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Oh chapter my chapter?
Oct. 21st, 2016 12:48 pmSpeaking of comments and critique, I could use some advice on chapters, chaptering, and whether/when/whatnot, if anyone has thoughts on the topic.
I've had two commenters on different stories object to said stories being long but not chaptered--When a Man's an Empty Kettle (Almost Human John/Dorian) at about 40K words, and The Sound Below Sound (LotR Legolas/Gimli) at about 35.5K words.
The Almost Human commenter said "Far too long for a one chapter story" and implied that she therefore might not have read it, without explaining why, but the LotR commenter went into more detail and talked about "at many stages I found that I'd love to comment or applaud but unfortunately it's not easy going up and down each time. Plus I would have to give a proper ref as to which part I was doing it for etc." Apparently chaptering felt mandatory to her in order to "comment as you go".
So what do you do with a completed one-shot story that's not a WIP, not written with chapter breaks in mind, but is long? Do you ever chapter it, apparently to provide some kind of ease in commenting? It's not actually something I've ever thought of, because I've never had trouble remembering (or skimming back to find) bits I wanted to quote or comment on.
After that comment on the LotR story I did vaguely consider retroactively chaptering it, but admittedly have not yet sat down and done a fresh close reading to figure out where I would put chapter breaks if any. I am seized at the thought by a foglike blanket of ennui. But if it makes big stories easier to read somehow, more welcoming or whatever, I could imagine putting in the work. Is it a developing custom, or a comment-coincidence, or...?
I've had two commenters on different stories object to said stories being long but not chaptered--When a Man's an Empty Kettle (Almost Human John/Dorian) at about 40K words, and The Sound Below Sound (LotR Legolas/Gimli) at about 35.5K words.
The Almost Human commenter said "Far too long for a one chapter story" and implied that she therefore might not have read it, without explaining why, but the LotR commenter went into more detail and talked about "at many stages I found that I'd love to comment or applaud but unfortunately it's not easy going up and down each time. Plus I would have to give a proper ref as to which part I was doing it for etc." Apparently chaptering felt mandatory to her in order to "comment as you go".
So what do you do with a completed one-shot story that's not a WIP, not written with chapter breaks in mind, but is long? Do you ever chapter it, apparently to provide some kind of ease in commenting? It's not actually something I've ever thought of, because I've never had trouble remembering (or skimming back to find) bits I wanted to quote or comment on.
After that comment on the LotR story I did vaguely consider retroactively chaptering it, but admittedly have not yet sat down and done a fresh close reading to figure out where I would put chapter breaks if any. I am seized at the thought by a foglike blanket of ennui. But if it makes big stories easier to read somehow, more welcoming or whatever, I could imagine putting in the work. Is it a developing custom, or a comment-coincidence, or...?
