Length

[letsallgetlaid]

I wrote my first story A Shower Suprise
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=26485
(my better half wrote the first one posted we use the same name) and I got some good responses (not enough but what's a girl to do) but I'm working on the sort of follow up to this and I have the first part of the follow up done but I'm not sure if I should split it into parts or have it be one really long one.
How long should stories be? Do longer stories get more views? Do people like them to be longer or shorter? If you'd like to see where I am in the story and the first part of the second part (hope that makes sense) I'd be happy to e-mail it to you, I'd love feedback because I'm stuck.

 

[Rrrosyn]

I prefer a longer story. I hate getting off to something and having it finish before I do. Stories shouldn't be like men. J/k.

If there is an obvious place to break it up, then do so. But a story, any story, should be as long as it needs to be to tell the story.

Don't force a break. Don't break it if one half will be much longer than the other. Let it flow.

GL

 

[letsallgetlaid]

too long

Ok so not too short (did you check out my other (A Shower Suprise) and tell me if that's too short). But is there a point at which a story becomes too long? I mean I know when something has just lost it and I'm searching for something else to say but when i feel like it can just go on forever there are points at which I feel it could be stopped but...
Yea anyway. the multiple pages things often seem too long for me, maybe two pages but 5 is absurd, break it into multiple stories at that point.

 

[Datadr]

Its not about length

If it were most of us gentlemen would feel a little ripped off.

Seriously, to me its about flow, pace, and characters. If all three fit well together, let the plot carry it along. Sometimes too short just makes it more of a scene than a story.

If the pace is there, and you have to break it, break it at a point that will demand the reader go on to the next section. Kind of like when JR got shot on Dallas..(Hope your old enough to remember that.)

 

[letsallgetlaid]

Dallas?

I'm not old enough to remember anything. (wait...) That and my parents basically insited I only watch public TV growing up, which isn't all bad, I've got one hell of an imagination now.
I do know what you mean though trying to find that spot and deciding if that will make them come back for more is difficult.

(If anyone is willing to read the part of the new story to help me out I'd appreciate it, e-mail or PM me)

 

[daughter]

my preference

letsallgetlaid--

Personally, I like to save stories to webfiles(hope I got the term right) and read offline. When a story is multiple pages, it's a greater effort to save each page. It's important to consider the medium. It is far more difficult and can be costly reading long text online. And like someone else mentioned, if you're trying to get in a quick read at work, well given the advertisments at Lite, I'm not keen about my boss walking by. Far easier for me to read through 1200 words than 2500.

I like long stories, but in this environment, I prefer shorter stories or installments. As a reader, when choosing what selection I'm going to read first, it's the 1-2 page entries. And it's all predicated on convenience. I'm far more inclined to be interested in a long story if it's broken up. And think about the hits and votes? Provided a story is interesting, you draw a regular audience anxious to get their next fill.

I belonged to another site that was set up similarily. There were articles written by professional writers who talked about the in's and out's of online publishing. This issue was one of them. Their advice was as I stated.

Of course, I'm going to read longer stories particularly if I'm interested in the author. However, if a writer is trying to build a readership, I'd say you need to think strategically. Short, tight, solid stories will get you attention. Installments when bring folks back. Work and kids cut into my reading time. Don't know about others. But that's my take.

Good luck. Keep writing.

Peace,

daughter

 

[letsallgetlaid]

Thank you

Daughter
Thank you very much for your input!
It's really help ful I think I might have an Idea of what to do now.

But now the question is how many words go on one of the pages so it doens't bleed over to another page? Anyone know or know where I might find out?
Thanks again.

 

[daughter]

don't sweat the small stuff

lets--

Friend, you're sweating the small stuff. Whatever software you're using has automatic page brakes. These may or may not correlate with the breaks on the site.

Write the story. When you're done, look at the word count. If you want to break the text into separate installments, do as others have advised. Create a new document at a logic break. I'd recommend that you do no more than 3 installments for a single story. The exception would be novellas and novels. In that case, divide first by chapters. If chapters are exceedingly long, further divide into installments, indicating chapter and part number.

I suspect you're new at writing or at least new to publishing. Focus on the writing. You'll learn the technical aspects as you go along. Right now you're bordering obsessing over how many bricks you have(or might have) instead of building your house. Better to be sure you have a blueprint. And then ensure you have the right tools on hand to complete construction. Worry about landscaping details after you have a yard.

Peace,

daughter

 

[letsallgetlaid]

I always sweat the small stuff

I once had a boss who gave me that lil book. She even said I needed to take more breaks during work!

But the problem is I don't know what to do with the story it's stuck...I'm having writers block I guess...so I'm working with what I've got so far and trying to decide if I can put up the first part of what I've got, wait for feedback (hopefully I'll get a little) and then work from there; or do I just keep working on it and wait to put it up til I've finished it?

 

[daughter]

What do you have to gain

lets--

Either post to the site or ask for an editor. If you have enough text to make a logical break, post it.

I know the book. I have it, too. I read it.

Good luck.

Peace,

daughter

 

[letsallgetlaid]

I tried the editor thing

I sent out about 10 e-mails to editors on the list, I've gotten two "no to busy's" which is fine.
I got two "this address no longer exists"
and that's it!

 

[daughter]

well, sounds like you have an answer

Post the story and add "to be continued". Keep it simple, girl. It ain't that serious.

If you post it, drop me a link. I'll read it. It's on you. Take the plunge.

Peace,

daughter