SHORT STORIES v NOVELS

I am an avid reader of thriller/suspense/detective novels. I love authors such as Michael Connelly , Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham , Mary Higgins Clark, Martina Cole , Peter Robinson,  Peter James and Jeffrey Deaver, to name but a few.

Recently, I've read "More Twisted" , by Jeffrey Deaver, a collection of short stories. In the author's preface , Deaver says, that occasionally he teaches writing. One of the most frequently asked questions that he is asked by students, is " should I start writing short stories then work my way up to novels? ". Deaver's answer is NO. Short stories and novels are not like apples and oranges, more like apples and bananas. He says - quite rightly in my humble opinion - that novels seek to emotionally engage readers on all levels and to do that authors must develop characters in depth, create realistic settings, do extensive research and come up with a structured pacing that alternates between the thoughtful and the rip-roaring. A short story is like a snipers bullet. Fast and shocking.

Interestingly, I watched David Jason on the One Show last week and he said more or less the same thing. He of course is starring in a new series which began on Boxing Day " The Royal Bodyguard ". When asked if he felt that this would be another hit series, he pointed out that in years gone by his characters, whether they be Del Boy, Granville or Frost viewers had an opportunity to get to know and love ( or in some cases hate ) the characters, due to the number of series that were made. These days due to budgetary constraints, characters need to be an almost instant success giving the show massive tv ratings to have even a chance of a second series being commissioned , let alone a third, fourth or fifth !

Characters in novels are much the same, I have spent years learning about Harry Bosch ( Michael Connelly ), Kay Scarpetta ( Patricia Cornwell )  Rizzoli & Isles ( Tess Gerritsen ), Alan Banks ( Peter Robinson ) and Lincoln Rhyme ( Jeffrey Deaver ). I feel I know them, know what they are like, how they will react to given situations. Yes the novels are for me for sure. With short stories, for me at least, I cannot lose myself in them as there is just not the time to get to know the characters well enough !