Why did Thomas Hardy begin writing novels after first trying to publish poetry?

Thomas Hardy initially turned to writing novels because he was unable to get his poetry published. Although he personally valued verse more highly than prose, he began writing novels in the 1860s after his early poetic efforts failed to achieve immediate publication.12

Hardy’s transition to fiction was a reluctant one, and he continued to focus on his literary career as a novelist for several decades before eventually returning to poetry later in his life.13