Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Other Blunt Objects

So to begin, I have to ask the question, what is it you write? I don’t know the answer to that, and most probably you don’t either. Oh, you may think you know, but don’t be fooled by that. Anyway we will figure that out later.

There are some labels we use, which I guess could be considered useful: poetry for one, fiction, non-fiction are others.

If we were to go with these, and why not since labels are how we begin making do, but we will dispense with these when the need arises.

So what is the difference between a poem and a short story? What is the difference between a short story and a novel? What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?

Easy questions. Tough answers. Think about it a while. I mean really think about it. Don’t just say, “oh well everybody knows that” and move on. Stop yourself in your tracks. Ask the question. I know you know, but I bet you don’t know.

The best way to approach it is to return to basics. Look at a poem in a book, look at a short story. Look at a short story, look at a novel. Begin with the obvious things you notice no matter how foolish they appear since the answer(s) to these questions lies here.

Which would you rather be hit over the head with - a poem, a short story or a novel?