Short or Long Stories?

[DanDraper]

Do you prefer short or long stories?

My stories are never more than two pages, which is funny because my word doc says they are a whole lot more. I write a plot that leads up the the sex scene, but they're not drawn out like other stories I've read that goes on for several pages.

There are a lot of long stories are good when they work because they make the story more interesting, but I found that some others could be going on forever without really going anywhere.

I'm thinking about writing a few stories that goes on longer, but I'm wondering if its worth it.

 

[oggbashan]

The usual answer is a story is as long as it needs to be.

Longer stories (5 or more Lit pages +) seem to do well for ratings.

Do not worry about length. Write whatever you want.

 

[ElectricBlue]

You'll always find readers for long stories, just as you'll always find readers for two pagers. Over time, I've found myself writing a mix of longer stories with several chapters, balanced by shorter fast burners. Both go down well.

 

[AlphaLyon]

Do you prefer short or long stories?

I'm thinking about writing a few stories that goes on longer, but I'm wondering if its worth it.

I thought it wasn't the size of the story that mattered?
If you wanted to try something different, you could always write a couple of short stories that are interconnected.

 

[Omenainen]

I'll second the others. I like short stories short and long stories long, both when I'm writing and when I'm reading.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Short, long, really short, really long, I've written them all. And once you are establish here, most readers won't care about how long or short the story is as long as it is good or thought provoking or just plain sexy.

As for the difference between Word and Lit. pages. Lit pages are approx. 3750 words long where Word pages are much less.

 

[Handley_Page]

Do you prefer short or long stories?

My stories are never more than two pages, which is funny because my word doc says they are a whole lot more. I write a plot that leads up the the sex scene, but they're not drawn out like other stories I've read that goes on for several pages.

There are a lot of long stories are good when they work because they make the story more interesting, but I found that some others could be going on forever without really going anywhere.

I'm thinking about writing a few stories that goes on longer, but I'm wondering if its worth it.

You did not detail what you meant be 'short' or 'long'.
For instance, 7500 words will likely give you two Lit pages, but that's not a lot of space for events other than sex (ah- that's all you wrote ? OK).

It is better to specify in words, not pages; it gives us all a measurable dimension.

And you would expect your Word Proc to differ.
A Lit page is about 3700 words; that on your WP is more likely to be Five or six hundred or so depending upon the page size.

Good Luck

 

[Saintdragonslayer]

I can't remember where I heard the answer to this question, but it was probably somewhere here on Lit.

The length of a story is like a woman's skirt. It should be long enough to cover the essentials but also short enough to remain interesting.

 

[SimonDoom]

Since you asked "Do you prefer . . . " rather than "What is the best length?" I'll give you my personal preference.

I prefer stories that are from about 2 Literotica pages to about 7 Literotica pages. I seldom read stories longer than that. I don't come to Literotica to read novellas. Sometimes I'll get engrossed in a multi-chaptered series, but usually only when the chapters meet my length preferences.

That said, no writer should hesitate to write stories of whatever length the writer prefers. There's a readership for everything. Longer stories tend to pick up higher scores. Contest winners tend to be on the long side -- over six pages.

 

[HeyAll]

My ideal story to read is 2 pages, concentrated writing. No wasted paragraphs. Lean.

That's also my ideal story to write.

 

[KeithD]

A two Lit. page result is my sweet spot for a story and is longer than mainstream competition usual permits (and I do focus on entering mainstream competitions). I do write novellas too, but they've mostly been an intended Lit. two-pager deciding to go into more depth and/or add more threads to the plot. I support writing the story you want first and then deciding such issues as how long it comes to and what category it fits in--and also whether it's suitable for this Web site or not. The only bow I give to a readership is whether or not I can write something to add to what I think is an underserved niche.

 

[TadOverdon]

I prefer longer and more elaborate stories.

 

[ChuckandAndrea]

I'm two pages like a lot of others. That's about as long as I care to read, so that's what I am for in my writing. So far, it's worked out pretty well even though I don't sit there and go, "needs to be longer/shorter to fit"...

I've only submitted one story, it's four parts and those parts just happen to hit that same rough format. Before I submitted anything, I wrote for years. Going back through and looking at word count, looks like I've always written about 2 pages per story/part before I ever even thought about publishing anything.

I wouldn't be surprised if others are similar. Makes sense that my writing would coincide with my reading.

 

[Payne_Hall]

I tend to follow the erotica novel formula and write longer stories (around 60K WC) that features a lot of scenes, but each scene has to have a purpose with that route (having the characters learn something or become closer).

