McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Using short stories as a writing tool

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gravesbane:
I have recently found myself using a short story format to expand my understanding of some of my support characters. Is this a common practice? I have never taken a creative writing course, so I am not familar with the more common tools of the trade. Also, do any of you get so emotionally moved by what you are trying to write that fear of not conveying it well enough stops you from writing at all? I am trying to take that big step of actually writing a story arc I have played in my mind for about ten years now, but I find fear is staying my pen (keyboard).

Kris_W:
Depends on what you mean.
The progression of -
      Poetry -> Short stories -> Novela -> Novel -> Trilogies and Series
- does not work.  You can't learn one form by studying other forms.

Writing short stories is not great for learning to write novels. Novels have very different needs, formats and expectations compared to short story writing.

However, writing short stories is great for learning to write stories - They help to better understand characters or work out background information or tell stories that do not fit into the format of a novel.  They give you a better understanding of story needs.


I'm being clear as mud, neh?

meg_evonne:
I think he means that he is using short stories to figure out his characters. In other words he's developing their backgrounds, their personalities, their motivations, even their likes and dislikes. 

I have heard this works well, but hey different strokes.  If it works for you that is what is important!

gravesbane:
Thank you for your answers. I am having trouble getting a hold of my secondary character's voice. I thought if I tried writing a short story with her as the focus it would give her more life in my mind and future writings. It will also fill in some background info I hope. If this works, I will try it with other characters. In fact it does seems to be flowing a little better after about 1200 words. I know that is just a drop in the bucket, but it is a start.

This is such good resourse. I have learned much from just lurking about. Thank you all.

Cooper:
Recently I've been writing short stories to understand the main character and his profession.  It's all gearing towards the Podiobook i'm producing in the summer.  Writing the novel won't be a problem.  But I do believe there is no formal formula on progression, only what form of writing your comfortable with, either with short stories, novellas, or novels.

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