Question regarding long stories.

[Rozalin_0123]

I'm currently writing a story that I hope to get published soon. It is fairly long, 9 Lit pages or 13k words or so.

My question is, should I divide it up into chapters when I go to publish or should I leave it all together?

I ask this because the story I'm writing is a true story. You really have to read it all in order to get the full concept of it. Most of the time, at least from what I've seen, when an author divides up a story, each chapter is self contained. I have divided my story up into four chapters but I'd rather keep them together as a single submission.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

 

[slyc_willie]

Just because a story is divided into chapters doesn't mean each part is a stand-alone. Usually, stand-alone stories in chapters are found in the Chain Stories category; otherwise, there are quite a few chaptered stories here that continue on from the previous.

At 13k words, you're around the four-five Lit page mark. You could leave it at that length and submit it all as one story, but for whatever reasons, stories more than three pages turn away some readers, unless it's divided into chapters. It's ultimately your decision on how to submit it, but a general rule of thumb that some of us go by is to divide a story up if it's going to go past 10k words.

 

[PennLady]

To echo slyc, I've posted a number of long stories (not all of which are still up) in chapters. It's no different than reading a print book with chapters. Well, okay,

I am kind of in the habit now of posting in 8-12k blocks, or 3-4 pages, as that seems to be what a large numbers of readers prefer. However, if I felt a chapter needed to be five pages, I would leave it up there. For all the readers that like things in 10k sections, plenty will read longer.

If you feel there's no good place to break it up, then post it as one piece.

 

[lovecraft68]

Well just to let you know 13k is not 9 lit pages

A lit page is roughly 3750 words or so. Going by that 13k is not quite 4 full lit pages.

As to length? If the story flows well and keeps the readers interest length will not hurt you.

I know there are some people here who won;t read anything over more than a couple of pages, but those are generally your stroke readers looking for a quick "session"

But there are plenty here who don't mind a long story if its interesting. Case in point my last release is 8 pages with no sex until page 7 and its doing very well.

 

[SecondCircle]

My stories sorta get long winded, so I try to break up anything that might go past 5 lit pages. That's just my preference. A few of mine are standalone chapter to chapter, but generally when I start a very long type, I know right away before I even start typing that it'll be split up.

A lot of readers like things broken into chapters because of the convenience of reading the individual sections, especially if they have other things going on like a lot of us do. But there are readers who don't like every story being split into chapters that run on. They like stories fit and in shape for one read, one sitting. That's not to say those stories are "short".

Chaptering may be the more popular thing to do here I think. Among readers and writers. Slyc may be onto something. 10k or more words, chapter that thing. Pretty good ROT. (Ha, I like that one. ROT).

 

[lovecraft68]

A prime example of length not mattering is the number one incest story of all time on lit(and keep in mind incest is one of the more stroke driven categories) is 42 lit pages roughly 157k words which in print would be a decent length paperback. its 4.87 and over 7500 votes

My average story is 6 or so lit pages and I have pretty good scores.

But on the other hand my stories are mostly designed as "one shots" so I don;t feel the need to do chapters. If you have a long series in mind that has a good back story, chapters may be the way to go.

My only point here is length does not seem to hurt as much as some think.

 

[SecondCircle]

A prime example of length not mattering is the number one incest story of all time on lit(and keep in mind incest is one of the more stroke driven categories) is 42 lit pages roughly 157k words which in print would be a decent length paperback. its 4.87 and over 7500 votes

My average story is 6 or so lit pages and I have pretty good scores.

But on the other hand my stories are mostly designed as "one shots" so I don;t feel the need to do chapters. If you have a long series in mind that has a good back story, chapters may be the way to go.

My only point here is length does not seem to hurt as much as some think.

No it doesn't really hurt at all. With such vast choices at Lit, there's a story for every reader. A lot of people enjoy characters and plots so much that they get attached and want chapters anyway.

Long or short, chapters or not, you'll be fine OP. Just go with what you feel like needs to be done for your story.

 

[RoyceConnors]

I'm currently writing a story that I hope to get published soon. It is fairly long, 9 Lit pages or 13k words or so.

My question is, should I divide it up into chapters when I go to publish or should I leave it all together?

I ask this because the story I'm writing is a true story. You really have to read it all in order to get the full concept of it. Most of the time, at least from what I've seen, when an author divides up a story, each chapter is self contained. I have divided my story up into four chapters but I'd rather keep them together as a single submission.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Might be interesting to divide it up into the segments of your life that are in it. The before and after, the beginning, middle and end. What ever your life story is, it should reflect the changes in it.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I wouldn't break it up into four chapters. At most, I would consider two. The key question, however, is just how well would each piece stand up if read alone? It doesn't make any sense to split it if doing so creates unsatisfying pieces.

 

[Rozalin_0123]

I'm an idiot, the story is actually 28k words, not 13k. No idea what I was thinking

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I'm an idiot, the story is actually 28k words, not 13k. No idea what I was thinking

Then disregard what I said about two pieces, maximum. At that length I probably would do it in chapters, providing that the chapters are each satisfactorily structured with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

A book page is around 300 words.

If a LIT page is 3700 words that's 12 book pages.

My eyes glaze over when I see more than 3 LIT pages. Nine times outta 10 I wont read 4 or more, unless its THAT good.

 

[Rozalin_0123]

Then disregard what I said about two pieces, maximum. At that length I probably would do it in chapters, providing that the chapters are each satisfactorily structured with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

I think I accompish that with how I have it currently split into 4 chapters. I'm just a little worried that some things may become confusing since some things are referenced early on, but don't have revealence until the last chapter.

