“Is writing short stories first a good way to start ‘breaking into’ writing novels?” Author S.L. Farrell tries to answer this one with many commenters joining in. Farrell says short stories and novels are different. “You don’t learn to play piano by learning to play guitar,” he says. (via Jason Sanford, who is blogging on sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery now)
Yes, writing short stories helps a lot. It teaches the person about the editing process. The person learns to write cleanly so they have less trouble with writinglarger works.
It also establishes a readership which the publisher can tap into to promote the book.
Generally, I would think it would be the best way to go. I’ve thought about writing short stories before attempting anything larger.
I think that, while it’s true that short stories and novels are very different forms, the fact that writing shorts is just less physical work will make it forever true that new writers will start with them.