Writer's Challenge for Forum posters - Make your point in two screens or less

[jsmiam]

I started posting this yesterday, but didn't. LadyVer inspired me, with this tidbit in another thread (in this case it was directed at a specific person, but to be fair, there are a lot of long-posters out there). If I had posted this yesterday, I wouldn't have to share credit!

Could you shorten this for those of us who can't figure out what you're trying to say? Thank you. Seriously.

In my case, about two full screens (I don't care if it's broken into paragraphs, if it's wall height, it's a wall!) of laptop text is my pain threshold, where I'm far less likely to bother reading. That is roughly three screens worth of text over on my phone (via browser, not app). I'm willing to bet that I'm not alone, although pain thresholds may vary?

I generally admire the vocabulary, prose, wit, entertainment value, shock value, etc. of everyone here (also, the dedication to write such lengthy posts). However, I submit to you this challenge: Make your points clearer and more concise. Shift your writing gears from writing fiction (where length matters) to persuasive writing, where compactness matters. The long posters put a lot of time, effort, and passion into their writing. Wouldn't it be worth more, if more people would read it?

To (almost) quote Winston Churchill (it's almost impossible to discern which version he actually said): "The length of this document defends it well against the risk of its being read."

P.S. I tried, I really tried. But I said "length matters" earlier, and withheld smirking. Sorry, couldn't hold it in any longer.

 

[lovecraft68]

Quick and to the point?

On behalf of myself and other lengthy posters, I am sorry for your ADD, but won't change to appease you.

Okay, just kidding, it was the only thing I could think of.

Long posts don't bother me as long as they are interesting and make sense-just like stories and no one forces me to read them.

If I had a gripe about 'behavior' if that's what you can call it. I would like to limit sigs. Some people, especially on the GB have these enormous signatures with who the hell knows what in them that take up half a damn page.

I get to where I turn off sigs if I'm going to hang around the GB for awhile.

 

[jsmiam]

Lol... but see? I read that one!

 

[NOIRTRASH]

When I went to work for the state back in 1985 our word processors allowed around 125 words of text. That was it. Around 1993 the text space grew to 80 lines. In 2005 it swelled to 40 pages.

125 words makes you laconic.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

I'm verbose in posts (not in stories). In stories I don't care what the reader takes away; half of it is from his own head anyway.

In posts I feel like I have to choose every word carefully and make every point twice, because I know people here will talk past points, willfully misconstrue, or selectively quote. You can't stop them from doing that, but if you amplify each point and restate it, you can at least make them work harder at it and possibly shame them. Spelling it out carefully the first time beats having to post three more times to clarify a point.

So no, I'm not going to shorten it up. I write from an unusual viewpoint and I like to think I provoke thinking in those that can do that. If people think the words are worth reading, they will read them, if only to argue. If people want to tl;dr that's fine; if an attention span is that short I wasn't going to enjoy a discussion with them anyway.

 

[sr71plt]

What's a "screen" in posting to the forum? I only get one screen no matter how long the post is?

 

[lovecraft68]

What's a "screen" in posting to the forum? I only get one screen no matter how long the post is?

If you're on a phone-which a lot of people are- and there is a very long post you have to scroll through it because its bigger than the screen and then when you scroll you can go to far. It can be a PIA.

 

[sr71plt]

Ah. I don't even have a phone with a screen. And those who do and choose to Lit. forum on them can jolly well adjust.

 

[oggbashan]

I can do short, very short.

I can do long, very long.

But this is the Authors' Hangout. We expect you to READ.

 

[lovecraft68]

Ah. I don't even have a phone with a screen. And those who do and choose to Lit. forum on them can jolly well adjust.

It amazes me people will read stories on them. It would cause my eyes to fall out of my head.

 

[Boxerwing]

It amazes me people will read stories on them. It would cause my eyes to fall out of my head.

Eh, it's something you get used to, like everything in life. I read stories in landscape mode, which makes things a bit easier. I can zoom in if the font is too small, and I've gotten used to scrolling. My phone is way more portable than my iPad, and I have a 35 minute commute to work.

Personally, I don't care how long you write anything. If it's good, makes sense, and is readable, then length doesn't matter to me.

 

[jsmiam]

I'm ...

When...

If ...

Ah. I ....

I c...

Eh...

All good points. And all short enough that most probably read them. Keep in mind, this topic isn't necessarily a criticism, it's just a thought to keep in the back of your minds.

The long posters among us put prodigious quantities of effort into carefully thought out points, right? Wouldn't it be better if more people read them?

I don't always drink beer. But when I do, Less is more.

 

[jsmiam]

Regarding phone screens: That was just a side point. Too long is too long on computer screens too. It's a longer/narrower column of text on a phone, newspaper column style (edit: A single column), so a little more scrolling. On the plus side, you can use it wherever you might be. "The best reading device is the one you have with you." (There! I *totally* own that quote. Some camera guy may have said it about cameras, though.)

