Who reads short fiction? Is it easier or harder to write?

Katarina Radovcic · Post by **Katarina Radovcic** » 01 Nov 2021, 16:38

I like the concept of writing short fiction because you have a very limited space in which you develop your stories, just like in poetry where you have to sum a whole world in only a few verses. It is challenging and I've always admired the authors who are able to do it. My stories tend to go towards short fiction more than whole novels because I like the directness and the focus of it (not that I could compare to real authors).
Also, thanks for the list, now I have some new stories to read!

Edwin1233 · Post by **Edwin1233** » 03 Nov 2021, 03:36

Short stories are much easier to write. I don't really enjoy much of it.

Martha Juliet B · Post by **Martha Juliet B** » 26 Dec 2021, 13:35

The experts say that short fiction is much harder to write than long because it has to contain everything longer fiction does only in a shorter space. Far from an expert, though, short fiction is all I've ever known. Having never written more than 10,000 words, I think short is easier for me but likely, only because it's what I'm used to.

Lakeside Reader · Post by **Lakeside Reader** » 20 Jan 2022, 16:00

Hi. I'm presently reading a collection of short stories by Hemingway and am into the third story. The writing gives the reader a good journey into the character's minds, but the plots so far are the same - one character in a safari story accidentally kills another character; and one character in the second story pretending to bullfight accidentally kills another character. It will be fun to see how the remaining stories develop.

Regard003 · Post by **Regard003** » 21 Jan 2022, 13:32

I love short stories. But I think they are harder to write because the author has to put together a great story in just few words. Thanks for the list

hayisa · Post by **hayisa** » 11 Feb 2022, 07:49

I've always read short fiction because I love that I don't need to spend so much time on a single story. Because it requires less time and effort than a novel, I think it's easier to write.

human reader · Post by **human reader** » 13 May 2022, 12:08

Short fiction is probably the best way for a writer to start. It's less daunting to finish and is a good way for writers to build credibility with readers before launching into a mammoth epic.

Marsha JJ · Post by **Marsha JJ** » 18 May 2022, 19:19

This looks like a fantastic list. I really enjoy short story anthologies, especially compilations by prize-winning short story writers. I just read a compilation of the O.Henry prize-winners, and it was excellent.