this but don't really have the time to say it. They must make the character reveal himself through his choices and actions in the plot. A story about a car accident, therefore, usually ends up not being about the car accident so much as it's about revealing what the character is like through his reactions and choices.

2. Novels tell, stories use the telling gesture.
The rule "show, don't tell" actually applies more to stories than it does to novels. Novels have the time and space to give us a good deal of exposition, to explore the metaphorical possibilities of their problems rather than letting the reader infer them himself. When writing your novel, don't feel inhibited to just say outright the way things are in a few key places. In stories, however, a lot of the artistry comes from finding just a few gestures, actions, or choices that suggest character and tell us volumes very efficiently. Stories excel at the telling gesture, the single characteristic that effectively sums up a great deal of what a character is all about.

3. Stories want you to turn the page, novels have a little more breathing room.
Stories want to keep you hooked at all times, because it's very easy to drop a story and never pick it up again. Novels, on the other hand, can assume at times that you've made a significant investment in time, and you're not going to give up quite so easily. This gives stories and novels a different feel; stories always want to keep you anxious, worried about the problems that seem to keep piling up faster than they get solved. Novels, on the other hand, can indulge in a stretch of unhurried backstory or pretty description.

So as you can see, novels and stories can have very different plot, character, and pacing. These are crucial things to remember when you're switching genres for the first time. Good luck, writers!

Comments

[DeidraK]

I've recently concluded that I am not interested in writing a novel, a collection of short stories yes, a novel no. The novel assumes the reader has time and will stick it out. Well, for me as the writer, I can't stick it out as my attention span isn't long enough to write a full novel in a reasonable amount of time (less than a decade). This may all change but for now I don't see it happening.

Thanks for defining and contrasting the two. Makes me feel more confident in my abilities.

[Steven]

"Stories want to keep you hooked at all times, because it's very easy to drop a story and never pick it up again. Novels, on the other hand, can assume at times that you've made a significant investment in time, and you're not going to give up quite so easily."

I think for me it works the other way. I'm more likely to read a short story from end-to-end rather than a trashy novel precisely because it's a significant waste of time, whereas the short fiction is a minor waste of time.

[Naomi Hamm]

And while that may be true, a short story will get you into the feel and the complexities of writing longer prose. A novel takes a lot of time and consideration. Is it time now to begin the research on your latest novel, or book then to transition into that long-hoped for sitting down to start the next Pultizer Prize winning novel? You know the one that's been under your belt and on your mind for some time. Eleqently-put, writing short stories and poetry gets you inspired and ready to put pen to paper and begin that novel you have hoped to create for five years.

So what are you waiting for? Get started writing more short stories, every day for three weeks. Two hours a day.

I know once you see all that you've written you won't regret it!

Then next month begin your research on that up-coming book you have long talked about writing. Bye take care and I hope this helps.

[Tracy James Jones]

Great work. As a writer of 2 novels and a collection of short stories, I can understand fully well what is being said here. Time is usually always in the essence and being able to write or even read something takes time to get around to. Again, I have to say you are so right. Now I just need to make time to write another novel. Go figure. We'll see. :0)

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