One thing I hope doesn't confuse readers is my timeline jumps around a little. For example: chap 1 present, ends with going to a mall with best friend. Chap 2 past, flashback of sorts to my highschool years and eventually leading back to the present. Chap 3 present, starts back in the car going to the mall present day. Rest of the story continues in a linear fashion from there. It sounds more confusing than it really is

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm an idiot, the story is actually 28k words, not 13k. No idea what I was thinking

If you feel the story has a couple of clear "breaks" where some action has happened, but you can leave the reader looking forward to more, than try to break it up.

Otherwise you're at 7+ lit pages and again that is not an issue unless you know there are a couple of lulls in the latter part that would get the reader wondering why they are still invested. But f you have some"fun stuff" sprinkled throughout or the story is engaging it will still work

 

[patientlee]

The key question, however, is just how well would each piece stand up if read alone? It doesn't make any sense to split it if doing so creates unsatisfying pieces.

That's how I feel (as a reader).

 

[Cruel2BKind]

I'm currently writing a story that I hope to get published soon. It is fairly long, 9 Lit pages or 13k words or so.

My question is, should I divide it up into chapters when I go to publish or should I leave it all together?

I ask this because the story I'm writing is a true story. You really have to read it all in order to get the full concept of it. Most of the time, at least from what I've seen, when an author divides up a story, each chapter is self contained. I have divided my story up into four chapters but I'd rather keep them together as a single submission.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Breaking up your story can even help to get more views.

Instead of one story going up, you post a few chapters over a matter of days, weeks, (months ) and more people see them. More people wonder if your story is any good, and they click on the first chapter.

 

[JKendallDane]

While I completely agree with everyone that is saying to break it up into 3 or 4 chapters, just realize that with the current hang time of 7 or 8 days for submissions to get approved and go live, you may find some frustration from readers as they wait.

Unfortunately they (and us authors too) have been spoiled in the past with only a 3 or 4 day wait between chapters and don't know the lag time has pushed out.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

A couple of points.

Long stories (and I know I have a few of them) which aren't broken up are hard to read. There is no bookmarking system, so if they want to take a break at page 6, they're stuck. Chapters give them a way to take a break.

Most of my stories (except for the very long contest entries which have to be presented as one story) I break up between the 3-5 page mark. Readers will complain if you have multiple chapters, but they're not at least 2 pages long. As JBJ mentioned three really does seem to be the sweet spot. Four is acceptable, five is pushing the limits.

I have numerous comments on my longer stories (9-15 lit pages) that say they almost didn't read it because of the length, and wouldn't have if they didn't already know my writing.

As for the delay... there will be none, if it's all written and submitted at the same time. Literotica will normally release the chapters one day at a time, after the first, if they're all submitted at once.

If you have 8-9 Lit pages, I'd suggest at least two, maybe 3 chapters, submitted all at the same time.

 

[lovecraft68]

A word of advice, do not submit all chapters at once. In fact don't post the second before the first publishes and so forth.

reason? If one for some reason is rejected and you don;t notice right away(you get no notification of a rejection you have to see it on your page) then it could happen that Ch 3 posts and 2 was rejected and never read and now the readers are all confused and know what happens in two already.

One at a time, be patient with the posting times it will be worth it.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

A word of advice, do not submit all chapters at once. In fact don't post the second before the first publishes and so forth.

reason? If one for some reason is rejected and you don;t notice right away(you get no notification of a rejection you have to see it on your page) then it could happen that Ch 3 posts and 2 was rejected and never read and now the readers are all confused and know what happens in two already.

One at a time, be patient with the posting times it will be worth it.

Not a bad point. I hadn't thought of this, since I haven't had a story rejected in the last 10 years. I had a couple my first year doing this, but none since.

Perhaps you could submit the first one, then two days later the 2nd one, etc. That way if your first gets rejected, you can stop the process. You will have to stay on top of it, and not blithely wait a week or more before checking your progress.

 

[lovecraft68]

Not a bad point. I hadn't thought of this, since I haven't had a story rejected in the last 10 years. I had a couple my first year doing this, but none since.

Perhaps you could submit the first one, then two days later the 2nd one, etc. That way if your first gets rejected, you can stop the process. You will have to stay on top of it, and not blithely wait a week or more before checking your progress.

That's right you can stop the process, simply hit pending on the next one and then delete it.

Established authors usually have no worries about rejections. I doubt in cases of people like yourself Laurel barely-if at all-even looks at them because she knows you know the rules. I had one rejection early on, but none since.

 

[RejectReality]

A couple of days delay ( twice per week ) has proved optimal in gathering and maintaining readership in my experience as well. It worked far better than either daily or weekly postings.

The delay will allow you to take preventative measures if a chapter is rejected. Delete the pending chapters, and then resubmit once the problem chapter has been dealt with.

 

[LadyVer]

I prefer reading stories/chapters that are no more than 3 Lit pages. I prefer long stories that are submitted as chapters. I do a lot of editing from my pc, so it's hard to concentrate on reading a long story on it after I've been editing. I used to have a smart phone which made reading editing projects and reading in general much easier.

 

[Rozalin_0123]

Thank you all for your very informative posts

This is my first submission and I appreciate all the help. I think I will submit them as chapters, one at a time. As soon at the first posts, ill submit the second etc. Don't want to keep those interested waiting long