The 2026 [lit] 750 Word Project Support Thread

[DEFCOM5]

Emily is the crown princess of 750-word stories, trust me. She's good. Her answer is good, my answer sucks by comparison but it works too. It is this:

That is my point. Look at her story Spit Roast. It a threesome. That is it. I cannot make a 3 some interesting in 750 words. She can. It comes down to skills.

You write a 750-word stories the same way you get to Carnegie Hall: Practice.

That's all it takes. The first one is terribly difficult, but once you crack the code, do another, then another. They come easier as you practice. When you feel confident then you submit your favorite ones. And here's a hint: It doesn't have to be sexy. There's a non-erotic category, use it if you want. One of my favorite dirty tricks is to take a joke I heard years ago and flesh it out to 750 words. Just be honest in your introduction: Here's a joke we used to tell, I trimmed it down to 750 words. (Your intro doesn't have to be real honest) The idea is to get you writing and thinking, concentrating on using the right words and doing it economically. The 750-word project is great practice, wonderful exercise, and you'll find your larger works come easier with all the practice.

I understand the concept of being a very helpful exercise but for the life of me, I cannot come with a short scene story that I think anyone would find interesting. I even tried EM pictures story. I looked at the two women in a suit and could not come up with 1 interesting idea. She wrote the interview.

Call it want you want, talent, skills, creativity, it is not something you can coach. I wish I had some I could cultivate

Anyway, I really appreciate the encouragements, I really do. I will think about it.

 

[iwatchus]

I actually have taken to writing them when I need a break for any reason. I wrote one this morning (actually wrote it twice, the editor crashed taking 742 of the words with it). The one from this morning will need editing, it's just a first draft. The draft came in at 763 words, so It won't take too much tweaking to get to exactly 750. I'll see where it is when I finish wordsmithing.

Not sure yet if I want to submit it for the event or not. If I do, it will be my first true stroker.

 

[Duleigh]

I cannot come with a short scene story that I think anyone would find interesting. I even tried EM pictures story. I looked at the two women in a suit and could not come up with 1 interesting idea

Don't worry about them, you never know what they're going to like or hate. Write for YOU. I took EMs pictures story and turned the two women into Business Meeting. I thought it was hot, sexy, and had an outstanding ending. They hated it. I don't care, I had fun writing it. For me the hard part is coming up with the story idea. Once I got that, away we go...

 

[DEFCOM5]

Don't worry about them, you never know what they're going to like or hate. Write for YOU. I took EMs pictures story and turned the two women into Business Meeting. I thought it was hot, sexy, and had an outstanding ending. They hated it. I don't care, I had fun writing it. For me the hard part is coming up with the story idea. Once I got that, away we go...

I don't think that a 4.49 is being hated.

You explain my problem "Coming up with the story idea" Very hard to impossible for me ...

I would have needed to explain why the two ladies were into the guy. And why none wore underwear. That is the way my brain work.

And I would have never stopped mid coitus ..... Would not have known how to end it ...

This is what I mean with I say talent ..... Knowing what to put in and leave out ....

You guys are not giving you the credit you deserve

 

[Aoife_from_Ulster]

Allow me to add my 2 cents.

I had a dreaded fear of posting to the 750 challenge last year. I had a great idea and I wrote it out. I will never forget the end. I was seven words short. It took me three days to figure it out.

When it posted I failed to add the line "... 750 word challenge ..." A few emails lambasted me, but the comments and replied were supportive and amazing. It finished at a 4.43 just over 100 votes but 6100 reads, I was thrilled.

More importantly I have two nearly ready for this year and one I am posting to a new category.

I guess my two cents will end with this, I am thrilled to try again and even more excited to read others in this challenge.

 

[Duleigh]

I don't think that a 4.49 is being hated.

You explain my problem "Coming up with the story idea" Very hard to impossible for me ...

I would have needed to explain why the two ladies were into the guy. And why none wore underwear. That is the way my brain work.

And I would have never stopped mid coitus ..... Would not have known how to end it ...

