Start writing novel? Stick to shorts?

[Crème de la Gem]

Hi! I am pretty new to writing and reading. I've so far wrote 6 short pieces only. Right now, I'm trying to read a lot, and entering small contests and taking free classes to learn to write. There is a 12 weeks class in which I'm to write 50,000 words or so 1st draft for a novel. Should I enroll? Or should I stick to short contests?

[DamaNegra]

Well, it really depends on what you want to do and the direction you want for your career. We can't just decide for you.

[JamieFord]

I'd recommend you play around with short fiction until you feel you've found your voice. But then again, I learned a ton from writing my first novel, then rewriting it four times...

[stormie]

I have found there are times when the short I start out to write lends itself to becoming a novel, with more characters, subplots, detail. I have one now that's kind of brewing on the back-burner. I started it as an essay, turned it into short fiction, which slowly evolved into a mystery, which in turn looks like it could become a novel. But then, I work on several WIPs at one time. That's the way I am. Keeps me from writer's block.

As for your question, if you can afford it (time-wise and money-wise) take the novel writing course. Meanwhile, read as much as you can about writing shorts.

[Crème de la Gem]

I think I'd take the class. I have time and it's a free course. And writing novels (and publishing them) is what I want to do eventually. Thanks folks!!!

[NeuroFizz]

If you have a project that requires novel length, write for that length. If your projects all lend themselves to short stories, stay in that format. The length should be dictated by the story, not by any desire to write to a format. On the other hand, you can choose a format, but only by selecting a story project that will fit well within that format.

[nevada]

also keep in mind that some people cant write shorts but do great with novels, and some people cant write novels but do great with shorts. A short story is not a short version of a novel, nor is a novel a longer short story. THe two are very different animals and learning one does not guarantee success with the other.

[job]

If it's free and not incredibly stupid ... go for it.

You
(and me too, of course, and most folks)
could spend 12 weeks writing greeting cards or haiku or washing machine repair manuals
and learn from it.

(I always think poetry is great preparation for writing novels.)

Anything you write teaches you.
The first million words are for practice.

[ChaosTitan]

A short story is not a short version of a novel, nor is a novel a longer short story. THe two are very different animals and learning one does not guarantee success with the other.

Too true, and not said enough. :)

[Silver King]

...The first million words are for practice.
I certainly hope not, or else I've got a long way to go, at least three quarters of a million or so.

I'd like to think the last fifty thousand words I wrote are pretty decent. In fact, I'd venture to say they're pretty damn good.

If I write, "I want to be a good writer really, really bad," a hundred thousand times, does that bring me closer to joining the Million Written Word Club any more than I am now?

[job]

>>>I certainly hope not, or else I've got a long way to go, at least three quarters of a million or so.<<<<

We will hope you are a speedy, speedy learner. (g)

[DVGuru]

The first million words are for practice.

I wrote screenplays before novels. Do they count towards my million words?

[Shady Lane]

I'm really curious how many words I have to go...

25,000+20,000+60,000+40,000+25,000+70,000+35,000+3 0,000

305,000...

All right. I'm getting close.

[job]

... and you get credit for all the abandoned drafts under the bed.
.
.
.
and, the discreet and well-behaved drafts too, of course.

[Shady Lane]

REALLY??

Then I'm up to about 675,000. Yessss.

[Willowmound]

Hi! I am pretty new to writing and reading. I've so far wrote 6 short pieces only.

I've so far written.

Write, wrote, have written.

Consider this a friendly grammar lesson, seeing as you're new to writing and all.

*smilie*

[Crème de la Gem]

Thank you willow. I'm embarrassed. Ok. Written. Written. Written. Got it.

I can't believe I never noticed any of those posts till now! I just fixed the email notification option.

Well, I've been in the class for two weeks now, and I am having fun. I'm doing this "Snowflake Method." I like it. It suite me better than doing outlines.

I also just finished reading 'On Writing' by Stephen King, and I'm pretty fired up! I recommend his 'On Writing." It was my first time reading him. I haven't read his fictions yet but it's in the shelf: Bag of Bones. Can't wait! I must read 'Anna Karenina' first though... It's a really big and old book, but it keep coming up as a 'must read' so... It better be good.

[johnzakour]

Glad the course is going good.

[Alexandra Little]

I once read some really stupid advice on an otherwise helpful website that advised that beginners shouldn't attempt novels. I wrote one short story before I started my book--what writing a novel straight off did was get me used to the long format, long plotlines, more characters, etc., and now I find it hard to write a short story because I'm not sure how to do it. Write whatever you want to attempt--I wanted novels, so I went for novels.

[Jamesaritchie]

I think you should try whatever you're interested in trying. The only way to know whether you enjoy writign a novel, and whether you're any good at it, is to try.

[EriRae]

I have a hard time reading short stories, so writing short stories is not for me. That's why I started with novels.

Write what you love, what you know, and what you are pleased with at the end of the day, because most days, the only person reading your work is you.

[heatheringemar]

Write what you love, what you know, and what you are pleased with at the end of the day, because most days, the only person reading your work is you.

Huh. Maybe that's why I keep writing novellas.....???

[Soccer Mom]

Glad you are trying something new. While shorts and novels are very different, I learn things in writing shorts that help my novels and my poetry helps my shorts, etc....

The only way to learn where your passion is, is to explore. Good for you, Crem!

[janetbellinger]

It's a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't enter anything where I had to come up with a certain number of words in a given time period, because I feel I wouldn't be able to write something of good quality that way. But again, there's always rewriting after the fact, so whatever feels comfortable.

[Mike Lynch]

If writing novels is where your heart is, then I say go for it. While it may seem like writing short stories and novels is the same, one is just longer, but that is simply not the case. Short stories are about the main idea, to the point, and lean on the details. In a novel, you have the opportunity to introduce minor plot points, spend some time with secondary characters, and go into detail about previous events that happened in the main character's life. One is not better than the other, they are just different. The best way to hone your craft is to focus time and attention on those venues that will help you become a better writer. I hope this helps.

Mike

[Crème de la Gem]

Right. I guess it's all a matter of preference. Case by case. For me, the class is good because I can write more when there is someone expecting my work.

O and the purpose of the class is to write the first draft. The longest I've written so far is 5000 words so this would be interesting. It's also good for me because I've only been writing since the beginning of this year, and I'm trying to form a writing habit.

[TheKnightWhoSaidNi]

I also just finished reading 'On Writing' by Stephen King, and I'm pretty fired up! I recommend his 'On Writing."

Excellent! I read that book too, it's truly amazing. So much good advice, like the thing about not outlining. I have since outlined the second and third books to give me more focus as I went along, but if I had outlined the first (which I still fiddle around with frequently) I probably would've gotten bored. Part of the joy in writing the first book was not knowing what I would think up next.

Now, as for the topic of the thread, I would say that you should write what feels best to you. I've only written one short story, and I started out with this fantasy trilogy against the advice of every author out there, but it has taught me a lot. There is a vast difference between the first few chapters of the first book and the stuff I'm writing now in the third, two years later.

[Crème de la Gem]

Yeah I will be finding out if I like writing novels. I think I would, because I enjoy reading novel than reading shorts. It's exciting to try new things. I feel like a baby trying a piece of chocolate for the first time!

[Soccer Mom]

Classes can be a great way to develop good habits. Keep us updated with your progress!