Hi Alison, thanks for this stimulating piece! I'm curious to understand more about what's left in vs what's let out, for both the short story and the novel. How do you decide what details are crucial that the short story/novel can't exist, and what details are superfluous the reader will fill in the gaps? I've often considered short-stories as some forms of condensed novels. Is this view too flawed?
Njamba, they really are each their own form. The piece about "what to leave out" could be--should be--its own post. I will add it to the growing list of what to write about! (A subscriber has asked about short fiction collections with stories that "connect"--so a sort of novel/short fiction hybrid... I am working on that post, and in a way this connects, so keep an eye out for it.)
But to condense a novel into a short story, to my mind, means you are not giving the novel the breathing space it means. For that matter, such a piece of short fiction would have no breathing room.
Might be a strange analogy, but imagine keeping a journal of meals for a month, describing each breakfast, lunch, dinner... exploring the differences between supper and dinner (I could never figure that out when I was a kid), then snacks, munchies, desserts... you get the picture. A food novel.
A short story is focused on ONE of those meals, and explores it sufficiently, grows it into its own piece. One theme will emerge. Like a picturebook (PBs and short fiction have a lot in common), there is room for only one theme. (Though it might have shades and tones.) Even as the story "grows" after you read it--or at least, the best ones do. A well-evoked short story should grow after the read, expanding in the reader's mind. In fact, those bits that expand, can be thought of as what you have "left out" in the writing--the unsaid. But it is still there.
I so appreciate these questions. Hope this clarifies, though don't hesitate to ask or add, or--to anyone--post a thought!
Loved this piece. Thank you for sharing! It’s refreshing and enlightening regarding the different directions we can take.
In my own journey, I have been writing a book of fables for the past six months. Somewhere along the way, I had an idea for how to (loosely) thread the stories together. I’m liking the idea of it being more of a novella, an overarching story with short stories within it.
All that said, the thing that really stuck out for me from this post is the “burden” of reading short stories and nee characters each time. I do feel this, especially in this day and age of lowered attention and energy span. At the same time, I’ve also learned that it’s something I enjoy as a writer. I like to explore different roles, skills etc… and short stories let me do that with worlds.
Salman, so glad this is useful. I'm curious about the book of fables--and how you are working on it as "loosely connected." Do check out the piece on connected stories (https://diymfatheunschoolforwriters.substack.com/p/writing-the-collection-of-connected) -- it might be helpful. I know people who avoid short fiction--they feel they just don't want to invest in it as they do a novel. And then there are those who love it, and appreciate being able to absorb an entire story in one sitting. So often, short fiction becomes fuel for mulling over, too, and some enjoy that aspect. Often there is so much "unwritten" in short fiction; it does demand more of the reader in some ways.
Hi Alison, thanks for this stimulating piece! I'm curious to understand more about what's left in vs what's let out, for both the short story and the novel. How do you decide what details are crucial that the short story/novel can't exist, and what details are superfluous the reader will fill in the gaps? I've often considered short-stories as some forms of condensed novels. Is this view too flawed?
Njamba, they really are each their own form. The piece about "what to leave out" could be--should be--its own post. I will add it to the growing list of what to write about! (A subscriber has asked about short fiction collections with stories that "connect"--so a sort of novel/short fiction hybrid... I am working on that post, and in a way this connects, so keep an eye out for it.)
But to condense a novel into a short story, to my mind, means you are not giving the novel the breathing space it means. For that matter, such a piece of short fiction would have no breathing room.
Might be a strange analogy, but imagine keeping a journal of meals for a month, describing each breakfast, lunch, dinner... exploring the differences between supper and dinner (I could never figure that out when I was a kid), then snacks, munchies, desserts... you get the picture. A food novel.
A short story is focused on ONE of those meals, and explores it sufficiently, grows it into its own piece. One theme will emerge. Like a picturebook (PBs and short fiction have a lot in common), there is room for only one theme. (Though it might have shades and tones.) Even as the story "grows" after you read it--or at least, the best ones do. A well-evoked short story should grow after the read, expanding in the reader's mind. In fact, those bits that expand, can be thought of as what you have "left out" in the writing--the unsaid. But it is still there.
I so appreciate these questions. Hope this clarifies, though don't hesitate to ask or add, or--to anyone--post a thought!
"needs" ... not "means" in paragraph 2!
Thank you! I love the food analogy. Your response definitely clarifies the difference for me.
Good to know--thank you!
Loved this piece. Thank you for sharing! It’s refreshing and enlightening regarding the different directions we can take.
In my own journey, I have been writing a book of fables for the past six months. Somewhere along the way, I had an idea for how to (loosely) thread the stories together. I’m liking the idea of it being more of a novella, an overarching story with short stories within it.
All that said, the thing that really stuck out for me from this post is the “burden” of reading short stories and nee characters each time. I do feel this, especially in this day and age of lowered attention and energy span. At the same time, I’ve also learned that it’s something I enjoy as a writer. I like to explore different roles, skills etc… and short stories let me do that with worlds.
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom!
Salman, so glad this is useful. I'm curious about the book of fables--and how you are working on it as "loosely connected." Do check out the piece on connected stories (https://diymfatheunschoolforwriters.substack.com/p/writing-the-collection-of-connected) -- it might be helpful. I know people who avoid short fiction--they feel they just don't want to invest in it as they do a novel. And then there are those who love it, and appreciate being able to absorb an entire story in one sitting. So often, short fiction becomes fuel for mulling over, too, and some enjoy that aspect. Often there is so much "unwritten" in short fiction; it does demand more of the reader in some ways.