Hi dear ABCers, I have just (after much dithering) posted my first prose submission "Ursa Major". Oldpesky was the first on to it and posted some very positive comments (thanks Peskmeister). OP enquired as to why I had only posted three short chapters. I explained that this is how I have the story arranged in its final format and that I had used up my 'three a day' allocation and therefore couldn't post any more.
I reflected on OP's observation and on balance thought 'sod it' I'll post the whole thing and be damned - but conscious of the length. The story is a little over eight thousand words (about fifty min's of reading for me and I'm a slow reader).
I recall Archiemacjoyce's "The end of my youth" which is an epic poem arranged into sonnets is also about the same length as "Ursa Major" and it was well read and well commented on (rightly so given its quality). Do you think that I have made the right decision in posting the whole thing or should I as jolono has sagely advised, split the story up into three sections?
Your opinions and advice would be much appreciated.
P.S please do not read this as a tout for 'reads', it is certainly not meant to be one.
Stan | January 23, 2012 - 20:01
Hi mate,
Not caught up with that story yet, but I will in due course. Like you, I'm a slow reader. I also have a short attention span and a low boredom threshold (part of my wiring!), which is why I struggle with novels. I haven't read one for a long time. I even find nowadays that I struggle to read short stories in one sitting. Why it's different with actually writing the things... I don't know, but it is!
This is only my experience, though - but, being mindful of it, I decided to post my short story 'Hunting for Duck' in short episodes of about 1,800 words, as it's about 8,000 words long. I've posted long pieces myself in the past - up to 5,000 words - and always feel guilty because I know how it feels to open a post and see that scroll bar disappear to the thickness of a 5p piece.
Having said all that, though, it also depends on a lot of other things. If I'm drawn in quickly, I'll stick with it. Likewise, if I like the writing style.
Which probably adds up to... I don't have a definitive answer for you! I can only give you my experience. In some ways, having the whole piece in one go might be a benefit: people can choose to read it in one go, or come back to it if they like it. We're all different. I'd take ages to read your story - but a speed-reading friend of mine would probably find it a doddle.
Don't know if that helps... :)
PS I see you've split it up into chapters anyway, which makes it easier for someone like me. That seems to be a good way to get around it. I can remember a chapter number for when I come back, instead of having to try to remember where I was.
Blessing | January 23, 2012 - 20:08
Dear scratch
Thank you for asking. Some of us have some sight issues which also includes spending too much time facing a screen in a session. Posting chapters up to 2k max or dividing chapters in one post helps. I don't like scrolling on and on to find my place either. Thanks
blighters rock | January 23, 2012 - 20:54
Hi Scratch,
I'm dead lazy at reading at the moment but always find about 750 words to be easy-going enough to delve into without time-infringement worries.
You'll need to give each chapter a beginning, middle and end so be sure to give each piece, however long, its own identity.
I've finally worked out that those wily cherrypickers need weighty substance to justify the fruit. Whether it's part of a novel, novella or whatever, each part needs its own take off and landing.
All the best
Richard
scratch | January 23, 2012 - 20:59
Thanks Stan and Blessing. Those are wise words Stan thanks. And Blessing your advice is also a comfort as I have split it the story up into its constituent chapters, exactly as it was originally written. On balance I think that I will leave it given the chapter numbers and all.
Thank you both so much for your time and help.
scratch | January 23, 2012 - 21:05
Thanks Blighters. I hope that the chapters have their own integrity. Thanks for your words.
celticman | January 23, 2012 - 21:53
Two and half thousand is the optimal amount for editors. And it's good practice. I can see Stan's Hunting the Duck, for example, has dramatic highpoints that keep the reader engaged. Don't fall into the trap of thinking more equals better (I often fall into my own traps) because 99.99% it doesn't.
scratch | January 23, 2012 - 22:00
I'm about two thirds over that Celticman 8( Bollocks.
ju B | January 23, 2012 - 23:27
i can curl up to read a book, no probs. but i struggle reading stuff on screen. i'm a slow reader too & have to re-read & re-read before i understand a piece fully. now that it's posted maybe wait a few days, post a fave paragraph or two as a taster & direct readers to the full (already posted) text. we can read some, or all, comment on what we do read & return for more as time allows. & after all that... i'm not reading tonight. it's been a long day. but i'll take a look soon.
ju.
oldpesky | January 23, 2012 - 23:32
Hi scratch, you appear to have gone from one extreme to the other. Your first chapter yesterday was just over 100 words. That's far too short. 8,000 words? That's far too long for online reading. What to do, what to do.
