Formatting story for submission

[intriguess]

I'm sure there's some helpful thread or page about this but it's nice to hear about it from people who know.

In the story I'm writing for submission to Literotica I've finally reached the 'sex' scene and at 30+ pages, and I have several questions.

any special things I need to do for formatting for submission?

how many pages before I should look for a place to break it into parts?

is it too long?

if sex scene is hot intense but leaves things unresolved do readers really want to know what happens?

think that covers it.

Thanks for listening (or reading as the case is)



[Edited by intriguess on 12-15-2000 at 06:28 PM]

 

[wild_jay]

Wow! 30+ pages, up to the 'sex' scene. Don't know what you're writing but it has to hold the reader's attention, just keep that in mind. I'm not saying it can't work, or is too long, it's just an unusually long build which is difficult to write, and sustain interest.

Leaves things 'Unresolved', I'm not sure of the context. If you've taken me through 30 pages I think I would want to know what happens. Why short change the reader at that point?

As far as breaking up the story it really depends on whether the plot lends itself to being broken up. And you shouldn't have to break up the story for 'formatting' or any technical reasons.

In terms of formatting for submission there are clear instructions on the site. Simply follow directions. If you experience difficulty E-mail literotica and I'm sure they'll help you out.

Good luck, sounds like an interesting story, almost a labor of love.

 

[Weird Harold]

"any special things I need to do for formatting for submission?"

If you're using Word, turn off SmartQuotes and most of the other autocorrect functions. (the one character ellipsis, long dash, and other special characters.)

If You are using Italics, Boldface, Underlining, or other formatting, you need to submit In Word format, and notify Laurel that you need the formatting preserved.

Other than those two situations, you should be able to cut and paste, and then preview the way the story will appear online.

If you choose text format, you will need to make sure that there are TWO paragraph breaks between paragraphs, and paragraphs do not have hard line breaks. (No carriage returns or line feeds within a paragraph, so it can word wrap to fit the submission form.

"how many pages before I should look for a place to break it into parts?"

If you are asking about the multi-page stories, that is done automatically by the scripts. As near as I can tell it breaks the story about every 12K of text. You won't be able to tell where the breaks are until it's posted however, as the preview function will show it as one "page"

If you are asking about breaking it into chapters, then you need to break the chapters wherever the story allows for chapter breaks. i.e. natural breaking points, like a change of scene or viewpoint.

"is it too long?"

SEnd it to a volunteer editor for an opinion. Without reading the story and seeing how relevant the first 30 pages are to the sotry, it's impossible to say "this is too long" or "this isn't long enough"

"if sex scene is hot intense but leaves things unresolved do readers really want to know what happens?"

See comment on the length. In general, you want to wrap up all of the loose ends unless you specifically want to leave room for a sequel.

 

[Tawny T]

I break mine into segments using a good point in the story line where there is a change of scenery, action, etc, making it into "chapters"

You don't have to do that, but it will make for better reading. If you leave it to Lit to break it, there may be a break where it's not appopriate.

I'm not sure if they are still doing this with the new system, but here is an example of putting the story into sections if it runs past about 17 pages.

From 1- 18 pages in Word will be posted in 2 parts, and 19 to 23 will be split into 3 parts.

One story of mine - My Very Personal Maid - ran a total of 97 pages and if you want to look at it, you can see how it was split. I personally split it into 6 chapters, Lit broke each chapter down in from 2 to 3 parts.

Look in the Author Index for it if you want to use is as a guide to see how it was broken down.

Post me if you wish. My address is under my name at the first of every story.

 

[GuyJD]

A SHARE OF MY 2 CENTS.....

SHORT AND SWEET..........Not a requirement of a story but how I will attempt to explain my point.
I usually feel that if a story is too long, it will lose its reader. However, that is not to say if it is an interesting story or not. If the story presents many good concepts and factors, it will hold the reader's attention. For you to personally write 30-plus pages of erotica (if you want to call it that) before getting to the sex notes tells me that you've put alot of heart and effort into that story and not just the sexual factors. This is something that I make an attempt at, as well, when submitting a story. Personally, I admire that. Now my suggestion..........
Re-examine your story. If you, and only you, feel that there is a sentence or paragraph worth deleting from the story, then do so. If, however, you feel that the story is perfect as it is, don't change a thing. Maybe you can shorten or reword a sentence and find it more suitable. But, as I said earlier, if you like the story as it is then you should leave it as you have written it. Much as I have always said, PERFECTION cannot be rushed nor can it be given a short-cut. Good luck with that story!!!

[Edited by GuyJD on 12-27-2000 at 12:02 PM]

 

[Tawny T]

Re: A SHARE OF MY 2 CENTS.....

For you to personally write 30-plus pages of erotica (if you want to call it that) before getting to the sex notes tells me that you've put alot of heart and effort into that story and not just the sexual factors.

I'm not sure that's what she said, GuyJD. If it is, then I agree with you. I don't think you can hold the readers interest on this site without having some sexy things happen before page 30!

Most of my stories tend to be rather long. I love descriptions of the people, and the sex acts. I have never had a reader complain that my stories were too long - even my 6 part, 97 page My Very Personal Maid! That got up and stayed on the Top 20 Story board for a LONG time.

It's a blend of action and story that does it. Enough story to carry the action, and vice versa. It's a blend. It takes practice to get it right. A good story with lots of action does it every time. Bring some action in by the second or third page is a good rule of thumb.

You are writing for a site that loves sex. Not trying for the Pulitzer Prize - not yet!

 

[Tawny T]

Re: Re: A SHARE OF MY 2 CENTS.....

For you to personally write 30-plus pages of erotica (if you want to call it that) before getting to the sex notes tells me that you've put alot of heart and effort into that story and not just the sexual factors.

I'm not sure that's what she said, GuyJD. If it is, then I agree with you. I don't think you can hold the readers interest on this site without having some sexy things happen before page 30!

Most of my stories tend to be rather long. I love descriptions of the people, and the sex acts. I have never had a reader complain that my stories were too long - even my 6 part, 97 page My Very Personal Maid! That got up and stayed on the Top 20 Story board for a LONG time.

It's a blend of action and story that does it. Enough story to carry the action, and vice versa. It's a blend. It takes practice to get it right. A good story with lots of action does it every time. Bring some action in by the second or third page is a good rule of thumb.

You are writing for a site that loves sex. Not trying for the Pulitzer Prize - not yet!

 

[GuyJD]

AND THE WINNER FOR THIS YEAR'S NOBEL PRIZE FOR EROTICA IS......

TAWNY T.....I have been complimented for my style of writing but what I truly lack is the ability to "graduate from" writing short stories to writing long stories. And I admire any one with that ability. My longest story has only been the "LESSON IN BIOLOGY" trilogy. Some readers have suggested that I covert all of the short stories into a book. I may but then again, I may not. I still have that idea floating in my head.
You said the right thing. Basically, your story made it to and remained in the Top 20 for some time because you had a well organized story line (i.e., story with action). Much like yourself, I prefer to describe my characters, the surroundings, the places, any- and everything that is relevant to the story. I feel that, besides the sexual interlude of the story, it brings out the story itself and gain the interest of the audience. All-n-all, TT.....KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
I hope to see you and alot of my other fellow Literoticans at the Annual Nobel Prize celebration. (LOL)