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I need YOUR advice.

I've been trying new things with how I release stories lately; experimenting with shorter posts, without a focus of a 'payoff' in each post but rather trying to take my time in building a quality narrative without feeling rushed. I'm still working on improving how that workflow looks, but I'm curious...

Preface; I'm going to write what I want to write, that's not really what I'm talking about here, this is purely about how editing and releasing goes.

Between "Brotherhood" and "Tent", which post style do you like more? Again, I'm not really talking about narrative here, I want to know about how it gets released:

Do you want to see longer stories with full 'acts' within a single post? This would be a multi-chapter, 3-to-10-scene long post.

Or, would you rather see shorter, (potentially) more frequent posts covering 1-3 scenes or a single 'chapter' at a time?

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Added:	3 weeks, 2 days ago 24 May 2025 17:58 CEST

23 Comments on this Journal

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beforethefall

3 weeks, 2 days ago

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And I truly welcome anyone's input on this, really. <3

StupidSquirrel

3 weeks, 2 days ago

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Because of how my dumbass ADHD brain works I generally prefer shorter stories because they're easier to get through and I don't get distracted as much. I mean obviously you know I'll still read the longer ones but shorter is definitely easier for me. You can always smash the parts together in the end to have a single full length monster later to drop with the last chapter like I'm gonna do with Christmas if you go the shorter chapter route, but I'm fine with either.

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ StupidSquirrel

Hahha, fair dude! I like the idea of combining the whole story into one big 'book' at the end for those who prefer a more long-format read.

I also need to steal what you're doing with your chapter listings in the description of the posts, instead of using only pools to collect things. :p

TheWolfsDen

3 weeks, 2 days ago

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I haven't gotten around to reading Brotherhood yet (just skimmed through it) but I can say that Tent's format is more appealing to me. It gives room for development and the pacing is great! I don't mind waiting in between chapter either.
My only concern with more frequent posting would be if you overburdened yourself with having to post within a time frame, if that makes sense.

In the end, you can stick with both! If you want to have a slow build up because the story arc calls for that, then you can just have a longer chapter; but if you're feeling inspired enough to write and post one chapter after the other then go off man! :3

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ TheWolfsDen

Thanks so much for sharing your input! I kind of agree after thinking about it and reading these comments that ultimately it'll probably vary from story to story. I definitely understand why people would prefer either.

It seems like doing more of a 'both' approach would be better for those stories that have endings; maybe group 'parts' by acts and then re-release the whole thing together when it's finished.

And for ongoing/less formal narratives, maybe I can stick with the shorter single-chapter posts that are more improvised (like Brotherhood is). :o)

HairtriggerHyena

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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I usually prefer a single longer, complete chapter, but tbh whatever you feel fits your work better bus probably the way to go ^^

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ HairtriggerHyena

That's fair! I definitely dont' want to go any less than a "whole" chapter for my posting frequency, I feel like that would be too short. But the chapter-to-chapter progress would keep the posts flowing more regularly too.

But the act-by-act (3-ish chapters together) frequency gives a little more substantial reading to those who care for that as well. It's a tough call really! I think it might just have to come down to what would work well for a given story. I have some with planned endings, others that are open-ended (like Brotherhood).

HairtriggerHyena

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ beforethefall

I've actually been debating doing something similar just so I can start posting stuff more often, I just wish IB had a slightly better way to do chapters in a single story than making a pool

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ HairtriggerHyena

IB's reader and importer in general could use an overhaul. I'd love to see basic HTML import (converting HTML tags to bbcode) especially, but allowing bookmarks to be placed and a 'reading list' to be queued up would be awesome too. And more consideration for the reader UI in general, because a lot of screen space is wasted on non-reading stuff as it is.

filthpanther

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ beforethefall

THIS! Also if it could interpret rich text that'd be great. I always miss something when going back to insert bbcode for italics. Alternately, being able to draft and edit right on-site before publishing would be nice!

EclypseSkunk

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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I wanna say "why not both" here.
Release in chapters while you're writing. You have more posts and interactions that way, so more people get eyes on your work.

Then when an arc or storyline is done cap it off by making a big post for folks that don't mind waiting in order to take it all in at once.

If the big posts do considerably less in views than the small ones, you know they aren't working and can phase them out.

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ EclypseSkunk

Solid idea, really. With how I pool stuff I do worry that the pools might get a little messy if I do 'both' during the course of writing a story, but if I find a good conclusion in stories like Brotherhood (which are unplanned and kind of improvised from the top down) maybe it can be bundled into a 'season 1' sort of thing.

