Opinion: Story Length

[Hypoxia]

I submitted QUICKSILVER mere minutes ago. At just under 70k words / 20 LIT browser pages, it's my longest single entry yet. Is it longer than needed? Sure, I could delete more, but those side-trips add flavor and motivation. It's as long as it needs to be, or maybe a bit more or less -- a few episodes on the cutting-room floor can be spliced into other stories. Spinoffs may ensue.

Some stories must be stretched on the torture rack to reach a single LIT browser page at about 3750 words or even LIT's 750-word minimum. Some can be fattened-out by stacking short episodes inside a framing device. Some just seem to flow for a few pages and then demand an ending or three.

How long should a story be? Read many single stories on LIT and get a feel for the possibilities, then set loose your inner typist. You'll figure out when to stop and walk away.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

These are awesome. So many different views and opinion without making me feel “dumb” for even asking or flat out saying “this is what you need to do.” Really appreciate that. I still keep the “as long as it needs to be” advice in the back of my head.

Please feel free to keep the opinions rolling in!

ML, the only stupid question is the one not asked. Everybody here started out somewhere. Welcome to the club and keep the questions coming.

 

[AvroAnson]

I get a large number of reads of my 50-word stories posted as sets of 15.

Well, sir, that's because the ones I've read are pretty darned good.

A good story can be any length. Hypoxia once quoted another writer's poignant seven or eight word story here (but I can't find it).

My personal opinion about voting (based on several hundred stories) is that (for many) a longer telling of the same story is deemed to be better (I personally disagree, but think I am in the minority) merely because it is longer (unless it becomes boring).

Longer stories are also much harder to bomb, either because of the effort required of a malcontent or because of software that analyses time spent on a story or between votes or comments and vacates those it considers invalid.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I prefer to write stories of 5,000 to 8,000 words, because I read and re-read them multiple times as I edit and enhance the story. Longer stories are more difficult for me to write and keep consistent, due to that approach.

But, I don't get the number of readers I wanted (between 2,000 to 3,000 views.) And I was disappointed to see only about 1,200 views for my Lifestyle Ch 02 and 03, as I was rather proud of how that couple came together, particularly the proposal dinner. So, I might compile those first three chapters to give it another try at appealing to the longer read audience because it will be approx 20K.

 

[LAHomedog]

Jumping on the band wagon that the best length for a story is how long it takes to tell it, my story telling usually runs out of gas around 8,000-10,000 words.

I have one 25K+ in novellas, but I write stories in three acts and an opening so the seems to end up around three pages.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I get this. Writing this new story is difficult to reread because it is so long. I think what I may do is break it up into scenes and then put it all together after I've finished. That way I don't have to keep rereading the parts I've already gone over 3-4 times.

In truth, though, I have been finding things to change each time I read it through, so it hasn't hurt to have it all together.

Breaking it into chapters or scenes and recombining them is probably the best approach. As I said, I thought my first three chapters were a good work together. But, I chose to not post a 16-20K story,, and instead posted them in quick succession as three separate chapters. Ch1 got got over 3400 views and rated 4.21. But, Ch2 and 3 got less than half the views, even though they also rated over 4.1. Unfortunately, the three worked together to tell a complete story, so many of my readers didn't finish it.

Disappointing.

 

[ElectricBlue]

But, I don't get the number of readers I wanted (between 2,000 to 3,000 views.) And I was disappointed to see only about 1,200 views for my Lifestyle Ch 02 and 03, as I was rather proud of how that couple came together, particularly the proposal dinner. So, I might compile those first three chapters to give it another try at appealing to the longer read audience because it will be approx 20K.

I wouldn't bother doing that. You'll just annoy those who have read it already, and your story count will drop.

Write something new. That's how you get a better response to stories, not by re-hashing old ones.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I wouldn't bother doing that. You'll just annoy those who have read it already, and your story count will drop.

Write something new. That's how you get a better response to stories, not by re-hashing old ones.

It wouldn't annoy those who haven't read it, and may attract a different audience in a different category (ie. Group Sex versus Erotic Couplings.) And if only 1,200 read Ch3, out of the whole Lit community of potential readers, I think it might be worth it to try.

Besides, I have several other new chapters and stand-alone stories ready or near ready to post. The one I was thinking of posting next week ("Her Bucket List: Strip Club") I might hold onto for the February contest for the strong female plot. It's unique from any of the other strip club stories I've read.

 

[SimonDoom]

It wouldn't annoy those who haven't read it, and may attract a different audience in a different category (ie. Group Sex versus Erotic Couplings.) And if only 1,200 read Ch3, out of the whole Lit community of potential readers, I think it might be worth it to try.

Besides, I have several other new chapters and stand-alone stories ready or near ready to post. The one I was thinking of posting next week ("Her Bucket List: Strip Club") I might hold onto for the February contest for the strong female plot. It's unique from any of the other strip club stories I've read.

