Sequels and novel chapters

[Liar]

Just a short question... is it common that a part 2 of a story gets radically fewer reads than a part 1?

The first installment of my new multi part story got about 3000 reads the first two days, and positive, but fairly mixed votes and feedback. The second part have in the same timespan 800 reads and not enough votes to shake a stick at. But all very high votes.

Is that how it usually goes, that the ones who really liked part 1 are the only one who bothers to click on the part 2?

#L

 

[mismused]

Just a short question... is it common that a part 2 of a story gets radically fewer reads than a part 1?

The first installment of my new multi part story got about 3000 reads the first two days, and positive, but fairly mixed votes and feedback. The second part have in the same timespan 800 reads and not enough votes to shake a stick at. But all very high votes.

Is that how it usually goes, that the ones who really liked part 1 are the only one who bothers to click on the part 2?

#L

========================

Same thing always happened with mine. Have no idea why since the votes were often the same, or slightly less, or more.

mismused

 

[cantdog]

I had fewer on part two, and then back up again for three and four.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I had fewer views on each chapter, and fewer votes, but they were generally higher. As each subsequent chapter posted, the views and the votes would go up on the others. Each story I post causes a little surge in my others too.

So I think you're probably right on. The ones who really like the story will keep reading and give you really high votes.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Liar,

That's the usual pattern. Apparently, those who didn't like story number one voted low on it, but don't read number two. Those readers who did like the first story, read the number two and vote. The process continues. By the fourth of fifth story, you should be down to a small group of hard core readers and be getting relatively high scores.

The problem with a multi-segment story is few readers check out anything once it's off the New List. And if the story on the new list is a "chap. six" those who haven't read the previous ones usually aren't interested in starting.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[thebullet]

I had fewer views on each chapter, and fewer votes, but they were generally higher.

Here is the theory that is mine and belongs to me and what is:

When writing a story with multiple chapters, you often grab a 'target' audience. That is, chapters 1 & 2 attract some readers and repel others. By the time you get to chapters 3 and beyond, you have a) acquired a ready-made (if somewhat small) pool of readers who are looking forward to your next chapter; and b) you have alerted other readers who are not enamored of your story that they don't want to waste their time on the later chapters since they didn't like the early ones.

Therefore: (this is the conclusion of my theory) you are likely to score higher on later chapters because your readership is pre-conditioned to like the story. However, your overall readership will probably decline (if your story is consistent, you may well attract just about the same number of views to each subsequent chapter, thus confirming that your loyal reader-base remains intact.)


I have a story that kind of follows the pattern. There are 23 chapters posted. Chapters 1 + 2 have a relatively high number of views but are the lowest rated chapters (4.68 and 4.64). The rest of the chapters are all rated much higher.

But the odd thing is, every now and then I'll get a 'spike' in readership. I don't understand why. Why would chapter 21 get 7,000 views but chapter 23 get 20,000 views? Go figure.

 

[wishfulthinking]

There is no easy or right answer to this one! I have a story that has 2 chapters posted. Both have roughly same score, same number of votes and same number of pc, but the 2nd chapter has 10k more views than the first. Go figure.

I think people don't like instalments generally, and tend to avoid them. But if people like the first chapter, there is a high chance they will return for the second chapter. I also think people will read a chapter on the new list, and if they like it enough, will read the earlier instalments. And if they like one of your stories, they will read the rest.

In my mind it all heas to do with the new list, as that can make or break a story. I think it is critical to get a 'h' on the first day of posting, otherwise you get minimal views. So another thing to thank the trolls for!

 

[Guest]

when i was a newbie 'Litophile' i wrote my first story and submitted it and when i wrote the continuation...i didnt know just how to go about linking the two together...
poor form. so.. poor little second chapter is lingering in '3' hell. *simper*
but i hear ya L, you have your fan base and they'll keep coming back for more.. but sometimes you have to let people know when your chpt.s come out... yannow? i didnt even know until i eventually saw it in your tag line..(and it was a while cuz.. im blonde)



v~

 

[Liar]

but i hear ya L, you have your fan base and they'll keep coming back for more.. but sometimes you have to let people know when your chpt.s come out... yannow? i didnt even know until i eventually saw it in your tag line..(and it was a while cuz.. im blonde)

Hehe, I don't think I'm prolific enough to even develop a fanbase. So I'm not quite sure who I'd notify.


Thanks for the replies, folks. It seems like this is quite normal. So I'll stop whining, finish up and post part 3 and see what happens.

#L