How long is too long?

[magie_05]

Sadly, I'm not talking about anything dirty. I have a domestic fic that's incredibly long already and I'm having too much fun with it to stop now. I suck at editing; like, I can't take out things I liked writing, it makes me sad. But I'd hate to force people to just scroll past my ramblings, too. So....how long is too long?

Poll tl;drSerious question :) I

Comments

[phinnia]

I love you and I love every word you write and no, i am not just saying that.
(to that end the theme of your last one, "embedded in ice" - the whole 'early-relationship-finding-its-feet amid nervousness and not-talking' kind of thing - has been sticking in my head since I read it the first time (i have read it an untold number of times since then.) i like the theme and i want to play with it, giving you credit for inspiration of course.)

[magie_05]

AWW :) Thanks. You know me; I always feel like what I write is sort of pointless, though I have fun with it. IDK, something's wrong with my brain. Awwwww, I would love to see you write that confusing beginning part of their relationship! <3 <3 <3

[shutterbug_12]

Length isn't what's important for me. Not in the concrete sense, anyway. A story that's "too long", for me, is one that includes scenes that do not further the plot, provide relevant characterization, etc. It's not so much about excessive word count as it is about making sure you're telling a tight story, one that doesn't ramble or contains superfluous scenes. This probably isn't what you'd like to hear, but if you're concerned about posting a tightly-knit story, it's a good idea to learn to part with scenes that (even though they might be fun or enjoyable to write) have no unique function in your story. So, if an author writes a story in which every scene has a purpose (and it doesn't have to be grand, but it just has to be there) and is 50,000 words, I'm all for it. It's that whole quantity vs. quality thing.

I can always be a beta if you'd like. =)

[magie_05]

Well, yeah, I get that, honestly, the quantity vs. quality. I think it's just that my quality always feels so doubtful that I don't want to put more 'quantity' in there than I have to. I guess I have trouble figuring out which scenes are needed or not. Sigh.

[magie_05]

Copied and pasted from another comment: 'Well, yeah, I get that, honestly, the quantity vs. quality. I think it's just that my quality always feels so doubtful that I don't want to put more 'quantity' in there than I have to. I guess I have trouble figuring out which scenes are needed or not. Sigh.'

Know what I mean? Arg. I don't think any of my stories could be considered 'tightly-knit.' I don't know why I suck at plot so much; that's annoying.

Awww, you're sweet :) But these little things are not worth beta-ing, being honest. I don't even pimp them, so I just have to do my best and hope that the people who find them on their flist or whatever like them okay. I'm always anxious for concrit on them, though :)

Re: So Don't Cry Delilah

[magie_05]

AWW, you know the song :) I like The Dresden Dolls, they have some cool lyrics.

Well, yeah, but I just don't want to bore people to tears. I'm like this with almost everything; like I never know whether or not to tell people about things I think are funny, because what if I'm the only one who thinks so? I'm insanely insecure is what it boils down to. I'm just going to do my best and hope you guys don't fall asleep reading them :) Thanks! <3

Re: So Don't Cry Delilah

[magie_05]

OMG, I would do that exact thing. GOD, I hope my creative writing teacher doesn't make us do that if/when I take it.

I haven't really decided what to do yet; slept on it and decided that all the stuff I did have down isn't very good. Sigh. I'll figure something out. Thanks for listening <3 <3 <3

[eglvm]

I didn't answer the poll. Anything you write is good. But if it's really long, maybe separate it into parts or chapters. But it really doesn't matter about the length. You're one of the best.....wait, that could be dirty. LMAO!

[magie_05]

Yeah, hee, my poll is all goofy and insecure. I don't want to have to split this one up, since with the format of the domestic series it would be weird. But I'll figure something out. I just hope I don't put you all to sleep...LOL <3

[deelaundry]

So I wrote this story and I angsted all over my f-list about how it was way too long and no one was ever going to read it and begged my f-list to comment even if they didn't read it just so I didn't feel I was a loser, and

that's the most popular story I've ever written.

Go figure.

If it comes happily out of your fingertips, then it's not too long. If it's a struggle to write, then it's too long (or going in the wrong direction). You can always post it in parts over a series of days if you're worried about fatguing readers.

[magie_05]

<3 <3 <3

You are awesome. Kills me that you angsted over this same thing, I mean, it's you, lol, I love your writing, can't get enough. With the format for the domestic series, I'm not sure how splitting it up would work. It may end up being in the neighborhood of 7,000 words, though..yikes. It's all because I had to do characters besides House and Wilson (Wilson's parents). I SUCK at that and the set-up for them coming to visit is all goofy. Anyway. I'll figure something out. Thanks so much for the advice and for listening <3

[deelaundry]

7000 is not too long for a single story. Nope. I am waiting with baited breath. ♥ ♥