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Should I try short story writing first before attempting the novel?
In 2008 I had a possible idea for a novel and started having a go. I sent the first three chapters to Cornerstones for a critique. I knew it would be mostly constructive but they thought the idea had potential. At that point I had problems with my career so I put it on the back-burner.
I would like to revive the idea. Though I intend a crime to be central to the story, I wouldn't consider it to be a crime story as such (not like detective or police procedural).
The question I am trying to ask is: should I have a go at writing this novel, or should I spend some time writing short stories first?
Thoughts welcome.
Comments
If you have never written anything before it might be a good idea to join a creative writing class and get some advice and experience as you go, while also writing your novel.
They may also have said the idea had potential because actually writing the story and developing the characters and producing the story arc and then drawing it all to a conclusion are vastly different and a much harder job than starting the first three chapters.
Best thing? Just sit down and write.
Go with what your writing mind is telling you to do now.
Use the critique to edit your style in the first three chapters you have already written, and keep those pointers in mind as you continue with the novel. As I am sure you will realise, a first draft does not constitute a finished product. You will need to go through it countless times to hone it to perfection.
Sustaining the pace and achieving the story arc may well prove a challenge, but certainly have a go. If you find that you are unable to develop the idea at length, then you might decide to start again and convert it to a longer short story instead.
But good luck, and let us know how it goes!
I've done a writing exercise on the theme, where my inspiration came from, why I want to write it and the problems I had encountered which contributed in me lapsing.
I've also started a writing exercise on the characters: their back story, desires, motivations, why the reader should care about them and how they relate to each other (which gives me ideas about sub-plots and creating tension and conflict).
Do you have a sister named Lydia?