Story Length

[dr_mabeuse]

I hate to put a damper on what people post here, but I do think it would help all of us if some attention were paid to the length of the submissions.

I would like to suggest that any submission seeking discussion here be limited to maybe two Lit pages. I'm not saying that longer submissions shouldn't be accepted, but I think if you submit more than that, you should not be surprised or dismayed if reviewers read less than the whole thing.

Any thoughts?

---dr.M.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

I would like to suggest that any submission seeking discussion here be limited to maybe two Lit pages. I'm not saying that longer submissions shouldn't be accepted, but I think if you submit more than that, you should not be surprised or dismayed if reviewers read less than the whole thing.

I tend to agree the length of an erotic story is a big factor as to wether or not I am commited to reading it to begin with or scanning to see of it's worth.
It better be darn interesting at the end of page two to inquire further interest. Some stories are most worthy of a longer read that is the maybe part? I would not want to force a limit.

I also would add a story should be of at least one complete page. I dont like a story that is so to the point it never starts before it ends.

 

[Icingsugar]

I hate to put a damper on what people post here, but I do think it would help all of us if some attention were paid to the length of the submissions.

I would like to suggest that any submission seeking discussion here be limited to maybe two Lit pages. I'm not saying that longer submissions shouldn't be accepted, but I think if you submit more than that, you should not be surprised or dismayed if reviewers read less than the whole thing.

Any thoughts?

---dr.M.

Well, in a way you're right. A longer story will not in general get as many complete reads as a short one. And that is a risk that we, as autors will have to take.
I write quite long stories, something in between 3 and 5 pages.
I'm just about to offer up my latest 3 page work for discussion here, since I'd really like some input on the (at least for me) experimental use of structure and POV.
I know that all of you might not read it, due to it's length. However, noone is forcing you to. I'll put up a warning sign if you wish.

ps. Phildo, could you use smething else than PHP tags when quoting stuff? It kind of screws up the line feed for the whole page.

 

[A7inchPhildo]

ps. Phildo, could you use smething else than PHP tags when quoting stuff? It kind of screws up the line feed for the whole page.

Changed it my mistake. Did not realize it thanks

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Re: Re: Story Length

I write quite long stories, something in between 3 and 5 pages.

3 to 5 pages is maybe stretching the guideline, but it's not that excessive. But we've received stories here that were (in one case) 12 Lit pages long! To me that's just unreasonable.

---dr.M.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

I am against putting a specific limit on the length of submissions because it would be discouraging to Authors who write longer stories. Often the longer stories are the very ones that need feedback the most because the author is not sure how to express what he/she wants to say in a more pallateable format to readers. That said, 12 lit pages is more of a novella than a short story isn't it? For works of such length perhaps you could ask the author to submit an excerpt around 2 or three lit pages rather than the work in it's entierty?

I write long stories (generally 3 to 5 lit pages) but this doesn't really apply to me as I doubt I will ever find the courage to turn one of my babies out to the dogs so to speak All joking aside, I don't think we would be doing anyone a service by placing limits on what can be submitted. Those who write long stories run the risk of being told it's too long, but from the people here I expect they would also get valuable instruction in how it could be trimmed of excess verbiage without loosing the writer's vision of the story in the process. At least half of what I do in the editing process is trim things I wanted to say, but that are not essential to the story's development. That is the kind of feedback and advice that writer's like myself, who tend to go long could use the most.

-Colly

 

[Guest]

Having read, enjoyed and critiqued Sugar's long story, and grateful for the opportunity, I say 'no limits on length'. If you don't want to bother w/a long story don't is all. This board does not seem to me overburdened so why cut it back.

Perdita, lover of long Russian novels

 

[KillerMuffin]

How about this, rather than simply forbid the longer stories, we make it clear in the initial post that this is a story of however many lit pages the way we are doing with category. The author might be less likely to get feedback--and I can make that clear as well--but that would give the potential reviewer information without reading the first page (after all, how many people scroll to the bottom to check page count first)?

Does this sound fair?

 

[Colleen Thomas]

That seems a most sensible and even handed solution.

-Colly

 

[A7inchPhildo]

KillerMuffin,
You are awsome! I wont tell you what I think every time I see your name. Killer Muffin sexy

Thanks Phildo

 

[Pure]

KM,

I agree that longer stories should not simply be forbidden. However, I agree with dr m., that past 2-3 (Lit) pp is generally getting to be too much; the chances of an amateur writer handling, say, a 6 (Lit) page story (=50-60 pp) is small. Icing certainly deserved the third page; concessions should only be made, as in his/her case, where there's quality.

It might be possible to let readers know, as you have, that feedback may be given on a portion of a story: If I see a 6 (Lit) pager, I reserve the right to 'bail' at 3, and comment on what's been seen. An unknown can have an hour or two of my time, but not six hours! (Remember you don't just have to read it, but to comment on it!)

Another thing, KM is to keep up a stream of manageable ones; if there's a novella people want to get into, have it be an optional and side issue.

In closing you're doing a fine job here, and helping keep postings focused on writing and issues, and not personalities.

Best,
J.