I’ve always been drawn to crafting expansive narratives, creating intricate worlds, and developing complex characters. This passion led me to embark on a novel several years ago, a project that began with a burst of inspiration and a clear vision. However, life, as it often does, intervened. My writing time dwindled, and my novel, once a source of pride, became a patchwork of scenes and ideas, disconnected from my original plan.
In this state of creative disarray, I found myself grappling with self-doubt. The novel that once seemed like proof of my writing skills now felt like an insurmountable challenge. During this period of uncertainty, I stumbled upon a new path: the art of writing short stories.
The shift wasn’t immediate. It took time to warm up to the idea of setting my novel aside. But as I delved into Rayne Hall’s ‘Writing and Publishing Short Stories: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors‘ and Christopher Fielden’s ‘How to Write a Short Story, Get Published & Make Money’, I realised that short stories could offer a fresh perspective and a new set of challenges.
Writing short stories is an art form in itself. It requires precision, clarity, and the ability to convey a compelling narrative within a limited word count. This constraint, rather than being a limitation, became a liberating force. Each short story became a focused project, a manageable piece that I could develop, refine, and complete in a relatively short period. This sense of completion was something I had been missing in my novel-writing endeavours.
The process of writing short stories also helps to hone my skills in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I’ve learned to be more economical with my words, to develop characters quickly yet deeply, and to structure an efficient narrative. Each story has been a mini-exercise in the elements of fiction, allowing me to experiment with different styles and voices in the fantasy realm.
I also find the shorter format less daunting. It has allowed me to explore new ideas without the commitment of a novel-length project. Each story has been an opportunity to try something new, to fail safely, and to learn from each experience. This experimentation has led to a significant growth in my confidence as a writer.
Perhaps most importantly, writing short stories rekindled my love for writing. The joy of crafting a complete narrative and bringing characters to life within the span of a few thousand words reminded me why I started writing in the first place. It wasn’t just about the end product but the process, the act of creation, and the satisfaction of storytelling.
I’ve written two short stories so far. As I continue to polish them, with the help of Rye Hall’s ‘The Word-Loss Diet: Professional Self-Editing Techniques for Authors‘, the skills and confidence I am building are slowly seeping back into my approach to my novel. The lessons learned in brevity, character development, and narrative structure are invaluable. I now view my novel not as a daunting, unfinished task but as a larger canvas for the skills I’ve learned through my short stories.
Pivoting to short stories has been a journey of rediscovery. It has allowed me to build my skills and regain my confidence, and most importantly, it has reconnected me with the joy of writing. Whether I return to my novel or continue to explore the vast world of short fiction, I am grateful for the journey and excited for the stories yet to be told.
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