How (not) to scare away potential readers? · 11:27am Sep 14th, 2013
So, I had some random little idea for a story about six weeks ago. I started writing it a week later when I had some time, thinking I'd end up at maybe 8,000 words or so. Just a quick, but actually plotted/planned story -- unlike the two hour contest that resulted in Desperate Times. Apparently without that kind of contest deadline though, my brain doesn't do "short." I'm currently at 30k words, and think I've got at least another 10-15k to go. In other words, it's kinda long, and that's what I have questions about... first though, you may be wondering what the story is about.
The tentative title is "Three Wishes", and it's about the CMC. The trio discover that they aren't like normal ponies, and that, like the mane 6, their lives and origins have been intertwined since long before they met. As I've been writing this and the scope has grown, I feel like it's become a bit of a high wire act. Not content with a simple slice of life or single idea, my muse insisted on trying to squeeze in everything it could. Now, not only does it feel like I'm working without a net, but like I'm also juggling a couple dozen flaming chainsaws as well. I hesitate to give away too much, because part of the excitement in the story is the CMC discovering the secrets of their past and their own natures. Some of the smaller things that I've packed in aren't major spoilers though. For one, I had to bring in even more myth than there is in the show already, including stuff from Norse, Jewish, and Arab mythologies. Dash gets a lecture on wave drag, compressibility, laminar flow, and other trans-sonic aerodynamics. Scootaloo finds out why her wings are so small. We get to meet Rarity's grandfather. Applebloom learns how Applejack got her hat. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon get their comeuppance. Sweetie Belle fits her entire hoof in her mouth. Princess Celestia visits the High Chieftain of the (Viking) Caribou. And Pinkie Pie has a 500 word run-on sentence about cupcakes. Technical details went all across the board too... a lot of it is third person omniscient, some third person limited. Within the main story are several framed, first person stories, as various ponies involved recount their parts in the mystery, each with their unique voice and style. (I'm still trying to balance AJ's accent between "authentic" and "readable.") Apparently I had to aim for all the emotions too. There's a lot of lovingly sad (and just sad-sad) parts, numerous happy ones, things that should make you angry, moments of wonder and surprise, and epic scenes of awesomeness that will hopefully leave the reader feeling like Freddie Mercury with his fist in the air.
So yeah, I know it sounds like a recipe for disaster (or at least worm-filled cupcakes), but against all odds, I feel like I'm somehow pulling it off. Only time (and reviews) will tell of course. I'm trying really hard to remain nonchalant, but I'm really proud of what I have, and it goes without saying that I'd like as many people as possible to read and hopefully enjoy it. Not that every author doesn't want that for every story, but this one grew way beyond what I'd originally planned, and I'm now a lot more emotionally invested in it than I should be. On the writing side of things, I know all I can do is just make it the best that I can... and I'll be asking for some help editing and prereading things when I get closer to completion. In the end, if people read it, and it's judged not to be a good story, that's fine. My ego isn't that fragile. But I do want to give it the best shot I can at least having the chance to be judged.
So, I'm curious how best to publish the thing so as to attract (or at least not scare off) potential readers. I worry that if I dump 40-50k words in one go, people won't take a chance on something that long from an author they haven't heard of. Conversely, publishing one or two chapters at a time -- even with a promise of regular updates -- leaves that scary "Incomplete" stamp on the thing. At the same time though, a prolonged publication schedule might keep it in people's minds for longer, meaning more of a chance they'll recommend it to friends and whatnot if they like it.
So I ask (the few of you who'll see this) what is less likely to scare you away from trying a story from an unknown author, a high word count, or the incomplete tag? If you write too, I'm curious what your experience has been with your own readers, and... to be quite mercenary about it... what garners more readers overall? Likewise, any other tips for getting noticed... without resorting to lame tricks like cheeky/cloptastic titles and cover art?
Also, if you'd like to preread and help me polish this story, watch this space. I'm hoping to get in some solid writing in the next few days and wrap it up, but with the way this thing keeps growing, it could be another couple of weeks just as easily. When that's done though, I'll be asking for prereaders for the "big picture" stuff like plot holes, confusing sections, "this part really sucks," etc, as I (hopefully still) have a volunteer lined up for the technical editing already.
1st) Put a picture of that as cover art.
