Chapter Rules/Suggestions

[fsqueeze]

So, what guidelines are recommended regarding making the choice between Novella/Novel and breaking a story into separately submitted chapters (not that longer works can't do that, too)?

I'd much rather go the chapter route, but I'm open to being persuaded otherwise.

Is there an expectation among most readers that each chapter--even the first--needs a heavy-hitting sex event?

As an example, say I've got one where the first (light) sex hits at about 5,000 words in, but that I was planning for that to occur in chapter two. The first big scene is 12,000 words in.

I agree with all who argue that good writing takes care of everything, but what are some chaptering rules of thumb to keep readers engaged?

Thanks

 

[RejectReality]

Depends upon category/genre.

If it's any of the real-world kink categories and you don't have sex in the first chapter, it's probably not going to get read much.

Romance, Sci-Fi, and Non Human readers are less sex-centric, so a good story will overcome the lack of quick sex there and not cost you much in the way of continuing readership.

 

[LeandraNyx]

I agree with Reject Reality. Generally speaking, you're gonna want to have at least one sex scene in the first chapter unless you're posting in Romance, Nonhuman, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, or Erotic Horror. In Mind Control and Nonconsent/Reluctance, you can also get away with a sex-free first chapter, but only if there are still strong, obvious elements of mind control/nonconsent in that first chapter that are sexy to the readers, even if no sex has happened yet.

As far as word counts go, I think the choice to go for individual chapters vs. a one-off is a personal one, but generally, I won't break up anything that can't be submitted in three or more chapters and usually commit myself to a minimum of 5,000 words per chapter.

Hope that helps!

 

[RejectReality]

Yes, if you don't go a reasonable distance into a second Lit page with a chapter, you get a significant amount of very vocal pushback. That 5k minimum is about right, in my experience.

If you only post a shorter chapter than that once in a blue moon because that's where the natural break is, it's not a huge problem. You don't want to make a habit of it, and definitely don't post every chapter shorter than that. Stories that are only about 1 Lit page per chapter can pick up steadily increasing hate mail, from what I've seen.

Sometimes it is what it is, though. If short chapters is the way it works out, and you feel messing with that screws up the pacing, then go with your gut. Just be prepared for pushback.

Regular, frequent posting can alleviate the short chapter issue as well. If you're posting without fail once per week or more, people are less worried about how long each submission is.

If the story is already complete ( highly recommended ) before you start posting, say that in an author's note at the beginning of Ch. 01 as well. It can do a lot to engage the readership, many of whom have been burned by incomplete stories time and time again.

 

[ElectricBlue]

As an example, say I've got one where the first (light) sex hits at about 5,000 words in, but that I was planning for that to occur in chapter two. The first big scene is 12,000 words in.

Just for guidance, a Lit "page" is around 3,750 words, so your first light scene is on the 2nd page; and your first big scene would be on the 4th page. That's a long way into the story.

Your writing and story will need to be very very good to keep people's interest going that long, I would have thought. You're on an erotica site, there's only so much world building people are going to sit through before they get a little spice!

A 5k minimum is ok for a chapter break, 7k is nearer two full Lit pages, which might go down better with readers. But it really does depend on the quality of the writing. If it's very good writing, folk aren't going to fuss about chapter length. If it's ordinary writing, they're going to stop anyway.

 

[fsqueeze]

Thanks to all for the wisdom. You're awesome.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

Just for guidance, a Lit "page" is around 3,750 words, so your first light scene is on the 2nd page; and your first big scene would be on the 4th page. That's a long way into the story.

Your writing and story will need to be very very good to keep people's interest going that long, I would have thought. You're on an erotica site, there's only so much world building people are going to sit through before they get a little spice!

Not quite true. Some people LOVE the world building, character development and plot. I have one series, Angelwatch, in sc/fi, where there's only one real sex scene - in chapter 6, and it's more symbolic than sexy. The story is red Hs everywhere (though all in the 4.5s and 4.6s until the last chapter).

That said, just about everything else I do has a sex scene in chapter 1. But I get compliments on the world building with some "oh, the sex was hot too" pretty often.

There's different readerships here. Mine is small but distinct (and they are generally really nice).

 

[RejectReality]

I think he was building off the previous posts, where we'd already established there's a significant difference in the sex expectations in Sci-Fi, Non Human, and Romance.

 

[Kantarii]

All I submit is chapters to a much larger story. Since most of my chapters are a little shorter than normal and not every chapter contains a sex scene, I tend to put sexual overtones and hints in most all my chapters. I also finish each chapter with some kind of cliffhanger to tease the reader leaving them wanting to continue on. I've found abrupt stops at the end of a chapter deturs readers from wanting to read more.