The 2026 [lit] 750 Word Project Support Thread

[Duleigh]

I used to be roughly with you on these, but I have shortened the line for novella vs novel to the 40-50K range. I found this useful list of lengths of famous books.

https://commonplacebook.com/art/books/word-count-for-famous-novels/

Cool list! I wonder why they crossed out "To Kill A Mocking Bird"

100,609 – Ender’s Game – Orson Scott Card --- I swear that book was longer. Talk about immersive!

 

[iwatchus]

Cool list! I wonder why they crossed out "To Kill A Mocking Bird"

My guess is there was a question about the count being accurate. The page has struck a few things previously and then had them reappear with a slightly different number.

 

[ElectricBlue]

So, I'm curious if anybody else has any tips or tricks that are 750 Word specific.

I tend to write just over, and pull back. Or write just short and add a sentences or a phrase. There's no trick to it, you just arrive at 750 words, somehow. Don't overthink the process, and don't try to be too clever with the content. I tend to treat mine more as vignettes or a scene, rather than a "story" per se. Catching the nuance and the mood, rather than the exposition. They're a moment in time, carefully curated.

They're a writer's exercise, an indulgence for sure, but contrary to common opinion they can be well received, if they're well written. Like any story really, only shorter.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I used to be roughly with you on these, but I have shortened the line for novella vs novel to the 40-50K range. I found this useful list of lengths of famous books.

https://commonplacebook.com/art/books/word-count-for-famous-novels/

The ISO really needs to opine on this matter.

 

[ChuckWolf]

Just so I'm clear, it's not allowed to enter a fictitious chapter of a larger story, correct?

 

[Rob_Royale]

I don't think I'm gonna do it this year. The few ideas I have for something that short would probably be better with a few thousand more words.

 

[IWroteThis]

Just so I'm clear, it's not allowed to enter a fictitious chapter of a larger story, correct?

It's a project rather than a challenge, so I'm not sure how strict they are, but a chapter of a larger work is not a complete story, so I would say don't do it.

On the other hand, having done it myself, writing a 750 word sequel to a story should be okay, as long as the sequel is a full story in itself.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

It's a project rather than a challenge, so I'm not sure how strict they are, but a chapter of a larger work is not a complete story, so I would say don't do it.

On the other hand, having done it myself, writing a 750 word sequel to a story should be okay, as long as the sequel is a full story in itself.

Again, knowing that the rules aren't as strict, I also just like rules (which comes as no surprise, right?). So if I were to write a stand alone 750 word story that also involves the characters/background of my existing "universe" for lack of a better word - that would be okay so long as you don't need to read those longer stories to enjoy the 750 word one?

 

[EmilyMiller]

So if I were to write a stand alone 750 word story that also involves the characters/background of my existing "universe" for lack of a better word - that would be okay so long as you don't need to read those longer stories to enjoy the 750 word one?

https://www.literotica.com/s/when-emma-met-lily

 

[EmilyMiller]

Just so I'm clear, it's not allowed to enter a fictitious chapter of a larger story, correct?

I have expanded on two of my 750 word stories to create both a short story and a novella. But the idea is that the story is self-contained.

 

[millamomud]

Do the entries have to be written in english?

 

[EmilyMiller]

Do the entries have to be written in english?

I’ll defer to @Duleigh

 

[ElectricBlue]

Again, knowing that the rules aren't as strict, I also just like rules (which comes as no surprise, right?). So if I were to write a stand alone 750 word story that also involves the characters/background of my existing "universe" for lack of a better word - that would be okay so long as you don't need to read those longer stories to enjoy the 750 word one?

That's in the spirit of the Anthology, yes. The object of the 750 exercise is to write a self contained piece that can be read on its own, regardless where the characters come from.

I've got 750 word stories that went on into more chapters, which together could have been a single story but wasn't. I've also got a four X 750 collection that is fully connected, but each one in itself is a wrap.

It's a fun little Authors' exercise, which some readers enjoy, others don't. They're not much of an investment in readers' time, they're identified as a 750 worder, so if readers don't want to read them, it's easy enough not to.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Do the entries have to be written in english?

There's never been a language constraint in previous years, so there shouldn't be one now,

 

[ElectricBlue]

Just so I'm clear, it's not allowed to enter a fictitious chapter of a larger story, correct?

Not if it's titled "The Longest Story Ch.22", but "The Longest Story - off to One Side" would work. It still needs to make sense in your story catalogue, so readers can see the connection.

As said up above, it's not a Contest, there are no prizes, so there's no need to get hung up on "rules". The only constraint is 750 words and understanding the spirit of the thing.

And before someone chimes in with, "Oh, but different writing packages count words differently," that doesn't matter either. I've never yet heard of a story not published because its word count was quirky.

