Story Length
- Thread starter TheWolf
- Start date
Weird Harold
Opinionated Old Fart
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2000
- Posts
- 23,768
Word counts
A story should have exactly the right number of words. Not one word more than it takes to tell the story and not one word less.
I've seen some very short stories that had more words than it took to tell the story, and I've seen some long ones that didn't use enough words.
Every story is unique (hopefully) and needs enough words to tell THAT story and only the words needed to tell that story without wandering off on side trips about how the heroine is a better cook than old Aunt Matilda who used to cook for Lord Farquarth until she died from a heart attack because she got fat from tasting too many artery clogging fried foods.
A story should have exactly the right number of words. Not one word more than it takes to tell the story and not one word less.
I've seen some very short stories that had more words than it took to tell the story, and I've seen some long ones that didn't use enough words.
Every story is unique (hopefully) and needs enough words to tell THAT story and only the words needed to tell that story without wandering off on side trips about how the heroine is a better cook than old Aunt Matilda who used to cook for Lord Farquarth until she died from a heart attack because she got fat from tasting too many artery clogging fried foods.
Don't be concerned with writing a story that is "X" amount of words in length. You stifle your creativity that way. Just write the story, edit judiciously, and leave it at that. When you write a story you should first and foremost be writing it for yourself--not for what someone else thinks it should be. Of course, this doesn't mean you should summarily ignore proper format, grammar, etc., unless you're doing an "experimental" work.
MorganHawke
Experienced
- Joined
- May 7, 2000
- Posts
- 86
Hi this is Morgan,
When I started writing Erotica, I noticed a personal trend. The original tale took roughly 8 pages. (Maybe a little more, maybe a little less.) Then I started filling stuff in - or my editor did for me. (You know who you are TinMan!) This made the story jump to about 12 pages.
This is where the fun really begins as you try out different word combinations to make a flavor, a specific feel, a sensation if you will, that makes your story unique. That makes your story illustrate what you're trying to say. For me, my tales are about 12 to 14 pages.
I do have a pair of stories that are quickly becoming novellas. However, this is another tale for another fireside.
Morgan Hawke
When I started writing Erotica, I noticed a personal trend. The original tale took roughly 8 pages. (Maybe a little more, maybe a little less.) Then I started filling stuff in - or my editor did for me. (You know who you are TinMan!) This made the story jump to about 12 pages.
This is where the fun really begins as you try out different word combinations to make a flavor, a specific feel, a sensation if you will, that makes your story unique. That makes your story illustrate what you're trying to say. For me, my tales are about 12 to 14 pages.
I do have a pair of stories that are quickly becoming novellas. However, this is another tale for another fireside.
Morgan Hawke
Katerina Val-Kyrie
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 16, 1999
- Posts
- 707
Story Lengths
I think if your story is good, no one will give a damn how long it is. Personally, when I find a good read, I hate for it to end. I want it to go on and on forever. Longer stories are quiet the challenge though. I myself, just finished Summer's Day, and to print, it would probably be 16 pages or so. I do hope all enjoy, once it is posted.
For a long story you have to have lots of story line, good descriptives, and keep it interesting. Getting off track can happen too, that is another thing to be wary of. It is important to have all your paragraphs flow together, stay smooth and on topic. Repetivness is also another thing to watch for. If you have 2 or 3 sexual scenes happening, you have to keep them unique and not be repetitive with your wording. It can be monotonous, to say the least and I myself, have to watch for that very carefully in my own writing.
It's fun to see what unique ability each writer has, what kind of style they develop as their skills progress.
I had no clue what kind of style I would have when I started writing. I just let my mind go and let it happen. That is the best thing to do, just relax, let yourself go, and let what comes naturally, come. Your story will mold into something truly beautiful, and you will wonder how in the hell you did it after. You will think, where the hell did all that come from? Your mind is truly a wonderful thing, it can take you to places you never imagined. You can live your dreams through your eyes, your imagination and share them with others to enjoy...
Katerina
I think if your story is good, no one will give a damn how long it is. Personally, when I find a good read, I hate for it to end. I want it to go on and on forever. Longer stories are quiet the challenge though. I myself, just finished Summer's Day, and to print, it would probably be 16 pages or so. I do hope all enjoy, once it is posted.
For a long story you have to have lots of story line, good descriptives, and keep it interesting. Getting off track can happen too, that is another thing to be wary of. It is important to have all your paragraphs flow together, stay smooth and on topic. Repetivness is also another thing to watch for. If you have 2 or 3 sexual scenes happening, you have to keep them unique and not be repetitive with your wording. It can be monotonous, to say the least and I myself, have to watch for that very carefully in my own writing.
It's fun to see what unique ability each writer has, what kind of style they develop as their skills progress.
