Ideal Story Length

[Theylo_Bleu]

Let's chat - what are people's thoughts on ideal story length? What is too little? Too much?

I feel like I try to keep mine to no more than 5,000 words give or take. I have some that break that, but then I fear I'll lose people. Then I'll cut them into parts, but it's not always smooth.

Also, extra question - how long do people tend to wait to get to the "good stuff" in their story? Are we out here building tension? Or are we diving in? What do y'all think?

-TB

 

[Anton25]

Let's chat - what are people's thoughts on ideal story length? What is too little? Too much?

I feel like I try to keep mine to no more than 5,000 words give or take. I have some that break that, but then I fear I'll lose people. Then I'll cut them into parts, but it's not always smooth.

Also, extra question - how long do people tend to wait to get to the "good stuff" in their story? Are we out here building tension? Or are we diving in? What do y'all think?

-TB

I totally agree with you… 5000w. And build setting , characters and a sort of plot… tension then BOOM!

 

[mpeters]

I dunno, I just write the story and let the set up and total story length be based on what that story needs.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

I dunno, I just write the story and let the set up and total story length be based on what that story needs.

Has that felt successful so far? How much variation in length do you tend to end up with?

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

I totally agree with you… 5000w. And build setting , characters and a sort of plot… tension then BOOM!

There yuh have it, a good equation indeed.

 

[mpeters]

Has that felt successful so far? How much variation in length do you tend to end up with?

It hasn’t varied too much, although my Halloween story was quite a bit longer. My stories are all apparently “HOT” right now so maybe I’m doing something right.

 

[alohadave]

There is no ideal length. Despite the analysis that has been done, stories of all lengths do well because there are readers for every story. Some prefer long stories, some prefer short.

Write until the story is done and you will find readers who will like it.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

It hasn’t varied too much, although my Halloween story was quite a bit longer. My stories are all apparently “HOT” right now so maybe I’m doing something right.

follow the recipe and keep cooking! good on ya

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

There is no ideal length. Despite the analysis that has been done, stories of all lengths do well because there are readers for every story. Some prefer long stories, some prefer short.

Write until the story is done and you will find readers who will like it.

I appreciate that. It feels so true. I get scared I'm gonna scare off people but, you're right. My audience will come (no pun intended, really)

 

[AchtungNight]

As long as the story demands. Do something quick when you can, long when you prefer. Fans will appreciate both.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

As long as the story demands. Do something quick when you can, long when you prefer. Fans will appreciate both.

that feels accurate

 

[SimonDoom]

There is no ideal length. I've read stories that I liked that were under 3000 words that were good, and I've read novella-length stories (8+ Lit pages) that I thought were excellent as well.

My personal sweet spot for erotic story enjoyment is probably about 7000 to 20000 words.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

There is no ideal length. I've read stories that I liked that were under 3000 words that were good, and I've read novella-length stories (8+ Lit pages) that I thought were excellent as well.

My personal sweet spot for erotic story enjoyment is probably about 7000 to 20000 words.

Ooo promising. It would be cool to see the foot traffic for longer submissions. But yeah, when you get into somethign really good, sometimes you don't want it to end anyhow

 

[ronde]

I learned the answer to this question on this very same site from an author who wrote under the pen name of KillerMuffin.

I'm paraphrasing because it was several years ago, but the answer is "Stop writing when the story is finished." For me, that can be 5k words up to 60k.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

I learned the answer to this question on this very same site from an author who wrote under the pen name of KillerMuffin.

I'm paraphrasing because it was several years ago, but the answer is "Stop writing when the story is finished." For me, that can be 5k words up to 60k.

That's the stuff I needed to hear! Thank you!

 

[8letters]

What category are we talking about? Stand-alone story or chapter? What are your goals?

5K words is probably an ideal length...if you're writing in "BDSM", "Celebrities & Fan Fiction", "Humor & Satire", or "Toys and Masturbation". Other categories? Longer would be better.

 

[PennameWombat]

Let's chat - what are people's thoughts on ideal story length? What is too little? Too much?

