Short & Sweet or Long & Detailed

[Chibi_Angel]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

 

[sr71plt]

Oh, Lord. There's that "one universal reader" to satisfy question again.

What do you think you're going to get in terms of a meaningful answer to this from a handful of people responding on the forum? Do you really think this represents anything useful? Can't you just write what arouses you yourself, knowing there will be readers for it on a site this humongous, and not be so insecure as to need to write to a false/unknowable consensus?

 

[Chibi_Angel]

Oh, Lord. There's that "one universal reader" to satisfy question again.

What do you think you're going to get in terms of a meaningful answer to this from a handful of people responding on the forum? Do you really think this represents anything useful? Can't you just write what arouses you yourself, knowing there will be readers for it on a site this humongous, and not be so insecure as to need to write to a false/unknowable consensus?

Sorry that my question is up to your standards but I honestly found meaning in it. I know that a lot of people aren't on here to read a novel but I was curious if people wanted a nice balance or if they wanted to add their own details and just wanted me to provide a basic scenario.

 

[oggbashan]

The standard answer is whatever is the right length to tell the story.

 

[sr71plt]

Sorry that my question is up to your standards but I honestly found meaning in it. I know that a lot of people aren't on here to read a novel but I was curious if people wanted a nice balance or if they wanted to add their own details and just wanted me to provide a basic scenario.

And how with hundreds of thousands of readers here and maybe four responding to a forum post are you going to find any meaning in the responses you get here? Again "people" doesn't mean what you want it to mean in finding some sort of false assurance. Be bold. Grab some self-confidence. Don't write by fake committee.

 

[NotWise]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

There is no right answer. It's your choice. You'll find successful stories on Lit that cover the entire range that you're talking about. Getting to the sex early--whether it's sweet or not--may help hold the attention of one-handed readers, but it probably isn't appropriate for all stories.

 

[Handley_Page]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

There may be those who prefer a story (3500 words -ish) full of gory sex for the one-handed readership.
On the other hand, there are many readers who like to read a good story, (maybe with a bit of erotic stuff) of anything up to 20 Lit pages (70,000 words).
Some readers want the content 'bent' (try looking at the trolls on LW, maybe)
or familial (see the Incest crowd) and a lot like to read HEA type Romance.

I like stories of about 12000. mostly 'cos I read late at night.

So, in thinking about how long to make it, bear in mind your potential readership, perhaps.
Otherwise, just write until the story is finished.

 

[NOIRTRASH]

The rule is: Skip what most readers already know well. If you put your hand up her skirt and the bitch has balls that may be remarkable .

PILETTE is the Atlanta Falcons of this board.

 

[JulianWinslow]

I think it is an excellent question! I was recently criticized by a reader because my recent story was too short. I can go either way,..and have, including dozen novels. But I think there's a lot to be said for a short powerful piece that packs a punch and can move the reader in a page or less.

A similar problem can be found in scifi. Have you ever wondered why so many scifi authors do short stories; so few novels..and often bad ones at that? It is because it is difficult to sustain an illusion. We in the erotic fiction biz must sustain a fantasy, and if it arouses and excites the reader it's been successful...so I suppose I more or less agree with "write till the story is over."
-Don Winslow dwin345@yahoo.com

 

[sr71plt]

The rule is: Skip what most readers already know well. If you put your hand up her skirt and the bitch has balls that may be remarkable .

PILETTE is the Atlanta Falcons of this board.

Is there an English translation for this--for any of it? Yes, James, we see you. We know you are here. We know you crave attention. And, yes, I know you salivate over getting personal attention from me.

 

[sr71plt]

I think it is an excellent question!

Yes, it's an excellent question. But many questions, no matter how excellent, don't have meaningful answers--and anyone who thinks they do/will is fooling him/herself and doesn't have the confidence of their own conviction. They seek false committee support. It isn't there on this question. It's not the question that's the problem--it's that there is no meaningful answer to be had.

 

[Areala-chan]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

I think it isn't length that is important so much as it is bloat. Readers tend to be a lot more forgiving of a long story, but have little patience for one that is bloated. Length alone isn't a bad thing, although some categories will attract far more readers with stories that are around 3 LIT pages than others will.

Bloat is a big deal, because that's just writing to put words on the page instead of telling a story, so take a look at what you're writing and if it doesn't meaningfully advance the action, consider removing it. A few sentences describing a room's layout is fine. Seven paragraphs going into the historical detail of the furniture (unless somehow intrinsic to the plot) is bloat.

Note that there are readers who actively devour bloat, and the more bloated a work becomes the more they enjoy eating the minutia. Robert Jordan set out to write a trilogy called "The Wheel of Time", which turned into a fourteen-volume absurdity he couldn't even finish before he died, because not only did he insist on devoting three pages to the description of a wall tapestry, but his readers themselves insisted they wanted to know EVERYTHING about the world he created. Until you have that kind of a readership, bloat is your enemy. Seek it out, destroy it where you find it, and you'll discover the perfect length for your story.

 

[oggbashan]

I recognise 'bloat'.

My solution is simple:

Does the reader need to know this?

For example:

Does the detail enhance the story or is it unnecessary? Scene setting can be reasonable or overstated. Does the detail help with motivation or character? Does it advance the plot? Although you can have sub-plots within the main plot they all have to be there for a reason even if it isn't obvious at this stage.

That works for me. It might not for you.

 

[yukonnights]

I think it isn't length that is important so much as it is bloat. Readers tend to be a lot more forgiving of a long story, but have little patience for one that is bloated. Length alone isn't a bad thing, although some categories will attract far more readers with stories that are around 3 LIT pages than others will.

