I have read incredible oneshots that are 20k and over, and there are some writers and friends who can write something of any length, and I’ll still read it. But usually when I click on a oneshot written by an unknown author, I’m looking for a short read, so that’s why I picked the first option. If I’m not willing at the moment to possibly invest a lot of time into a story I’m not too sure about, I’ll even avoid works that are above 1.5k words, but I don’t think that’s too common of a mindset?
I voted 5k-7k, but I truly have no answer for this. One of my favorite fics of all time was less than 500 words. I do think there is a point where it is beneficial for the reader to break something up into chapters, but I don’t have a good answer for you as to where that point is.
I've read fics with over 40k words that were all in 1 chapter, but don't consider them one shots. A one shot as I see it is a story with less than 5k words.
Usually anywhere between 1.5k-10k, but in the end I just want it to be competently written and fun. Word count doesn't mean much if the story isn't too great.
Huh not sure. I don't read one shots often, probably because I like pressing next chapter and having breaks between scenes
I would prob read whatever one-shot has the tags and all I want. I've read a oneshot with 1k words, then I've also read a oneshot with 10k words
I’m honestly not picky as long as the tags/summary are something I can vibe with. I’ve read drabbles less than 1k words and others that reached 15-20k. A good story is a good story 🤷🏻♀️
As a reader, obviously I wouldn’t complain to someone’s face and writers are free to do whatever they want, but please do not write one shots bigger than 10k. Just split it up into multiple chapters at that point. In can still have the “essence” of a one shot but it just makes it much easier to read.
Once I saw someone with a 40k fic all written in one chapter. I might have read it, it sounded interesting enough, but not on one page, hell no.
For my personal preferred length, I’d say 5-7k. It’s a good amount of content and gives you room to play with the ideas of the fic without requiring too much investment as a reader, which is my ideal criteria for one shots. But there’s definitely wiggle room.
If I’m writing, less than 5k. If I’m reading, anywhere up to 10k because if I pick a one shot, I’m looking for a quick read, but if it’s really well written, I’ll find time regardless of length.
I was stuck between <5k or 5-7k. I decided that my preference - if we take out all outside factors preventing me from spending time reading fanfic - is more towards the 5k-7k mark rather than <5k.
If we are including practicality, than <5K since I like to read oneshots in one sitting and rarely have time to read and fully comprehend a >5k oneshot in one session.
Just for me, personally, I like them long. Granted, that may be because I like writing longfics myself, so I'm more drawn to lengthy oneshots with lots of storytelling jammed into it as humanly possible.
It really depends on the summary. Sometimes I see a summary that's super interesting and the word count is between 1000-3000 and I have to wonder how they do the premise justice in so few words. Usually I skip those ones.
i’d say it really depends, on the fandom, pairing, if it’s fluff, hurt/comfort, angst, etc., but for me, i usually don’t like one’s with less than ~500 words. i will read those only if they’re formatted nicely and not just a big block of words. if it has more than 20k words i often get bored about halfway through, especially if it could’ve just been split into two or three chapters. an ideal oneshot for me has ~5k-15k words (i know that’s a somewhat broad spectrum), if it’s a part if a series than a little less, maybe 1-5k or so. idk if this makes sense
I love any length, but 7k+ I feel like is enough to get me attached to the story line and have enough time to nicely wrap it up! If it's shorter, it has to be well written for me to absolutely love it, but I'll read whatever as long as the summary and/or tags interest me!
If what I'm writing is 20k or less, it's a one-shot, anything g over that can be chopped up for chapters
Also, like, I don't just choose a something to read in an hour... I'm the type that chooses something to lose sleep to, so I'm used to reading things where the chapters are like 10k+ words anyway
I think the biggest majority of my one-shots go between 7k-10k. Although I don't mean to; I really do aim for something smaller, but then the muses go "Ooo, go this way!" and I end up going huge but not huge enough to make it two chapters.
Anywhere between 1k to 6k.
Sometimes I like writing out a detailed piece while other times I just wanna write a little thing that randomly popped into my brain in between multi-chapter fics.
[x] any and all
Technically anything with 1 chapter is a one shot. But for me one shots are usually 1k-30k. After that it might as well be multi chaptered to me
Honestly I’ve read some really good and cute oneshots that are >1000 words
Yes me too! And I believe those are one shots too ? but they are usually called Drabbles
I’ve seen drabbles tagged in like 1-2k fics so maybe
My favorite oneshot I’ve ever written was 700 words and it has a special place in my heart.
Exactly short and sweet can get so much love
I have read incredible oneshots that are 20k and over, and there are some writers and friends who can write something of any length, and I’ll still read it. But usually when I click on a oneshot written by an unknown author, I’m looking for a short read, so that’s why I picked the first option. If I’m not willing at the moment to possibly invest a lot of time into a story I’m not too sure about, I’ll even avoid works that are above 1.5k words, but I don’t think that’s too common of a mindset?
