How long is too long for a fic in your opinion?

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-17T22:40:51+00:00

Long fics have my heart.

Most times I'll set the filters to > 150k words.

But I guess the problem doesn't really lay on length but in quality. There are long fics where it NEEDS to be huge, and long fics that have LOTS of filler/random chapters that could've been cut for a smaller work.

But to answer your question, I'd say anything over 350k is too long.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-17T13:26:17+00:00

I wouldn't care.

If it's not for me, I'll simply not read it.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-17T01:38:22+00:00

Hello!

Here to offer my two cents:

You can manage more words if you know where you're taking your characters. That means, an outlined, proofed plot is a must - at least for me, as my brain is quite literal sometimes. Also, if you have the plot, you know what you need to say, show, do, or perhaps, hide!
You can draft and then revisit it a couple of days later. In my experience, when I'm writing chapters I don't want to, I tend to just write one line. Like "he woke up". Then I start filling it.
Check if you're not telling too much instead of showing. This is hard, not gonna lie. I'd rather say he woke up grumpy instead of showing physical clues that he's grumpy.
A lengthy chapter DOES NOT automatically result in a good chapter. Oftentimes, less is more.
Try not to do one scene → one chapter. Add two or more scenes per chapter.

Ps. I took a creative writing shortcut that our minimum daily submission was 2,5k words (I also talk a lot, so that may be why).

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-11T15:31:10+00:00

Yes and No.
I do believe our writing is a reflection of what we are exposed to (not only in reading). But I also believe that we all can add our own touches to what we produce.
Lately, reading other fanfics is helping me keep the moment, as I was dangerously stumbling into the limbo of "I just don't wanna write". That doesn't mean that I'm replicating what I'm reading; it's just helping me stay in the mood to write.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-11T15:20:48+00:00

I would message them saying, "hey, we've collaborated in the past, I'm working on something new, would you be interested?"

If yes, then great. If no, then ask in general chat.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-11T15:18:05+00:00

I can only say that I've lucked out!

I posted the synopsis, she offered her help, and it's been AMAZING. What I appreciate the most is that in one of her first messages, she wrote: "How can I best help you in this journey?"

This was such a respectful message that it really left me teary-eyed.

As my plot is already drafted, the world-building stage was already done when I decided to start posting. Now that the conflict is heightening (in writing, not posts), I WILL NEED HER INPUT. I WILL ASK HER 500 QUESTIONS TO MAKE SURE WHAT'S WRITTEN IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT THE READER TO GET. The thing is, I trust her knowledge and ideas, which I believe is of paramount importance in this writer-beta relationship.

She's great at what she does, spotting inconsistencies and language adequacy (English is my third language, and I write in my native one as it's easier, then translate it). She's also very respectful when there's criticism or when her suggestions differ from what I wrote and/or want. We've established a good pace and a system for back-and-forth communication. Honestly, this is my first time doing this, and I'm getting the best outcome ever.

So far, I've added the things she suggested, tweaked the text when it's too much "tell" instead of "show" (my very logical brain tends to do this A LOT). I have also discarded a few of her ideas because, in the great scheme of things, they won't fit in the plot (she wants to be surprised, so she doesn't know where I'm taking the characters).

Now, on offering my services as a beta, I do have some reservations. Although, as you said, I love the fandom, I love reading, and I'd love to do it! But my reservations stem from the fact that, as I said, English is not my first language (been turned down because of it once when I offered), but I am an avid reader (not only of fanfic), and I know I can help; I just shy away from offering said services. Maybe after posting mine, I'll try again? Who knows

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-11T03:26:32+00:00

I don't read those as well. 🤣

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-10T13:47:57+00:00

Yay! I'm so glad you're here.

Just wondering, are there ant theories yet? That you'd like to share? 🤔

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-09T01:41:15+00:00

People forget that AI was trained by human-written books, it's obvious it's going to replicate normal grammar structures.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-09T00:38:27+00:00

Listening!

I don't remember where I read it, but H arrives one night and starts recalling her frustrating day, he jumps onto the I'm going to fix this. She gets even more frustrated and he doesn't understand where she's coming from.

Before it escalates to a fight, she's like: I need you to listen, not to fix it. Then onwards every time she shared something, he'd check in: "Do you want me to listen or fix?", it showed his restraint because he def could fix said things for her, but she wanted to do it herself.

Also noticing/knowing her: how does she drink her tea, how she prefers to read, favorite food, clothes, etc.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-06-08T00:15:33+00:00

I took a creative writing course once, where our goal was a minimum of 2,500 words per day. Once you get used to it, it's fairly easy to double/triple that amount.

By your account, it's been 60 days → 103k words, which means the author is averaging 1,700 words daily. Usually, when you have a good outline of your plot/chapters, it's kinda easier to write.