I feel like I try to keep mine to no more than 5,000 words give or take. I have some that break that, but then I fear I'll lose people. Then I'll cut them into parts, but it's not always smooth.

Also, extra question - how long do people tend to wait to get to the "good stuff" in their story? Are we out here building tension? Or are we diving in? What do y'all think?

-TB

I personally have single stories that range from 750 words to just over 70,000 words. There is no specific correlation between length and ratings and views for them, other than the 750 word stories are quite low rated. Which seems a regular occurrence around here.

As to the "good stuff," a couple of my highest-rated stories are around 35,000 words each and have essentially zero hard core "good stuff" in them. At best, if they were movies they'd be "R" rated (if you're familiar with the US movie rating categories) and even that's borderline.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

What category are we talking about? Stand-alone story or chapter? What are your goals?

5K words is probably an ideal length...if you're writing in "BDSM", "Celebrities & Fan Fiction", "Humor & Satire", or "Toys and Masturbation". Other categories? Longer would be better.

really good point, thank you. I personally tend to lean into exhibition/voyeur and similar ones. Romance, couplings, etc. I feel like they have room for a lot of character and relationship devo, so you're advice here makes sense. Probably longer to hold space for that.

 

[Rob_Royale]

My personal sweet spot for erotic story enjoyment is probably about 7000 to 20000 words.

Yep, what he said.

 

[Theylo_Bleu]

I personally have single stories that range from 750 words to just over 70,000 words. There is no specific correlation between length and ratings and views for them, other than the 750 word stories are quite low rated. Which seems a regular occurrence around here.

As to the "good stuff," a couple of my highest-rated stories are around 35,000 words each and have essentially zero hard core "good stuff" in them. At best, if they were movies they'd be "R" rated (if you're familiar with the US movie rating categories) and even that's borderline.

ooo now THAT is interesting. Finding a good audience who wants the world you are building more than just to get off on certain content. I like that a lot.

 

[alohadave]

It would be cool to see the foot traffic for longer submissions.

Fewer views, but generally good scores.

The length can scare people away, but the ones that finish will tend to like it and vote high.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Let's chat - what are people's thoughts on ideal story length? What is too little? Too much?

I feel like I try to keep mine to no more than 5,000 words give or take. I have some that break that, but then I fear I'll lose people. Then I'll cut them into parts, but it's not always smooth.

Also, extra question - how long do people tend to wait to get to the "good stuff" in their story? Are we out here building tension? Or are we diving in? What do y'all think?

-TB

The best advice I have been given....

The story dictates the length....

If you cut it short to supposedly fit some non existent rule. You destroy the essence of the tale you are trying to tell.
If you pad it out, then again you lose it in a maze of superfluous words.
I have written chaptered stories. 750n word stories.
I tend to waffle, so my stories are usually longer. Upwards of 40,000 words.
The ideal length is..... Whatever it takes to tell your story....
There is no magic number.

Cagivagurl

 

[M_K_Babalon]

If uou think 5k is good, then stick with it. There'll be detractors as with anything. To some, it's short, when it's really about near average chapter length.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Ideal Story Length​

Excuse me, sir. Hands on the wheel, where I can see them. Yes, I know I got my uniform off of Amazon’s Halloween store, but you must respect requests from law enforcement officers, even those in fishnets.

Thank you for your assistance, sir. Now, your license, title and insurance. Slowly, sir. Slowly.

OK, we have a problem. Your family name is not Miller, your given name is not Emily. And yet you have recklessly created multiple threads on AH.

I’ll need you to come with me [note spelling]. Turn round, at least my cuffs are real ones, right. Now into the back of my car. What’s that? The police don’t normally drive CX-5s? Well this one does.

Let me read you your rights…

Officer E Miller (AHPD)

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

Write the story you want to write and ignore the word count until you are happy with what you have written.

Then ignore it again other then to marvel at how many keystrokes it took to complete your masterpiece.

Dune was 800+ pages and it was brilliant. Atlas Shrugged was about the same length and it was shit.

There are going to be good and bad long stories and good and bad short stories. Just aim to write good stories and hopefully the length will take care of itself.