 

[Duleigh]

I’ll defer to @Duleigh

I will say no and leave it up to the reader to count the words (they do anyhow... )
Treat it like you would any other non-English story, just be sure to put 750 WORD PROJECT in the Note To Admin (in English) and put the story in the Non-English category

 

[millamomud]

I've got a whole outline in my head already, I don't know if I'll be able to wait this long

 

[jsmiam]

My two cents / vote-l / wish / proposed evolutionary improvement to keeping each story absolutely contained within 750 words, where no other story exists as related, required or recommended reading(the three R’s), would be…. (Unchanged except the Bold text)

And thus, the Literotica 750 Word Story Challenge was born. Write the shortest story that Literotica will accept in the shortest month that Literortica allows, Febuary. It's quite a task to attempt without falling to the temptation of spreading the story over several 750-word entries or basing the story on another pre-existing or related story or universe, so chapters, series, or universes do not fit the spirit of the challenge.

This challenge gives authors a chance to play with ideas, improving their skills and (most importantly) having fun with words. Some of the challenge stories are developed into longer works after the challenge is over. (One of mine is now a novel) One of the reasons Laurel and Manu started Literotica is as a tribute to our love of words. To see writers of all skill levels playfully enjoying this challenge (and all challenges, including the challenge of constructing any story!) makes them smile.

I appreciated that the “no chapters” caveat was added, last year I believe. It was an improvement to the spirit of the challenge.

Adding series or universes as not allowed would also be an improvement. To me, if some other story supplements the current 750 words in any way, that other story added something to the current story. It means the full story, all context, every nuance, wasn’t told in only 750 words.

 

[DEFCOM5]

How do you do it? I read a few 750 from my favorite authors here and I bowed in respect.

I do not see how I could even create an interesting sexy story and write it in 750 words.

I am so impressed and jealous you can it.

This is an evidence of writing skills!

 

[EmilyMiller]

How do you do it? I read a few 750 from my favorite authors here and I bowed in respect.

I do not see how I could even create an interesting sexy story and write it in 750 words.

I am so impressed and jealous you can it.

This is an evidence of writing skills!

This explains how, in exactly 750 words.

https://www.literotica.com/s/wiwaw-750-word-stories

 

[alohadave]

How do you do it? I read a few 750 from my favorite authors here and I bowed in respect.

I do not see how I could even create an interesting sexy story and write it in 750 words.

I am so impressed and jealous you can it.

This is an evidence of writing skills!

Many 750 stories are just a single scene. Self contained and to the point. You don't go into a lot of background detail, and descriptions are kept minimal.

You can leave things implied and let readers come to conclusions about how they got there or where they are going after.

And you can leave a lot of detail out of the sex as well.

 

[DEFCOM5]

This explains how, in exactly 750 words.

https://www.literotica.com/s/wiwaw-750-word-stories

@EmilyMiller, I read your piece and trust me, you make it sounds much easier than it actually is.

To convey a sexy story with real characters I care about without simply doing a put Stick A into Hole B scene requires A LOT for skills.

To your credit. it is an evidence of your quality as a writer when you cannot sense why others found it difficult, if not impossible.

 

[DEFCOM5]

Many 750 stories are just a single scene. Self contained and to the point. You don't go into a lot of background detail, and descriptions are kept minimal.

You can leave things implied and let readers come to conclusions about how they got there or where they are going after.

And you can leave a lot of detail out of the sex as well.

@alohadave, I understand summarizing the sex part but you still have to create gripping characters that interest me enough to finish reading the story. Every word must have a certain importance because you are limited with it. So you need to know what to include and provide enough info for the reader to fill in the blank. A good writer can do it.

I am just saying that I feel that it is totally out of my league. I wish I could believe I that I can write a story worth reading.

I admire the people that can do it.

 

[alohadave]

You are overthinking this. Try it out without looking at the word count. If you are over, you look at what is not essential to the story.

FWIW, I still have doubts about my own writing. I don't think that ever really goes away. Just write the best story you can with the skills you have right now. You can worry about the next story later.

 

[Duleigh]

I do not see how I could even create an interesting sexy story and write it in 750 words.

Emily is the crown princess of 750-word stories, trust me. She's good. Her answer is good, my answer sucks by comparison but it works too. It is this:

You write a 750-word stories the same way you get to Carnegie Hall: Practice.

That's all it takes. The first one is terribly difficult, but once you crack the code, do another, then another. They come easier as you practice. When you feel confident then you submit your favorite ones. And here's a hint: It doesn't have to be sexy. There's a non-erotic category, use it if you want. One of my favorite dirty tricks is to take a joke I heard years ago and flesh it out to 750 words. Just be honest in your introduction: Here's a joke we used to tell, I trimmed it down to 750 words. (Your intro doesn't have to be real honest) The idea is to get you writing and thinking, concentrating on using the right words and doing it economically. The 750-word project is great practice, wonderful exercise, and you'll find your larger works come easier with all the practice.