How Writing Short Stories Can Make You a Stronger Novelist with Demi Michelle Schwartz

If you're a novelist, you might think short stories aren’t “your thing,” but let me tell you—they can be an incredible tool. In this conversation, Demi Michelle Schwartz—author, editor, podcaster, and all-around creative powerhouse— and I dive into how writing short stories can help you:

• Stay creatively engaged between big projects
  
  
• Sharpen your storytelling and character work
  
  
• Play with structure, POV, and genre in low-stakes ways
  
  
• And even reignite your joy when you feel stuck

If you’ve been feeling creatively blocked or craving something new, this conversation might be the nudge you need to try something shorter, messier, and wildly fun.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00 – Why having a strong story vision matters
  
  
• 01:18 – Meet Demi Michelle Schwartz
  
  
• 03:38 – Demi’s journey to becoming an author and editor
  
  
• 06:50 – The unexpected benefits of short stories for novelists
  
  
• 13:20 – How to approach writing short stories with purpose
  
  
• 21:31 – Making your short stories character-driven
  
  
• 22:15 – We chat about A Pinch of Cinnamon and Lore
  
  
• 22:32 – Flat arcs in short fiction: when characters don’t change
  
  
• 25:39 – POV choices in short stories
  
  
• 27:57 – Demi’s advice for first-time short story writers
  
  
• 29:41 – Facing writing struggles (and getting through them)
  
  
• 32:44 – Navigating self-doubt as a writer
  
  
• 35:11 – Why writing community makes all the difference
  
  
• 39:25 – Demi’s current projects and where to find her
  
  

Demi Michelle Schwartz is an author, editor, publicist, and the host of Literary Blend: A

Publishing Podcast, based in Pittsburgh, PA.

Links

Website: http://demimschwartz.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/demimschwartz

Instagram: http://instagram.com/demimschwartz

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/demimschwartz.bsky.social