Long vs Short ORP Posts - Please Discuss

[Inspirinious]

I am new at ORP but trying to learn the ropes as quickly as I can.

By reading SRP stories and SRP Writer Profiles, it appears that some people lean toward longer posts (1,000 words) while others lean toward shorter posts (100 words). I also realize that there is everything in between.

It appears to me that longer posts, what I typically write, allow me to provide more detail in the story. But I realize that maybe I am controlling too much of the story narrative.

On the other hand, short posts allow the reader to get more from both (all) points of view which may be a richer experience, but may be at the cost of some details.

Another technique I fell into during my first ORP story was that I retold what my writing partner had just written, but from my POV. This provided the reader with both points of view, but the story moved along slowly with little new progress in each post. Maybe there is a time and place for this technique? Or should re-telling a scene be avoided?

So I ask you, the kind citizens of the SRP community, to help me by discussing the topic of long vs short ORP posts in this thread. What are your preferences and why? What are the pros and cons of each approach? Do people successfully mix and match long and short posts within a story?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[CallmeLayla]

HI... and welcome to our humble little corner of the internet!!!! I want to comment on your questions/observations.. My answers will be in Bold Blue....

I am new at ORP but trying to learn the ropes as quickly as I can.

By reading SRP stories and SRP Writer Profiles, it appears that some people lean toward longer posts (1,000 words) while others lean toward shorter posts (100 words). I also realize that there is everything in between.

It appears to me that longer posts, what I typically write, allow me to provide more detail in the story. But I realize that maybe I am controlling too much of the story narrative.

More detail is almost always welcome. Paints a prettier picture and lends itself to the feel, the emotion, the setting, the everything of the story being told. But (isn't there always a but??) what you have to be VERY careful of is controlling your writing partner's character in any way. THAT is a big no no for most of us. Detail what your character is doing, thinking, feeling, reacting.. see the setting from your character's eyes. Not mine... (Hope all that makes sense)....



On the other hand, short posts allow the reader to get more from both (all) points of view which may be a richer experience, but may be at the cost of some details.

Where warranted, sometimes shorter posts are the way to go. It always depends on the story and the writers. What I think does not work are the one liners. At least for me (everyone writes differently and everyone appreciates different styles of writing)... One liners... the < I banged her as hard as I could> type lines, really does nothing for telling a story... again in my opinion...

Another technique I fell into during my first ORP story was that I retold what my writing partner had just written, but from my POV. This provided the reader with both points of view, but the story moved along slowly with little new progress in each post. Maybe there is a time and place for this technique? Or should re-telling a scene be avoided?

Again, it all depends on what you are writing and who you are writing it with. I do this as well when writing (this name does not have alot of stories attributed to it. PM me and I will give you another Lit name I have written under if you would like to sample my writing).... seeing the scene from your POV can absolutely be a good thing.. getting your character reaction, emotions, etc...


So I ask you, the kind citizens of the SRP community, to help me by discussing the topic of long vs short ORP posts in this thread. What are your preferences and why? What are the pros and cons of each approach? Do people successfully mix and match long and short posts within a story?

I think that yes, many of our Writers here on Lit successfully mix and match long and short post as well as POV posts quite well....



Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Everyone does things differently, Insp. IMO, ask YOUR co-writers how they like to do a thread, not the general populous. There are some who like to POV and others that don't. If you look at the two threads I do with dryfter, we do use the POV but we both move the story along, depending on the scene. Again, communication with your co-writer is important here. As for length, that depends on two factors, one is my co-writer and the other factoid is what I am trying to convey in any given post. With some people, I tend to write longer posts (1,000+) in others, not so much. After writing with someone for a length of time, you find a rhythm to it. Writing longer posts can lead toward writing for your partner, a general no-no. I usually contact my partner and ask them if they mind if I take a bit of control of their character for the sake of moving along the story. Normally that's not necessary because I try to write so they can go back and write in their responses to my actions and the story still flows smoothly.

There is no fast and hard rule here except, as Layla mentioned, the one liners. I tend to shy away from writers who use anywhere from one to three lines. I'm sorry, but I just think the story deserves more than three lines. You don't give your partner much to work with, with just three lines or anything less. There is always expressing your character's emotions of the moment or providing more staging of a scene for your possible readers and your co-writer.

After all is said and done? It really just comes down to you and your co-writer. Communicate.

 

[Inspirinious]

All great feedback. Thank you both.

You raised another question concerning communication, which I agree is most important.

Is it common for a writer to share a draft of their post with their writing partner before it is posted?

