alwaysoverwhelmed

I have one heck of a story and need major advice, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to post without writing a novel because I know that can be tiresome to read. I'm aware that breaking things into paragraphs helps, but even then I have to go over important details that span 5 years.

I've also seen someone advise a poster to write everything out in word or notepad then edit it. I started that too before my laptop got stolen last Friday. It was painfully long, and I'd only made it through a little over half of my story. No bueno...

My other option is to break things up into multiple threads in multiple forum sections since I do need advice on several issues. The only problem I see with that is making sure everyone is gets the full picture.

So what would y'all suggest? I am desperate for help at this point because I feel like I'm going crazy. Thanks in advance for your time.

LaxUF

Start by writing down the biggest issues then put them in chronological order; then summarize each.

alwaysoverwhelmed

Thanks so much for the response. Your suggestion makes sense. I am just worried about people not reading everything due to length. I was actually doing a timeline with the issues from each year summarized, but it's on my laptop that got stolen.

Love Song

I think it would be better to break up your problems and post them in different threads in different areas of TAM. I have been finding that lately when I see a thread with an OP that is super long I pass on it. I would like to help but those posts make me more aware of my time and other things I could be getting done.

So yes try not to write a novel. You can if you want to and some will respond to it but not a lot of people (if that's what you want).

alwaysoverwhelmed

Thank you! I was starting to favor that as my best option. I do want as much input as I can get because the situation is complicated in many ways.

LaxUF

If it is complicated and people need background/details then breaking it up into multiple threads may confuse the issues and will send you in circles for following up.

Sounds like you have a lot going on so keeping things simple is probably in your best interest. Just be as concise as possible and let people know you will elaborate or provide more detail if they need it.

moxy

Just post a little at a time. See if you can summarize the major problems in your relationship in 10 sentences. Give us the status or issue that you're most worried about first, then give us the background as vaguely as you can. People will start responding. You can start filling in the gaps. If you worry to much about how to start a post, you never will, and then help is deferred yet again. Just do it. Just post whatever you can in short paragraphs.

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EleGirl

Don't break things down into several threads. If you do that posters will not get the entire picture of your situation.

In two sentences each what are the three biggest problems in your marriage? Answer that to get you started.

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heartsbeating

Just start typing...

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arbitrator

I went very long on mine and was still fortunate enough to have quite a few folks who took their time to read it. Conversely, the length of someones story makes absolutely no difference to me. Provided that it contains an interesting byline, I'll read it no matter what the length. I fully agree with Hearts: it's time to start writing!

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Hope1964

Yeah, don't spread your posts out over different sections.

Do a very brief coles note version, then a longer one for those who care to read the details.

Nine times out of ten the details don't matter anyway. Except of course to you, which is as it should be.

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lamaga

Just echoing the hope for paragraphs, as well as standard English -- if you don't capitalize first letters of sentences, I'm unlikely to read.

(which you do. I'm just sayin'...)

Truly, some people will skip long posts, others won't -- you should tell your story as you see fit.

DayDream

This is exactly what I was thinking.