 

[Boxerwing]

The long posters among us put prodigious quantities of effort into carefully thought out points, right? Wouldn't it be better if more people read them?

Yes, it would. However, this sort of comes back to the infamous "how long is too long?" topic that people ask about their stories. If it is a topic that interests me, and there is an intelligent discussion going on, I'm going to read every single word. Others won't. More readers doesn't necessarily equal better...anything.

Sometimes, no matter how short you make your post, there are still going to people who don't read it. If you think your post is going to be long, put a TL;DR at the beginning (or whatever is appropriate for the Lit forums; I'm still fairly new and finding my way around).

 

[NotWise]

However, this sort of comes back to the infamous "how long is too long?" topic that people ask about their stories.

I usually see my posts as part of a conversation. In that context there's hardly ever a reason for a long post -- unless you're interested in reading yourself more than you are in reading someone else. A post becomes too long when it dominates conversation.

There are some threads that aren't really intended as conversations (like the review threads) and there long posts may be the norm.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Quick and to the point?

On behalf of myself and other lengthy posters, I am sorry for your ADD, but won't change to appease you.

Okay, just kidding, it was the only thing I could think of.

Long posts don't bother me as long as they are interesting and make sense-just like stories and no one forces me to read them.

If I had a gripe about 'behavior' if that's what you can call it. I would like to limit sigs. Some people, especially on the GB have these enormous signatures with who the hell knows what in them that take up half a damn page.

I get to where I turn off sigs if I'm going to hang around the GB for awhile.

You can turn off sigs. Just saying.

 

[Boxerwing]

I usually see my posts as part of a conversation. In that context there's hardly ever a reason for a long post -- unless you're interested in reading yourself more than you are in reading someone else. A post becomes too long when it dominates conversation.

There are some threads that aren't really intended as conversations (like the review threads) and there long posts may be the norm.

I see where you are coming from. I guess I was thinking more of debate threads than a conversation thread. You know, where people use logic and debate every sentence? Those are the ones I find fascinating, and will read every word. Or the threads where a highly knowledgeable or experienced person is giving their viewpoint. In those cases, write away. But writing just to hear yourself talk, or stir the pot, or to be a troll? I'm probably not going to be reading those anyway so I don't care how short or long you write.

 

[jsmiam]

.... You know, where people use logic....

"Y'all ain't from 'round here, are ya?". Sheriff Buford T. Justice (loosely.. More like something he'd say. It's National Loosely Accurate Quote Day).

 

[Boxerwing]

"Y'all ain't from 'round here, are ya?". Sheriff Buford T. Justice (loosely.. More like something he'd say. It's National Loosely Accurate Quote Day).

Yeah, not so much. The Lit Forums, in general, are more of a source of amusement for me than anything else. I have other places on the internet that I go for actual intelligent conversations. However, here is where the Lit authors are and, since I want to actually submit stories in the future, I figured I should stay in the loop with current topics, editing and writing concerns, and the site politics. There is good information here if you dig for it (or ignore certain things/people).

 

[oggbashan]

Regarding phone screens: That was just a side point. Too long is too long on computer screens too. It's a longer/narrower column of text on a phone, newspaper column style, so a little more scrolling. On the plus side, you can use it wherever you might be. "The best reading device is the one you have with you." (There! I *totally* own that quote. Some camera guy may have said it about cameras, though.)

When I write my stories I am aware that they will be read on a screen. I expect them to be read on a reasonable size screen such as a PC, a laptop or a tablet.

I break the text up more than I would if the story were to be read as printed text in a book.

The exception is Breathless Stargazing. I was just showing what is possible, if not recommended.

 

[jsmiam]

When I write my stories I am aware that they will be read on a screen. I expect them to be read on a reasonable size screen such as a PC, a laptop or a tablet.

I break the text up more than I would if the story were to be read as printed text in a book.

The exception is Breathless Stargazing. I was just showing what is possible, if not recommended.

Surprisingly, most sites are at least acceptable. Partly because if you're the type to use a phone to browse, it's because you have to, so you have to learn and/or adapt and/or try different browsers, and you get accustomed to it. Write away, with mostly little concern for the readers technology. Their device will improve, and they'll have a new device in a year anyway.

 

[LadyVer]

I started posting this yesterday, but didn't. LadyVer inspired me, with this tidbit in another thread (in this case it was directed at a specific person, but to be fair, there are a lot of long-posters out there). If I had posted this yesterday, I wouldn't have to share credit!

Thanks for the positive mention. I actually have ADD and have a terrible time with long posts, regardless of device. It would be nice if short TLTR intros were provided, but I'm not expecting it. Usually what I do is skim or read the post if the topic is one I'm interested in and I like the person who's posting. Other than that, I find it terribly difficult to get through a long post.

 

[Nathan_Brazil]

One vote

For brevity