2nd) Chapters are fine.
You have a number of chapter’s worth done, except for editing and pr-reading. So here is my advice. Make sure the first release is at least over 8k words so it can be featured. This can be split amongst multiple chapters. Also keep your chapters around the same length.
If this ends up being more of an epic that works better for say, a hour long sit down aim for 7-11 k words a release. If it works better in chunks try not to go below 3.5k as it tends to look like your trying to get extra views at the expense of the story. I recommend at least 4k for something serious whereas silly tends to run lower and a 2k release can be acceptable then.
Release a new chapter on the same day each week. Make sure this day is announced in the synopses along with the fact that you have x many chapters effectively done sans making sure the following chapters have what they need to build off of. Also have a blog post for the release schedule posted. This way interested readers will look and see commitment and something else interesting and are more likely to follow.
Reddit/social media. I don't use it myself because I don't social media well. EQD could also work, and even if you don't care they can make some good points, though they can make bad points as well. You can submit to EQD before posting the story as long as they have your password to the story for viewing purposes, to do this I believe you actually need a password btw.
Try and submit your story mid day so that it hits toward the end of the day for submissions. This way you are more likely to have it up for longer. Same with chapter updates. Once you get some followers the chances of getting attention go up with each chapter release.
Also try to keep chapter releases at about the same time each night. This way people who tend to adhere to a rhythm or schedule will see it over and over and that, in and of itself, is intriguing.
Try not to have your synopses look like a block of text. Seems like common sense but the problem is that the box for it makes all texts look kind of blocked, thus keep paragraphs about half their normal length. If it can fit without needing to click read more do it.
For cover art it need to be original, it can be from the show but things that do well should be recognizable, but not common. It also works to have it be, in large part, a set flat color. Example: Rarity flipping her hair in front of a fire filled background.
It also helps if the synopses, picture, and title all have the same feel. Example my upcoming story. As you can see it is all silly, but not too random. It all involves Pinkie and Dash, even though the story focuses more on AJ and RD. I did something different in that I start with a disclaimer that is actually meant to grab readers, much like how on Tv there is the "warning, mature content" warning that actually gets more people to watch.
At the same time I stress NON-EXPLICIT, Apple/Dash.
Thus drawing the eye and being upfront so as to avoid giving the wrong message, which bothers people and gets down votes.
If you want I can take a look at it this week but I can’t promise being a full time pre-reader. Most important here is to use Google docs. It’s kind of poor to write on but it’s fabulous for editing. Also make sure to have your editor’s/pre-reader to only have comment rights.
TL/DR
Then TB/FO
P.S. let me know if this helps or any questions/disagreements.
Almost forgot. Don't thumbs up or favorite your own story until after it's posted. It won't count for feature.
And you do want to thumbs up to get rid of the red bar in the rating section.
1349208 Thanks, a lot of things I'll keep in mind there. Probably won't have flaming chainsaw cover art though. Gotta save that for the blog post.
I think most of your length suggestions are all right in line with what I was already aiming at, so that's good to know. Currently, I think most of my chapters are 4-6k words for the most part, with the first few being a bit shorter. I've got scene splits marked throughout though, so it's pretty easy to shuffle around the chapter breaks, and I was planning to try to even them out once I completed things. Also, if I go the per-chapter schedule, I definitely plan to post more than one to start with. I want readers to be able to get to the first big plot hook/reveal on their initial go. Hmm... I just did an exact word count up to that part of the story. It combines to exactly 8,039 words. Convenient, no?
I think I'll try submitting to EQD (that was already in the back of my mind) but... I'm not really involved in any MLP communities on reddit or elsewhere, and so it'd feel disingenuous to try and plug something there.
While I wait for other opinions on the chapter vs all-at-once schedules, I guess I need to think about the title and cover art. So few pixels to work with for the cover, but I'll figure something out. I'm always torn on titles though. If I know people are reading it anyway, I prefer simple and elegant. More so when it ties into the story and a reader gets that moment somewhere in the middle where they go "Oh, NOW I get it!" Sadly, I fear "Three Wishes" isn't very catchy or original though. Definitely will put more thought into that.
