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The majority of fiction writing can be broken down into two major categories: novels vs short stories. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. One allows for a broader scope. Meanwhile, the other lets a writer zoom in more closely and intimately.
Short stories and novels are two forms of literature that differ in length, structure, and character development. Comparing novels vs short stories, novels are longer and more complex while short stories are shorter and more focused. Each offers readers a different literary experience.
The Difference in Length
One of the most obvious differences between novels vs short stories is their length.
Short Stories
The longest a short story can be is around twenty pages in printed form. That difference in length means short stories have less space to develop characters, plot, and themes. Because of this, they often focus on a single incident or moment.
They generally range in length from a few thousand words to around 10,000.
Novels
By comparison, novels are much longer, with a minimum length of around 40,000 words and no maximum.
Classical novelists such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy wrote novels of hundreds of thousands of words.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the longest novel ever published is Marcel Proust’s A la recherche du temps perdu. It comes in at a whopping 1,267,069 words, which is double that of Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
What’s more, it’s so long that it’s divided into 7 volumes.
How the Structures change
Short Stories
Another key difference between short stories and novels is their structure. Short stories are generally more concise and focused, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They often have a single main character and a limited number of supporting characters. The plot is usually straightforward and easy to follow.
Novels
By contrast, novels are typically more complex and sprawling, with multiple characters, subplots, and themes. They may also be structured in a more fluid or nonlinear way, with multiple points of view or shifting perspectives.
Character Development challenges
Novels vs short stories differ in terms of character development.
Short Stories
In a short story, there is less space to explore the inner lives and motivations of characters. Because of this, they may be more thinly drawn or less fully realised.
In the words of American short story writer Lorrie Moore, “A short story is a love affair, a novel is a marriage. A short story is a paragraph; a novel is a film.”
Novels
In a novel there is more space to delve into the characters’ backgrounds, personalities, and relationships. Therefore, they can be more fleshed out and believable.
But There Are Exceptions To Every Rule…
Complex Snapshots
Short stories are a delicate art form in which a skilled writer can accomplish a lot. Some of the best short story writers have found ways to tell complex narratives within their tight word limits.
Sometimes this means they imbue a short scene with layers of symbolism.
For example, in a story of a crumbling marriage, an object like an old jumper can take on deeper meaning. A character can remember when he or she bought it, and the memories associated with it. It can come to represent an entire relationship.
So, an accomplished author can show us a lot about a character in a short space.
Short Epics
In some rare cases, an author can tell a far grander story within a tight word limit. Lord Dunsany, a great Anglo-Irish writer who was a major influence on today’s fantasy genre, was famous for this. Within a handful of pages, he could bring entire fantastical worlds to life and weave rich epic sagas.
More Than the Sum of Their Parts
There are also cases where the distinction between novels and short stories is blurry. What may seem to be a full-length novel could be a collection of short stories woven together.
English writer David Mitchell is famous for this. For example, he divided his book Cloud Atlas into several shorter narratives. He set each one in a different era with different characters and even different writing styles. He linked the stories in subtle ways, such as by theme and potential reincarnation. However, each can stand on its own as a self-contained narrative.
The Last Word
When it comes to fiction writing, novels vs short stories are the two major literary formats. Each has its pros and cons. The choice boils down to what the writer wants to accomplish.
Sources:
The Guinness Book of World Records: Longest novel
The School of Life: Marcel Proust
In praise of short fiction: a tribute to Maeve Brennan – Edwin Higel – January 3, 2017
The Ornate Brevity of Lord Dunsany – Arthur B. – January 8, 2022
Everything you need to know about Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell – Donna Mackay Smith – November 7, 2022