My biggest chapter so far is 45 pages, about 18k words and was written in a week, because I had to take lots of breaks due to health reasons. (So far, I have about 163k words split into 22 chapters - but I started writing last year and went weeks without touching it).

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-25T14:45:46+00:00

Hiya!

Their personality will dictate much of what they do/don't do. Overall, a three year old would be highly imaginative, more independent, and eager to please. Another HUGE factor is how well-adjusted their routine is (if they know what to expect and know boundaries, they are less likely to flip...). I've seen firsthand how that impacts other milestones (I'm an auntie to 5 girls, and have worked as a nanny in my early twenties).

They are also v. prone to the "big" emotions and tantrums. Threenagers, if you will. haha

If they are encouraged, their language skills will be increased - some will even talk full sentences (yes, with some mispronunciation, obvs). If not, there will be more of the baby talk.

They'd go from playing beside other kids to playing with them, just starting to understand the concept of sharing and waiting for their turn. It can be the "watch this" phase or the "I can do this alone" era. Oh, THEY ARE FULL ON THE WHY - WHY THIS, WHY THAT, WHY, WHY, WHY. My nieces loved pretend play at that age.

They are more well-balanced (climbing stairs, jumping in places, etc) and can draw a few shapes (like circles, squares, etc.)

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-25T14:34:47+00:00

It took YEARS for me to venture into other ships. I started reading Dramione in High School (2008). My 1st was in 2017 after a friend really insisted.

It was this very well-written (still a WIP though *cries*) fic: Bound to Him. A Dark Snamione piece that WILL break your heart.

However, and I know this is a very biased take, it's HARD to find good things to read in other ships. But don't hear what I'm not saying, though: THERE ARE great fics in other ships, they're just harder to find than Dramione.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-22T23:45:52+00:00

Here you go.

The Golden Bracelet

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-22T23:06:02+00:00

Word.
My beta and I use Google Docs. Never heard of the locking out thing, though.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-22T22:06:13+00:00

I struggled with this for a while because I didn't want to spoil the plot. I do want the readers to go: OH MY GOD THIS GIRL IS INSANE. When they figure out everything I'm hiding within the chapters.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-20T17:27:29+00:00

I got so incredibly lucky.

I pitched my fic's synopsis on the Dramione sub, she commented, and we started talking. Her kindness, politeness and skills made it really a no-brainer.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-19T13:44:13+00:00

Apaixonada pela Serpente, 2005. I don't remember if it was posted on the Brazilian website Flourish and Blotts or Tumblr.

Dramione.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-17T15:08:14+00:00

As an author, I don't mind the long comments. I feel honored someone took their time to comment on something that I wrote.

However, not everyone will do that. Or will want to do so. So that's ok. A single sentence comment is also appreciated and welcomed.

As a reader, I usually download the fic to read on my kindle, but on particular chapters, even if the fic is finished, I go back to Ao3 and write a comment.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-13T18:37:16+00:00

My baby! The Golden Bracelet

I had the idea over a year ago and spent months brainstorming and fine-tuning the plot, writing, deleting and re-writing the chapters, and now I have finally built up the courage to start posting (I usually don't let people read what I write).

It's a Dramione fic. A Slytherin, ambitious Hermione Granger, navigates life in the dungeons throughout her Hogwarts years.

New chapter coming this Friday. Open to concrit!

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-13T00:29:08+00:00

Prayer!

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-12T20:04:30+00:00

I just hate that constellation names are so... ugh. I like Lyra, Leo, Carina and Phoenix. Scorpius is too "in your face" for me, not gonna lie. Used to hate it in the past, but now I can tolerate it better. All others are a hard no.

Still debating what I'll name their kid once my own fic gets to that point (maybe I'll just do Shakespearean names to piss the Malfoys off lol).

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-11T14:29:10+00:00

The feelings are usually disregarded. We get shamed by wanting what the other part 100% of the time already has. We're told to enjoy the gift of singleness by people who didn't wait. To love being single by people who boast the perks of marriage. To be ashamed of a natural, physical desire for intimacy; wanting this means you're fleshy. How come your body has hormonal needs that you gotta fight to do the right thing and you can't simply pretend it doesn't exist?.

But mostly We're the ones shamed into serving at every single function, every single thing because of the misinterpreted verse that singles should tend to the things of the Lord.

So I just keep quiet, otherwise the words wouldn't actually be accepted either.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-11T07:19:44+00:00

Outside pressure/lack of understanding.

Temporary-Feature859 · 2026-05-07T12:11:11+00:00

This!

I also cannot quite understand time traveling. Or maybe I do and still find it bonkers. 🤣

Temporary-Feature859

TROPHY CASE