I am writing with StackeyDreams and we are both new to this. To help each other with our writing, and with keeping the story heading the way we both want it to go, we share drafts before posting. I wonder if we are similar to other writers, or dissimilar.

P.S. DarkWarrioress - I love your gif.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

All great feedback. Thank you both.

You raised another question concerning communication, which I agree is most important.

Is it common for a writer to share a draft of their post with their writing partner before it is posted?

I am writing with StackeyDreams and we are both new to this. To help each other with our writing, and with keeping the story heading the way we both want it to go, we share drafts before posting. I wonder if we are similar to other writers, or dissimilar.

P.S. DarkWarrioress - I love your gif.

For me, not usually. I have had writers send me a draft of their opening post though. It's not a bad idea especially for new writers in this area. After awhile, you'll both get more comfortable with your ability and you'll probably find yourselves doing it less and less. Personally, I like the surprise and fun of reading my partner's next post after it's posted.

And thank you, Insp. Please, call me DW. Most people do.

 

[Cowgurlhat]

Here's a rule of thumb I like to stick to:

'Quality over Quantity'

That, to me, pretty much explains itself. You could have a long post, filled with a great example of your grasp of the English language, but if you give nothing to your co-writer to work with, then... bad things happen to good people. Dogs and cats sleeping together. Mass hysteria!

But if your post is, what, a couple of paragraphs long (approx. 10 or more sentences)? And it has your character reacting to what happened in the last post, as well as pushing the story ahead a little, or prolonging his/her reaction so the other character must react to that as well... That's what I consider to be a good post.

Other times, especially in some of my RP's, there's a... power change, for lack of a better term to use. Sometimes my co-writer will drive the action, and I'll mainly react, using verbal and/or body cues to give hints, so I basically help co-direct and stay true to the story and characters. Then, the co-writer will set his/her character back, or ask direct questions, and that's my cue to take over for a little while.

Communicating with your co-writer is ALWAYS a great idea. ALWAYS. You can discuss limits in writing about certain subjects, come up with plot ideas, talk about character creating, anything! It also helps to know where they're (and you're) coming from, so don't be afraid to break the ice!

Hope this helps!

 

[Inspirinious]

Such great responses. I am so grateful for the support everyone is providing. Thank you.

My current partner is somewhat busy (real life!) and I desire to continue my writing. Now if I can just find someone to RP with. I suppose it would be best if I proposed a great story line and posted my request for another writer on the "Seeking RPers & Inspiration 2012" thread. Is that the best method?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Such great responses. I am so grateful for the support everyone is providing. Thank you.

My current partner is somewhat busy (real life!) and I desire to continue my writing. Now if I can just find someone to RP with. I suppose it would be best if I proposed a great story line and posted my request for another writer on the "Seeking RPers & Inspiration 2012" thread. Is that the best method?

Unless you have someone in mind you can approach via PM, it is. Good Luck and Happy Writings.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Hello Insp.,

Welcome to the lounge. You raise a few good questions and to be quite honest with you we should include a lot of this information in the lounge howto area. I agree with pretty much everything the beautiful and talented ladies have said, but I wanted to leave a tip of my own. I got this idea from a partner of mine who is currently on hiatus. (Hi VT! ) and have used it to great effect in dealing with one of the more complicated aspects of story flow: Conversation.

When your characters are having a back and fourth conversation it can be very difficult to make long and detailed posts without losing the overall flow of the story, and at the same time I find it very hard to follow a series of short rapid posts with the breaks given when each post is done by a different author. (The page breaks that divides one person's post from the next)

So what VT and I started doing when there was extended conversation between our two characters is actually role playing the conversations out in a different medium. Example is Lit PM, or a Messenger service. This would allow both parties to communicate in rapid succession. After the conversation has finished, one of the two writers can organize and compile and edit the conversation and post it in a neatly organized fashion. I often use color coded posts to delimit between my characters conversations, and my partners.

I hope this helps you in your further adventures!

FD.

 

[Inspirinious]

Thank you FD for the tips about conversations. My writing partner and I have tried to include more conversation, but it is difficult at times. Mostly we just include one line here and one line there.

As to having information, tips, and techniques available for other new writers, I had hoped to find more of that here. Either there is not much here, or it is poorly located within other threads, or it just does not exist. Maybe I just have not found what I am looking for.

That is why I started this thread, to discuss a specific topic about RP posts. The conversation has evolved into other tips and I think that is great. I know it is a big help to me. Now I just wish I could go back and rename this thread to something more generic.

I have a record over in the Lit AmPics of being a supportive person for others. I provide photography tips and I provide computer and SW help. I have a lot of experience in photography and computers. I am not so strong in my writing skills, so I am looking for help here in this Lounge.

