A series or a collection of short stories?

[Jilluvscox]

I very recently joined Literotica after reading some of the very good stories here. I write trans stories and have written a fifty-chapter series on another site and fifteen chapters into my second series. Everything I've written about is really one continuous story. Many of the chapters are true recollections of my own life with a lot of fiction thrown in to spice it up.

As I consider writing my first story on Lit, I'm wondering if I should stay with the series format I'm used to, or completely switch to short stories and forget about a never-ending story line documenting the sometimes true and sometimes fictional experiences and journeys of a transgender prostitute.

Most of the trans stories listed are worn-out story lines about a person changing from a male to female identity. It reminds me of how Hallmark makes twenty love-story movies with the same exact story line using different characters and settings.

 

[TheRedChamber]

Well, only you can really answer that. You know what stories are knocking around in your own head.

But the nice thing about one-shot stories are that they don't require any commitment. Write one and then see if you want to write another one. And if you are bored with your genre, the one-shots are a chance to go crazy with some new ideas and it doesn't matter if you end up falling flat on your face.

Personally, I much prefer writing and reading single stories. They require a certain amount of focus and need to be tightly plotted to get anything done within the word count, whereas multipart stories are more likely to be self-indulgent and aimless.

You could always fall somewhere in the middle. Have a series with three, four or five chapters then wrap it up.

 

[Jilluvscox]

Well, only you can really answer that. You know what stories are knocking around in your own head.

But the nice thing about one-shot stories are that they don't require any commitment. Write one and then see if you want to write another one. And if you are bored with your genre, the one-shots are a chance to go crazy with some new ideas and it doesn't matter if you end up falling flat on your face.

Personally, I much prefer writing and reading single stories. They require a certain amount of focus and need to be tightly plotted to get anything done within the word count, whereas multipart stories are more likely to be self-indulgent and aimless.

You could always fall somewhere in the middle. Have a series with three, four or five chapters then wrap it up.

I think that's the direction I'm probably headed. On the one hand, I love the freedom to introduce and develop new characters into a running story. It's how I like to write.


On the other hand, I'm realizing that most online erotica readers want a shorter story to entertain themselves and really aren't interested in online novels. So its a matter of writing stuff I like and have only a few readers, or changing my style so that I can entertain many readers. I guess in the end, my success as an author will be measured by how many readers enjoy my work.


I'm finding that it takes a different mindset to create a short story than the way I've thought about my writing so far. So it's a new challenge for me and also a good opportunity to grow. I plan on reading a lot about what other authors here think before I submit my first story.

Thanks so much for your comment.

 

[SimonDoom]

If you are up in the air on this, I would suggest writing separate, standalone stories rather than a series. You'll get more readers that way. You also have more freedom to do each story differently if you choose to.

If you are new to Literotica, there are two things to keep in mind about chaptered stories:

1. Some readers don't want to read them. If you publish "My Erotic Story" it's likely to get more views than "My Erotic Story Ch. 1."

2. Chaptered stories experience significant attrition. Chapter 1 may get 20,000 views, but then chapter 2 will get only 10,000 views, and chapter 3 will get 8,000 views, and so on. Whereas if each time it's a new story, you won't experience that same level of attrition.

 

[Jilluvscox]

If you are up in the air on this, I would suggest writing separate, standalone stories rather than a series. You'll get more readers that way. You also have more freedom to do each story differently if you choose to.

If you are new to Literotica, there are two things to keep in mind about chaptered stories:

1. Some readers don't want to read them. If you publish "My Erotic Story" it's likely to get more views than "My Erotic Story Ch. 1."

2. Chaptered stories experience significant attrition. Chapter 1 may get 20,000 views, but then chapter 2 will get only 10,000 views, and chapter 3 will get 8,000 views, and so on. Whereas if each time it's a new story, you won't experience that same level of attrition.

