I've just this week started a blog that focuses on the world of Steampunk, Dieselpunk and New Pulp, in all their glorious forms. I think I've done my homework, and my groundwork. I've drafted posts almost a month in advance (I had hoped to have a larger cushion of posts-in-advance, but my mother died two weeks ago, obviously an upheaval that affected more than just my writing schedule). I'm working on my online presence through social media, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc.
I have big plans for this blog: book reviews, movie reviews, linking to videos and webpages, showcasing cosplayers, musicians, conventions, artwork, etc. I also plan to serialize my own original fiction on the blog. It makes sense; classic Pulp was renowned for serializing stories.
And the fiction is what poses the problem. I've been reliably advised that a good length for a blog post does not extend beyond ~3000 words, and ideally closer to ~2000 words. My chapters generally run in the 3000-5000 word range. Breaking them up seems an unreliable habit to get into; sometimes breaking it up works, sometimes it doesn't.
Is it okay to have a 5K word blog post, if I don't make a habit of it? If I warn the reader ahead of time, "This post is going to run long, get comfy before you start reading"? Or should I just bite the bullet and break it up into pieces?
I have big plans for this blog: book reviews, movie reviews, linking to videos and webpages, showcasing cosplayers, musicians, conventions, artwork, etc. I also plan to serialize my own original fiction on the blog. It makes sense; classic Pulp was renowned for serializing stories.
And the fiction is what poses the problem. I've been reliably advised that a good length for a blog post does not extend beyond ~3000 words, and ideally closer to ~2000 words. My chapters generally run in the 3000-5000 word range. Breaking them up seems an unreliable habit to get into; sometimes breaking it up works, sometimes it doesn't.
Is it okay to have a 5K word blog post, if I don't make a habit of it? If I warn the reader ahead of time, "This post is going to run long, get comfy before you start reading"? Or should I just bite the bullet and break it up into pieces?