Back to the Basics
March 2, 2001
7:27 a.m.
I was sitting with a friend the other day, and he asked. "Is writing a novel any different from writing a short story?" "Not really," I answered. "It's just longer." I meant it at that point. From a matter of story and basic construction, I don't think they are different beasts at all. A novel is just longer. However, I'll admit that this is a pretty evasive answer. It's like saying there's no difference between managing a trip to the grocery store and technical development project. Yes, you can use the same management tools, and think of the execution/implementation of these projects in a similar fashion. But after some point, the complexity of size simply must be reckoned with. I started working on this book with a pretty firm idea of what I was going to do--by that, I mean where it was going in the long run. But the proof is in the details, and I'm still working out kinks with a pair of characters. This process has consumed the past two mornings, and threatens to consume several more before I get it all settled out. But this is the fun part, you know? This is the challenge of writing a novel rather than a short story. Complexity. Depth of character interaction. Yes, these are useful in a short story, but not always required. A short story is a sprint--a mad dash wherein all words that are valueless should be shorn away ruthlessly. Perhaps the same basic comment can and should be made with the novel, also. But I think to say that all words without value should be shorn from a novel is as dangerous as saying that writing a novel is not much different that writing a short story. A novel is a different beast in that there are so many subplots for the author to string together. The basic value of a subplot changes from weight that dampens a short story into an ephemeral essence that can serve to enhance the novel to no end. And to do this right, for me, takes having an innate knowledge of what the story means to every character. Therein lies the problem I face, you see? I started this thing knowing what the story meant to the main character. My struggles have made me feel a little awkward around myself. This shouldn't be so hard, I say. I know what I'm doing. But the truth came to me this morning. Now I realize I'm lacking the knowledge of what this story means to all the other characters. Sometimes just knowing the cause of the problem makes you feel better. Are you like that? Today I'm taking a few deep breaths, working with these characters, changing their fundamental personas to match what I think I need in the story. And I'm thinking of them as the main character of their own parts. Simple stuff, I 'm sure. Stuff I should have known. Advice even the newest of neos could give. But easy to lose track of--especially when you've gotten used to writing shorter works.   Have a great day.  Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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"The last thing you know when writing a book is what to put first." Blaise Pascal |
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