Is it easier to write a novel or short stories? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to either approach?

Is it easier to write a short story than a novel? It’s a bit like asking if it’s easier to pack a suitcase for a weekend or a year-long trip. A short story is about fitting everything essential into one neat carry-on package which I guess sounds more simple — until you realize every word has to count.

Short stories allow you to more or less focus on one character or one life-defining moment, but the challenge lies in addressing this with such precision and subtlety that it resonates deeply. In short fiction, there’s no room for stray socks or wandering sentences. Every detail must pull its weight.

On the other hand, a novel is your passport to the unlimited baggage check. With more space, you get to unfurl your characters' lives slowly and let readers sink into a fully furnished world. It’s like having a whole house for your plot rather than a cozy studio apartment. You can wander, let subplots lounge around, and explore characters in-depth over time. But this freedom brings its own hurdles: with all that room, there’s the danger of going off track, losing focus, or getting stuck mid-way, wondering if you really needed that extra plot twist or quirky side character.

In the end, it’s not really a question of which is easier — each has its own demands. Writing a short story is an exercise in precision, while a novel is a marathon of endurance. Short fiction forces you to be cunningly selective; novels let you luxuriate in the details, but you must be disciplined enough to bring it all together. So whether you’re packing light or setting up a sprawling estate, you’re in for a unique adventure either way