How do I know if something should be a story or a book? Because I got an idea yesterday...

Write it and see how long it is when you're done?

Which sounds kinda facetious, but it's the only way I know. Not that I've ever had a short story idea in my life. With me it's stand-alone vs. series.

But wouldn't that affect the timing? Which is something I think I have a problem with already.

If it was me I'd jump right in and start writing, then see how long it was shaping up to be. Of course, I never finish anything so you probably shouldn't listen to me.

erika, I think you need to really consider the scope of the story. Do you have secondary characters who could be developed, provide a subplot? How complicated is the protagonist's conflict?

Also, remember that a novel can be a couple different lengths (although you should always be thinking at least 70,000 words, unless it's YA, and sometimes even then).

Plus? As hard as it can be to get a novel published, there are still a LOT more outlets for it than short stories, these days.

I could probably come up with things; I've been thinking about some of these characters for a while.ETA: But I have thought I was going to attempt another novel before, and those efforts have failed to gel.

Mik hated it from the first day. The center room. And it hated him back. The fake gravity buzzed in there like old fluorescent tube lighting, and smelled like burnt static. Made him sick. So he stuck to the fringes, got himself useful with insulation and wiring. So what if he'd been hired as a socializer. So what, out here? Truth was, the center room was always overcrowded, even when no one was there. Someone's left behind something right there in his face, every time, reminding him of all the other people who stopped there, every moment of every day.

Very atmospheric, Sox. Sorta reminiscent of some of Cherryh's stuff. Or maybe Bester.

thanks Beverly - can you tell me a little more? My brain went different directions with that.

My Center

Once I though life’s purpose was to live as long as you can. But these past few years I’ve seen so much death that I’m learning to accept, though not without pain, that my death is beyond my control. Now I understand that what counts is living well. Of course I will die before I’m ready. I will leave unfinished work behind—otherwise, I’ll have stopped writing, and that’s not acceptable. But with whatever time I have, I will live well. Every day I will love, I will tell my stories, and I will seek knowledge. That is my center.