How Writing Short Stories Can Make You A Stronger Novelist
I've always been a little intimidated by short stories. Something about squeezing an entire meaningful journey into just a few thousand words felt daunting—especially when compared to the spacious freedom of an 80,000-word novel. But after chatting with author and editor Demi Michelle Schwartz, I realized I'd underestimated the incredible benefits that writing short stories can offer us as novelists.
Demi wears many hats—author, editor, podcaster, literary intern, and even publicist—but one of her greatest passions is short stories. And let me tell you, after our conversation, she’s officially gotten me excited about them, too.
How Short Stories Build Strong Novel Writing Skills
During our conversation, Demi outlined some powerful reasons to try your hand at shorter works.
1. Consistency in Writing Practice
As novelists, we spend long stretches revising or waiting on feedback. Writing short stories is a fantastic way to maintain consistency in drafting throughout the year, keeping your storytelling muscles strong.
2. Improving Narrative Efficiency
When you have to convey a complete story within strict word count limits (often 2,000 to 5,000 words), every single word has to count. No room for filler scenes or lengthy info dumps—this trains you to write tighter, more purposeful narratives.
3. Exploring Different Genres
Short stories offer a lower-stakes environment to experiment with genres outside your comfort zone. Demi discovered her love for horror by trying it out in a short story. You might find unexpected joy and inspiration branching out this way, too.
4. Developing Stronger, More Focused Ideas
Short stories demand clarity in your ideas. There's simply no room to wander. Practicing with this form can sharpen your ability to create and execute focused plots and clear character motivations.
5. Generating Novel Ideas
Sometimes short stories can spark ideas for entire novels. Demi shared how two of her published short stories inspired concepts that expanded into longer works. Writing smaller can lead to bigger storytelling opportunities down the road.
Crafting Short Stories: Demi’s Approach
Demi walked me through her approach, emphasizing the need for a strong, clear concept. Short stories require the same narrative components as novels—inciting incidents, midpoint twists, and resolutions—but are scaled down significantly. Characters must be fewer, stakes clear, and plots streamlined.
She also highlighted the importance of a clear thematic statement. Unlike novels, where themes subtly unfold, short stories often require themes to be more explicit, delivering emotional resonance in a shorter space.
The Power of Character in Short Fiction
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was discussing character arcs in short fiction. Demi shared her own story, A Pinch of Cinnamon and Lore, where the protagonist learns to overcome cultural biases and embraces a broader perspective—a full arc captured succinctly yet impactfully.
Interestingly, we also discussed flat character arcs, which are more external-focused, ideal for stories with intense external conflicts. These stories emphasize how characters react to extreme situations rather than internal transformation.
Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Short Stories
Toward the end, Demi and I talked about the emotional rollercoaster that is writing. She bravely shared her struggles with querying, rejection, and the shift from writing purely for joy to seeing her work as a product for publication. Her biggest lesson? Surround yourself with supportive people and keep going—even when doubt creeps in.
Your Next Steps
Feeling inspired? So was I! If you're looking for a creative boost, consider writing a short story. Demi recommends finding a submission call or anthology prompt that excites you, leaning into your passion, and seeing where the story takes you.
And if you're still hesitating, take Demi's advice: connect with a writing community, get feedback, and embrace the learning process. Remember, writing is challenging for everyone—you're not alone.
Check out Demi’s amazing podcast, Literary Blend, or connect with her through her website at demimschwartz.com.
Happy writing—and here's to discovering the joy and magic of short stories together!
