That's how I'm handling my new novel. Each chapter is like it's own short story, and they fit together chronologically to create the larger story. I'm taking it one chapter at a time. Makes the process more manageable.
Once upon a time I would have thought this advice cliché and total bunk. But then while working on my Freelan novel series (in progress), I was inspired by various sources online to start writing some genre short stories. Two books of these now published. More being written daily. And I am also rereading and editing my earlier Freelan work, finding a lot of areas that I can now make a lot better.
Yes!!!! Short stories are so much more fun! When I first wanted to get into writing fiction (like barely 3 months ago), I tried to map out a romance novel ... I gave up pretty quick. It was daunting and I realize that writing romance isn't really my thing either hahaha.
The short stories though, those I have so much more fun with.
And hey, if you got enough of the same genre, you can still turn that into a book!
As a professional copywriter, I actually have the opposite problem, where I have to force myself to be LESS concise when writing fiction. After I finish a draft for a fiction chapter, I always go back and analyze for opportunities to expand, but only in ways that are meaningful and interesting, of course. I wouldn't expand something just for the sake of length.
Since I write by day and night, I get burned out quickly and don't like to spend time on creative writing projects that aren't really important to me. But you're right - there is value in exercising your skills with short stories before you attempt a large-scale project like a novel. It allows you to identify your strengths, weaknesses, biggest interests, and where you can improve.
If you're also feeling burned out, I recommend writing flash fiction for practice. It can follow the same form and rules as a short story but should be shorter, and therefore, less time-consuming to write.
Haha yeah the advice is always to be as concise as possible, but I guess that's because most people are wafflers like me 😂 Concision can be a bad thing too, I suppose!
Never tried flash fiction, but I see so many good ones on here. Honestly I think I'd suck at it lol.
I've written quite a few short stories as well, and it's definitely taught me a lot too!
It's gotten to the point where I've started plotting out my longer stories as multiple short stories instead! 😆
(That's a personal preference, not a suggestion.)
For me, I think the nature of it allows me to focus a lot better on what I think is the most important parts of the story.
Glad to see another fellow writer enjoying the writing of short stories! 😄
Multiple short stories - I like it! Might give that a try ❤️
That's how I'm handling my new novel. Each chapter is like it's own short story, and they fit together chronologically to create the larger story. I'm taking it one chapter at a time. Makes the process more manageable.
Once upon a time I would have thought this advice cliché and total bunk. But then while working on my Freelan novel series (in progress), I was inspired by various sources online to start writing some genre short stories. Two books of these now published. More being written daily. And I am also rereading and editing my earlier Freelan work, finding a lot of areas that I can now make a lot better.
It's amazing, isn't it? I had no expectations from writing short stories, other than a bit of fun, but the difference it made is huge.
Huger than huge. And even huger than huger than huge!
100% agree
Yes!!!! Short stories are so much more fun! When I first wanted to get into writing fiction (like barely 3 months ago), I tried to map out a romance novel ... I gave up pretty quick. It was daunting and I realize that writing romance isn't really my thing either hahaha.
The short stories though, those I have so much more fun with.
And hey, if you got enough of the same genre, you can still turn that into a book!
PS - I really like your short stories!
❤️❤️❤️
As a professional copywriter, I actually have the opposite problem, where I have to force myself to be LESS concise when writing fiction. After I finish a draft for a fiction chapter, I always go back and analyze for opportunities to expand, but only in ways that are meaningful and interesting, of course. I wouldn't expand something just for the sake of length.
Since I write by day and night, I get burned out quickly and don't like to spend time on creative writing projects that aren't really important to me. But you're right - there is value in exercising your skills with short stories before you attempt a large-scale project like a novel. It allows you to identify your strengths, weaknesses, biggest interests, and where you can improve.
If you're also feeling burned out, I recommend writing flash fiction for practice. It can follow the same form and rules as a short story but should be shorter, and therefore, less time-consuming to write.
Haha yeah the advice is always to be as concise as possible, but I guess that's because most people are wafflers like me 😂 Concision can be a bad thing too, I suppose!
Never tried flash fiction, but I see so many good ones on here. Honestly I think I'd suck at it lol.
Rhyming eh? Never tried that but it does sound fun! Any particular genre?
I started with a novel and, after maybe five chapters, gave up for about seven years, so I'm glad that won't happen to you 😂❤️