How long is too long?

[rarmons]

A week ago I started writing a story for the winter contest, and now 16,000 words later and 42 pages (in word) in, and I'm halfway through what I planned. So now I'd like to get some input from people who have far more experience than I do on here.

What's the story length that works best on here? Most of my other stories are 3-4 pages, and that seems to work well. Should I split it up into multiple chapters? (It was originally going to be a two part story anyway, where there is a distinct cut in the middle, and each one could be read independently)

 

[TxRad]

Too long is one word more than the story needs.

42 word pages is approximately 7 Lit pages. I've seen and had winning stories in the Lit contests three times that long. Write it the way you want and let the chips fall where they may.

ETA: Chapter stories have more or less ruined score comparisons on Lit. In my humble opinion anyway.

 

[SusanJillParker]

A week ago I started writing a story for the winter contest, and now 16,000 words later and 42 pages (in word) in, and I'm halfway through what I planned. So now I'd like to get some input from people who have far more experience than I do on here.

What's the story length that works best on here? Most of my other stories are 3-4 pages, and that seems to work well. Should I split it up into multiple chapters? (It was originally going to be a two part story anyway, where there is a distinct cut in the middle, and each one could be read independently)

My creative writing professor enjoyed saying when asked this question, "As long as it takes to tell/show the story."

Just write it. You can always go back and edit it.

Don't worry about the length. Some people have 80,000 plus word stories posted.

Instead as posting as a single story, you may want to consider posting it in chapters.

 

[sr71plt]

So, we have like six thread themes that we discuss over and over again, without even waiting for the last thread on it to peter out before someone comes along like they are reinventing the wheel and starts up the discussion yet again. I'll give this revolution a pass.

 

[JackLuis]

A looooong story is an opportunity to exercise you editing skill set. Say it's 16Kwords by the time you get to the end. Save another copy, so if it doesn't work you haven't lost anything, and try cutting 3-4K words, does it read better, smoother, more exciting? Now try cutting another 2K words, better or confusing?

Pick the version you like best and post it.

 

[sr71plt]

My reviews always make my stories longer. So, there's no rule on which way review would or should take you.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

8" starts to get painful for some women. Or so I'm told. But some are comfortable with 10". There are a lot of factors.


(Writing length - doesn't matter. I see no correlation between the lengths of my stories and how they were rated that I can't explain by Bored Reader Fatigue.)

 

[lovecraft68]

So, we have like six thread themes that we discuss over and over again, without even waiting for the last thread on it to peter out before someone comes along like they are reinventing the wheel and starts up the discussion yet again. I'll give this revolution a pass.

But you have to cut some slack when someone is knew. We've answered this countless times, but they don't know that.

Like I said in the other dead horse thread which this time got shut down before it degenerated into the usual pedo name calling, I am not surprised to see the same thread repeatedly as much as that we all continue to respond to it in the same way over and over...

I wonder if we could create a 'commonly asked questions" sticky answering simple things like "how do I delete a story" the rules...

But as for this, this one will never have any definitive answer. There are stories here ranging from one page up to 30+ that have all had success.

My basic answer is as long as you can keep it interesting it doesn't matter.

 

[rarmons]

Sorry for the confusion, I wasn't asking how long/short the story should be in total, it was more regarding how I should be posting it here on literotica, like if anyone has noticed a trend with longer stories getting more/less views/votes because they're just too long, and if so, what the "optimal" length would be.

But as for this, this one will never have any definitive answer. There are stories here ranging from one page up to 30+ that have all had success.

My basic answer is as long as you can keep it interesting it doesn't matter.

Are there any actual statistics anywhere on this page? I started keeping track of my own stories to see how they do over time, but it would be interesting to see global statistics over time.

 

[RejectReality]

Everything is spread out. About all you can do is check the toplists, and that doesn't tell you anything about length until you click the story.

Here's my own Lit stats from the most recent quarter. Dates, categories, word count, etc. It's at least something to begin forming a picture from that has all the info in one place.

http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/All_3_Names_11_03_15.htm

 

[rarmons]

Everything is spread out. About all you can do is check the toplists, and that doesn't tell you anything about length until you click the story.

Here's my own Lit stats from the most recent quarter. Dates, categories, word count, etc. It's at least something to begin forming a picture from that has all the info in one place.

http://www.darkniciad.com/hotlink_pics/All_3_Names_11_03_15.htm

Thanks, that is pretty much exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Hypoxia]

For my first 1.5 years of LIT authorship I was hung-up on the numbers, like it was a game, a competition. Now I don't give a shit. I write what feels right for me and post it where I think it'll be read. If it gains a bunch of views and faves, I am happy. If it draws a bunch of comments, pro and/or con, I've done my job -- I've provoked readers.

How long is long enough? Too long is too long; too short is too short. Just do it.