Which is better,

[mikoli5763]

a long story in one installment or a long story in multi-installments?
I know there is not right or wrong answer to this type question, but I would like some opinions from the AH crowd.
thanks ahead of time to any and all that respond.

 

[PennLady]

I don't think either one is necessarily better.

I personally prefer to read (and post) in smaller blocks. I don't have time to sit and read a big story. But I can read 3-4 pages, and then go to the next chapter when I'm ready. It'd be tougher, I'd think, to try to find your place after you leave off in the middle of a long story, although you could always bookmark the page or something.

OTOH, plenty of people do read longer stories. I also say that since I can't usually read more than 3-4 pages at once, I don't like to ask others to do that on my own stories (unless it's a contest).

 

[Strawberryslip]

I prefer a longer story. I like not having to go searching for the next installment.

 

[lovecraft68]

I guess it depends on what you mean by long. I have several that are 6-8 lit pages (22-29 thousand words) and they've done fine as far as scores an votes go.

This topic comes up a lot and you said it yourself that there is no true right answer.

But whenever this topic comes up I like to point out that the number one incest story of all time is over 40 lit pages.

So as long as the story can hold people's interest length doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[annanova]

a long story in one installment or a long story in multi-installments?
I know there is not right or wrong answer to this type question, but I would like some opinions from the AH crowd.
thanks ahead of time to any and all that respond.

Well, how long is long?

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

This is just my opinion, I will absolutely not begin a story that is 10 or 15 Literotica pages long.

I think the general consensus with most authors is.

1. Finish the entire story and edit it or have it edited before you submit your first part.

2. Submit each succeeding chapter at a consistent interval, perhaps two or three days apart.

Lastly, back to my opinion again, one the damn story is finished and ready to be submitted just submit it as is, do not fiddle with it any more. Start on your next story.

Mike

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A KLONDIKE BAR?

How much trouble will you buy to get the outcome you want?

 

[SecondCircle]

Well, how long is long?

This question gets asked a lot.

 

[sr71plt]

I think there probably are fewer who will be prepared to read a novel-length work at one sitting or try to remember where they left off with an on-line version than there will be readers who are willing to read it in smaller chunks. The classic definition of a short story is a work that can be read at one sitting. Anyone who will sit for 10 Lit. pages of reading at one time is either speed reading, or scanning, or doesn't have much of a life beyond Literotica.

 

[MrFoxwood]

If I get to the bottom of the first page and discover that an installment is more than three pages I certainly ask myself how much I'm enjoying it. I'm fine reading longer stories but not in one sitting. However, constantly checking a favourite authors page to see if new installments have been added does get tiresome (unless I'm missing some kind of notification system). You should submit pieces of a length that you'd be happy to read.

In the past I have been known to submit five pages, but if I had such a length now I'd try to find a suitable break somewhere around the middle and create two chapters.

As I say, I'll happily read longer works but these days reading, especially here which is done exclusively on my phone, is something I simply can't invest hours in.

 

[Handley_Page]

Anything more that 5 lit pages and my eyes glaze, and I need my eye-drops etc..
I find 3 Lit pages sufficient, and I don't mind looking for other parts.

 

[oggbashan]

Either can be good, but don't do as I do - leave the story incomplete for several years.

If you are going to write a longer story it needs to be complete before you post any of it. If it is a single submission of over 5 Lit pages then a note at the beginning that it is 'long' might help readers.

If it is in chapters, the chapters should be complete in themselves, i.e. each should advance the plot in some way, and should have at least one complete incident. It is a good idea to end each chapter on a cliff-hanger so that the reader wants to read the next part. The cliff hanger doesn't have to be 'Perils of Pauline' type of drama, but something that needs resolution.

But I repeat - do not do as I do.

 

[Weird Harold]

a long story in one installment or a long story in multi-installments?
I know there is not right or wrong answer to this type question, but I would like some opinions from the AH crowd.
thanks ahead of time to any and all that respond.

Either option has merit, although the definition of "long" is a big factor; the longer the story, the better installments work.

