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 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.