What Is the Longest Story You've Ever Written?

[OneHappyChap]

Longest was around 130k and took 2-3 months to write.
Let me tell you... editing that much content is hell.

[Penni]

My current story (On Tapas) is the longest story I've ever written, even when I was younger and wrote more often it was usually poems or something very short. This is the first time I've taken such a big project! I don't even know how many words I'm sitting at or how many more will appear (I probably shouldn't think about it).

But I am super excited for it regardless

[lpsalone14]

Writing long stories can be EXTREMELY fun, but there comes a time when you try to find a good place to end it. Chapters fluctuate, plot becomes slightly warped, characters develop (although this is fun in my opinion), and motivation can start to become weaker. Despite this, I love writing longer stories since they give me a chance at looking at a different angle and experimenting with how the story progresses. Overall, it's a love-hate battle that gets better as you gain experience! Personally, I don't like the idea of dragging an idea out if I feel no joy in the story; also, if you lose track of where it was supposed to go, you can rewrite it or start a new approach altogether. The longest story I've written was on DA and I...got very sidetracked. I plan on revising it, but it plays on whether I wish to change the plotline altogether; or I could simply tweak it and roll with where it left off and start a sequel. I started out with writing poetry and, then, transitioned to writing small short stories. Don't overstress yourself when it comes to lengthening a series when you've lost your spark. Real fans will read your works regardless; it all lies on you

[WinterRobinhood]

My longest story is Saints and Sinners, which is currently over 100 pages, and around 70,000 words. It's my baby, and I'm actually not done with it yet. I decided to split it up into a trilogy, and rewrite it completely.

[375]

When I was young, I wrote a 100K novel during the summer, edited it and all. But unfortunately I cant write that much anymore XD I normally shoot for 20K or 25K because hey novellas are cool. (also I have carpel tunnel and it sucks like crap)

[djwaglmuffin]

Oh no.

My Magnum Opus is...a 5 part story. A lot of it is still in draft but... if not by words, it's taken a LONG TIME to get done for sure.

I'm so tired.

[LordSeriphus]

The longest story I've ever written is definitely the one I posted on this site. It's about 50 pages long when single spaced. (86 manuscript-style.) So far it's almost 23,500 words.

I still have a lot planned for it. Two parts that will both be longer than my completed Part One. (Part One had some limited events. But I didn't feel adding length or extra events would benefit it at all.)

The story itself has been in the works for almost two years. But I've stopped writing every story I've ever started because of depression kicking my ass. Once I picked the story back up, I busted out, going from 12 pages to 86 in a little less than two months!
(I've gotta get in that groove again for Part Two and Three.)

I can't write short stories. I was in a college course for short stories and the idea I had on the first day is now my completed "Part One." Most of the feedback from my professor came as compliments. (I wrote a psychological fantasy story he actually enjoyed, when he said not to do fantasy or horror in his class!) But the worst feedback he gave to me after class was that I "suck ass when it comes to writing short stories."

I'll always stick to longer stories when writing. (I've been world building for over seven years with a friend, and that world is where my stories take place. We flush entire lives out in our world. I don't think my brain can comprehend the creation of a "short" story anymore...)

[minerrale]

Both of my stories are about 17/18k words by now, and both are unfinished with absolutely NO IDEA how long they'll last or how they'll end, so I'm aiming for about 40k just to limit myself...
Also your rythm is awesome! I updated everyday for a month, but now that the contest is over I'm updating every other day and find it a lot easier. But I see a lot of authors updating once or twice a week so idk what's best...

[LordSeriphus]

I get bored locking in to a single thing all the time, so I tend to do lots of things in order to keep my interest bubbling.

This is why we started working on an entire world! We get bored on something? Go to a different area we haven't touched and create something. Then we can jump around and create whatever we're in the mood for. Mechs? Sure, work on Delfora, then. Magic? Have some dude studying in Crexroth Spire in the ocean. Skating? Mess with the Concrete City.
We're just now learning about stuff we started four to eight years back, and we have our lives planned around the world's creation. It's one solid project, but I'm never bored with it! (That being said, I need to finish something that can count as content. Only my artist has anything worth looking at. xD)

[LordSeriphus]

What's best is whatever you find comfortable, dude. Just go at your own pace. It'll keep you happy, and your work won't get butchered.

[minerrale]

Thanks for the advice! I'll stick to this schedule then, and try to finish before the next Writer's Camp
Hopefully I'll find time to work on my other novel, even though it's in french and shouldn't have that big of an audience, I'd love to have it out of my head

[SynCypher]

Hahah I think that, that's always the caveat with jumping around is getting around to finishing something lol. That being said, it's certainly a fantastic way to keep that creative energy flowing. At least you're loving every bit of it, make it as big and storied as you like.

[morcalivan]

Book 1 of an urban fantasy YA idea = 101 990 words. 538 pages formatted standard manuscript style.

sigh I spent about 4 years writing it, including numerous edits. I think it's currently on draft #6

I believe it might be time to trunk it.

[NovaSapien]

I'd like to read it, what is it called?

[LordSeriphus]

If you ever decide to translate it to English, lemme know. I'm not planning on learning French. (Yet.)

[LordSeriphus]

If you're asking me, it's As Remnants of Reign. If you meant someone else, I'd try checking if they've got a link to it in their profile tab.
Cheers, my man!

[minerrale]

That's planned, but you might have to wait for... a couple of years... or maybe more... I haven't even finished the french one yet

[lil-sea-salt]

When I was in high school I wrote a Nanowrimo called My Dear Mystery that was 44k. It was 50-ish pages. I did it in 23 days. It was really hard as I was juggling college apps and school at the same time and didn't have a laptop so I would write it in breaks.

I enjoy writing short stories now in arcs because it fits tapas bite sized aspect more.

[A-weird-girler]

The one I'm working on at the moment

[SEHarrison]

well, I've never posted on Tapas before (I came over from using Wattpad, and am not currently posting novel work anywhere so posting frequency is not something I've had to worry about for a long time haha) so I can't draw on any experience posting on the site. But my longest story was 184,000 words at final count and ~370 pages in microsoft word (it is completed). It took me two years to finish, mostly for Life Reasons (bereavement, mental health, etc.) which put it on hold for weeks at a time, so I couldn't say how long it would have taken under normal circumstances. My current work in progress is at 86,000 and it has taken me six months to get to this point, including planning time. I'm thinking I'll be done with the first draft by September if all goes well

I don't think I can help but write longer stories. I just don't get the ideas for shorter works. I enjoy getting really absorbed with certain worlds and characters and adding lots of plot elements and by the time I've put all that in, it's evolved into a monster haha. My books average about 110 to 150K words.