Important decision

[Bob The Mercenary]

Yup, just another thread marking another checkpoint in my race to start my book. I'm just about set to begin writing it, but I recently had a great idea for a short story, and "sources" have told me that it's better to have a few stories under your belt before approaching a novel.

Although, if I further put my book on hold, I would have to spend a lot of time coming up with characters, straightening out the plot, and fixing other technicalities for the short story. However, I would at least have some experience in writing if I went with the short one first. But, I don't want to lose the drive I have right now to write the novel. >_<

So which do I do first?