Short stories

by Mistura Olaoye
(Highspire, PA USA)

Does writing short stories help you with writing in general, or just writing short stories? So if I had a lot of practice at short stories, would those writing skills transition to novel writing skills? Or are they too different?

ANSWER
The genres are completely different, so writing excellent short stories does not necessarily mean that you will then write an excellent novel. However, your general writing skills will certainly improve the more you write, along with your understanding of narrative, both of which will make it more likely that you will write a good novel if/when you focus on that genre.