I had no clue what kind of style I would have when I started writing. I just let my mind go and let it happen. That is the best thing to do, just relax, let yourself go, and let what comes naturally, come. Your story will mold into something truly beautiful, and you will wonder how in the hell you did it after. You will think, where the hell did all that come from? Your mind is truly a wonderful thing, it can take you to places you never imagined. You can live your dreams through your eyes, your imagination and share them with others to enjoy...
Katerina
Length of Stories ...
I like stories that take me somewhere ... a story is like a trip ... a beginning and an end ... I have done some traveling where I don't know where I am going and I just meander around and enjoy the moment. However, when I am done, I realize that deep down ... I knew where I wanted to go and went there ...
Short stories are the hardest to write ... brevity takes planning, organization, and mapping. It just doesn't happen. I dislike erotica where the only thing in the story is a sexual encounter ... it is like having plain ice cream. Where are the toppings .... the story ... the plott ... the iteraction ... the character developement ...
A short story without good material is just garbage ... prattle. A one page story ... takes a lot of work ... it is much easier to write a long story ... it is like the meandering trip ... one eventually gets there ...
I like stories that take me somewhere ... a story is like a trip ... a beginning and an end ... I have done some traveling where I don't know where I am going and I just meander around and enjoy the moment. However, when I am done, I realize that deep down ... I knew where I wanted to go and went there ...
Short stories are the hardest to write ... brevity takes planning, organization, and mapping. It just doesn't happen. I dislike erotica where the only thing in the story is a sexual encounter ... it is like having plain ice cream. Where are the toppings .... the story ... the plott ... the iteraction ... the character developement ...
A short story without good material is just garbage ... prattle. A one page story ... takes a lot of work ... it is much easier to write a long story ... it is like the meandering trip ... one eventually gets there ...
No matter what genre your short prose comes in, you may want to try a writing process called percolation. Don't fall into the temptation to post your work "hot off the press." Let it sit and come back to it in a month or two. First, you will find those pesky typo gremlins. Second, you will find better ways of phrasing your descriptions. Third, you will be approaching from a new perspective, almost like your audience, which will give you a keener sense of pace and length.
Good Luck!
--AUS
Good Luck!
--AUS
I can't speak for other authors, but I have one hell of a time writing a short story. I love to get into the basics of lovemaking and have a good story to go along with it.
My Very Personal Maid is ungodly long, but evidentally you readers liked it as it's in second place in the Top 20 and that tells me you like it. One lady told me she had 6 climaxes reading it. It was in 6 parts posted one a day - or she might have set a new record for me!
I always try to tell a good story along with the sexual action and get the reader's attention. A short one with all action and no plot usually doesn't hold a readers interest.
I liken it to a highwire act. Notice how every once in a while even the best "loose their balance" and the audience gasps. A artist who makes it look too easy looses his audience. A blend of action and plot will keep the reader's interest.
I go back over my stories 4 - 6 times after finishing. I polish and look for "misteaks" and typos that spellchecker won't pick up. I pull, push, and maybe even stretch a little here and there, yes, even cut a little.
One of the best ways to catch typos is to print the story out, and then go over it at LEAST 3 times CAREFULLY. I did that last night and on the third carefull reading still caught typos and a lost word or two.
Take as many words as it needs. Try to be fluid and avoid repetitious words. Go for it!
My Very Personal Maid is ungodly long, but evidentally you readers liked it as it's in second place in the Top 20 and that tells me you like it. One lady told me she had 6 climaxes reading it. It was in 6 parts posted one a day - or she might have set a new record for me!
I always try to tell a good story along with the sexual action and get the reader's attention. A short one with all action and no plot usually doesn't hold a readers interest.
I liken it to a highwire act. Notice how every once in a while even the best "loose their balance" and the audience gasps. A artist who makes it look too easy looses his audience. A blend of action and plot will keep the reader's interest.
I go back over my stories 4 - 6 times after finishing. I polish and look for "misteaks" and typos that spellchecker won't pick up. I pull, push, and maybe even stretch a little here and there, yes, even cut a little.
One of the best ways to catch typos is to print the story out, and then go over it at LEAST 3 times CAREFULLY. I did that last night and on the third carefull reading still caught typos and a lost word or two.
Take as many words as it needs. Try to be fluid and avoid repetitious words. Go for it!
Katerina Val-Kyrie
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 16, 1999
- Posts
- 707
dont post hot off the press...
Very well said Kenneth. A year ago, my erotic writing began. I knew so litte back then, I know so much more now...I posted my stories as soon as they were finished, thinking they were just fine. If I only knew. Thank God for Whisper, my impressive editor. Not sure where I would be without her. Always use an editor before submitting stories, it is a must.
