For those of you who write both novels and short stories

I write everything ongoing. I don't time manage anything. If an idea for a short story arises, I simply write it. I've written them in a matter of a couple of hours. The last one I wrote was like that. I haven't done one for a while, but that one was submitted right after I wrote it and published about 3 or 4 months later in an anthology. I often write them based on calls for submissions...since they only take a few hours of my time to complete. Otherwise...no special schedule.

I've recently been allocating my nights (I write in the evenings after work) to specific tasks in order to make sure everything gets the time it needs.

Monday: Serial blog novel chapter
Tuesday: Novel editing
Wednesday: Blog essay, and novel draft writing (new novel)
Thursday: Serial blog novel chapter
Friday: Book review & novel editing
Saturday: Short story writing/editing (I have more time on Sat. evenings)
Sunday: Blog essay and novel draft writing (draft from Weds)

I'm sure it seems rigid for people who don't like schedules/routines, but I keep track of it all on my PDA, and it works to both keep me working on "stuff", and also prevent me from getting bored working on just one or two things. So far it's working great...

I've got about 10 short stories brewing in my mind, but I promised myself I wouldn't start any new work until I finish this draft of my novel. I don't want to get distracted and not finish it. When I'm done, I'll spend a few months cranking out some short stories while I edit the novel. Then back to noveling in November.

I had to resort to separating my time because last year, I got a ton of short stories written but failed to complete any longer works. I do allow myself to edit short stories while I'm noveling to break things up some. Just no new stuff.

So far so good! Good luck to you figuring something out. I don't want your head to explode.

Nicole

I write short stories when I'm not working on my novel, like if I'm waiting for revision notes or just letting it simmer for a bit. Or if I need a break from the same old characters. I admit, my short stories have been neglected lately.

I go back and forth as I feel like it. Since the novel is such a large project, it tends to take over my life and brain for days or even weeks at a time while I plug away at it. When there's a lull in writing the novel (indecision, boredom, I hate it but don't know why, etc.) then I'll work on a short story.

My shorts certainly languish when I really got into novel writing last year. About all I managed at the time was a couple flash pieces and finish some already-started shorts. But this year, I'm (inadvertently) getting better at shifting gears between stories. I keeps me writing more consistently-- fewer days with no words because I'm trying to work through a problem. Though, I do limit myself on the number of stories going at once. I had three when I started thinking of the new novel, but put off the novel until I finished one of the shorts. Nothing wrong, I think, with a little WIP polygamy, but let's keep it reasonable.

WendyNYC said:

I write short stories when I'm not working on my novel, like if I'm waiting for revision notes or just letting it simmer for a bit. Or if I need a break from the same old characters. I admit, my short stories have been neglected lately.

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Here. This saves me the trouble of actually scripting a reply. This is what I do.

Wottever happens.

I keep short storie bunnies in a nice hutch, with plenty of alfalfa and carrots. They tend to breed in there, which makes for more bunnies, with nice hybrid genes.

Between novel drafts, I work on the shorts. I'm starting marketing of my just completed WIP novel, as well as research for the next one. Short stories written simultaneously keep my hand in on actual composition, plus give me more shots at the coveted big markets. F&SF and Asimov's, I'm still laying siege to you. That's my little barbarian tent over there, at the foot of your north tower, and I laugh at boiling oil and arrows. Muhahaha-ouch-ha!

I don't write short stories, but I am working on a novel and an MG. I start out writing the novel in the morning and I write until I run out of steam. Then, I have a snack and get going on the MG. It's working out really well for me and I'm managing to fit more writing hrs in this way.

I write a short story whenever I feel I have it planned out sufficiently in my head no matter what other writing I am doing at that moment. It's a way to recharge your novel battery while still churning out pages... I see them as a fun distraction that can make some money if you send them to the right market.

I've been primarily a short story writer, and I continue to have a fondness for the torrid intimacy of short fiction.

I'm graduating to novels but I don't think I'd ever like to loose touch with short fiction.

Generally, I write books. When one's finished, I write a few short stories before starting my edits of the books. On the other hand, I'll put a book to one side to write a short story if the idea has to be written then.

Bubastes said:

Do you write short stories as a mind-clearer between novel drafts?

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Yes, this is exactly what I do. Short stories or short hi-lo teen novels. I seem to need a bit of a break before jumping into another novel length project. Though sometimes my short stories have ended up turning into novels...

I find that the conveyor belt effort on my short stories ( write, edit, take to critique group, rewrite, take to critique group, rewrite, submit) serves as motivation to the extended version for the chapters of my novel. Since they both exhibit my writing style I feel I am getting concentrated help and advice on my shorts that is very useful for my novel writing.