I agree with EB. What you're suggesting is a lot of effort for probably little to no gain. Just move on. Write new stories. Learn from what you've done before and do something better next time.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I agree with EB. What you're suggesting is a lot of effort for probably little to no gain. Just move on. Write new stories. Learn from what you've done before and do something better next time.

It's not a lot of effort, for three chapters which were written as a rather complete story. I added very little to the beginning of Ch 2 and 3 to post them separately.

So, an hour of work, and posting to Group Sex versus the previous Erotic Couplings might garner SOME feedback (which I haven't received at all on them so far in EC).

 

[Emirus]

Breaking it into chapters or scenes and recombining them is probably the best approach. As I said, I thought my first three chapters were a good work together. But, I chose to not post a 16-20K story,, and instead posted them in quick succession as three separate chapters. Ch1 got got over 3400 views and rated 4.21. But, Ch2 and 3 got less than half the views, even though they also rated over 4.1. Unfortunately, the three worked together to tell a complete story, so many of my readers didn't finish it.

Disappointing.

I would agree with EB and Simon that in most cases resubmitting a story originally posted as short chapters as one complete story isn’t the best thing to do. But, as in all cases, there are exceptions.

I originally published Bibi and Will as five short chapters and it was disastrous. The best chapter was on about 4.2. I had them deleted and submitted it again as one story of 10.3k words. It’s on 4.81.
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https://www.literotica.com/s/bibi-and-will
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So although resubmitting your chapters as one story might not work out what have you got to lose?

EDIT: I didn’t rewrite anything I just joined all five chapters because I’d originally written it as one story and then thought I’d be smart, which I’m obviously not, and split it into chapters. From what you say all you would have to do is join your chapters up in the same way.

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's not a lot of effort, for three chapters which were written as a rather complete story. I added very little to the beginning of Ch 2 and 3 to post them separately.

So, an hour of work, and posting to Group Sex versus the previous Erotic Couplings might garner SOME feedback (which I haven't received at all on them so far in EC).

Yes, but think of the embuggerance you cause Laurel. First she has to process your deletion of the three existing chapters (the site doesn't allow duplicate stories), then she has to process the same story into another category.

So for three chapters, you are asking the site editor, in effect, to more than double her workload for the same story. Don't waste her time.

Think about this stuff before you submit, like the rest of us do. If you want feedback, write superior stories (or really bad ones), but don't rehash old content.

As an aside, in Group Sex, you'll get even less feedback. That category is a tumbleweed category in my experience, low response rates, silence in commentary. I won't bother submitting there again.

Rant over.

 

[Lifestyle66]

...I originally published Bibi and Will as five short chapters and it was disastrous. The best chapter was on about 4.2. I had them deleted and submitted it again as one story of 10.3k words. It’s on 4.81.
...
So although resubmitting your chapters as one story might not work out what have you got to lose?

EDIT: I didn’t rewrite anything I just joined all five chapters because I’d originally written it as one story and then thought I’d be smart, which I’m obviously not, and split it into chapters. From what you say all you would have to do is join your chapters up in the same way.

That's what I was thinking, too. They might be right from a pro writer POV. But, I'm an amateur with just one plot line I'm working. With no feedback at all, I either change tactics or just say "Fuck this site", and move on.

 

[LAHomedog]

So I know the response to this question will be subjective but I am wondering with, the “recent” addition of the word count up front on stories, what would be the ideal word count for you to want to read the story? Does the word count “scare” you away from certain stories? Does it just matter what you are looking for at the time?

Would love to hear/read your thoughts if you care to share.

Where have you seen that? All I see is the score, the amount of votes, the views, the and lists. What word count?

 

[SimonDoom]

Where have you seen that? All I see is the score, the amount of votes, the views, the and lists. What word count?

The word count is visible on the right side of the first page of every story.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Yes, but think of the embuggerance you cause Laurel. First she has to process your deletion of the three existing chapters (the site doesn't allow duplicate stories), then she has to process the same story into another category.
...
Rant over.

OK. You're telling me how much work Laural has to do to get free stories to post and keep the site alive with new content.

Now, what's in it for me to write anything to post here?

Maybe it's time to say "Fuck it", and look elsewhere to find feedback for my plot.

 

[lovecraft68]

When I write, I don't care about how long or short the story is until i finish and then it is what it is. Tell the story and let the chips fall where they may. You can't please everyone so you might as well please yourself.

This, and I'll add screw these ridiculous graphs and stats. If you're going to go by numbers and what does better you're doing your story a disservice and probably screwing it up by trying to force it into 'optimum' length installments.

Just write.

 

[SimonDoom]

Now, what's in it for me to write anything to post here?

Maybe it's time to say "Fuck it", and look elsewhere to find feedback for my plot.

Take a deep breath. Don't do anything rash.

Here's what's in it for you:

At no cost to you, you get to publish stories at Literotica and get the biggest erotic story readership in the world.

You can say "fuck it" if you want to, or you can figure out how things work around here, like most of us have, and do the best you can, and reap the benefits.