This is what I mean with I say talent ..... Knowing what to put in and leave out ....

You guys are not giving you the credit you deserve

The score for Business Meeting was much lower, it's slowly climbing up. We're not writing these for the score, in fact on my spread sheet, I don't average in the scores of the 750-word stories with the other stories because they're so radically different from a full story. As for stopping mid coitus - that was the punchline. I tend to start with the end in mind, come up with a start and then fill in the middle. The series I'm working on now - Stormwatch, is up to Chapter 10. I know exactly how the story is going to end, I have the great reunion and love scene all plotted out... for Chapter 20. (Like all truly great love stories, it started with a blizzard in Buffalo.)

Another trick to writing a 750 is to write the shortest thing you can write, then walk away for a while. A few days later, come back and start cutting away adjectives and unneeded descriptive phrases. YOU know why the girls aren't wearing underwear, let the audience figure it out. You know the ladies were into the guy, they're going to trick him into supplying the boss with new laptops. They may even have been hookers, you know what they are, let the readers figure it out.

Tell you what, if you want help, I'll give you a hand.

 

[jsmiam]

Again, knowing that the rules aren't as strict, I also just like rules (which comes as no surprise, right?). So if I were to write a stand alone 750 word story that also involves the characters/background of my existing "universe" for lack of a better word - that would be okay so long as you don't need to read those longer stories to enjoy the 750 word one?

It's a project rather than a challenge, so I'm not sure how strict they are, but a chapter of a larger work is not a complete story, so I would say don't do it.

On the other hand, having done it myself, writing a 750 word sequel to a story should be okay, as long as the sequel is a full story in itself.

The rules have some gaping loopholes, which is unfortunate. Also post number one uses both “project” and “challenge” repeatedly.

The challenge is supposed to be to write a story in 750 words. If other words that exist elsewhere (another story, series, or universe) provide even one piece of information or background that didn’t have to be incorporated into the current 750 words, then the story wasn’t really told in only 750 words. It was told in 750 words plus however many other words were used elsewhere to set the stage. Challenge not met. Why bother?

But the loophole exists as things stand today. They shouldn’t but they do, so nobody will stop you. Just don’t compare your story to others that were really told in only 750 words.

And most of all, when it’s all over, please refrain from boasting and celebrating if your series/universe stories scores better than real 750 word stories. You didn’t write the same type of story.

 

[DEFCOM5]

As for stopping mid coitus - that was the punchline.

And that is the genius of the story! That is way above my level and pay grade.

YOU know why the girls aren't wearing underwear, let the audience figure it out. You know the ladies were into the guy, they're going to trick him into supplying the boss with new laptops. They may even have been hookers, you know what they are, let the readers figure it out.

I did not even think they could have been hookers. This makes the story even better IMO.

Tell you what, if you want help, I'll give you a hand.

If I decide to dib into the idea and come up with something that is slightly above terrible. I might take you on your offer. But you might regret it as my story might makes your eyes bleed.

 

[IWroteThis]

If other words that exist elsewhere (another story, series, or universe) provide even one piece of information or background that didn’t have to be incorporated into the current 750 words, then the story wasn’t really told in only 750 words. It was told in 750 words plus however many other words were used elsewhere to set the stage. Challenge not met. Why bother?

So, let's say I have a character say, "Oh, shit, it's the FBI!" Does that violate your interpretation of the challenge as well, since I didn't tell you what the FBI is, but expect you to know, based on the universe the story is set in?

Clearly, you would rule out everything that would fit in Fan Fiction & Celebrities, as those rely entirely upon knowledge from outside the story.

But, what about regional idioms or knowledge? If a story is US or UK specific, is it not a valid story because readers in the other location might need outside references to fully understand everything? What if it references a landmark, like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge rather than saying it was a bridge in a certain city and then describing it. Heck, does using an actual town cause it to not be a story, since it's used to establish something, be it climate, relative location, culture, etc without spelling it out?

