[SpaceWeavil]

I need a bit of advice. Which do you reckon is better - a mammoth, long story with loads and loads of chapters, or splitting it up into different 'stories'?

I'm thinking about this for 'And in the Darkness Bind Them'. Ideally I would like to make it one story, but if I do, it will be absolutely massive, and I would think this'll put a lot of people off (that's if the subject matter, lack of established 'sexy' characters etc doesn't put them off first ). It would divide up easily into seperate parts, but I don't think it would be possible for the parts to stand alone, if you know what I mean. So although the stories would be shorter, you would need to read the previous stories or that part wouldn't make sense. So in that case would it be better to keep it as one?

I really am not sure what to do with this and have been trying to decide since I started writing the thing, but I can't, so I thought I'd throw it open for opinions. As I said, I would ideally like to keep it as a big, self-contained story, but would that put people off?

[SilverMoonLady]

If the parts can't stand alone, I'd just as soon see it as one larger story, but then I'm hooked:)
But really, I do think it will be fine as a large story; it has worked well for others in the past.

[VanatheEverYoung]

I love long stories, but there has to be a cap at some point. If I see that a story has 125 chapters or such (yes, I did see that once), then I tend to think that the writer is just rambling on and on and on with no point to the story, so I skip it. You know I'm hooked on Darkness, so I'll read it anyway. But, later on when someone new to OSA stumbles on Darkness and sees this massive story about Ringwraiths, they might skip it.

[NancyBrooke]

Maybe I have a short attention span ... I would be much more likely to read a series of stories than one mammoth one. I have limited time online and often can't finish more than a chapter at a time. Consequently, I usually don't even try chapter fics (my loss, I know) unless the subject matter is irresistable.

An important editorial question, however, is the one SML brings up: will the parts stand alone?

[SpaceWeavil]

[NancyBrooke]

You sound like you're not entirely happy with it yourself, ... and, first and foremost, I think you should be writing for your own enjoyment ... the fulfillment of an idea etc.; heck with what other people will get or not get. So, soldier on!!

But, maybe, just maybe, you might be having to go through this to find the heart of your story. Perhaps, when you get to the end and can see it as a whole, you might find you're able to trim it down to a more readable version more likely to please an audience if that's a concern for you (and it sounds like it is). (insert hoping-to-be-helpful-shrugging emoticon here)

I know that's currently happening with my fic: I've just about completed the second chapter and already I'm trimming the fat out of it. But I had to write out everything to think it through ... now I'm finding out that a lot of what I had to get on paper isn't really important to tell the story.

[SpaceWeavil]

[Eruanna]

[SpaceWeavil]

I just ried chopping it up and fiddling with it, but I actually think I'll leave it alone for now. I'm thinking it might be easier to slice and dice it once it's finished than it is now. Or at least I'm going to leave it a while before I decide whether I can change it to make it work as little stories.

Of course I could try not being so damn verbose in the first place, in which case the problem wouldn't arise...

Maybe I should finish it and then post it of course... (but that would be sensible)

[SilverMoonLady]

honey, I know what you mean:) I definitely find that for every 10 pages I write, only mayb a third of that ends up in the final version of it all, but the other stuff has to come out before it is trimmed. This would be why I have a very large stack of stuff in my "hack & slash" pile right now: lots and lots of trimming to be done.

Go ahead and write it up as it comes; I don't yet find anything in your WK story that doesn't seem to belong there, and I *like* how very substancial your writing style is:) Rather like a good meal!
Sil
*awaiting the next course eagerly*

[Viv]

[inglor]

Maybe for each section you could add a little prologue that would bring the reader up to date. I haven't read said fic (though it is on my to read list) and don't know if this would be workable but...

Inglor

[KhazarKhum]

First off, it's a wonderful story, and a good read.

Are you worried about what happens when the later Nazgul come into play? Or are you just concerned about the current story???

Oh, and I sure think it's as good as "Cursed Queen"!

[SpaceWeavil]

The way I've worked it out, the other Nazgul come into it as part of the Witch King's story as well, if that makes sense, rather than individual stories. They all sort of weave together later on. Although they're not all involved with the Witch King directly, his 'story' is like the main theme through it all. (I have no idea what I'm talking about ).

It sort of divides up into sections therefore by the stages he's at, rather than by 'Ringwraith', if you get me. That's why I'm not sure if it would be okay to split it, as it all runs on like one big story. Just it's going to be one long story,

[SilverMoonLady]

Nothing wrong with a long story, so long as it is a good story . And this one is:)