Bigger stories that DO have a planned end (like one that's upcoming~) might do better from a chapter-by-chapter for the reasons you state. :o)

Thanks for taking the time to share your input!

filthpanther

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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I love the long ones, but definitely having every chapter as its own shorter upload might be better workflow-wise, and you can always write the entire story and post a chapter every week/few days/whatever, it builds suspense and keeps your audience coming back! Not that I'm one to talk with regards to regular uploads.

Another advantage to shorter posts: your name shows up more often on the front page, so you can pull in more readers who might see chapter 3 and then jump back to chapter 1 for context.

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ filthpanther

Some great considerations here too. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't trying to find ways to get more readers, but at the same time I don't want to just dominate the new feed with a post (or multiple posts) every day XD

The fastest pace I think I could hold up is a post a week and god that's even hard. Once every 2 weeks is probably my sustainable max for short stuff. :p

One thing I'm not keen on is writing something and sitting on it, just to fit its post into some kind of post schedule. I tend to post things as soon as I finish an initial editing sweep and then do subsequent edits with the post live. :P I think that's part of why I'm asking this because I do get really excited to share new stuff with people. Ask SS, I've spoiled so many stories by throwing a WIP at him and being like HEY WHATS YOUR TAKE ON THIS SCENE XD

filthpanther

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ beforethefall

I'm the same way! I've always said I'd like to pre-write everything and have a regular schedule but I'm more prone to sending screenshots of my writing app to people as I go. Half the time I don't even edit properly, I'll just post it (usually in the middle of the night when nobody's reading :p)

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ filthpanther

The struggle is real. :o) Hard to keep stuff 'secret' when you're excited about it

Torben

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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I think it would have to depend on the story in question. I think that frequent updates for Brotherhood probably makes more sense. I can't picture Tent coming one chapter at a time, at least not now when I have the benefit of being able to read parts 1, 2 and 3 all together. I see above (right above this comment box atm) your posts with filthpanther and I'm the same way; I can't sit on something finished. I can barely edit before I want to post and get it out there! Which yes, leads to some editing after it's up. My existing writing is posted elsewhere, but largely due to your stories I've been feeling more and more inclined to write things and upload them here.

beforethefall

3 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ Torben

You should totally post here!! I'm glad I can serve as a bit of inspiration for people. :o)

I do agree that Tent would be a hard one to read a chapter at a time, mostly because the chapters tie so strongly up to the next. And I totally agree, now that I've seen the input from others, that "It depends" is going to be the general idea. Whatever feels right for the story and all. Appreciate your input!!

TheFurWard

2 weeks, 1 day ago

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Edited 2 weeks, 1 day ago by Owner

Honestly, it really depends on how long it takes to read. I don't really read like other more experienced readers, where they read by looking ahead (if that makes sense). I tend to literally take each word in as they come and comprehend it as the sentence continues. It's a slow way of reading, but... well to be honest, maybe as I've gotten older I've developed a minor form of dyslexia, so I may find myself confused if I read ahead. Now, if I'm scanning a document or wall of text, yes, I'm reading ahead. But I'm looking for keywords.

So, to the answer: it depends on how long it takes to read. If I have a full day free, I can spend a lot more time sitting and reading a long submission. But, if I have a preference, I'd choose shorter submissions.

beforethefall

2 weeks, 1 day ago

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@ TheFurWard

I really appreciate this insight. It's super helpful for me. :o) There are definitely some stories that are better suited for longer single-posts, when they have a strong narrative thread that doesn't resolve for multiple chapters, etc., but a lot of what I've been interested in lately have been shorter things. Little vignettes and slice-of-life things in different flavors that lend well to shorter posts.

redgreenylw

1 week, 5 days ago

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Personally, I prefer reading stories in a chapter-by-chapter basis, it gives me some clear elements I can focus on and helps me to concentrate. Chapters let me go at my own pace I think.
I also think full "acts" are desirable too because the reader will be able finish the story and feel satisfied with the conclusion.

beforethefall

1 week, 5 days ago

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@ redgreenylw

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it. :o) I've said it a fair bit in this thread but I definitely see how both could be appropriate given the right situation - so I think I'll continue with a little bit of a mix. More drip-fed stories alongside longer pieces occasionally, like our Treehouse and Tent stories.

redgreenylw

1 week, 5 days ago

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@ beforethefall

Sounds perfect!

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