One Long, Few Short?

After the last blog “Balance Between Fantasy and Reality” (http://soapboxmarie.blogspot.com/2014/02/balance-between-fantasy-and-reality.html), I received an interesting tweet:

"Nice post but why incl all fake tweets when 1 or 2 make your point? Doesn't that just keep them "out there"? Need to edit!"

Here was my reply:

Thanks for reading the blog :) It's hard to answer that tweet in 140 characters though. So, I had to do this …

In answer to your question "Nice post but why incl all fake tweets when 1 or 2 make your point?"

You do bring up an interesting point/debate. I wish I could answer it in a short tweet. It’s not that easy.

In my opinion and experience, one or two incidents might make the incident "unique" and isolated; so no cause for concern. In fact, someone could ask “it’s just 1 or 2 tweets, what is your problem?” …

But, by showing three (3) to five (5) tweets, it shows a growing problem and the severity, thus “the problem”. Some of those were “continuation shots” to show the comments or notes about the photos as I did not include the links to the actual posts (for several reasons).

There's only so much room in a screenshot. To be honest, I'm not one who likes to do something half-way. I like to be thorough. It’s one of my faults.

Why did I include the comments/notes?

They’re important as it shows the mindset of the individual with regards to the fantasy/reality line (main reason for the post). Photos along with comments have a different impact, again just my opinion.

The "follow-up" was necessary as it showed the person did not "get it" (after being talked to), and continued the behavior. Again, a growing problem, especially if excuses are being made i.e. "they’re just kids". Either they didn't get it, or they didn't care … again, part of the reason for showing multiple posts.

"Doesn't that just keep them "out there"?"

Sadly, anything posted on the internet will always be “out there”. Once out there, always out there. Photos shared on Facebook will remain even after the original account that posted them is deactivated. If someone has shared, re-tweeted, re-posted, re-blogged screen-capped, etc … it is always “out there”.

That was another hidden point of the blog. It will always be out there. I hoped by including them with the blog that people stop and consider before they post something.

“Need to edit!”

If you’re referring to the length of the blog, this is what happens when an issue grows and festers. There was a lot more I’d wanted to say, but left out.

If it is about the “pictures”, again, that was to show the severity and depth of the issue. As a writer, sometimes I let pictures speak for themselves. That often takes more than one picture. Again, catch-22 – show less could mean no problem; show more and less could do. There is no “right” way to do it as everyone is unique.

I will review comments and suggestions as they come in. So far most people have enjoyed it as it was presented. As of note, most blog writers don’t edit after posting unless it is to add updates or if they’re asked by legal parties. It is merely my opinion based on an experience. It’s just to educate and inform. Each person sees things differently.

I do thank you for reading and tweeting me with your concerns though. I hope you have a wonderful week!

…

After I sent the rather “lengthy” reply the person thanked me, but still critiqued the length of the post.

Honestly, I had thought of a multi-part blog, but two problems with that:

1.) Where to "divide" for topic(s) and background I needed to cover

2.) Would people read all of the posts?

“Short & concise” can be the best, sometimes not. If there is a deep, complex issue … you can’t always be concise. You have to explain, in depth, what the issue is and why you have the problem with it.

If it is something you can relate to, you should include background information so the reader can connect and identify with.

While the reader made a point that in order to educate and inform, people have to “read it”, there is the problem of people not wanting to read anything that conflicts with their point of view.

It could be a simple 140 character tweet or a 1500+ word plus blog. If someone is NOT interested, they will not read it – now “THAT” is short & concise.

If they are interested, it doesn’t matter how long or short the post is. After all, look at the lengthy “Twilight Series Saga”. Some readers LOVE the books and don’t want them to end. Others think they’re too long.

Because the “Twilight Series Saga” seems too long, does that mean Stephenie Meyer should go back and re-write those books? I’m guessing no. If you like it, you’ll read it; if you don’t, it’d likely be too long at 50 pages.

See what I did there? :)

Now, if I had done multi-part blogs, there is no guarantee the person reading it would read the others connected to it. They might read parts one (1) and two (2), get offended and not see the conclusion in three (3) and four (4). Ergo, my point wouldn’t be made and the reader would ask me “why didn’t you put it all together?”

I would tell them another reader wanted me to shorten it, and I’d get “I don’t like it”. Fair enough. Can’t please everyone.

Having a longer blog posting ensures all the answers are there, and it is the responsibility of the reader to see it to conclusion. If a reader doesn’t want to finish it and they get offended mid-way, then it is the reader’s fault for being lazy and not finishing it.

Sorry, I was raised to see something through to conclusion. If not, then it was my fault and no one else’s.

So, do you write a long, lengthy blog post and hope someone reads it through to the end?

Or

Do you do a multi-part blog and HOPE the person reads all of them to see and get to the point?

As I had stated previously, “there is no “right” way to do it as everyone is unique”. I don’t know if the person read that part, but it was there. That applies to most things.

There is no “right way” to write a blog. The writer writes the way they’re comfortable with. And, maybe even based on their own reading preferences.

Why?

Because, each reader is different. No writer is going to or could cater to all genres or a reader’s preference.

To better illustrate … imagine a writer trying to write ONE type of book to cater to ALL genres: fantasy/reality/sci-fi/young adult/erotic/historical/crime/romance.

Whew! And, there are some I might have left out.

There is NO possible way of writing something like that. To have the “erotic”, you’d have to leave out the “young adult” (ages 10-15). If you want to cater to the Y.A reader, you’d have to leave out the erotic element.

Reality and fantasy cannot be connected either.

Again, there is no “right way” to write it. A blog is in some ways, a short story. If a reader is even the tiniest bit interested, they’ll read it … if they aren’t, they won’t.

I do appreciate constructive feedback and criticism. I appreciate that we all have a reading preference.

I write the way I know and feel comfortable with. I also write the way I like to read. Sometimes I do prefer multi-part blogs; other times I like the longer ones.

I could change the way I write to suit one person, but another might not like it.

Person “A” likes a long, lengthy blog; person “B” does not and wants multi-parts. I appeal to person “A”; person “B” takes an offense and doesn’t like it. So, I appeal to person “B” and offend person “A”.

See where that gets you nowhere?

There is no right or wrong way to handle it.