Obviously, making a 750 word story too dependent upon previous works is going to hurt its reception by people who haven't read those works, but it's quite possible to write a story where you get more nuance if you know the background, but it still makes sense even if you don't.

Also, I would remind you that not every story on this site is intended for every reader. That's why there are categories and tags. Personally, I dislike well over 90% of what gets posted for the Halloween contest and wouldn't miss at least another 5% of them, so I just skip most of them. Granted, a lot of people fail to comprehend that concept and continue to click on every February Sucks and 750 word story, just to skip down to the comments to say that they hate them all and will never read them…

 

[jsmiam]

…Does that violate your interpretation of the challenge as well, since I didn't tell you what the FBI is, but expect you to know, based on the universe the story is set in?…

Nope. Just universes and backgrounds set in other stories, yours or others, that set backgrounds, characters, etc.

…Clearly, you would rule out everything that would fit in Fan Fiction & Celebrities, as those rely entirely upon knowledge from outside the story…

For the 750 word challenge? My vote would be heck yeah, not in the spirit.

…But, what about regional idioms or knowledge? If a story is US or UK specific, is it not a valid story because readers in the other location might need outside references to fully understand everything? What if it references a landmark, like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge rather than saying it was a bridge in a certain city and then describing it. Heck, does using an actual town cause it to not be a story, since it's used to establish something, be it climate, relative location, culture, etc without spelling it out?

Just references to other already written chapters, stories, or universes. I suspect you know what I meant.

…Obviously, making a 750 word story too dependent upon previous works is going to hurt its reception by people who haven't read those works, but it's quite possible to write a story where you get more nuance if you know the background, but it still makes sense even if you don't….

Couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s why I wish the challenge more explicitly limited the scope to truly standalone stories.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

Just references to other already written chapters, stories, or universes. I suspect you know what I meant.

There's a big difference between *using* the same characters/universe and referencing them. You don't have to tell the reader "go read this first" to be within the same universe. Heck, I've read some compelling fan fiction where I didn't even know the series they were basing the fic off of. I think you have a very fixed idea of what might happen in your head and assume that everyone is doing what you're picturing. Is it coming from a particular story or set of stories?

I also agree about:

And most of all, when it’s all over, please refrain from boasting and celebrating if your series/universe stories scores better than real 750 word stories.

At least when you say not to boast. Celebrating that you did something and did it well? Heck, you should get to celebrate even if you did something and everyone hated it. Just getting somthing that could stand on its own in 750 words regardless of any other constraints is an achievement if you're as verbose as I am and as others have indicated they are as well.

But boasting? Saying you're better than someone else? Rubbing their noses in it? That gives the ick regardless of whether you won or had the worst rated story/poem/audio in Lit history. I agree, that plain sucks.

But I do get the general sense that this is personal experience coming out here. At least, it feels like it is from the outside, even if it isn't actually. And if it is, I'm sorry that's the case. It sucks having anyone rub your nose into anything just because they scored better than you at something. And honestly, I'd hate those folks to see my one rating and 69 (nice) views of my Halloween contest poem. It would feel awful to have that comparison made and to have someone tell me that something I worked hard on and had so much fun with was worthless, especially if it was folks on this board instead of general readers who seem to maybe just have commenting like that as their own personal kink. So if it really is the case that there's some personal experience talking here, I'm sorry to hear it as well. That sucks and shouldn't happen to anyone.

 

[jsmiam]

I’ll add that this is my annual rant and rave. Last year for the first time it was suggested that chapters aren’t in line with the spirit of the challenge. I appreciated that.

“What is a story” becomes the sticking point for this debate.

Any story is a story. I’m fine with that.

But saying a 750 word submission that benefits from references to another story or universe from another story or set of stories is really meeting the 750 word challenge, is where I will disagree.

Nonetheless, I’m all for evolution and improvement. Iwrotethis pointed out an opportunity for me to improve my wording. Here is the before and after version of my proposed improved description from my earlier post, since I see where my own wording could be more clear. I may or may not go edit that post.

