Next "Iron Horse" Chapter: To Split or Not to Split · 5:37am Feb 22nd, 2017
...That is the question!
But seriously, I'd like some feedback. The next chapter is going well, but it's also getting a little long. So I need some advice.
Currently, "Shelter, Part 2" is sitting at about 28 pages. But I estimate it could take at least another ten, and maybe quite a bit more to wrap up the flashback story.
Knowing that at least a few of you weren't that fond of the first chapter, I was hoping to have the flashback wrapped up so we could all get back to the action. But to do so would make a pretty hefty chapter, and I dislike making any single chapter too long, and I think most readers would feel a bit burned out after that much. Now, if the chapter goes over too much over 40 pages, I'd split it no matter what, but assuming that doesn't end up happening, I'd like to ask everyone's opinion. Should I:
(A) Split the next chapter into two, more manageable chapters and release them a week apart?
OR
(B) Keep them together and release one extra-long chapter at the next release?
FYI, I am considering cuts, but I'm having trouble removing things without affecting characters or significant details. If you're among those who dislike this flashback mini-arc, then you have my apologies, but - one chapter or two - I'll try to make it worth your while.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
I don't know how long 28 or 38 pages is. How many words is that?
I read too much on the Internet.
4432046 30 pages is around 11,000 words. Generally, a page would be 400 words, give or take.
Thus, 40 pages would be about 16,000. Currently, the longest chapter is "Deep Blue, Part 3," at about 13,700 words.
B. Just keep them together.
A.
Feel like A) would give some time to work on the chapter after these if there que'd up in the same pattern as previous chapters, and make it a bit less dense for those that don't enjoy sitting down with a massive chunk.
B) would be nice because I sporadically read chapters on this site throughout my day, and one single chunk wouldn't be more then a tab kept open for a few hours , but thats just me.
Edit: I really hate typing on my phone. So mamy typos and errors.
4432055
16,000 words is alright for me. If you want a size record, have a look at "Sweetie's Mansion", which has a 53,000 words chapter!
I would like B
I would go with (B), but ever option is fine.
I'm assuming that if you release it as a single chapter or as two, the next one after the flashback would be after the standard two weeks in any case right?
If so, from a reader's point view, I think that the best option would be B, since we would have the chance to get the answers (
). Spliting, in other side, gives the advantage of buffer time for the next chapters...
And a small fact: Nfire's MLP/Bolo crossover Legacy have a chapter at 97000 words... just saying.
Split it. It won't be popular, but it will be the lesser of two evils.
Im all for splitting them apart. That way you can have time to make any corrections you might miss and we the readers have time to process the chapters.
Hm. Well, I've not seen it yet, of course, but I've a preference for A.
Split it. The longer a chapter is, the harder it becomes to edit and proofread. For the sake of your excellent quality, keep it manageable.
I would recommend keeping them separate if the pacing of the story would make it work. Im sure it will, so it would make sense to split. Your choice in the end though, and I would still edit no matter the number of pages.
Current count for my own record-keeping:
-Split = 6
-Lump = 4
Allow me to suggest splitting it...
INTO 3 CHAPTERS! 
"FYI, I am considering cuts"
Why would you want to cut content out? We'd prefer to get more content, not less!
So, I'm saying "split" as well.
4436009 I assure you, if I cut something, it's usually for quality purposes.
In the end, I decided on a split. That seemed to be acceptable/favored to most anyway. New chapter should be out either tomorrow or Monday.