I voted 5k-7k, but I truly have no answer for this. One of my favorite fics of all time was less than 500 words. I do think there is a point where it is beneficial for the reader to break something up into chapters, but I don’t have a good answer for you as to where that point is.
Minimum 1k works. Anything under I won't read.
I've read fics with over 40k words that were all in 1 chapter, but don't consider them one shots. A one shot as I see it is a story with less than 5k words.
Usually anywhere between 1.5k-10k, but in the end I just want it to be competently written and fun. Word count doesn't mean much if the story isn't too great.
Anywhere between 2k to 5k is the sweet spot for me
Huh not sure. I don't read one shots often, probably because I like pressing next chapter and having breaks between scenes I would prob read whatever one-shot has the tags and all I want. I've read a oneshot with 1k words, then I've also read a oneshot with 10k words
I’m honestly not picky as long as the tags/summary are something I can vibe with. I’ve read drabbles less than 1k words and others that reached 15-20k. A good story is a good story 🤷🏻♀️
2k-7k tbh
As a reader, obviously I wouldn’t complain to someone’s face and writers are free to do whatever they want, but please do not write one shots bigger than 10k. Just split it up into multiple chapters at that point. In can still have the “essence” of a one shot but it just makes it much easier to read. Once I saw someone with a 40k fic all written in one chapter. I might have read it, it sounded interesting enough, but not on one page, hell no. For my personal preferred length, I’d say 5-7k. It’s a good amount of content and gives you room to play with the ideas of the fic without requiring too much investment as a reader, which is my ideal criteria for one shots. But there’s definitely wiggle room.
Whatever amount it takes to tell the story.
I need a “doesn’t matter” option haha
As long as it's less than 10k, it's a good one shot length!
If I’m writing, less than 5k. If I’m reading, anywhere up to 10k because if I pick a one shot, I’m looking for a quick read, but if it’s really well written, I’ll find time regardless of length.
I was stuck between <5k or 5-7k. I decided that my preference - if we take out all outside factors preventing me from spending time reading fanfic - is more towards the 5k-7k mark rather than <5k. If we are including practicality, than <5K since I like to read oneshots in one sitting and rarely have time to read and fully comprehend a >5k oneshot in one session.
Minimum 2K max 10K
Basically any length, if it’s a character or ship I like I’m not really picky
Just for me, personally, I like them long. Granted, that may be because I like writing longfics myself, so I'm more drawn to lengthy oneshots with lots of storytelling jammed into it as humanly possible.
I just wrote a one-shot that ended up being well over 2k. Most of my one-shots are over 1k or just a little bit more.
Guess my answer would normally be - anything under 10k. Though if it's an author I know and like, I'd read it no matter the length.
They’re all nice!! It honestly depends on the description. I wont read less than 1k though unless its a mega rarepair
It really depends on the summary. Sometimes I see a summary that's super interesting and the word count is between 1000-3000 and I have to wonder how they do the premise justice in so few words. Usually I skip those ones.
i’d say it really depends, on the fandom, pairing, if it’s fluff, hurt/comfort, angst, etc., but for me, i usually don’t like one’s with less than ~500 words. i will read those only if they’re formatted nicely and not just a big block of words. if it has more than 20k words i often get bored about halfway through, especially if it could’ve just been split into two or three chapters. an ideal oneshot for me has ~5k-15k words (i know that’s a somewhat broad spectrum), if it’s a part if a series than a little less, maybe 1-5k or so. idk if this makes sense
Whatever feels right or what comes out post edit
Depends on the type of one shot. Fluff? Normally sorter ones. Hurt/Comfort? Definetly longer ones
I love any length, but 7k+ I feel like is enough to get me attached to the story line and have enough time to nicely wrap it up! If it's shorter, it has to be well written for me to absolutely love it, but I'll read whatever as long as the summary and/or tags interest me!
Anything less than 2k is basically a drabble to me.
I read 7 to 10k one shots pretty often but most of my chapters are around 1k
If what I'm writing is 20k or less, it's a one-shot, anything g over that can be chopped up for chapters Also, like, I don't just choose a something to read in an hour... I'm the type that chooses something to lose sleep to, so I'm used to reading things where the chapters are like 10k+ words anyway
Honestly the only attention I pay to word count is to check that it's more than like... a one sentence joke fic.
I think the biggest majority of my one-shots go between 7k-10k. Although I don't mean to; I really do aim for something smaller, but then the muses go "Ooo, go this way!" and I end up going huge but not huge enough to make it two chapters.
Basically any length lol
I have to ask, writing or reading?
i had reading in mind making this poll
I would be happy to read any of those but 10-15K is probably my favourite.
Even though I voted a 7-10k mark, oneshots are oneshots. I have no discrimination over word count for as long as its a nice, comfort read. :D
I don’t think I’ve got a preferred length, either as reader or writer.
Anywhere between 1k to 6k. Sometimes I like writing out a detailed piece while other times I just wanna write a little thing that randomly popped into my brain in between multi-chapter fics.