Around this time last year, I wrote a blog post about how writing short saved my writing career. If you longer write novels (like me!), it can be tempting to see short stories and novellas as lesser forms. Or even as distractions from “real” work. But learning to write short fiction can make you a stronger, more confident long-form author in ways that aren’t always obvious at first. I once heard a famous author say that writing a short story or novella was like trying to perform the Swan Lake ballet in phone booth. And while that’s a bit hyperbolic, I don’t think she’s wrong.
Why Short Form Fiction Can Help Long Form Writers
Short stories and novellas demand precision. There’s no room for wandering subplots or indulgent backstory. Every scene, line of dialogue, and emotional beat has to earn its place. Practicing this kind of tight storytelling sharpens your instincts, helping you recognize what truly matters in your novels. It can teach you how to know what can be trimmed without loss.
Writing shorter fiction also strengthens your sense of structure and pacing. When you only have a few thousand words to work with, you learn quickly how to open with impact, escalate conflict efficiently, and land a satisfying ending. Those skills translate directly to cleaner, more compelling novel drafts.
There’s also creative freedom in shorter work. Short stories and novellas allow you to experiment—with voice, genre, point of view, or emotional tone—without committing years to a single idea. That experimentation often unlocks breakthroughs that carry over into longer projects.
Finally, short fiction builds momentum. Completing a story, especially when novel progress feels slow, restores confidence and reminds you that you can finish what you start. That sense of completion fuels consistency, which is one of the most important skills any long-form author can develop. In the end, short fiction isn’t a detour from novel writing. It’s a training ground.
And just for fun, here is a link to a list of resources to help you learn more about writing short.
