Good story length and a note about grammar.

[TheSkySaidNo]

I submitted my first story recently, and I have received some really great (and some downright mean) feedback from it so far. I am writing more, and some other stories I have been thinking about putting up. Which brings me to my question, what is a good average length for a story here on Literotica? I have a couple that are just one scene, and another that is about 16 pages single spaced.

Any thoughts?

Also, just as a side note I am not a native english speaker/writer and some harsh words have been spread my way for mixing up words like 'waste' and 'waist' and 'to' and 'too'. While this might be common sense for many native speakers, it can be confusing for someone who is learning english. Not knowing or catching a mistake like this is not stupidity, but merely a step in the learning process.

 

[sr71plt]

A good story length is one that contains all of the necessary elements for the story and no flab.

Too subjective an answer? That would be because the question is too subjective to have an answer.

My surmise on Lit. is that you'll get more readers by keeping it contained in three Lit. pages (about 11,000 words) or fewer. Most who comment on desired length (which in itself is highly subjective) seem to settle on something in the two-Lit. page area. A one Lit. pager often receives the comment of "too short" (but invariably this is from folks who have no concept of what a story needs to do or who liked the story so much, they want it to go on until they get sick of it.)

 

[driphoney]

Also, just as a side note I am not a native english speaker/writer and some harsh words have been spread my way for mixing up words like 'waste' and 'waist' and 'to' and 'too'. While this might be common sense for many native speakers, it can be confusing for someone who is learning english. Not knowing or catching a mistake like this is not stupidity, but merely a step in the learning process.

I'm afraid most of your readers (if not all) are not reading comments here. Consider finding yourself a native speaker to edit.

 

[ms.read]

I submitted my first story recently, and I have received some really great (and some downright mean) feedback from it so far. I am writing more, and some other stories I have been thinking about putting up. Which brings me to my question, what is a good average length for a story here on Literotica? I have a couple that are just one scene, and another that is about 16 pages single spaced.

Any thoughts?

Also, just as a side note I am not a native english speaker/writer and some harsh words have been spread my way for mixing up words like 'waste' and 'waist' and 'to' and 'too'. While this might be common sense for many native speakers, it can be confusing for someone who is learning english. Not knowing or catching a mistake like this is not stupidity, but merely a step in the learning process.

Depending on the content of your story, I, being a native english speaker, would love to read/ do simple editing of your work before you publish it. I have done this for others. I have no special degree in English. I have done this for others and they have liked the work I have done for them, in cleaning up simple mistakes. PM me if you would like more info.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I submitted my first story recently, and I have received some really great (and some downright mean) feedback from it so far. I am writing more, and some other stories I have been thinking about putting up. Which brings me to my question, what is a good average length for a story here on Literotica? I have a couple that are just one scene, and another that is about 16 pages single spaced.

Any thoughts?

Also, just as a side note I am not a native english speaker/writer and some harsh words have been spread my way for mixing up words like 'waste' and 'waist' and 'to' and 'too'. While this might be common sense for many native speakers, it can be confusing for someone who is learning english. Not knowing or catching a mistake like this is not stupidity, but merely a step in the learning process.

Also where a story is slotted the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex might be looking for a good long read.

Either way there is always one group or another who will love your story while the other hates it.

Take ms.read up one her offer, it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

 

[ms.read]

Also- where a story is slotted, the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex, might be looking for a good, long read.

Either way, there is always one group or another who will love your story, while the other hates it.

Take ms.read up one(on not one) her offer, it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

Zeb, if you don't mind, I am going to use your post as an example. Oh, and sometimes, I use too many commas.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Zeb, if you don't mind, I am going to use your post as an example. Oh, and sometimes, I use too many commas.

Sure no problem, but as a good example or a bad one?

 

[Boxlicker101]

Also- where a story is slotted, the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex, might be looking for a good, long read.

Either way, there is always one group or another who will love your story, while the other hates it.

Take ms.read up one(on not one) her offer, it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

Zeb, if you don't mind, I am going to use your post as an example. Oh, and sometimes, I use too many commas.

Sure no problem, but as a good example or a bad one?

In all honesty, not a very good one. And, yes, you do use too many commas.

Also, depending on where a story is slotted, the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex might be looking for a good, long read.