I'll be happy to help:
With pre-reading, but most of your questions are questions I have as well. I tend to post chapters as I finish them, and so far, that's worked out to being about every ten days. But then I've only ever made the "featured box" once with chapter six or seven of "Infinite Number of Pinkies," so I'd hafta guess that I'm doing it wrong...
Mike
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Well, if I manage to get my grubby little hands on a pre-reader copy I'd be happy to help bounce ideas back and forth.
1350759>>1351305 Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I promise I'm not very demanding... Mostly I'm looking for opinions and advice on what I've got, not some detailed "oh, please help me rewrite every scene" sort of thing. That and the chance that a few extra sets of eyes can spot major mistakes before I publish them. I'll be in touch once some of the editing is complete, so hopefully it'll be as quick/easy to read as possible for ya'll.
Also, through a night of sleeping on this, as well as Piquo and TNAB's advice, I think chapters does make more sense. I figure if someone sees a title and synopsis is either interested or their not. If they are, but are scared of the incomplete tag, then they hit "read later" and it still converts to a view at some point hopefully. I don't expect to actually make the feature box, having very few followers and no reputation, so delayed views shouldn't matter as much. Besides, at 50k words, people might also do read later because they lack the time.
I'm thinking about twice a week though. For one, because I don't want to draw this out all the way to new year. Secondly, because it might help prove I'm actually hitting my schedule to people. Also, because it let's me do a bit of an experiment, and see how the numbers change between a weekday and weekend, and hopefully, how those change as the story gains readers too. Lastly, because... well, if I were a reader, I would really want to know what happens next without waiting a whole week each time. I know with web comics, I stay a lot more involved in ones that update at least twice a week than the weekly ones.
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Sounds like a plan. I'm looking forward to it. Though you will want it mostly done, including edits and pre-reading, before releasing twice a week. I know I won't be able to commit to that but I might be able to knock out a few chapters here and there to get a head start.
A bit late to the party, but here goes:
1. Definitely go with a regular release schedule. It will give you more coverage and several smaller chapters of 4-5k words are a lot less intimidating than one big 20_000 word brick.
I would personally not release more often than once a week; it can be overwhelming as a reader to come back to a story on the weekend and suddenly find you are 12_000 words and three chapters behind. Above all though, make sure your release schedule is not too rushed or stressful for you.
2. If you have not already completed the entire story when you start releasing chapters, make sure you and your editors have a well outlined plan for your story's plot. All too often it seems that an author will start a with an intriguing, promising premise but then loose direction 4-5 chapters in, causing the plot to meander out of control and dissolve like a salt covered slug. Inevitably the story gets cancelled to the dismay and sadness of all. Adventure type stories seem particularly vulnerable to this blight.
3. Interact with your readers in the comments. Have fun with witty replies and teasing, coy answers to the readers' questions about future spoilers. It can provide yet another hook to the readers to keep them coming back for more.
4. Have fun! If this starts becoming a laborious chore, you are doing something very wrong. Since you most likely are not being paid to write, please do not overwork yourself to the point where ceases to be fun and enjoyable and starts becoming work. (And if you are getting paid to write, what are you doing reading this? Get back to work!)
Just my twopence worth...
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1. Yeah, I definitely intend to have a regular schedule and stick with it. Just basic courtesy to me, that you should do what you say you're going to. The timing of the releases, either once or twice a week is still under consideration though. Some people hate waiting a week on a cliffhanger, others don't like being overwhelmed if they didn't have time to read during the week. Hard to balance.
2. My absolute number one concern. As a reader, nothing is more frustrating than getting stuck halfway through a long adventure when it's abandoned by the author. The novel I'm working on here is almost complete. I'm finishing the last chapter and epilogue now. So that shouldn't be a problem with this one. In the future though, I plan to never publish something until I'm sure it's going to be completed.
3. Yeah, definitely good advice, and what makes this community a community, not just a one-way outlet for stories.
4. Heh... definitely. If I wasn't having fun, I'd be writing something else, where there could be even the remote possibility of pay/publication. I think that's maybe some of the appeal of writing in this fandom though. It pretty much has to be for fun, as it's fanfiction for a little kid's cartoon show. You certainly don't write this because you want to look cool in front of your friends and coworkers, you don't do it because it'll look good on resumes, and (unless you're Pen Stroke) you can't exactly sell it for publication.
Anyway, thanks for the comments... all good things to keep in mind here.