Which do you prefer? Short stories? Or full-length novels?
While I enjoy both, I prefer full length novels. A full length novel’s story arcs get much more build-up and much more pay-off, so I find it much more enjoyable.
There are, of course, stories that are better suited to short stories rather than novels. I occasionally find that mysteries better lend themselves to short stories, since it gives the audience less time to actually figure it out and more of an opportunity to reread with the solution in mind. (When you first read a mystery, you are the detective. When you read it afterward, you are the criminal.)
But a novel is fully fleshed out. Where a short story can only hint, a novel can show. Where we are told about a character’s traits, we have the opportunity to see them in a novel. (In a best case scenario, of course. I’ve read plenty of novels where I’m told about how strong a character is and all I can see is how useless they are.) Short stories, like any medium, have their advantages and disadvantages, but I honestly prefer novels.
I prefer novels too. I just like all of the details! Here is my Booking Through Thursday!
I tend to view short stories like popcorn occasionally, I have to confess.
Interesting response.
I do think that a well done short story can be just as effective as a novel. Because you can give enough detail to engage the reader without having to reveal the entire back story or detail to someone.
My examples were the Sherlock Holmes stories and Richard Matheson’s “Duel.”
http://nashvillebookworm.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/booking-through-thursday-length/
As do I, but there’s the simple fact that a novel simply has more time. While short stories probably have less “fat” than a novel, by the very medium, it can never have as much build-up as a novel can. Whether or not an author follows that up, however, is the question…
I have found a lot of good short stories online. I like to explore different genres. However, I like full length novels too.
It depends on my mood, what I want to read.
BTT: long and short of it
I guess I’ve just never really been in a short story mood, I suppose…
Following Michael’s response some of the best written works I’ve read have been short stories, the quickest being only two pages long. Neil Gaiman’s short stories are as well developed as his novels and just as good.
I have two of his short story collections on my list, and I very much look forward to them.