Hatrack River Writers Workshop: A short story prologue to a cycle of novels.

This is topic A short story prologue to a cycle of novels. in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by tommose (Member # 8058) on :

I've got a question. I've got an idea for a series of novels (Science Fiction). I also have an idea for a short story "prologue" that would serve as the underpinning of the story.

The novels revolve around a conflict between Earth and its colonies. The colonies get a head start because they discover F.T.L. travel before Earth, on the way to their worlds, in fact. I want to tell that story.

I don't believe there's enough there for a full novel. I'd toyed with starting the first book with the short story, but think that the disconnection would be too jarring. I can, I guess, integrate the story of the cause of the conflict through the books.

Alternatively, maybe it's my own conceit that leads me to think that the story behind the discovery of F.T.L. travel would be interesting. Many authors just give the thing a name and forget about how it came to be.

So, I would like to get opinions on this. I've posted the first 13 of the short story in the short story section, and the first 13 of the first novel in the novel section, if you'd like to get the flavor of my style.

Is it worth it to pursue the short story, maybe even if it is just to have a publishable complete piece for name recognition? Should I forgo it, incorporate details in the narrative, and let it be?

I'd appreciate any input and feedback.

Thanks!

Tom

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Go ahead and write the short story and see if you can get it published. It can't hurt to have that as a credit when you try to sell your novel(s).

Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :

I agree. You obviously have enough passion for the idea to spend time thinking about it, so write the story and see what happens. If it gets published, great! It if doesn't, well then what was the harm in writing it? You were able to flesh out some ideas, develop characters, flesh out your world. No writing, in my opinion, is wasted effort.

And even if you write the short story why can't you incorporate the details in to the narrative later? People who've read the short story would probably enjoy the references, and those who haven't will benefit from the important info.

Posted by Doc Brown (Member # 1118) on :

quote:
. . . maybe it's my own conceit that leads me to think that the story behind the discovery of F.T.L. travel would be interesting.

People will read the story if it has plot, tension, conflict, suspense, characters, etc. If it doesn't have these things -- if it's just a narrative of a scientist working hard to discover an FTL drive -- then you will find few readers. In fact, that narrative would not even fit the definition of a short story.

Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :

It's worth it to write the story if for no other reason than the fact that it will solidify in your mind exactly how your main characters, in the extended novel, came to be. When you clarify to yourself a portion of your story that is foundational to all the rest, you'll find it's much MUCH easier to write the following tale.