I would like to suggest that an author strongly consider the necessity of breaking his/her story into multiple parts before he/she does it. It seems that the most common reason for doing this is to create suspense. I would prefer seeing the suspense created with words rather than having to wait to find out what happens next. I think it is rude. I think that the only good reason for a "part 2," or more, is that the author feels the story line can be expanded upon, hence why we have many sequels out there in the world of writing and movies. However, the successful sequels typically aren't "chapters." What I'm trying to express is that I feel each post should stand alone. It should be a complete story. If the author posts a sequel, the sequel should be a complete story with just continuing use of same characters or setting or plot. The preceeding is my opinion which has developed from having to wait for part 2 of a couple of recent posts that I have enjoyed very much. I feel the stories would serve a stronger punch if they were intact.

I think that for most authors, the point of breaking it into multiple posts isn't to create "sequels", as you put it, but rather "chapters" in a larger story. This isn't entirely a bad thing, either. Some of the best stories in the EA have been in chapter format.

I agree, it can be upsetting when you are waiting for the next chapter to be posted, but to me that says more about the patience of the reader than any perceived fault in the author. Nobody can dictate what speed an author will write at, the story comes when it comes. That's one of the central tenets of writing.

IEunuch.

(Who sometimes wishes he was a writer.)

Had to throw my two bits in on this. Personally, I prefer to write a story that is complete....i.e. it stands alone If I am writing a story to the EA then some kind of unmanning is required to meet the criteria of the website....so the story should contain that element in it. I dont personally agree that you can write 20 chapters and FINALLY do it in the end...I mean, it can be argued either way but to me every posting should meet the requirements set up by the webmaster(s).

I have written sequels....I mean, I'll write a story, if its well received, I might write another one in a different twist using the same characters. But each story could be a good read by itself, and I don't leave the reader hanging. Its a personal thing though. I tend to skip the chapter stories.... Its not like the author put the story together, thought it out, made it work, and ended it with a bang (or a slice LOL). Many of them are more like the author started with an idea and wrote it and posted it...then added to it and posted it again...and then did it again...and again....and ad nasaum. Of course, there are some well written sagas that have avoided that trap, but for every one there is there are 10 that have not.

I personally believe that a story should stand on its own and be intertaining, and as well written as the author is capable of. I dislike the typos (and I make them too), spelling errors, etc because they usually mean the author didn't care about the quality. Some great ideas have been ruined in the rush to post them.

So...the pros,,,,,the cons.........THE QUESTION. Chapter stories will continue and I know that as well as anyone. My advice is simple: Just plan THE STORY...all the way through. KNOW YOUR ENDING as well as your BEGINNING. And post it when its represents your best effort. If you want to post it as a complete novel...great. If you want to post it in Chapters, fine...this is a short story archive if its anything. But I'd shy way from the post it as I create it.....that to me is the real problem that keeps showing up again and again.

Nathan

I consider Chad’s suggestion not only impractical but also offensive, given his view that the submission of stories in chapter format is ‘rude’.

I don’t think that eunuch.org or the relevant readers would have appreciated all 69 chapters of ‘The Lycian Prince’ in one go! Anyway, Chad, and those who share his opinion, could always wait, as I know some do, until the storyline of such tales is concluded before starting to read.

I know that that ‘The Lycian Prince’ was exceptionally long but, judging from my mailbox, many readers prefer an episodic format in respect of the lengthier narratives for two reasons. First, they don’t have time to absorb anything longer and, second, they enjoy the cliffhanging endings that can be induced, just as in TV serials. However, I am also aware that others prefer short one-off to-the-point tales, such as Nathan.

I’m a great fan of Nathan’s stories but have to disagree with much of his own message, as I surmise that he has too narrow a view of the board’s remit. I believe that it is correct for eunuch.org to accommodate, as I do in my own writings, various tastes, including those for both short and long tales, whilst tolerating a broad liberal attitude towards the site’s overriding theme.

I know that inconsistencies in postings of episodic tales might irritate some followers. I’m sorry this happens but I do not consider it ‘rude’ but rather the price to be paid to receive the free imaginings of unpaid part-time writers.

