I'm currently working on a short story, another erotic that I hope to submit to Cobblestone Press in the near future. Up until a few months ago I didn't really enjoy writing short stories, could never get it right...so what's changed? I can't really say for sure. I used to write short stories a lot as a child and teen but something happened as I grew older and I just couldn't seem to get things done in a short amount of word count. Maybe my problem was that I was thinking of short stories in terms of pages...micro stories, two, three pagers, I mean. Now that short I would still have trouble doing. But writing 30-50 page short stories is working out for me. It's enough space to get a good plot going, as well as quite a lot of action for my hero and heroine, if you know what I mean.
I've written four novels, all over 80k and didn't sweat it...now I'm working on another short story and find that I struggle to get the right words down, to get the point across in an interesting way. Everything I write counts, every action needs a purpose, every thought, piece of dialogue, description must move the plot forward in some way. It's an interesting challenge and I am enjoying it. What really counts is that I'm able to flesh out some characters who have been bugging to get a voice and develop a relationship...it's a great test to see if they will work out for a longer piece. Will I want to devote 80k to them or dump them after I'm finished the short? Only time will tell I guess...
What about you all, do you prefer writing short or long? Can you flip between the two?
What works best for you?
Oh, and if you post a comment here...you'll be entered to win a copy of my short story, The Temptress...I'll draw at the end of the month.
I've written four novels, all over 80k and didn't sweat it...now I'm working on another short story and find that I struggle to get the right words down, to get the point across in an interesting way. Everything I write counts, every action needs a purpose, every thought, piece of dialogue, description must move the plot forward in some way. It's an interesting challenge and I am enjoying it. What really counts is that I'm able to flesh out some characters who have been bugging to get a voice and develop a relationship...it's a great test to see if they will work out for a longer piece. Will I want to devote 80k to them or dump them after I'm finished the short? Only time will tell I guess...
What about you all, do you prefer writing short or long? Can you flip between the two?
What works best for you?
Oh, and if you post a comment here...you'll be entered to win a copy of my short story, The Temptress...I'll draw at the end of the month.
I have a hard time writing short stuff. They all turn into novels or serials or whatever... even my novels turn into series. It's a condition I guess.
ReplyDelete:)
-Firewolf from the owg.
I've written a number of short stories. As I continue to write, I notice that my short stories are getting somewhat longer, but still fall within the short story word count. Digressions can be forgiven in a novel, but in a short story, everything must be essential.
ReplyDeleteI used to only write short stories. Now, all I write are novel length stories. Can I flip between the two? I suppose I could if motivated by story. Shrugs.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I have far too many novels floating around in my head.