I think you can expect me to post other questions as I go along and try to start more conversations about the tips and techniques for becoming a more successful writer.

Thanks again to everyone for your comments. These are all greatly appreciated.

Inspire - Inspiration - Inspirinious

 

[Fish_Tales]

The fact that you ask the question is good - it means you're keen and want to do your best - admirable traits. The advice above is perfect. One thing I would say is to find writers that you gel with - I think that is most important. Everyone is different, but the quality of writers on here is amazing. ALL of my co-writers are amazing. I'm slow and have rl issues, so I'm not prolific, in fact, far from it, but they are tolerant and cope with my style. I think some of it is to do with variety - they have fast co-writers and slow co-writers so it means that they can tolerate me me being slow as they have others to work on. My use of the term "co-writers" means who I write with as some talented people I've worked with prefer to call themselves role players.

Conversation can be difficult, but in my writing, I try to have conversations and leave the "replies" open so that they can move the story in the direction they want. I am always careful to not control or dictate the feelings or actions of my partner. That is the fun - seeing where they want to go.

In terms of where the plot goes or pre-approving your post, I must admit I've never done that. Sometimes the chemistry is such that your co-writer lets you push the narrative in a certain direction - that is great - but it also means you have a responsibility to give them room to move. It takes two, otherwise you write your own story. From my perspective, I enjoy the perspective of the other writer - I could NEVER write a female perspective like they do.

My post lengths tend to be long and sometimes I feel self conscious about it. I use my writing to think about ME as well as helping my co-writers to tell their story. None of them have ever complained to me, but I guess that means finding the right collaborators to work with.... I don't know...see?.... Now I'm writing a long and introspective post!

I hope it helps....if only a bit.

Good luck.

 

[Miss_Vivi]

The fact that you ask the question is good - it means you're keen and want to do your best - admirable traits. The advice above is perfect. One thing I would say is to find writers that you gel with - I think that is most important. Everyone is different, but the quality of writers on here is amazing. ALL of my co-writers are amazing. I'm slow and have rl issues, so I'm not prolific, in fact, far from it, but they are tolerant and cope with my style. I think some of it is to do with variety - they have fast co-writers and slow co-writers so it means that they can tolerate me me being slow as they have others to work on. My use of the term "co-writers" means who I write with as some talented people I've worked with prefer to call themselves role players.

Conversation can be difficult, but in my writing, I try to have conversations and leave the "replies" open so that they can move the story in the direction they want. I am always careful to not control or dictate the feelings or actions of my partner. That is the fun - seeing where they want to go.

In terms of where the plot goes or pre-approving your post, I must admit I've never done that. Sometimes the chemistry is such that your co-writer lets you push the narrative in a certain direction - that is great - but it also means you have a responsibility to give them room to move. It takes two, otherwise you write your own story. From my perspective, I enjoy the perspective of the other writer - I could NEVER write a female perspective like they do.

My post lengths tend to be long and sometimes I feel self conscious about it. I use my writing to think about ME as well as helping my co-writers to tell their story. None of them have ever complained to me, but I guess that means finding the right collaborators to work with.... I don't know...see?.... Now I'm writing a long and introspective post!

I hope it helps....if only a bit.

Good luck.

Fishy one...I would so write with you.

 

[Miss_Vivi]

Suck up

You're just jealous.
Want me to suck up to you?

 

[Inspirinious]

Suck up

You're just jealous.
Want me to suck up to you?

Nono, I'm sure you couldn't be bothered

Well! This is certainly not the discussion I was expecting on this thread. But it is very entertaining.

As a master practitioner of the oral arts upon the fairer sex, I have my own connotations of sucking up.

AND

As for all the other comments, I do greatly appreciate everyone's suggestions. Thank all of you very much.

 

[unmitigated]

I'm new to this too but I honestly haven't given any thought to how long my posts are. I write what feels natural and stop when I think it's time to pass the baton back to my victi-cough-co-writer.

It's great that you want to do your best and improve your writing. But if you over-think things they stop being fun.

I've been lucky enough to write with some awesome women so far. I've definitely been spoilt.

Just don't tell them that. I got a rep to protect innit.

 

[Miss_Vivi]

I'm new to this too but I honestly haven't given any thought to how long my posts are. I write what feels natural and stop when I think it's time to pass the baton back to my victi-cough-co-writer.

It's great that you want to do your best and improve your writing. But if you over-think things they stop being fun.

I've been lucky enough to write with some awesome women so far. I've definitely been spoilt.

Just don't tell them that. I got a rep to protect innit.

snickers