PUEROS

Had to add something. Saw the comment by PUEROS and well, have to agree with most of what he said. The story he refers to of course is a superb piece of writing. And he is right on too to say that it would have been impractical to post it all. Its en epic...a real (REAL) story, hot, well done, and oh-so-complete. I have to admit I've written a few insignificant stories in the sequel format ("Running Bear" and "Banded, the Extraction Machine" to name two) so who am I to say?

There are a lot of the chapter stories I do like. What I guess I meant to say is that I personally prefer that a story stand on its own. But that doesnt mean that I feel its "rude" of an author---can't even go there. For the most part, I'm thankful for the author doing his best at whatever he does. I don't HAVE to read it.

Chapter storys have their place. In fact, they add to the depth of the archive. I'm glad for the masterpieces as they are. Still, when I'm going to the archive to look for a hot piece to enjoy in a 15 minute "read", well, the chapter stories usually arent what I'm looking for. They do have their place though, and they aren't rude. PUEROS is right on in his comments and I support what he wrote, even though my original post here implies otherwise. Guess I should have just lurked and kept my mouth shut.........ah..........the temptation.....

Nathan

There are some writers, and Nathan is one, who can set the scene, provide some depth to the characters and still reach the payoff - I nearly used the word climax but thought better of it - all in the same story.

Other authors develop both the story line and their characters slowly. In the world of 'legitimate' literature the same thing happens. It takes different skills to write convincing short stories or epic novels. One difference between those stories on the Archive and the ones you could find in the bookshops is that many of the authors who post longish stories do not necessarily have the whole thing written out in advance. They may have sketched out the thread, but effectively put the flesh onto the bones of a chapter and then post it. Sometimes, they may even amend the story line because of the feed back they receive.

I agree that it can be annoying when a story one is following has a break between chapters. I am desperately hoping that we will get more of 'The Tribes' soon. Long stories can sometimes be shortened, but in doing so one can lose a lot of good material and end up with a very poor short story. Similarly, a short story can be extended, but, once again, what you might end up with is a story which becomes very 'thin'.

All that I can suggest is that if you do not like long stories, don't read them - or, as Pueros suggests, wait until the story is complete and then read it. The last thing that we need is to discourage a potential author by making them feel that their story is in the 'wrong' format.

I have said it before, and will say again as many times as required. We should thank everyone who attempts a story, however poor the effort is. We should thank our lucky stars for the good ones. Just hope that they keep them coming!

LOL

I probably should have said something sooner.

The Author of THE TRIBES has been sick lately. In fact, I'm beginning to worry about him. It could be a while before you see more of it.

As one of the authors of a multiple part, I felt I should weigh in with a comment. While I agree with Nathan to a certain extent that stories should be self contained I also feel that there is a place for the others also. The ideas that I get for the next part of story do not happen until I am actually writing that part. I also enjoying inserting characters that my readers have suggested. I think it makes it more interesting.

By the way Nathan. I think you need to start writing again. Please.

LEE

Maybe what Chad is saying is that he feels it is rude to put out a story in chapters and wait for months between posting them.

Such a thing is very common on television in that:

it is May and the last show of the season, the arch-villian has placed an anti-personnel cupcake in the lunchroom, it explodes with all the good guys eating, then you have to wait until September to see who got toasted.

chad,

are you sure writers (such as myself) are actually being rude by posting multi-chapter stories? that seems like a harsh assessment to make against another person.

i can't speak for other writers, but before even starting a story i devote a lot of time and energy into creating the main characters. i have files and files of notes on each major character that include complete backgrounds and personal histories for each.

by the time all of that is done, the characters have come to life for me. then, i actually do research on things i add to my stories. the water purification project of jack's in the tribes is based on an actual working process. so are the wind-powered turbines. of course, for the stories most of the technical detail is greatly simplified. i also research medical procedures (again, by the time they are worked into the story, they are greatly simplified.) i find it interesting to follow the characters on a longer trail.

whenever possible, i try to make each chapter as independant as possible. but, that simply isn't always possible.

i would love to post multiple posts a week -- but, real life has a nasty way of interfering with plans. professors at school have this silly notion that they and their assignments take precidence over everything else in life. unexpected accidents, illness or just plain work responsibilities also cause regular interruptions.

i admire those few good writers who can write single stand alone stories. but, there are few of those out there. i really don't like the usual stand alone story formula of pick a name, give a vague description, whack off his balls, and type the end. those just aren't that interesting to me. which is why any good short story writer has my greatest admiration.

david