Ideally, anything between 1000-1500 words would be perfect. Unfortunately, I struggle to get anything under 2,000. (A big thank you to anyone who's plodded through my work.) So it's a case of do as I say and not do as I do...or something like that.
It'll be interesting to see how many comment on your epic. After all, you are a prolific commenter, and one of the most knowledgeable. Plus, you're hardly a serial multi-poster. Until yesterday's three in a day (which has now been reduced to one), the most you've posted is two in a month.
Best of luck with this little social experiment.
scratch | January 23, 2012 - 23:41
Oldpesky, it's no social experiment I can assure you I'm not that clever and I'm not that arsed. I have made a bad decision in the posting format as a result of naivety and inexperience. And I don't think that I have the energy at the moment to edit, revise or re-post. But I do thank you for your comment and I can understand it completely, it is accurate and fair. There is an impulsive and annoying crinkle in my character and I once again see it. OP there is a mania - I hope you understand.
scratch | January 23, 2012 - 23:48
Thanks ju B.
oldpesky | January 24, 2012 - 00:10
I understand completely and hope your story gets the high number of comments it deserves. You've been a great addition to this community and an example to us all with your ratio of comments given to work posted. Think how wonderful it would be if everyone followed your lead.
tcook | January 24, 2012 - 16:35
Agreed - and I think that the advice you have been given is excellent. Around 1500 word chapters are ideal - and over the course of time you will find that those who have arranged their longer work into this format keep gaining readers. It's all a matter of keeping the attention going on a screen - and if you can do that then you can do most things!
scratch | January 24, 2012 - 17:48
Thanks OP and Tony. Sage advice from one and all, I find myself once again indebted to you all.
Indrani Ananda | January 24, 2012 - 20:38
Indrani Ananda
Scratch - I have started reading your "Ursa Major", about 10 minutes worth. I appreciate the quality of what I have read so far. The biggest enemy of reading on here is eyestrain caused by tiny words, and sitting at a table if you have a laptop. Then there is the issue of time allotment, making it necessary to read in small doses. Indeed, there must be hundreds of years worth of indulgence on this site, and it's growing by the day!
I think tcook's suggestion is spot on as it helps with the rationing if the work is long.
Good luck,
Indrani.
scratch | January 24, 2012 - 20:48
Thanks Indrani. Yes the real bugbear is the eyestrain. I am using an iPad and have just realised that it is possible to increase and 'stretch' the screen to increase the font size. My eyesight is poor and I understand what your are saying.
Thank you for starting to read this piece. I hope that it grabs your attention early enough to persuade you to persevere with it to its denouement. Thanks for your interest in this.
andrea | January 25, 2012 - 00:24
'...it is possible to increase and 'stretch' the screen to increase the font size...' You can do that by holding down ctrl and scrolling the middle mouse wheel too (but I expect you knew that already).
http://www.ukauthors.com
scratch | January 25, 2012 - 07:54
Andrea, no I didn't know that, thanks!
andrea | January 25, 2012 - 14:31
Oh, glad to be of help - dunno what browser you're using (I alternate between Chrome and Firefox) but you can usually alter the font size in your 'browser options' too.
http://www.ukauthors.com
Stan | February 23, 2012 - 14:16
'...it is possible to increase and 'stretch' the screen to increase the font size...' You can do that by holding down ctrl and scrolling the middle mouse wheel too (but I expect you knew that already).
Or, if you haven't got a scroll-wheel mouse, or are using a laptop, pressing 'CTRL +' increases the size, whilst 'CTRL -' does the opposite!
scratch | February 23, 2012 - 18:50
Thanks Stan.