Story v. Novel

I had a friend tell me the other day that watching some old movies would help me write my "stories." I know that she meant this to be a helpful comment, and I'm certainly not upset with her, as she's probably right. The oldie, but goodie, movies of, say, the 40s, have long-since been forgotten.

I got to thinking, though, about calling what I do in my spare time writing "stories." I've said this many times, and haven't thought much about it. But if I'm really serious about getting published eventually, then perhaps I ought to change my terminology.

"Stories" implies a lackadaisical attitude, doesn't it? Like, I just fiddle with writing. But to say that I'm writing a "novel" or "manuscript" implies a serious commitment to my writing, even if it is part-time.

So from this day on, I'm going to make a concerted effort not to call what I do "writing stories." I'm a novelist and I write books! :)