I am in the midst of doing rewrites on all three of my stories. I only have one left to do and I will be resubmitting all of them to Laurel. I simply have no choice. I know it may take some time to get my newest versions in there, but I am patient, I have waited this long. I have just finished Summer's Day also, so there will be something new to read in the future. I hope it is enjoyed by all who take the time to view it.
Tawny, you are so right about printing out as story and viewing it that way. I cannot believe how many mistakes I see, that I do not see in front of my puter screen. It is unbelievable. When you see your words in print, you just seem to see it differently, the errors stand out more. Anywho, take your time, read and read and edit and edit before submitting. I only wish I had done that, before sending to Laurel. Live and Learn by others mistakes...
Hugs Katerina
[Edited by Katerina on 08-06-2000 at 07:44 AM]
Very well said Kenneth. A year ago, my erotic writing began. I knew so litte back then, I know so much more now...I posted my stories as soon as they were finished, thinking they were just fine. If I only knew. Thank God for Whisper, my impressive editor. Not sure where I would be without her. Always use an editor before submitting stories, it is a must.
I am in the midst of doing rewrites on all three of my stories. I only have one left to do and I will be resubmitting all of them to Laurel. I simply have no choice. I know it may take some time to get my newest versions in there, but I am patient, I have waited this long. I have just finished Summer's Day also, so there will be something new to read in the future. I hope it is enjoyed by all who take the time to view it.
Tawny, you are so right about printing out as story and viewing it that way. I cannot believe how many mistakes I see, that I do not see in front of my puter screen. It is unbelievable. When you see your words in print, you just seem to see it differently, the errors stand out more. Anywho, take your time, read and read and edit and edit before submitting. I only wish I had done that, before sending to Laurel. Live and Learn by others mistakes...
Hugs Katerina
[Edited by Katerina on 08-06-2000 at 07:44 AM]
We are all still learning!
As I said above, I have been doing this for a modest amount of time, and when I come across a previously published piece, I will still find typos and awkward mechanics. I almost always want to go back and fix it and tinker on it, but then sometimes you just have to leave it be, living with your mistakes or the mistakes of the type-setter and publisher.
--AUS
As I said above, I have been doing this for a modest amount of time, and when I come across a previously published piece, I will still find typos and awkward mechanics. I almost always want to go back and fix it and tinker on it, but then sometimes you just have to leave it be, living with your mistakes or the mistakes of the type-setter and publisher.
--AUS
Sparky Kronkite
Spam Eater Extraordinare'
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2000
- Posts
- 8,921
The length of a given story.
The length of any given story is in the relative likeing or dislikeing of the individual who reads it.
Beauty in the eye of the beholder you know.
Example -
A young'ish horny man, not giving two-shits about litteral art and mainly wishing to "get off quickly," obviously won't want to spend too much time reading in-depth character descriptions.
He needs a sticky-quicky.
A mature, (wiser?) female may very well want to languish over such detail.
She needs slow love making.
And - everything in between. And - depending on mood. And - who knows? Maybe even depending on the cycle of the moon.
In the end one would not like to frustrate anyone - (Please everyone, let's all get hot and sweaty!) - but one can't please all the people, all the time.
I say - write what makes "you, the author" horney. That's first and foremost. Just let it flow - the lenght then, simply becomes what it is. Once that philosophy is followed then one can entertain thoughts of, "just who it is that one wants to turn on." I write exclusively to turn on females, either straight or bi. At least that is my humble attempt. Anyone else who may enjoy - well good but I really don't care.
Sparky Kronkite.
The length of any given story is in the relative likeing or dislikeing of the individual who reads it.
Beauty in the eye of the beholder you know.
Example -
A young'ish horny man, not giving two-shits about litteral art and mainly wishing to "get off quickly," obviously won't want to spend too much time reading in-depth character descriptions.
He needs a sticky-quicky.
A mature, (wiser?) female may very well want to languish over such detail.
She needs slow love making.
And - everything in between. And - depending on mood. And - who knows? Maybe even depending on the cycle of the moon.
In the end one would not like to frustrate anyone - (Please everyone, let's all get hot and sweaty!) - but one can't please all the people, all the time.
I say - write what makes "you, the author" horney. That's first and foremost. Just let it flow - the lenght then, simply becomes what it is. Once that philosophy is followed then one can entertain thoughts of, "just who it is that one wants to turn on." I write exclusively to turn on females, either straight or bi. At least that is my humble attempt. Anyone else who may enjoy - well good but I really don't care.
Sparky Kronkite.
Laurel
Kitty Mama
- Joined
- Aug 27, 1999
- Posts
- 20,692
Bravo. Well said.
Yesterday I received a nasty email from a reader upset because the first chapter in a series didn't have any sex in it (why he wrote me to complain and not the author, I have no idea). I also received a mail from a reader who was annoyed at the grammar, plot, and consistency problems in some of the stories. So, to each his own. Not everyone comes here for Pulitzer-winning stories, and not everyone comes here to beat off & leave.