Before:
And thus, the Literotica 750 Word Story Challenge was born. Write the shortest story that Literotica will accept in the shortest month that Literortica allows, Febuary. It's quite a task to attempt without falling to the temptation of spreading the story over several 750-word entries or basing the story on another pre-existing or related story or universe, so chapters, series, or universes do not fit the spirit of the challenge.

After: green
And thus, the Literotica 750 Word Story Challenge was born. Write the shortest story that Literotica will accept in the shortest month that Literortica allows, Febuary. It's quite a task to attempt without falling to the temptation of spreading the story over several 750-word entries or basing the story on another pre-existing or related story or a pre-existing or related set of stories that establish a universe, so chapters, series, or universes do not fit the spirit of the challenge.

 

[IWroteThis]

Just references to other already written chapters, stories, or universes. I suspect you know what I meant.

Yes, I suspect I know exactly what you meant, which was whatever fits your personal preference and never mind the flaws in it.

 

[jsmiam]

It's a project rather than a challenge, so I'm not sure how strict they are, but a chapter of a larger work is not a complete story, so I would say don't do it.

On the other hand, having done it myself, writing a 750 word sequel to a story should be okay, as long as the sequel is a full story in itself.

Yes, I suspect I know exactly what you meant, which was whatever fits your personal preference and never mind the flaws in it.

The good news for you is that the rules/guidelines make it perfectly ok for you to say your sequel really was a 750 word story.

Each of the past 3 or 4 years, I’ve advocated for refinement of the rules/guidelines. There’s no real reason they can’t evolve over time.

But each year, I also pick a moment in time to drop it.

Nonetheless, more people write truly standalone 750 word stories than not. I console myself with that.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

I’ll add that this is my annual rant and rave. Last year for the first time it was suggested that chapters aren’t in line with the spirit of the challenge. I appreciated that.

I will admit, knowing this is an annual rant and rave does make it feel much less targeted, especially with the commands not to lord it over people as if that's something I have done or that you expect I would do. If it's just a thing you have and you just find a time it fits into the conversation to do so, well, then that's your thing. I would suggest, though, that instead of targeted it at someone in particular, especially someone who was honestly asking about clarification of the rules so that they could be followed, you perhaps focus on the person who sets those rules. It feels like an attack otherwise, especially as someone relatively new to these boards.


I also would disagree on one other point. If that story can stand alone without a person having ever read or ever reading any other story that an author has written. If you could take that story and write it on a new account that no one knows is affiliated with your main, or you could change the story and/or POV and it would still be just as good of a story - I am unclear as to the problem. I still think your assumption is based off of the idea that it wouldn't be possible and the story would simply be worse by virtue of also contributing to another collection.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Why is it that things which are short, short, either in time, stature, or length, are so disrespected? Yes, I am 4 feet 10 1/2 inches tall. Yes, that's the short, short end of a normal person. I'm not a dwarf, not that there's anything wrong with that. Yes, some men only last a few minutes, and have short, short dicks. Hey, as a former professional, that's preferred, and never ever did we disrespect them, unlike their wives and girlfriends. Yes, 750 words is a short, short story. I say, just read the damn thing, enjoy how much can be packed into so little space, time, and vote it a five for crieps' sake.

That's my rant!

 

[jsmiam]

I will admit, knowing this is an annual rant and rave does make it feel much less targeted, especially with the commands not to lord it over people as if that's something I have done or that you expect I would do. If it's just a thing you have and you just find a time it fits into the conversation to do so, well, then that's your thing. I would suggest, though, that instead of targeted it at someone in particular, especially someone who was honestly asking about clarification of the rules so that they could be followed, you perhaps focus on the person who sets those rules. It feels like an attack otherwise, especially as someone relatively new to these boards.


I also would disagree on one other point. If that story can stand alone without a person having ever read or ever reading any other story that an author has written. If you could take that story and write it on a new account that no one knows is affiliated with your main, or you could change the story and/or POV and it would still be just as good of a story - I am unclear as to the problem. I still think your assumption is based off of the idea that it wouldn't be possible and the story would simply be worse by virtue of also contributing to another collection.