My experience tells me you are exactly right. I got a lot of interest when I began my first two series on the site where I'm currently writing. Then, as you say, I get fewer and fewer views. I have a faithful following of a few readers who anxiously wait for the next chapter to be released, but I'm certainly not attracting new readers.

I'll definitely follow your advise and start my Lit stories as stand-alones, although I'll have to experiment a bit to change my style while I get used to navigating the Lit site.

Thanks for your comment.

 

[KeithD]

I've chosen writing mostly short stories, which I often bunch together in some way--the same protagonist or theme, for example, into anthologies. I do, also, have a running of series of short story collections of about 100,000 words each (working on the twenty-sixth one now) in which the hook is just that they are what I wrote in chronological order. In the introduction to the anthology, I often provides notes on the inspiration for the stories.

The only issue you have to deal with (and set your jaw over) with writing separate short stories rather than a series is that some readers will ask you to add to them. Although I've done that when it suits me and an idea to do so pops up, in most cases I have no plans to spin the stories out into a series.

 

[SimonDoom]

The only issue you have to deal with (and set your jaw over) with writing separate short stories rather than a series is that some readers will ask you to add to them. Although I've done that when it suits me and an idea to do so pops up, in most cases I have no plans to spin the stories out into a series.

I get such requests on many of my stories, and it's no longer an issue for me. I never respond to readers' requests to write more chapters anymore unless it's already something I had planned to do. I think you would agree with me that the OP should feel no need to oblige readers' requests about this.

 

[KeithD]

I get such requests on many of my stories, and it's no longer an issue for me. I never respond to readers' requests to write more chapters anymore unless it's already something I had planned to do. I think you would agree with me that the OP should feel no need to oblige readers' requests about this.

Yes, but there's an "it depends" on whether I respond to the request or not. If it seems like a genuine wish that the story be extended rather than just one of several standard "I liked it" responses, I'll answer that I don't intend to extend it, but, who know?, I sometimes have, and that I'll let my muse work on it to see if it comes up with something. Such requests do prompt a reconsideration of the story and whether or not there may be more to be gotten out of it. I enjoy that process. The only really irritating requests are those that it doesn't take a genius to realize that the story is finished/dead/gone/completed already. Those leave me with the feeling that the reader didn't understand the story at all.

 

[SimonDoom]

Yes, but there's an "it depends" on whether I respond to the request or not. If it seems like a genuine wish that the story be extended rather than just one of several standard "I liked it" responses, I'll answer that I don't intend to extend it, but, who know?, I sometimes have, and that I'll let my muse work on it to see if it comes up with something. Such requests do prompt a reconsideration of the story and whether or not there may be more to be gotten out of it. I enjoy that process. The only really irritating requests are those that it doesn't take a genius to realize that the story is finished/dead/gone/completed already. Those leave me with the feeling that the reader didn't understand the story at all.

To your last point--and I hope this is helpful and/or of interest to the OP--I often end stories with a tease or promise of things to come, even though I intend to end the story there. I find that works in an erotic story, and it seems more realistic to me than a "and they lived happily ever after" sort of conclusion. But I can understand why readers follow up on that and ask for more. But usually, I don't want to do more and I don't, regardless of reader requests. I don't say I never will, but I haven't wanted to do that in almost 5 years.

 

[NotWise]

The difference I see between stand-alone stories and a series of shorts, is that the writer needs to spend more time developing the characters and settings in stand-alone stories, while those things are usually carried over in a series.

 

[Jilluvscox]

To your last point--and I hope this is helpful and/or of interest to the OP--I often end stories with a tease or promise of things to come, even though I intend to end the story there. I find that works in an erotic story, and it seems more realistic to me than a "and they lived happily ever after" sort of conclusion. But I can understand why readers follow up on that and ask for more. But usually, I don't want to do more and I don't, regardless of reader requests. I don't say I never will, but I haven't wanted to do that in almost 5 years.

Your comments have been most helpful for me. My long story-series centers around two trans girls and how they got into a very lucrative arrangement of prostituting themselves out to rich bisexual men before and after they went on hormones and transformed themselves into beautiful escorts.

