Using short stories as a writing tool

[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.

[Gruud]

I have recently found myself using a short story format to expand my understanding of some of my support characters.

This sounds like a good idea to me, maybe I'll "borrow" it. 

Seems like a good way to set these characters' origin stories, or similar.

The stories may not ever make it into your actual work, but are there for you to refer to, even if only for yourself.

Or you can pluck snippets to use for exposition in the main work.

I like it.

[Craz]

Honestly, I love writing short stories. I've ended up writing half a dozen just to flesh out my universe and get a grip before I tackled bigger challenges with the 'verse.

[meg_evonne]

... 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. ...

Backtracking slightly after reading this.  I'm pretty sure you're male...is the difficulty finding the character's voice or is the difficulty finding a female character's voice?  If so, I might have some other suggestions as well.  :-)

[gravesbane]

Ok you caught me. Yes, the character I am having problems with is female. The wife of my MC. It seems to me I writing a male character, but giving him breasts. (Sorry for that visual) To be honest, just starting this story has given me a clearer picture of her. It is still a work in progress, and I may never finish it, but it has helped.

Thanks again

[Mickey Finn]

"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."

This is excellent, especially since you haven't taken any courses and came up with the idea yourself...

It's a great tool (even if you suck at writing shorts, because honestly, if you never intend to publish it, you can do whatever you want IN it, breaking all sorts of "rules" that would keep you in the slush pile, because the whole point is for you to get a better grip on the character)...it call also be used to get you out of writer's block on a novel.

[meg_evonne]

Hey Mickey!  Thanks for stopping in and sharing some great advice.  Always appreciated by us duffers.  LOL

[gravesbane]

Yes Mickey, thanks for your two cents worth. I feel honoured that you stopped by on post.

[Mickey Finn]

Guys, I'm a struggling author just like you

[meg_evonne]

Struggling?  What's that?  Oh, you mean this monstrous thing that's wrapped about my body and has inserted an appendage into the base of my skull sucking out all thoughts but demon writing? 

[Mickey Finn]

*blinks*

Have you ever considered writing?