I definitely wasn’t targeting you or anyone in my post number 82 so I will apologize. I thought I was critiquing the rules/guidelines, and how they could benefit from tweaking, looking forward not backward. I did quote two posts, yours included. i certainly didn’t intend to target them.

The person who makes/suggests the rules and I have gone a few rounds in prior years. i appreciate their time and energy working on the challenge whether they listen to me or agree with me or not. (They don’t and they don’t. And that’s fine. They’re just as entitled to their viewpoint as I am to mine, you to yours, and on and on).

Next comes the fuzzy part. The stories aren’t just read by new readers seeing a 750 word story for the first time. They’re also read by people already invested in the prior story, the series, or universe of already existing stories. Or readers seeing the new story showing up as part of a series on the author’s page. So while some are seeing the story for the first time, others are saying, “hey, a follow up to that other story I liked!”

Coming full circ on my irk though, it’s just semantics and the principle of it all.

I happen to like the 750 word challenge a lot. And challenges are supposed to be difficult. So make it equally difficult for all, by asking everyone equally to write stories in 750 words that are irrefutably standalone.

Anyway, I mainly responded again to clarify the targeting topic. My apologies, and I’ll see y’all back for the 2027 750 word challenge thread.

 

[MillieDynamite]

And why is it 750 and not 833 or 659?

 

[jsmiam]

And why is it 750 and not 833 or 659?

And why isn’t eleven called onety-one? (Steven Wright)

The history btw is that 750 is the minimum word count enforced by lit.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Yes, but you have to put a title on it, your name as the writer, and a disclaimer so that it could go through under 750 words of actual story. But I'm pretty strict with myself, and stories (at least according to Word) have to be 750 words.

And why isn’t eleven called onety-one? (Steven Wright)

The history btw is that 750 is the minimum word count enforced by lit.

 

[EmilyMiller]

All we are saying, is give peace a chance

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

I definitely wasn’t targeting you or anyone in my post number 82 so I will apologize. I thought I was critiquing the rules/guidelines, and how they could benefit from tweaking, looking forward not backward. I did quote two posts, yours included. i certainly didn’t intend to target them.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Like I said, once I knew it was a repeat thing, it gave it context that I just lacked. And I understand the disagreement. I wonder if 6 months later a mirror challenge could be done. Get permission to use the same rules in August and see if it matters? But that's just the scientists in me talking and wondering.

Next comes the fuzzy part. The stories aren’t just read by new readers seeing a 750 word story for the first time. They’re also read by people already invested in the prior story, the series, or universe of already existing stories. Or readers seeing the new story showing up as part of a series on the author’s page. So while some are seeing the story for the first time, others are saying, “hey, a follow up to that other story I liked!”

That makes sense. You get the boost of having readers already into it. Then again, established authors even if they aren't writing in established worlds will already have that boost and there's nothing to be done about it. More people will read your work than mine from shear follower count. Dang it, don't make me want to gather data and stuff. I don't have the time OR the brain functionality to do it. I'm STILL staring at the dataset @TheRedChamber sent me waiting until I have a set of "good" days and I keep adding projects to my list of things I want to do.

My apologies, and I’ll see y’all back for the 2027 750 word challenge thread.

I look foward to it!

 

[EmilyMiller]

Maybe I should publish my novel as 120 x 750 word stories

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

Yes, but you have to put a title on it, your name as the writer, and a disclaimer so that it could go through under 750 words of actual story. But I'm pretty strict with myself, and stories (at least according to Word) have to be 750 words.

You mean to tell me there are people who can write full stories in FEWER than 750 words even?! I mean, poetry? Sure. But like...stories?!

 

[crookedletter]

Maybe I should publish my novel as 120 x 750 word stories

It would be a fun challenge to structure a novel that way, trying to make each 750 word chapter stand on its own, but come together as a narrative whole.

Not something I'm going to do. Sounds crazy hard. But. Could be cool.