I see many possibilities of just doing short stories telling about individual episodes they've encountered along the way. You've got the gears in my brain turning.

Many thanks!

 

[ElectricBlue]

Bounce around categories, too, to stretch your literary legs. Stand-alone stories lend themselves to this, and can avoid the rut of a singular niche.

I've got a mix of longer interconnected stories where each part stands alone, as well as chaptered novels with a single continuous narrative. Both approaches work with readers, and keeps me interested as a writer.

Mix it up, would be my suggestion.

 

[gunhilltrain]

The difference I see between stand-alone stories and a series of shorts, is that the writer needs to spend more time developing the characters and settings in stand-alone stories, while those things are usually carried over in a series.

I've had stand-alone stories that generated some sequels, and those can by default become much like a series. I usually have a "disclaimer" at the top that has links to the earlier stories.

 

[Duleigh]

A lot of my stories end up in a world of their own and before I know it, I have a multi chapter story. Best thing to do it write what you know and present it in a way you feel most comfortable doing.

 

[KeithD]

I ascribe to write what you know and/or what you've researched and/or what you can imagine.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I think that's the direction I'm probably headed. On the one hand, I love the freedom to introduce and develop new characters into a running story. It's how I like to write.


On the other hand, I'm realizing that most online erotica readers want a shorter story to entertain themselves and really aren't interested in online novels. So its a matter of writing stuff I like and have only a few readers, or changing my style so that I can entertain many readers. I guess in the end, my success as an author will be measured by how many readers enjoy my work.


I'm finding that it takes a different mindset to create a short story than the way I've thought about my writing so far. So it's a new challenge for me and also a good opportunity to grow. I plan on reading a lot about what other authors here think before I submit my first story.

Thanks so much for your comment.

Oh, I don't know...

I do pretty well with my novels and novellas. I suppose it offers the guys from Loving Wives and other categories a respite that allows time for their sore wrists to recover before moving on to their next jerk tale.

 

[Duleigh]

Oh, I don't know...

I do pretty well with my novels and novellas. I suppose it offers the guys from Loving Wives and other categories a respite that allows time for their sore wrists to recover before moving on to their next jerk tale.

 

[Tiesto1]

If you are up in the air on this, I would suggest writing separate, standalone stories rather than a series. You'll get more readers that way. You also have more freedom to do each story differently if you choose to.

If you are new to Literotica, there are two things to keep in mind about chaptered stories:

1. Some readers don't want to read them. If you publish "My Erotic Story" it's likely to get more views than "My Erotic Story Ch. 1."

2. Chaptered stories experience significant attrition. Chapter 1 may get 20,000 views, but then chapter 2 will get only 10,000 views, and chapter 3 will get 8,000 views, and so on. Whereas if each time it's a new story, you won't experience that same level of attrition.

I am new to Lit and have also noticed this series thing where Ch. 01 gets way more views and there is generally a drop off into the next chapters. It feels like if you have a bunch of 1 to 2 page stories your better off just writing one longer novel in that case.

Although, I have one odd ball where my Ch. 02 has about triple the amount of views then my Ch. 01. May also have been since they were both in different categories that caused a variance.


6k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-01

19k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-02

.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I am new to Lit and have also noticed this series thing where Ch. 01 gets way more views and there is generally a drop off into the next chapters. It feels like if you have a bunch of 1 to 2 page stories your better off just writing one longer novel in that case.

Although, I have one odd ball where my Ch. 02 has about triple the amount of views then my Ch. 01. May also have been since they were both in different categories that caused a variance.


6k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-01

19k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-02

.

That surprises me a bit, since BDSM is a bigger category than Non-Con, yet you've got more click-ins on Chapter Two. Obviously, though, they've not gone back to read the first Chapter.