It’s generally very well received. There are readers for both, but I’ll try to put a disclaimer in an Author’s Note that something isn’t a short story. Or if it has a lot of build up to the erotica because some people aren’t there for that and it seems to work really well.

Unfortunately, writing and editing that amount takes a bit of time, so I have to be quick with reading and often have to skim if it is a longer story. It means that shorter stories are just easier for me to have the time for, but I won’t close a story if it’s longer either.

 

[KeithD]

It’s generally very well received. There are readers for both, but I’ll try to put a disclaimer in an Author’s Note that something isn’t a short story. Or if it has a lot of build up to the erotica because some people aren’t there for that and it seems to work really well.

I don't think a disclaimer is necessary. The new look now gives the wordage right up front. That should be enough for the reader to know and gauge whether they want to stick out a long read.

 

[LAHomedog]

I let the characters tell me what the story is and the length of it. With virtually every story, my preconceived ideas about it go out the window if I allow the characters dictate the story, the details and the length.

(With the exception of contests or events where there are length rules.)

 

[SamScribble]

I prefer short stories. And my ten (or is it now 12?) readers seem to enjoy short stories - at least some of the time. But I suspect that most Lit readers like their stories long. Never mind the quality, Ethel; feel the width!

 

[DanDraper]

The usual answer is a story is as long as it needs to be.

Longer stories (5 or more Lit pages +) seem to do well for ratings.

Do not worry about length. Write whatever you want.

oggbashan, thanks.

 

[DanDraper]

I can't remember where I heard the answer to this question, but it was probably somewhere here on Lit.

The length of a story is like a woman's skirt. It should be long enough to cover the essentials but also short enough to remain interesting.

Saintdragonslayer, that's a good answer, thanks.

 

[TadOverdon]

Corollary question: how does your writing preference compare to your reading preferences?

I read short stories occasionally, but mostly novels. So I guess it's reasonable that I lean toward longer pieces myself.

 

[Payne_Hall]

Corollary question: how does your writing preference compare to your reading preferences?

I read short stories occasionally, but mostly novels. So I guess it's reasonable that I lean toward longer pieces myself.

Hahaha it’s funny you bring this up. I actually mostly read epic fantasies like Wheel of Time, The Belgariad, and Malazan, which probably lines up with me being long winded

 

[lovecraft68]

My answer to this is my answer to most "what does better, or what do you prefer, or they prefer etc..." questions.

I write what I want, how I want, for as long as I want, and....fuck it all after that.

I put the writing the story I feel compelled to write before I put what anyone's reaction may or may not be.

 

[Blind_Justice]

My stories tend to go long, 10,000 words are the bare minimum. I love lavish descriptions, sound world building and creating solid foundations from which to spring plots and sex scenes. To me, how two or more people end up in bed is far more interesting than the mechanics of the act itself. Also, in my stories, sex is a part of the whole, not the sole reason for the story's existence.

The best compliment I got was from another Lit writer who called my writing "dense". That... was a compliment, wasn't it?

 

[PennameWombat]

Do you prefer short or long stories?

My stories are never more than two pages, which is funny because my word doc says they are a whole lot more. I write a plot that leads up the the sex scene, but they're not drawn out like other stories I've read that goes on for several pages.

There are a lot of long stories are good when they work because they make the story more interesting, but I found that some others could be going on forever without really going anywhere.

I'm thinking about writing a few stories that goes on longer, but I'm wondering if its worth it.

Define 'worth it.' I have plenty of stories that are 15,000 words (4-5 pages here) and up to 70,000 (20 Lit pages). That latter story has a good rating with the 'H'.

I also have some at 2 Lit pages or so all the way down to the 750 word contest. I like stories that tell a story. If you can do that in 750 or 7,000 words, great. But I'm happy to both read and write longer stories but of my own stories a personal favorite is half a lit page (~1700 words) even if it is one of my lower-rated. People who like that one really like it (based on comments), but it seems to prove the adage that stories that short are harder sells here.

But yes, regardless of length, it has to tell a story. The characters need to do things, be 'people' (or werewolves or body-stealing aliens or whatevers) and things need to happen in addition to the sex. As has been pointed out, the new view has wordcount on the front page, so if you see 69.9k words and you're dead set against 'long' stories, just hit the 'back' button. Easy. I didn't write that for you.

But it was worth it to me to have written that story. And my attitude is that I'm happy some number of readers have found it and enjoyed it which makes it a bit more satisfying.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I often think that I prefer long stories, but that's only really because most bad stories are pretty short (as opposed to short stories being bad).