What are the main differences between a short story and a novel? A novel includes at least two different settings while a short story only has one. A short story is based on a conflict between two people, while novels include many conflicts. A novel always has several main characters while short stories only have one. A short story can be read in one sitting while most novels cannot.

A short story is less complex than a novel. It usually focuses on just one incident, has a single plot, and a single setting. The plot is tight and leads to only one climax. A novel can have multiple incidents, numerous plots, and different settings. Novels can have a series of climaxes that lead to one final big climax that brings the story together. Each chapter, or part can have a different setting in a novel. Characters are developed over the course of the novel, and there is no limit to how many characters a novel can have. The novel can follow these characters for months and even years. Whereas, in a short story the timeline is usually just one day. Short stories do not have character development. Short stories are a single narrative, but novels can have multiple narratives. In short, a short story can be summed up as tight efficient writing that has a single climax and an abrupt ending. Whereas, a novel can be summed up as complex writing that has a definite beginning and an eventual end.