Ok, color me crazy on this one (by the way, that color is henna) but why do so many of the recent story posts become chaptered stories? Im just wondering cause I dont see that many shortened, one submission type stories anymore.

Should I be doing the same too? Ive got one story I havent finished yet thats been sitting on my hard drive for the past 3 months and Im trying to decide to make it into a one story only thing, or to make continuing chapters.

Just thought I'd ask.

Ian:D

By all means do the chapter thing. Just watch where you make the split. In any story if you go through it, it will naturally separate itself into concise parts. Start reading your story with that in mind and when it separates into another complete thought or part stop and cut and paste it into a first chapter.

Sometimes it helps to do that. People want to find out how it turns out and their feedback sometimes stimulates you to finish it.

Please, by all means, let us read the first part of it.

Thanks!

A-1

Please send any responses to this account, I screwed up my other one, and cant get it to work straight...

Ian

If anyone wants to read a rough draft of this story, e-mail me and I could send a copy of it to you.

Ian

It varies from person to person as to what type of story they like to read. I know there are readers who don't read ANY of a series until the Author declares that it is done. Others prefer one part short stories. I LIKE multi-part ones.

According to the Story Hit Stats, however, series over 2 parts usually lose about half of their original readers by the posting of the third part. This has happened on almost EVERY multi-part story here, folks, believe it or not.

Frankly, it's up to the Author to post as he wishes. It's up to the readers to read them and give feedback!

:p

Paolo is right about the drop in readership after the first part, but consider this:

The readers who drop probably do so because either the sexual orientation isn't their choice, or the nature of the story isn't their choice, or the story elements aren't their choice.

For example, my favorite types of stories are gay penectomy stories, and my favorite ones are where the man choosed to lose his penis.

So if a straight, testicles only, dominatrix story comes along, it's harder to keep my interest. That doesn't mean it's not a great story, just that it might not fit my tastes as much as another type.

For multipart stories, there is the 'disadvantage' that people know already what type of story it is and generally what kinds of story elements they will find in it. THAT'S why readership drops off, not a reflection on quality at all.

The readers who remain are fans who's interest probably closely match those of the author, or who enjoy the author's writing style, or there's some other 'hook' that keeps them interested.

Take two great examples ... Charlie's 'Andy' and Paolo's 'XY-n' ... both of which I love/loved very much ... I read every chapter. Now, they contained basically testicular castration although Paolo has thrown in some nullification as well. The stories are so well written, the emotions and characters are so real that all other bets are off as far as what would be sexually interesting to me.

So what am I trying to say here?

1. Don't get discouraged at the drop in readership for multipart stories -- the people who continue to read are true fans who are interested in the story and the subject matter.

2. If you want to write a multipart story specifically with the intent of having a broad audience ... include a wide variety of sexual and castration themes into the story, and/or

3. Write realistic characters, place them in a realistic setting, and develop them along with a plot and theme throughout the story. People respond to real characters with emotion ... and that's one thing that makes an awesome story!

Isn't he just so eloquent?

:p

I enjoy both the short stories and the stories with multiple chapters. I tend to write chapter stories because I like to include some insight into the motivation of the characters or the psychological issues involved. That tends to result in longer stories. I try to make each chapter a "stand alone" short story that connects to the other chapters. That doesn't always work out.

Some days I crave a Big Mac. Sometimes I need to sit down in a nice restaurant and have a seven course meal. There are times when a "quickie" in the back seat of a car is exciting. There are times when it is better to stay in bed all day having sex for hours.

But that's just me.

In response to Ian

I also like to have a variety of short stories and chapter stories in the archive. The short stories are often more poignant, but the chapter stories are more suspenseful.

In response to Bboy's #2

This is not always successful. I think most people find some things found on this site to be real turnoffs. Thus, including everything might not be a good idea; the EA audience is far too diversified for you to target all of us. My advice would be to just stick to your favorites. Stories that do feel more real, and I'm sure you'll attract plenty of readers whose interests are similar to yours.

Frustration (imported) wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2002 8:36 am This is not always successful. I think most people find some things found on this site to be real turnoffs. Thus, including everything might not be a good idea; the EA audience is far too diversified for you to target all of us. My advice would be to just stick to your favorites. Stories that do feel more real, and I'm sure you'll attract plenty of readers whose interests are similar to yours.

And it should be remembered that there are also a few of us who do not bother with the fiction stories at all. I happen to be one of those. Just do not have the time or inclination. I'm sorry, but I have so many other things to do, other interests, and a time shortage. Perhaps after I retire in 5 or more years?