The Little Thing that Rubs Up Against the Big Thing

I’ve been a way a while. Sartori, let’s call it. But that being said, you don’t get away from writing, and so I am going to return to a question from Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Other Blunt Objects. What is the difference between a short story and a novel? You were supposed to be thinking about it already. Even if you hadn’t read my post (shame on you) if you want to be a writer, you need to be posing these questions to yourself.

So what is the difference between a short story and a novel?

I think this one is accredited to Henry James (but then which literary quote is not?). By the way you are familiar with James are you not, or has contemporary life left him far behind? In case it has, why don’t I just say this quote is accredited to Douglas Copeland. Oh for heavens sake, J.K. Rowling. Now are you happy?

Anyway here it goes: “The novel is the big thing and the short story is the little thing that rubs up against the big thing.”

Ponder on it, and I will return.