Posting chapter by chapter

[tinturtle]

In her post today, spikesgirl58 asked whether the writers among us post chapters of long works as they finish them or whether they wait until they have completed the entire work to post it all. I can see reasons for both practices. The thing that puzzles me is why some people post chapter by chapter when they already have the entire work finished. I don't

Comments

[ride_4ever]

I have no answer as to why people do this. I'm just commenting to say I'm as puzzled as you are.

[lee_the_t]

I have seen people say they do it to get more comments/likes/clicks.

[tinturtle]

Hm. I suppose it might lead to more hits, since readers who are following along will have to keep revisiting the page, and possibly more comments. Yet I've always thought it probably leads to fewer actual readers. Like several people who have commented below, I don't read incomplete works. If I find one with an interesting summary that is being posted over time, I might bookmark it, but often I never remember to come back to it.

[huskyteer]

Not everyone likes or has time to read a massive chunk of fiction all in one go - a chapter a week means you can space it out. And maybe pick up new readers, as whenever you post something new it shows up as a recent addition? (Not sure how AO3 works, but going by other fiction-posting sites.)

[tinturtle]

Yes, I suppose that spacing out the chapters does give the work more time at the top of a "last updated" sort, which is the default on AO3. That could be part of it. As to the other, it seems as if those people could read in installments even if the chapters were all posted at once.

[lee_the_t]

That's a good point. Funny, the things you don't think about at all, but that someone who is desperate for attention will think of, isn't it?

Ol' simple-minded me just wrote stories, went "thank god, it's done" and posted them, letting the chips fall where they would. I can't imagine going "Now, how can I make sure I get the MOST attention of ANYONE ...? I know! I'll dribble it out over months! It'll always be at the top of the site's "new" posting list and everyone will see it!"

[huskyteer]

I don't think wanting more eyes on your work, and people following your stories, is a bad thing or a cry for attention. There's a lot of content out there and it can be tricky to get yours noticed by the people who'd enjoy it.

[blondie_54]

I'm not a fan of posting chapters, for the same reason I dislike TV programmes that serialise - I hate having to wait for the next episode. My stories are posted only when finished. The few series I've posted are stand-alone stories that I decided needed a follow up.

[tinturtle]

I don't like having to wait, either, especially with fanfic, where you don't know if the next chapter will ever come. I don't read incomplete works anymore. I've been disappointed too many times.

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