Either way, there is always one group or another who will love your story while others hate it.

Take ms.read up one(on not one) her offer; it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

 

[Olive Hizklosoff]

Basics

I can understand the plight of someone for whom English may be a second language. Words that are homophonic (spelled differently but sound the same) may represent a problem. Proper punctuation can be very difficult. For those people, I would allow some leeway.

What drives me crazy are ersatz writers who submit stories without reading them, without using spellcheck, and do not have a clue about the correct use of things like commas and quotation marks. I've read stories where the writer seems to forget the character's name and changes it half way through the story. These people wouldn't be able to pass high school English class. Maybe they didn't!!! Let's get back to basics. Some story ideas are fantastic, but for me, simple correctable mistakes make them very difficult to read.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I can understand the plight of someone for whom English may be a second language. Words that are homophonic (spelled differently but sound the same) may represent a problem. Proper punctuation can be very difficult. For those people, I would allow some leeway.

What drives me crazy are ersatz writers who submit stories without reading them, without using spellcheck, and do not have a clue about the correct use of things like commas and quotation marks. I've read stories where the writer seems to forget the character's name and changes it half way through the story. These people wouldn't be able to pass high school English class. Maybe they didn't!!! Let's get back to basics. Some story ideas are fantastic, but for me, simple correctable mistakes make them very difficult to read.

Spellcheck alone is not enough; it is also necessary to check by proofreading, because of those pesky homonyms. Writing "there" for "their" or "too" for "to" or "by" for "buy" or "bye" will not be caught by spellcheck, because the word written is a valid word. It also won't catch typos that result in a valid word that is the wrong word, such as dropping the final "e" from "here" or writing "than" for "then."

 

[CharleyH]

Consider finding yourself a native speaker to edit.

I completely agree.

As for story length,TheSkySaidNo ... there is no good length for Lit. The readership here is varied and if you are concerned with ratings you will undoubtedly find some people who adore a lengthy story and give you a 5, and some who can't tolerate waiting more than 1000 words to get off and give you a 1 with insulting feedback and vice versa. A good story length is left up to you to judge as writer and editor of your own story, imo. However, this being said, you might like to check out the SDC (Story Discussion Circle) here on Lit. The folks there are really helpful and while I've never read your work, I think you could benefit, like I have, from a discussion on one of your, well, shorter stories. Much luck.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Also- where a story is slotted, the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex, might be looking for a good, long read.

Either way, there is always one group or another who will love your story, while the other hates it.

Take ms.read up one(on not one) her offer, it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

Zeb, if you don't mind, I am going to use your post as an example. Oh, and sometimes, I use too many commas.

In all honesty, not a very good one. And, yes, you do use too many commas.

Also, depending on where a story is slotted, the readers may want different lengths. A lot of readers may just want a stroke story. Those readers seeking a little bit more than just the sex might be looking for a good, long read.

Either way, there is always one group or another who will love your story while others hate it.

Take ms.read up one(on not one) her offer; it will help you become conversant with English as spoken by Americans.

Just had to point out my typos...

 

[Boxlicker101]

Just had to point out my typos...

Actually, there was only one typo, and ms.read pointed that one out.

 

[Olive Hizklosoff]

With all due respect, homonyms are spelled and pronounced the same way but have different meanings. A homophone is spelled differently but sounds the same.

 

[Boxlicker101]

With all due respect, homonyms are spelled and pronounced the same way but have different meanings. A homophone is spelled differently but sounds the same.

Accordeing to the Onlilne Dictionary, the two words mean the same thing:

maar palaver mores abnegate homonym - 3 dictionary results

Sponsored Resultswww.BabySigns.com

hom·o·nym   /ˈhɒmənɪm/ Show Spelled[hom-uh-nim] Show IPA
–noun
1.homophone (def. 1).
2.a word the same as another in sound and spelling but different in meaning, as chase “to pursue” and chase “to ornament metal.”
3.(loosely) homograph.
4.a namesake.
5.Biology. a name given to a species or genus that has been assigned to a different species or genus and that is therefore rejected.

 

[driphoney]

It's confusing, but I think a homophone can be a homonym, but a homonym might not necessarily be a homophone. Or is it the other way around?

 

[sr71plt]

It's confusing, but I think a homophone can be a homonym, but a homonym might not necessarily be a homophone.