I recommend the non-"fuck it" approach.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's not a lot of effort, for three chapters which were written as a rather complete story. I added very little to the beginning of Ch 2 and 3 to post them separately.

So, an hour of work, and posting to Group Sex versus the previous Erotic Couplings might garner SOME feedback (which I haven't received at all on them so far in EC).

If that's all that's involved, and if you feel it's better as a single story and it's better in Group Sex, then it's not a bad idea.

Keep something in mind: we're just a bunch of other authors giving our opinions. We have no official say and you can disagree with us or ignore us. The only one whose opinion really matters is Laurel, the Site owner.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Take a deep breath. ...
Here's what's in it for you:

At no cost to you, you get to publish stories at Literotica and get the biggest erotic story readership in the world....

Think about what you said.

Biggest erotic readership means nothing to ME if they aren't reading it. And you are telling ME to write more to make Laurel's job easier.

I see....

 

[SimonDoom]

Think about what you said.

Biggest erotic readership means nothing to ME if they aren't reading it. And you are telling ME to write more to make Laurel's job easier.

I see....

Take a look at my last post.

You just started publishing stories here this year. You're getting feedback from people who've been around longer. I started publishing stories almost 5 years ago. It's been a great experience. But one of the reasons it's been great is I've done my homework. I've studied how the Site works, read numerous articles about things like categories, and how to write erotic stories, and I've adapted my publishing M.O. accordingly.

Don't get discouraged by the opinions of others. Think about them, absorb them, and figure out how to use them in whatever way works for your writing purposes.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Think about what you said.

Biggest erotic readership means nothing to ME if they aren't reading it. And you are telling ME to write more to make Laurel's job easier.

I see....

No, we're suggesting you write something new to attract new readers, rather than doing to death the last thing you wrote.

You're not the first to drop by with a bit of a bolshie attitude, you won't be the last. Some folk listen, others don't.

You get feedback here on Lit for writing extremely good stories or supremely bad ones. If you're in the middle of the great bell curve, then Lit can be a very quiet place. You just gotta know where on the bell curve you sit. That's all we're saying.

Is the story really that good? Probably not, but the next one will be better, and the next one, even better. You progress as a writer writing new stories, not the same one.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Take a look at my last post.

You just started publishing stories here this year. ...I've studied how the Site works, read numerous articles about things like categories, and how to write erotic stories, and I've adapted my publishing M.O. accordingly.
...

That's my point. I am here trying to find out how the site works, and trying to find out how best to use it for me.

Advising a newbie to "Just write more" and "think about Laurel's workload" is counterproductive when I have my own workload and goals.

One thing I have noticed is the day of the week a story posts in the "New" area might have an impact on the readership. Of my first three chapters, Ch1 posted on a Saturday, and got 3,400 views. Ch2 and 3 posted on the following Monday and Tuesday and only got 1,600 and 1,200 readers. But, I have NO influence on when they post, Those stories posted within 2-3 days of when I clicked Publish. My latest Ch7 has been waiting for 7 days (should post tomorrow, since the CH it replaces just disappeared).

So, I am learning. But, I need other options, if I'm doing this for ME.

 

[Lifestyle66]

...You get feedback here on Lit for writing extremely good stories or supremely bad ones. ....

You get NO feedback if no one reads it.

Now, I could post to that "cesspool" you refer to as the LW category. I know I can get twice the readership there as the EC category. But, I also know thirty anons there will 1-bomb it, while I gain 5 or 6 who love it and follow me, and another dozen who rate it a 5.

So.... this is what I'm learning and trying. Just because a story received NO feedback, but rated as 4.2 with only 1,200 reads doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad story. It just means this site and the day of the week it posted as New didn't meet my needs.

Do I throw away my longer term concept and think about another? I'll think about it.

 

[Emirus]

OK. You're telling me how much work Laural has to do to get free stories to post and keep the site alive with new content.

Now, what's in it for me to write anything to post here?

Maybe it's time to say "Fuck it", and look elsewhere to find feedback for my plot.

With all due respect, you’re getting worked up about nothing. Do what you want to do.

If you want to delete three chapters and submit them as one story in another category that’s up to you. Why would you want/need to think about what Laurel thinks or not? She’s dealing with thousands of submitted stories each week and won’t even realise you’re deleting three stories and substituting them with one. Particularly in another category. Not unless you tell her in which case she’ll be wondering why you told her.

When I resubmitted my five chapters as one I didn’t give her an explanation as to why and what I was going to do. I sent in each chapter, at the same time, with a request to “please delete this story from my list.” I didn’t feel I needed to give any further explanation. Why would I say “because I intend to combine the chapters into one longer story and submit it.” Would she be interested? I shouldn’t think so.

She’s running a business which isn’t limited to people like us writing erotic stories for fun and she’s more interested in getting things done not bothering why people want stories deleted, or amended, etc.

Take in all the advice you’ve been given, after all you asked for it, and then do what you want. If you want to say “fuck it” and leave that’s up to you. Depends on how much you enjoy writing and hopefully entertain people with what you write.