One point to consider: If a story is posted as a single submission, it only provides one (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover it. If a story is posted in installments, each installment provides a new (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover your story.

 

[patientlee]

One point to consider: If a story is posted as a single submission, it only provides one (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover it. If a story is posted in installments, each installment provides a new (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover your story.

That is something I hadn't considered. Good thought. (I wish I had the attention span to write a series.)

 

[lovecraft68]

Either option has merit, although the definition of "long" is a big factor; the longer the story, the better installments work.

One point to consider: If a story is posted as a single submission, it only provides one (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover it. If a story is posted in installments, each installment provides a new (seven day) opportunity for readers to discover your story.

Good point, but it also depends on whether or not the finished story has enough natural "breaks" where each chapter moves the story along and is strong enough to stand alone.

Then we get the next question: Does every chapter need sex?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

That is something I hadn't considered. Good thought. (I wish I had the attention span to write a series.)

I started the epic masterwork inspired by your tale, but the first installment is almost perfect at 1500 words. Its a leisurely ramble from Tallahassee circa 1893 to the country home of an ancient black man, and ends with the principal character innocently fomenting a quarrel with a Spaniard who's insulted by the question, ARE YOU MINORCAN?.

1500 words is 5 printed pages. I've seen smaller chapters. I mean, Chopin's Minute Waltz stands upon its own feet without help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gh0zFVc6S8

90 SECONDS!

 

[patientlee]

I started the epic masterwork inspired by your tale, but the first installment is almost perfect at 1500 words. Its a leisurely ramble from Tallahassee circa 1893 to the country home of an ancient black man, and ends with the principal character innocently fomenting a quarrel with a Spaniard who's insulted by the question, ARE YOU MINORCAN?.

1500 words is 5 printed pages. I've seen smaller chapters. I mean, Chopin's Minute Waltz stands upon its own feet without help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gh0zFVc6S8

90 SECONDS!

That song reminds me of an old friend. We're out of touch now. For the time being, it works.

 

[NightyKnight]

*****

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I erred. The first installment of LANDSCAPE OF A DREAM runs 3500 words before edit. Twelve printed pages of story setting. I love these epics but they take too long to write, like 5 years or so. So I'll likely do it in chapters of 3000-3600 words. No sex, sorry! Most of it I wrote long ago, as the opening of a different story I never finished.

 

[nightlola]

Installments with artful cliffhangers appeal to me most.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Then we get the next question: Does every chapter need sex?

No, depending on what's holding the readers' attention. I posted a no-sex chapter and it has more & higher votes than the previous one. Judging from the reader feedback I could've included a few more like that along the way.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Good point, but it also depends on whether or not the finished story has enough natural "breaks" where each chapter moves the story along and is strong enough to stand alone.

Then we get the next question: Does every chapter need sex?

I was looking thru some old photos today, and came upon some black women from the 1920s. I don't care much for black women but those old gals were yummilicious, they looked like black white gals. So they hadda be quadroons or octaroons.

 

[mikoli5763]

I didn't

anticipate the "how long" question so I don't have a definite length yet as the story is not finished, but the way I'm seeing it in my head, it will definitely be more than five pages long.
What I have written so far is already that long and the couple are still in college and not married yet. I was thinking a multi-installment because like most of you, I personally have trouble reading a story longer than 5-7 pages in one sitting.
Thanks for all your input and time spent on answering my question. I did do a search on the AH forum for this type question but must not have asked the right way because I didn't get any results.

 

[lovecraft68]

No, depending on what's holding the readers' attention. I posted a no-sex chapter and it has more & higher votes than the previous one. Judging from the reader feedback I could've included a few more like that along the way.

I wasn't actually asking, I've done sexless chapters myself. I was just saying that may be the nest question coming from the OP as it has been asked many times.

My suggestion personally is to have at least the first couple of chapters have sex so people will be entertained, but also get to know the characters enough to be willing to read a chapter with no sex.

That's just my take, though doesn't mean its right,