There's got to be a Lit. GM story in this somewhere.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

It's confusing, but I think a homophone can be a homonym, but a homonym might not necessarily be a homophone.

But their both gay, right?

 

[Boxlicker101]

It's confusing, but I think a homophone can be a homonym, but a homonym might not necessarily be a homophone. Or is it the other way around?

Actually, I think Olive was right. A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another but spelled differently and has a different meaning, such as their and there, the kind of thing I was thinking of. A homonym is just two unrelated meanings for a word.

 

[ShyChiWriter]

Definition

homophobe:

noun: a person afraid to post a story because their afraid 'they're' should really be 'there'.

TheSkySaidNo - take heart in the fact that you are stumbling over homophones - that's a good sign. It means that you are most probably a good English speaker and you know the words - your mind just isn't used to putting them down in written form.

Some advice - here is a link to the most common homophones and their definitions:

link

I'll second what others said. As long as your stories aren't too clumsy in terms of English usage, an editor could make quick work of a cleanup job.

Last, not that I generally advocate apologizing first, but I have seen a greater level of forgiveness for people (often NRI's) who open with a note. Something along the lines of 'English isn't my first language but I'm working on it.' seems to level-set in a good way.

 

[driphoney]

Actually, I think Olive was right. A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another but spelled differently and has a different meaning, such as their and there, the kind of thing I was thinking of. A homonym is just two unrelated meanings for a word.

I think I was basically agreeing with Olive, too, but with a twist.

hom·o·nym   [hom-uh-nim] Show IPA
–noun
1.
homophone (def. 1).
2.
a word the same as another in sound and spelling but different in meaning, as chase “to pursue” and chase “to ornament metal.”

When you look up homophone, you get this:

–noun
1.
Phonetics. a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air.

Homonym gets to be both things, homophone is slightly more narrow in definition.

No biggy to me. The semantics here is enough to make my head explode.

 

[driphoney]

I'll second what others said. As long as your stories aren't too clumsy in terms of English usage, an editor could make quick work of a cleanup job.

Last, not that I generally advocate apologizing first, but I have seen a greater level of forgiveness for people (often NRI's) who open with a note. Something along the lines of 'English isn't my first language but I'm working on it.' seems to level-set in a good way.

I would go with the editor over the opening note. I used to open with author's notes, but I think sr71plt is right in this case, starting with a note can be off-putting. It can be a bit like saying, "I know my story's a mess, but hope you read it anyway!" Besides, now that Lit puts little "adverts" off to the sides of some of the listed stories on the Top Lists, the last thing you want is an advert saying "Author's Note: First I want to thank ...." That was a real wake-up call when I saw that!

 

[Boxlicker101]

Homophones would be the problem, then, not homonyms. If I say "I pulled her pants down," the readers will know I am referring to an article of clothing, not loud, rapid breathing by a person or animal. If I say: "She pants when I pull her pants down," they will also know what I am saying.

Of course, when they see "there" and "their" interchanged, they will know what is meant also, but they will also know it is a mechanical error. To me, such errors are like speed bumps on a highway. If I run into too many of them, I leave the highway and don't return if I can avoid it.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShyChiWriter

I'll second what others said. As long as your stories aren't too clumsy in terms of English usage, an editor could make quick work of a cleanup job.

Last, not that I generally advocate apologizing first, but I have seen a greater level of forgiveness for people (often NRI's) who open with a note. Something along the lines of 'English isn't my first language but I'm working on it.' seems to level-set in a good way.

I would go with the editor over the opening note. I used to open with author's notes, but I think sr71plt is right in this case, starting with a note can be off-putting. It can be a bit like saying, "I know my story's a mess, but hope you read it anyway!" Besides, now that Lit puts little "adverts" off to the sides of some of the listed stories on the Top Lists, the last thing you want is an advert saying "Author's Note: First I want to thank ...." That was a real wake-up call when I saw that!

I have to agree with Driphoney here. If I see a story that starts with an apology for mechanical errors, I usually think something like: "If you can't write, then don't, or get an editor."

Sometimes I start a story with an author's note, but it's to caution the readers that it is a different kind of story than I usually write, such as including something some readers find disturbing or telling readers there is little or no sex in the story.