The Short Post

[Tydeus of Tion]

Infrequent conversations about post length prompted me to make this.

Four years ago, I thought short posts were the bane of play by post RPGs.

Today, my stance has almost entirely reversed.

Short posts are generally criticized because they do not do enough character or scenery description, which can be true.

However, the problem is that once a scene has been set and characters are in dialogue, paragraph upon paragraph of internal monologuing and exposition, while useful to provide occasional views into the character's thought process or situation, can eventually become monotonous for the other writer to read.

Ever wondered why many writers highlight the speech text of their character in a thread?
Answer: because it's usually the only part that matters.

This is why short posts are often superior to longer posts when characters are not in combat and when the scene has already been established.

1. Flow. Ever read a book? Ever had a conversation in real life? Unless they are telling a story, people usually don't drone on for two full paragraphs. It's usually one to three lines, then the next person speaks. Short posts allow this to happen quickly, sustaining the momentum of a thread.

2. Time. Personally, I value my own time and everyone else's. Too much exposition wastes time. Same for monologuing. If our characters are having a conversation and I encounter a 1,000 word wall of exposition, chances are it (1) took you a long time to get the energy to write that and (2) probably is not actually contributing that much to the conversation itself.

In summary, I am not saying short posts are always superior to long posts. There are many problems with both. However, I do think that consistent posts over 500 words in a conversational setting are a roadblock to progress.

Takeaway: next time you find yourself scratching your head, trying to figure out how to come up with enough words to make a reply over three sentences, and feeling the urge to just close the tab... just write those three sentences and hit post. I guarantee you that the person you are writing with would rather have a post than nothing at all.

 

[Khull]

Its not the quantity that matters, its the quality. A writer/rper's responsibility is to keep the flow of the story going.

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

This is why I haiku

 

[Ashin Varanin]

150-350 does it for me. Any less and it feels like there's no effort involved; any more and it better be a dang special occasion.

 

[Onith Trill]

I have been getting shorter and shorter since writing myself, unless it's A) An opening post or B) a solo thread. I need to put some internal thought in there because I'm just hardwired into thinking I need to, but I completely agree. 150-350 as [member="Ashin Karrde"] mentions is a good sweet spot

 

[thegreatbeyonder]

I find myself writing about 250-300 words on average. Sometimes I'll pop out a 500 word post. Really though I tend to write to the length of those I'm writing with, perfectly fine with long and short posts (just so long as it's not like 2k+)

 

[Eddak Manod]

Ever wondered why many writers highlight the speech text of their character in a thread? Answer: because it's usually the only part that matters.

I mean, if you want to ignore the fact that they just did a freaking ballerina twirl and flicked you off while sunglasses appeared on their face, okay then. Haha.

Jokes aside, the highlighted speech is to help with reading. Not everyone has the ability to read well.

Wonder why we're supposed to bold and separate things in the Codex/Factory? So it's easier for everyone to read. Of course, of course, paragraphs can get insane and you should break them up.

Personally, I post whatever my partner prefers. I could do multi-para, I could do small paragraphs. I have fun either way, and I don't criticize someones post length. Usually, what upsets me is the poor grammar, spelling, and misuse of words (Although I usually don't call them out on it or put them down). I'm what you would call Flexible.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

100% agree

 

[NightSister]

Usually I try to make my posts a respectable length, and I like to try and roughly match the other person's post size, but I don't go out of my way to lengthen posts. Quality not quantity and all the rest.

Occasionally though, I do just start writing, then scroll up and realise I've written like 1000 words. Love that feeling.

 

[Fatty]

Honestly I find it more difficult to make short posts, its just in my nature to ramble on and on. It's usually an effort for me to decide... "meh, maybe I don't really need that paragraph to be relevant here", or "maybe I can merge these two since they have a common theme and are unnecessarily separated".

But I understand the logic and wish I could emulate that

 

[Connor Harrison]

I'll write as much as the other writer allows me to give, and will never judge another by their post size.

If it helps drives the story, that's all I need. They may not be as creative or as imaginative as myself to spin a large post, but that's fine. I would never not write with someone for that reason. If the heart is there for story, I'll work with it.

I like to do a post that is just natural and to the point, expanding only on key emotions or descriptions of battle or locations to help give the reader enough to visualize my words in their head.

It may be 300 words, it may be 900. As long as it's not forced, then that's all that matters.

 

[Tydeus of Tion]

They may not be as creative or as imaginative as myself to spin a large post, but that's fine.

I suppose I should have reframed my argument, since what you just said speaks to the heart of it. In the spirit of brevity, I'll keep it short:

Short posts do not automatically reflect a deficiency in creative ability, just as longer posts do not automatically reflect a superior writing ability. But people think that they do, and this thread was meant to get them to rethink that stance.

 

[RC 212]

I've always been a fan of shorter posts. Sometimes nothing much needs to be said.

Usually if it's a wall of text, I skim it and then try and pick the end so I can go off of that. It takes too much time to read and lets be real, sometimes folks are lazy. I like to break up massive posts with lots of spaces between them. Also my eye is drawn to the speech first and then I read the rest. The color makes it the first thing I spy.

I find huge posts kill the momentum of the story. Do you action, do your thoughts and your speech and then let the other guy have a turn. Make it short, but make it sweet.

 

[Connor Harrison]

[member="Ryan Korr"] And I totally agree. Sorry....the sun was out today in the UK. It went to my head.

 

[Netherworld]

[member="Ryan Korr"]

I pretty much did that same journey. Used to be I'd vow on 500+, but in recent years-ish I've come to appreciate the short post.
You can write it relatively quickly, it can be read quickly, too, and most importantly, it doesn't require you to think of a hundred additional things to describe just so you'll get that length.

I'm not saying any kind of post is inherently good or bad. I've done both, still do both. Depends on the situation really, but I tend on the shorter side these days.

 

[Vrak Nashar]

Personally, I've always thought that post lengths entirely depend on the situation.

Sometimes you have to spend time describing the tiny details of your surroundings, your characters emotions, etc. That's not always the case though and it shouldn't be.

I think equating quality with length is a huge mistake and you're far better off just writing what currently fits with the situation. If your character requires 10 paragraphs describing the color of their hair, then by all means write away but then don't expect others to do the same thing as you.

Most of the time, short and terse posts can be far more effective than lengthy one.

Like that old short story; "For Sale; Baby shoes, never worn."

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

I often get shorter posts once the thread has got going. The only time I write really long posts is if my char is on the move, in a npc fight, or opening. I do however try to make in interesting 2-3 para post.

 

[WolfMortum]

While longer posts feel better for me personally (I can take pride in a fairly decent size post), it can often come down to a couple factors.

My IRL greatly influences my ability to write, I've got a family to look after and my time isn't as frivolous as it all used to be back when I was a teenager (I miss those days terribly).

My writing partners also matter a great deal, for some it's a matter of posting off of various devices (Ie, Phone or tablet) where as others don't always have the same preference in RP styles as I do.

At the end of the day, as it's been said above, I'm happy to keep the threads going even if I do feel better about making larger posts purely out of pride alone if nothing else. I don't understand the criticism around length of posts when it comes down to sharing threads with a variety of peoples all who can contribute from differing perspectives to inspire a great story.

 

[Jsc]

The older I get, the less I care about any of it,

"Ma' name ish Gab. I am Jedier from planet Abss. Who ares y? We shouds fite!" - Roleplayer Joe

^ Good enough.

 

[Soeht]

OMIT NEEDLESS WORDS