Which sorta kinda makes chapter switching to different categories laughingly meaningless, because category stalwarts aren't interested in other categories, and in this case, they're not really interested in the whole story either.

Your test will be the Chapter Three Views, assuming you're now staying with Non-Con.

Readers make no sense when they do this - clicking in vast numbers on a second chapter when they've not read the first.

 

[Tiesto1]

That surprises me a bit, since BDSM is a bigger category than Non-Con, yet you've got more click-ins on Chapter Two. Obviously, though, they've not gone back to read the first Chapter.

Which sorta kinda makes chapter switching to different categories laughingly meaningless, because category stalwarts aren't interested in other categories, and in this case, they're not really interested in the whole story either.

Your test will be the Chapter Three Views, assuming you're now staying with Non-Con.

Readers make no sense when they do this - clicking in vast numbers on a second chapter when they've not read the first.

Due to the various situations chapter 3 went into the Anal category and has 8.3k in views and chapter 4 went into Group with 3.7 views. Looking at all 4, I can't make any sense or reason why that is.


6k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-01

19k views
https://www.literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-02

8.3k views
https://literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-03

3.7k views
https://literotica.com/s/natalie-the-body-builder-ch-04

 

[ElectricBlue]

Due to the various situations chapter 3 went into the Anal category and has 8.3k in views and chapter 4 went into Group with 3.7 views. Looking at all 4, I can't make any sense or reason why that is.

I'd say, because you're category shifting, each chapter is being opened only by those category readers for each chapter, but they're not going back to read Chapter One.

My guess, following from that, is the number who are actually reading the whole story is only a small fraction of those View counts. A lot would drop out when they realise, "Oh, this is a chaptered story," or, they're reading just for the sex scenes and the story line doesn't matter.

I don't think you've done yourself any favours, switching categories. It might have been fun for you to write a sex smorgasbord, but that doesn't mean readers want one.

You'd do better, if you want a positive reception, by writing stand-alone stories focused on each kink. But if it's the smorgasbord you want as the writer, carry on as you are - but don't think folk are reading your whole story because, clearly, not many are.

 

[AchtungNight]

It can get worse. My “Passion” series for example. Chapter 1 is a First Time story, 2 is Erotic Couplings or possibly Anal, 3 is Lesbian, 4 and 5 are Group Sex. But there’s Masturbation and Lesbian stuff in 5 too. And it’s all a Novel length series, where Celebrities are used as framing devices since they inspired the story… therefore Celebrity is the final category and I will take the audience I get.

And yeah, my stories are all in the same series where necessary. Doug Ramsay is a supporting character in multiple chapters of “Passion”, he has his own stories where he stars as a modern Casanova Mr Roark amalgam dreaming up various fantasies. I’ve recently decided to incorporate Inception also, clearly the author is the dreamer. Or maybe it’s not a dream.

Sorry to bump an old thread, inspiration flows funny sometimes.

 

[djrip]

That surprises me a bit, since BDSM is a bigger category than Non-Con, yet you've got more click-ins on Chapter Two. Obviously, though, they've not gone back to read the first Chapter.

Which sorta kinda makes chapter switching to different categories laughingly meaningless, because category stalwarts aren't interested in other categories, and in this case, they're not really interested in the whole story either.

Your test will be the Chapter Three Views, assuming you're now staying with Non-Con.

Readers make no sense when they do this - clicking in vast numbers on a second chapter when they've not read the first.

It makes sense if you consider that they will most likely click into the ch. 2 story they see, look at tags, maybe read the first paragraph or so, before deciding if they want to click on the author name or go to the last page and then the series info page to find ch. 1.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It makes sense if you consider that they will most likely click into the ch. 2 story they see, look at tags, maybe read the first paragraph or so, before deciding if they want to click on the author name or go to the last page and then the series info page to find ch. 1.

Maybe. I tend to see more the pattern of View numbers falling with each chapter, which I attribute to readers being somewhat brighter than lemmings, who read the first chapter, then the second chapter, in that order.