Format/Pacing Question

[kshah777]

I'm working on my first few issues of a story, and trying to stick to the 22 page format. Unfortunately, the story arc I wrote so far is 27 pages from beginning to conclusion... should I split up the two sections and have a sort of cliffhanger ending in my first issue, and then resolve the crisis and start something new in the second issue, or try to tie up the story right away? I'm open to suggestions. Another things is, should I abide by the 22 page rule? I seem to remember most people suggesting that was the best guideline to use in terms of length. Awaiting your thoughts!


Also, Happy Belated International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Answers may be in the form of pirate talk.


:bounce:

[true_illusion]

depends, is it an ongoing title, a miniseries what?

If its ongoing it would probably be better to split it up, give them something to come back for in issue two then in issue 2 you give them something to come back for in issue 3.

Otherwise if you wrap it up there will be a slight less intrest in the following issue. If they get the end, they can walk away clean and not get involved in the second storyline. If its a cliffhanger that grabs their attention they will be forced to pick up issue 2 to catch the end, and in doing so get themselves caught up in the second storyline...

[Buckyrig]

Are you self-publishing or trying to get a publisher? That is a big concern. If you are going to put it together yourself, do what you want without potentially pricing yourself out of selling the book to anyone. If you are submitting, stick to the format. As far as splitting it up, I could not say without knowing the specifics of the story, but split it naturally if you do. If not, fit it into 22 pages. Cut it unmercifully if you need to. Some productions will cut Shakespeare for time constraints, so you can definitely cut your story somewhere..

[Papercuts!]

Also, if you're self publishing, bear in mind your total page count needs to be cleanly divisible by four. Unless you're going to have interior ads, if you go with a 22 page story, you're going to have two blank pages left over. So either cut it down to 20 or 24 pages, or expand it by one to 28.

[j giar]

Are you self-publishing or trying to get a publisher? That is a big concern. If you are going to put it together yourself, do what you want without potentially pricing yourself out of selling the book to anyone. If you are submitting, stick to the format. As far as splitting it up, I could not say without knowing the specifics of the story, but split it naturally if you do. If not, fit it into 22 pages. Cut it unmercifully if you need to. Some productions will cut Shakespeare for time constraints, so you can definitely cut your story somewhere..
Bucks got a point! If your self publishing. The first issue always sells better than the second..and so on and so on! See if you can cut it to 22 without sacrificing plot or pacing!

[Scribe]

Cut any backstory.

I refuse to think that there isn't a raw story out there that can't be better paced by cutting 10 to 20 percent.

[j giar]

Cut any backstory.

I refuse to think that there isn't a raw story out there that can't be better paced by cutting 10 to 20 percent.

I believe Stephen King follows this same rule!!!