Personally, a story needs some sort of focus (not necessarily a plot - more of a point) to be interesting. However, I've read some stuff that wasn't the pinnacle of grammatical perfection but is worded in such a way that it gets me going nonetheless. I'm glad we have a variety of stories on the site so we can cater to everyone's moods and needs.
Yesterday I received a nasty email from a reader upset because the first chapter in a series didn't have any sex in it (why he wrote me to complain and not the author, I have no idea). I also received a mail from a reader who was annoyed at the grammar, plot, and consistency problems in some of the stories. So, to each his own. Not everyone comes here for Pulitzer-winning stories, and not everyone comes here to beat off & leave.
Personally, a story needs some sort of focus (not necessarily a plot - more of a point) to be interesting. However, I've read some stuff that wasn't the pinnacle of grammatical perfection but is worded in such a way that it gets me going nonetheless. I'm glad we have a variety of stories on the site so we can cater to everyone's moods and needs.
Sparky Kronkite
Spam Eater Extraordinare'
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2000
- Posts
- 8,921
Indeed dearest madame Laurel - variety is truly the spice of life. Only let there be more...
And as far as complaints regarding grammer - pooh pooh.
I'm very certain that there are many wonderfuly talented writers posting on this glorious site, probably proven professionals, probably highly educated individuals - who knows - probably very artistically minded folks.
But pardon me here... cool is cool - not cool is... so, not cool. Education, skill, experience, creativity - all have nothing to do with... being cool.
Snobery has nothing to do with being cool. And snobery has nothing to do with variety. Snobery has only to do with ego and superiority - and in the end ultimate insecurity.
So - pooh pooh to all whining critics and note sincerly - I wish upon you further large doses of insecurity.
PS Laurel - I sent you a note earlier (this being only my second time responding) I can't seem to find the "new, original posting button." Like a snake in the grass I'll bet it's right in front of me - but I can't find it. I looked in the FAQ's and there is nothing there to direct me to post a new bit of subject matter. I admit to not being very computer literate (don't know much about, what do you call them - strands?) but I do know how to look for icons that indicate "new posting" - press here. So help please. If you need to - ring me at sparkykronkite@hotmail.com.
Signing off 'til tomorrow. Thanks.
And as far as complaints regarding grammer - pooh pooh.
I'm very certain that there are many wonderfuly talented writers posting on this glorious site, probably proven professionals, probably highly educated individuals - who knows - probably very artistically minded folks.
But pardon me here... cool is cool - not cool is... so, not cool. Education, skill, experience, creativity - all have nothing to do with... being cool.
Snobery has nothing to do with being cool. And snobery has nothing to do with variety. Snobery has only to do with ego and superiority - and in the end ultimate insecurity.
So - pooh pooh to all whining critics and note sincerly - I wish upon you further large doses of insecurity.
PS Laurel - I sent you a note earlier (this being only my second time responding) I can't seem to find the "new, original posting button." Like a snake in the grass I'll bet it's right in front of me - but I can't find it. I looked in the FAQ's and there is nothing there to direct me to post a new bit of subject matter. I admit to not being very computer literate (don't know much about, what do you call them - strands?) but I do know how to look for icons that indicate "new posting" - press here. So help please. If you need to - ring me at sparkykronkite@hotmail.com.
Signing off 'til tomorrow. Thanks.
poohlive
Silly Ole Bear
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2000
- Posts
- 11,389
A story isn't supposed to have a length. A story is, just that a story. Which has a beginning middle and an end, the only person that decides the stories length and outcome is the god of the story, or the author, lol, if you want to be technical about it.
there is no length to a story, just make sure you are happy with it, thats all that matters.
Unless you want to get money from it, then make sure everyone else is happy about it, in that case then yes, the length does matter
(realizes he didn't answer the question)
ummmm, see ya...
there is no length to a story, just make sure you are happy with it, thats all that matters.
Unless you want to get money from it, then make sure everyone else is happy about it, in that case then yes, the length does matter
(realizes he didn't answer the question)
ummmm, see ya...
KillerMuffin
Seraphically Disinclined
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2000
- Posts
- 25,603
My English Teacher, aka Sergeant Sullivan (a 60 year old battleaxe with a bad attitude) put it best.
Any writing should be like a girl's skirt. Long enough to cover the subject and short enough to be interesting.
Any writing should be like a girl's skirt. Long enough to cover the subject and short enough to be interesting.
poohlive
Silly Ole Bear
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2000
- Posts
- 11,389
Kick ass teacher, lol, Well make sure that it is as good as the real thing. http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/smokin.gif
Similar threads
