Ideal story length?

[Goddess_of_Sunshine]

Hi! I'd like some constructive feedback from fellow volunteer editors.

I've edited about 2 dozen stories for this website. Some were only 2-3 pages while others were 50+!

My question to everyone reading this is: do you think there's an ideal story length for stories posted on Literotica?

I always encourage my writers to tell the tale that they want to tell, and would never suggest that they cut out scenes that are important to them for brevity's sake. However, I want as many eyeballs on their stories as possible, and I always worry that more casual readers won't have the attention span to read them through. It goes without saying that people will read a story if it's interesting and well-written, but I work with a lot of authors who are new to writing and genuinely giving their best effort.

Just wondering if anyone has an opinion.

Thank you so much!

XOXO

 

[Lady2020]

No. I've edited about 50 Lit stories in the past. Personally, I prefer shorter stories, taut writing that doesn't drag things out. No more than 4 pages. But everyone has different tastes.

 

[29wordsforsnow]

No, too. (Proof-)read stories between 3 and some hundred pages. Shorter ones are more to the point, longer more in depth. Sometimes you just have to go into detail, sometimes any more word would be too much. It's idea and writing style that catch me and hold me tight, so, no, but a preference for certain categories, original ideas, and well quality which maybe we proof-readers and editors can help a bit with.

 

[ElectricBlue]

There's no ideal length for a story, but every time this comes up a good minimum length seems to be around one Lit page (approx 3750 words) a good chapter length for long stories around 3 - 4 Lit pages (10k - 15k words). Maximum length - no limits.

Some readers won't read short stories, other's won't read long ones. Write the length that suits the story.

 

[SimonDoom]

Not exactly.

I do think that there is, more or less, a certain format that works best for most, but certainly not all, erotic stories. It starts by introducing a character with an unmet erotic/sexual need. The first part of the story establishes the character and the need and creates appealing, titillating, erotic tension as the character grapples with his/her need and the story builds toward resolution. Then the last part of the story features sexual activity that provides the release or "climax" if you will.

I usually find that it takes well over one Lit page (3750 words) to achieve this. I've asked myself why that is, and I think it's because, even if you don't stroke to a story (I rarely do), you still read it not just for literary purposes but for erotic release and satisfaction of some sort. And I think that takes longer than a really short story usually can manage.

The statistics seem to bear this out. Stories do "better" in the sense of getting optimal views and scores if they are longer than 2 Lit pages and up to around 8 or so. But longer stories do well too. The really interesting thing is that very short chapters and stories clearly do NOT do as well. That's why I think it's fair, even though authors should feel free to do whatever they want for artistic reasons, to advise authors to submit stories and chapters of at least 2+ Lit pages, IF they care about reader response.

 

[KeithD]

It's not really clear to me why you're asking this, while being in the role of an editor. I assume that people send you stories at a final stage. At that point, it doesn't seem to make sense to talk about the best story length to me; you'll have to work with the material which has been sent to you, isn't it?

What do you consider to be your task as an editor; checking for spelling and grammar, punctuation, and readability, and possibly for inconsistencies in the story line; do you give advice on the story buildup; are you involved at an earlier stage? Do you discuss your editing role in advance? Do you only edit stories for a particular category?

Personally, I wouldn't be interested in an editor who aims for getting as many eyeballs on my stories as possible, and who tries to move my stories in that direction. I'd want to work with an editor who points out my errors, suggests improvements, and maybe gives some general advice, but that's it. I definitely don't want to have suggestions that change the style of my work, and that seems what you are doing here. True, some writers do want as many readers as possible--the best advice for Lit, in that case, is to write for Loving Wives--while others don't want to get anywhere near that category, and just want to share their work and get it published.

Each story-category has its own dynamics considering which story-length attracts maximum attention. I don't think you can compare, for example, Sci-Fi & Fantasy with Toys & Masturbation. I think it also differs whether it's a stand-alone story or part of a series, and maybe it even matters whether the story takes part in a challenge or competition. So don't expect a single answer.

I agree with this.

 

[Lady2020]

Hi! I'd like some constructive feedback from fellow volunteer editors.

I've edited about 2 dozen stories for this website. Some were only 2-3 pages while others were 50+!

My question to everyone reading this is: do you think there's an ideal story length for stories posted on Literotica?

I always encourage my writers to tell the tale that they want to tell, and would never suggest that they cut out scenes that are important to them for brevity's sake. However, I want as many eyeballs on their stories as possible, and I always worry that more casual readers won't have the attention span to read them through. It goes without saying that people will read a story if it's interesting and well-written, but I work with a lot of authors who are new to writing and genuinely giving their best effort.

Just wondering if anyone has an opinion.

Thank you so much!

XOXO

Good luck with your editing ventures. Feel free to contact me if you have any Lit editing questions. I'm not on much, but I'm always willing to help a fellow editor.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Hi GoS!

I can see Ruben and Keith's point. but I'm assuming you'd like an answer if the question was asked by a new author.

That leads to the other responses. It depends on the story and category. Some readers are more tolerant of long pieces (eg romance), others don't care.

Just tell your writer to build their work how they want it. They'll find an audience.

I've only been here a year, but I've done a very short (2000 word) Sci-Fi story, and I've nearly finished a much longer (40,000) romance. They're my extremes - so far. I concentrated on writing the best story, not to a length. It's not a College essay.

Cheers