should I try to publish this?

[MasterOfWritersblock]

So I wrote a small 150 words teaser for my new character that serve as a sort of prologue and teaser for the part 2 of my story. At 150 it's too short to publish as a stand alone even though it's not an exert from another story. On the other I don't really have an idea how to make it longer because it's just a single scene that aims to create expectations on how this character will get in the story. As for addend this short paragraph to another chapter it just feels out of place to end a chapter with "here a new character yet unnamed and cut back to the main story." Because it doesn't not connect to the narrative other than showcasing the character like its a trailer.

 

[sinfantasy]

Min acceptable length is 750 words at Lit. If you want you can try to make it 750 words and try this challenge submission.

 

[Naughtylit81]

Since it is a prologue to a chapter just put it at the front of that chapter.

 

[gunhilltrain]

So I wrote a small 150 words teaser for my new character that serve as a sort of prologue and teaser for the part 2 of my story. At 150 it's too short to publish as a stand alone even though it's not an exert from another story. On the other I don't really have an idea how to make it longer because it's just a single scene that aims to create expectations on how this character will get in the story. As for addend this short paragraph to another chapter it just feels out of place to end a chapter with "here a new character yet unnamed and cut back to the main story." Because it doesn't not connect to the narrative other than showcasing the character like its a trailer.

You are overthinking this. Either put it at the end of chapter 1 or the beginning of chapter 2. I've been here for years and I doubt the readers will notice or care. If you wish, give it a subhead that explains what the point of it is.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

If the 150 word character bit doesn't fit into your story, it isn't part of your story and can safely be left out of the big story entirely. Cutting stuff you already wrote is part of writing, for the enormous majority of writers.

If I just made you mad and you say, "But it has to be in chapter 2!" then put it in chapter 2, and you're welcome.


-Annie

 

[TarnishedPenny]

To be honest, I have several gigabytes of short bits like that, all carefully filed away for the day they prove useful.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

You are overthinking this. Either put it at the end of chapter 1 or the beginning of chapter 2. I've been here for years and I doubt the readers will notice or care. If you wish, give it a subhead that explains what the point of it is.

This. Actually, this is done a lot in film.

If you put that at the end of Part 1 it'll work just like a Stinger, which is the scene that happens after the end credits. If you put it at the start of Part 2 it'll work like the short five-minute films that play before the opening credits to introduce the protagonist; something that movies like Drive do.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

At the very least, you can add it to your author profile page. No guarantee people will read it, but it'll be something. I often look at profile pages to see if authors have anything to add about their stories.

 

[Audiflex]

So I wrote a small 150 words teaser for my new character that serve as a sort of prologue and teaser for the part 2 of my story. At 150 it's too short to publish as a stand alone even though it's not an exert from another story. On the other I don't really have an idea how to make it longer because it's just a single scene that aims to create expectations on how this character will get in the story. As for addend this short paragraph to another chapter it just feels out of place to end a chapter with "here a new character yet unnamed and cut back to the main story." Because it doesn't not connect to the narrative other than showcasing the character like its a trailer.

Hmm, that’s a tricky one! A 150-word teaser is definitely too short to stand alone, but I get why it feels out of place to tack it onto another chapter. Maybe you could expand it slightly by adding a bit of internal monologue or setting details to give it more weight? Alternatively, you could save it as a bonus snippet to share with readers later, like a “deleted scene” or extra content once the story gains traction. Or, if you’re feeling creative, you could weave it into the narrative as a flashforward or a mysterious interlude. Either way, it sounds like a cool teaser, hope you find the perfect spot for it!