If it's online on a writing site, then definitely in chapters. This site, for example, has a word count maximum of 10,000 words per submission, so it would force you to break it up into chapters anyway.
Try to ensure your first chapter is attention-grabbing and immaculate as far as 'sloppy bits' or grammar/spelling errors. Your first chapter is going to either make or break your potential fans, so if you want a reader to stick around for the rest, you want it to be really good.
If you can turn them into stand-alone stories that are somehow linked, it has an even better draw. Readers are less likely to click on something that says "chapter 4" when it hits the front page unless they've already read chapters 1-3. Stand-alone segments of a series can be appreciated by anyone when there's no homework reading required first.
Most of my stories are between the 8,000 - 10,000 word mark and I have several that have over 100 votes each and 7 of them have over 30,000 views. Four of these tales have linked series/chapters.
Technically if I was going by my own experience, I would think that people prefer longer stories and enjoy series instalments... lol
I'm only saying this because I don't think people should be put off from the idea of writing a novel/novella or a series just because they think they're unpopular or won't get an audience. I struggle with writing shorter pieces, so I think that ultimately people should just go with whatever best fits their writing style or storyline.
I will say that stand-alone stories or a linked series with individual titles do far better with views/votes than things labeled "Chapter 1, Chapter 2" etc. A great example on this site is Buz's College Series - it's extremely popular and while it's all linked with common characters and progression, each story can be read and enjoyed on its own.
And if you're breaking down a 30K novella, you have to be careful to find natural breaks in the story if there aren't already specified chapters. I guess there's no right or wrong, but I think there should be a natural rise and fall of action in each chapter.
Thanks for your input, I guess a person would be less likely to read something that says Chapter 2 or 3, I've written a 15,000 word story to finish off my "Stacy" series and I would rather keep it as Stacy's Story 3 rather than adding a Chapter 4. Alsso I wouldnn't want to do Stacy's Story Chapter 3 Part 1 of 2 because that's just wrong. I wont be able to make them both stand alone stories of course because it's two halves of the same story.
God knows what I'll do with the other 40,000 word story I've written.
I put a lot of effort into my chapters and they get better and longer as they progress, which is why I'd hate to put people off by having too many chapters!
Well, for what it is worth i refer you to HollyShamrock () who wrote a wonderful series which she posted in consecutive chapters. I got so into it, it was rather like a soap opera in the way each chapter gripped and held. In the end, I have no idea whether she published as she wrote, or had the whole thing written and simply released chapters as she saw fit. Either way. I found I couldn't wait for the next chapter... and O they were so sensual and sext too
I certainly wouldn't be put off reading a story broken into chapters - it's very common on this site, I find. In fact, the only two stories I've written for Lush are under one title, with a Chapter One and Chapter 2. I got some really nice responses for both... though I'm currently banging my head against a brick wall, writing Chapter 3!
And Dancing Doll is bang on (as usual!) - the first chapter is key to encouraging readers to stay with your story.
I have written both long and short stories, and see some really good points on here about how to handle the longer ones. I will certainly apply some of these in the future.
