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Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Writer's Discussion: Questions :
Your Short Stories vrs. Your Novellas vrs. Your Novels (IDEAS)
Your Short Stories vrs. Your Novellas vrs. Your Novels (IDEAS)
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Posted By:  Magus Nov 22, 2004 - 03:26 pm |       | I have a question to pose to you all. How does the genre, theme or type of story ideas you write differ when compared to short stories, novellas and novels?
I recently discovered that the leangth for novellas is much shorter then I thought innitially. And so, I have now stumbled across a type of pattern in my writing.
My short stories tend to be more horror or insanity/murder themed stories. (Examples include "Digger" and "The Tommyknocker Man" )
The stories I write that are now concidered novella leangth are beginning to lean more towards this "surreal" genre some of you may have heard me talk of. (Examples include "Rock and a Hard Place I: Clicker" )
And then all of my novel ideas seem to be sci-fi or, as is the vast majority of the case, fantasy.
Here's the thing: Every good short story idea falls under what I have just mentioned, without exception. Every good novella idea, with only minor exceptions with the first two I wrote ("The Wind to One's Soul" and "Viva La Revolution Lockport" ) seem to fall under the category of "surreal". Every good novel idea seems to be sci-fi or fantasy, with two exceptions.
Does anybody else fall into a kind of trend like this? And, just in case you're wondering, I think a novella begins at ten or fifteen pages leangth in normal Word settings.
Well, I've never written a novella... But the first scene to my novel involves murder. A friend who read it told me that it sounded more like a short story than a novel, and I agree with him. That's interesting... I guess, if you're going to write a short story, it has to be "thrilling." 
"Every good novel idea seems to be sci-fi or fantasy, with two exceptions."
What would those two be?
I like epics. That's what I'm working on. A story that spans just a few novels, or just one novel, is usually not enough for me. If the characters and plot are so involving, it want to prolong it for as long as possible.
My first idea for a novel was really bad, and it was fantasy. Every good novel concept I've come up with has been sci-fi.
Short stories for me tend to be sci-fi or fantasy.
I wrote a wierd sort of superhero novella, and I guess it could be considered sci-fi/comedy.
I came up with one sci-fi idea that I ended up turning into a short screenplay, but I haven't gotten around to producing it yet.
| Posted By: Magus Nov 23, 2004 - 02:20 pm | | Those two exceptions, Queen Ehlana, is one, that's actually a series, that's surreal. It's actually pretty awsome and will span a few volumes. The other, in hindsight, is actually not very good.
So, with out fail, excepting one surreal series of novels, every good idea for a novel I have is Sci-Fi or Fantasy related.
What exactly do you mean "surreal"? Would you count Les Misérables as surreal? That's my favorite book... It's one of those books people either love or hate.
| Posted By: manji Nov 23, 2004 - 08:17 pm | | http://teenwriting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jameshudnall.com%2Ftoc.htm
That link is about comic book writing but that section deals with story telling in general. You'll find a definition of the 'Surreal' story there, QE.
Okay, I see... (looked it up meself) "Alice and Wonderland" would be surreal. Yuck... Surreal art is interesting, though...
http://www.encorecatering.co.uk/gfx/pho_salvidor.jpg
I disagree that those are the only types of good novels. I haven't even read that much, but I know that there are plenty of good novels besides that out there.
| Posted By: Magus Nov 24, 2004 - 11:31 am | | I think you missunderstood me. I do not think that Sci-Fi and Fantasy are the only kinds of good novels out there. I myself partake of all sorts of different varieties and genres. I say that the only good ideas that I myself come up with are either Sci-Fi or Fantasy.
And, also, the way that I think of "surreal" is slightly different then what you may be thinking. In my opinion "surreal" constitutes as any form of writing that incorperates surreal, onviously, and otherworldly aspects to it while remaining in a contempory, modern or otherwise typical setting and do not fall under the categories of Science Fiction or Fantasy. By this definition, almost all of Stephen King's works are "surreal".
I clicked on both links. That picture of Jesus was rather odd. The other one was awsome! I'm going to go back to it now and stew over it in greater detail.
Oh, sorry... Eek...
Well, I talked to my English teacher about it today. He told me to read James Joyce. He said surrealism is either good or really bad... either the person knows what s/he's doing or is just trying to show off how strange s/he can be. 
My short-stories are fantasy, my novellas are sci-fi, and my novels are fantasy.
| Posted By: Magus Nov 24, 2004 - 05:59 pm | | I can definately see that, Queen Ehlana. It really would depend on how it's done.
Just out of curiousity, would you mind giving my surreal story, Rock and a Hard Place I: Clicker a look over? I'd like to hear your input in the matter.
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