Bloat is a big deal, because that's just writing to put words on the page instead of telling a story, so take a look at what you're writing and if it doesn't meaningfully advance the action, consider removing it. A few sentences describing a room's layout is fine. Seven paragraphs going into the historical detail of the furniture (unless somehow intrinsic to the plot) is bloat.

Note that there are readers who actively devour bloat, and the more bloated a work becomes the more they enjoy eating the minutia. Robert Jordan set out to write a trilogy called "The Wheel of Time", which turned into a fourteen-volume absurdity he couldn't even finish before he died, because not only did he insist on devoting three pages to the description of a wall tapestry, but his readers themselves insisted they wanted to know EVERYTHING about the world he created. Until you have that kind of a readership, bloat is your enemy. Seek it out, destroy it where you find it, and you'll discover the perfect length for your story.

THIS ^^^^

And there's also this that may give you some ideas: Since it is erotic reading that people are seeking here for the most part, if you can give some type of erotic scene early on in the story it may encourage further reading...try to think of it like a trail of bread crumbs that leads the reader into your imaginary world.

However, as has been said, there is no set formula that will satisfy everyone. This is really no different than any other form of artistic expression. So eventually, your best work is that which you like. Good question you asked, and best wishes on becoming a great writer

 

[JulianWinslow]

Yes, it's an excellent question. But many questions, no matter how excellent, don't have meaningful answers--and anyone who thinks they do/will is fooling him/herself and doesn't have the confidence of their own conviction. They seek false committee support. It isn't there on this question. It's not the question that's the problem--it's that there is no meaningful answer to be had.

It's an excellent question because it is thought-provoking, and it is relevant to our craft.
In the end, the author is alone; doubt if it has much to do with "committee support."

 

[sr71plt]

It's an excellent question because it is thought-provoking, and it is relevant to our craft.
In the end, the author is alone; doubt if it has much to do with "committee support."

Shall we have another round of "an excellent question" doesn't ipso facto have a meaningful answer? What relevance does the quality of the question have to do with this issue? There is no meaningful answer--and I beg to differ, a committee response is exactly what was being requested here. There is no reliable data available to give a meaningful answer to this question. And a committee response is no more than a handful of people taking a potshot--and often prejudicial--cut at it. You either have to go by false committee response or just have the self-confidence to "just do it as you think best."

 

[JulianWinslow]

I think your ipso is getting ahead of your facto

 

[sr71plt]

I think your ipso is getting ahead of your facto

Good, we agree you've run out of argument. It was just another unanswerable question in any meaningful sense. And it was a request for a committee response. Just find some balls and self-confidence and do what arouses you.

 

[rjordan]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

As a reader, and of course I speak for all readers everywhere, write what you want. We don't give a shit.

If you write what we like, we read it. If you don't, someone else might. If nobody does, we go watch TV. It's win-win for readers.

rj

 

[ElectricBlue]

Alright, I enjoy writing and am in middle of a couple of stories but here is my dilemma. When dealing with erotic stories do you think it is better to write short and sweet getting to the erotic part of the story quick and keeping it a nice easy and quick read as to not loose readers or is it better to make a story long or longer but get lots of details and build up into the adventure?

It really does depend on everything - your style, your intent, your subject matter, your perceived audience (you will never know your true readership, there is minimal data, minimal feedback, even fewer comments to guide you). It also depends on whether you crave readers or have a compulsive desire to write. There is no single answer to this.

As you can see, this topic does come up regularly, does get the same responses, and does annoy the same people. But new writers don't know that, and this is Authors' Hangout (with emphasis on the plural not the singular) so it's OK to seek multiple opinions, just so long as you realise nobody is right, nobody is wrong, and there is no single response.

The answer is always the same - it always depends on everything.

I for example am "slow burn" - I'm sure lots of people turn away, but a satisfying number get through to the end and will read the sequel. But I wrote it the way I wanted to write it, and if folk like it, that's good. But if they don't like it, there's always the next writer. And for me, there's always the next reader.

Just write the bloody story!

 

[NicoleZ]

Sorry that my question is up to your standards but I honestly found meaning in it. I know that a lot of people aren't on here to read a novel but I was curious if people wanted a nice balance or if they wanted to add their own details and just wanted me to provide a basic scenario.

Not to worry Chibi_Angel! So far no-one has ever managed to meet sr71plt's standards. To do so, you must first have read, remember and revere everything he has ever said or published, be it his 900+ stories on Lit, 628-page paperbacks and various e-books as well as his 46,693-and-counting post on the message boards.

You have got some good answers from the others as long as you manage to ignore His Most Exalted Vacuousness, Lord sr71plt, Master of the Known Universes.

 

[sr71plt]

There she goes again. My, this little pixie is butt hurt.

 

[NicoleZ]

There she goes again. My, this little pixie is butt hurt.

On the contrary; I had a wonderful colonic today. You really should try it!

 

[Voboy]

OP: the bulk of the responses here are right. The "right" answer is "it depends on the story." And that's what sr71plt means: no answer will make meaningful sense.

Read the stories here. Some are short, some long, some with glossed-over sex, some with exquisite detail, some with both at different points of the story, some with tiresome terms like "manhood," "petals," "molten," or the dreaded "her center;" all are here, all find readers, and all "work" for the authors and at least a few readers.

Write what you want. Put it out there and see what the response is. Then adjust as needed, rinse, and repeat.

 

[dead_niinja]

The Wheel of Time is mentioned and I don't reply. That can't happen. I have read every single word of the wheel of time and I should be given the most patient reader award. Seriously the series is so much detail oriented. Like virtually nothing happens during book 9 and 10. The story halts to a dead end and Robert Jordan ends up taking two pages describing room details and draperies and banners.

Thanks to Brandon Sanderson for putting the story in the fifth gear during the last three books after Jordan's demise. But I'll tell you one thing, the characters grew up with me and during the last book, I was literally crying during the epic climax.