For authors who need a little more money, enthusiasm, and skill development, putting characters from the novel they are still working on into a short story can help them finish their goal.
Getting Motivated
Firstly, novels take a long time and patience. Many authors who attempt a novel for the first time, end up losing steam about half way through. It’s difficult to find motivation for a project that can take up to three years of blood, sweat and ink. Their characters are their babies and have life of their own; dropping the novel feels like a sin.
It’s good practice for all authors to keep notes on each character. They become more real and it is easier to remember small details about them and their back history. So, why not use this detailed information and these unused back stories to produce a fabulous short story?
Finding a Market
There are loads of short story markets worldwide. From e-zines and weekly magazines, to anthologies, the paying short story market is waiting for good submissions. There are too many to list here, but visit the Writer’s News website is a good place to start from as they constantly update their market pages.
Specialist writer’s clubs or associations are good supports too and will often have links to opportunities in the appropriate genre. This is also a good place to meet like-minded individuals who can give guidance and support through the novel process.
Anthologies like the ones produced by Rebel Books and Wyvern Publications allow for a good amount of creative freedom and give feedback on submissions. Competitions too, are another way to recycle characters and back stories.
Earn Money
Secondly, it is easy to use the lack of income as an excuse to stop writing. Getting a publication contract, even for a small low-paying e-zine is a good feeling. Payment for writing is not only a boost to the finances, but it can inspire more writing to similar ends.
Think about the characters that can be used in a short story. What is their problem? What about their past? What has happened to them to make them the way they are? Things that didn’t work in the novel will have ample stomping ground in the short story market.
Become a Better Writer
Lastly, the more an author writes, the better they become. It’s an easy law to forget, but it’s true. There is no wasted writing time, now binned creative thought. It’s all usable and by the time three to four small writing contracts have come in the post, those last chapters will be written with absolute confidence.
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