Hey, guys!
Just a quick update — I’m about one-third of the way through the final chapter of Sour Grapes. I’m really looking forward to finally publishing it, not just for everyone who’s been waiting so patiently but also so I can start focusing on some of the other ideas I’ve had brewing for a while.
Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts on my last post about what you’d like to see me write next. There were a lot of great ideas, including several anime fandoms I haven’t written for yet. I’m eager to dip my toes into worlds like Solo Leveling and Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple at some point. That said, I’d like to do those fandoms justice, so I want to spend some time getting familiar with the lore and characters before I dive in. For the next few fics, though, think I’m gonna stick with the tried and tested like Pokémon (which I’ll probably write next) and Naruto (which I haven’t written in a long while).
Now, I’m curious about something. What are your preferences when it comes to the length of fanfics?
When I first started writing, I feel one of my biggest weaknesses was pacing. I had a habit of spending way too much time and detail on scenes that probably didn’t need it. Over time, I learned to rein that in I think, but more recently I’ve gone in the opposite direction and just written whatever felt right, without worrying too much about word count. Lately though, I’ve been considering trying to write shorter, tighter stories. Maybe one-shots in the 5k–10k range, or setting myself a maximum word count per chapter for multi-chapter fics. I feel like forcing myself to work within those limits might help me tighten up my writing overall.
So, from a reader’s perspective, do you have an ideal fic length? Or even an ideal length for a sex scene? Does it depend on the setting, the characters, or the scenario? Do you mind if a sex scene spans multiple chapters, or do you prefer it to fit neatly into one? Or are you perfectly happy with one really long chapter if the pacing feels right?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks and take care!
I say multiple characters sex scene would be cool idea for either a way to transition of a couple having to a threesome scene
Fair enough. I’d want a scene like that to feel like a natural progression of the story rather than just jumping straight into it, so lemme see if I can come up with a workable setup.
maybe you can do shorter paid commissions, just an idea, it may help in terms of incentives, and if it helps, you can utilize it in your passion projects, if not, atleast it’s not wasted time.
Hm, thought about that actually. My biggest concern with commissions though is making people wait for a potentially long time for their fics to be written. It takes me a while to finish my own passion projects as it is and I’d feel bad if someone paid for a fic and then had to wait ages for me to finish it. I’d only do it if I feel confident I can deliver in a reasonable timeframe.
Being honest it always depends a lot on the setting, like if you have done the setup well then I don’t mind the length of the fanfic or the sex scene at all, even if it spans a whole chapter.
That’s probably where I land too. If the setup’s doing its job and the scene feels like a natural payoff, its easier not to notice the length.
In my own personal opinion and preference, I love your first stories because of the build up they would have before a sex scene. I understand you might want to write shorter stories but I totally prefer a slow steady progression as well as detailed scenes. Stories where characters just jump into sex takes the fun out of it.
Thanks, appreciate it! To be fair, I don’t think the build-up is going anywhere — it’s been a part of all my stories and I enjoy writing it as much as the payoff. Even if I end up writing shorter stories, it won’t be because I want to rush the progression. If anything, it’d probably mean trimming the excess and making the sex scenes shorter and punchier while keeping a natural build-up. Characters jumping straight into it has never really been my style either. Every time I’ve tried to write a PWP, I ended up weaving plot into the story ^^’