It is not uncommon to see that the description of a completed story still has info about the posting schedule, and/or a note saying tags will be added as the story progresses. As an aid to authors, might it be nice if each story had a notes field for such remarks, which was only shown whilst stories were still 'in progress'?
(Of course, this won't be of any help for already-completed stories, where the authors have not adjusted the description!)
might it be nice if each story had a notes field for such remarks,
There already is a notes field for author remarks. But it's up to the author to use it. It's seen after you click on the story. For example, I have a note in my story "High School Massacre" https://storiesonline.net/s/23609/high-school-massacre
It's titled 'Story End Notes' in the submission system. You can also change the end note through the manage stories section.
Those, yeah - but the example he linked to had author notes on the main page, above the TOC.
Where on the posting form(s) does that show up?
Not on the posting form. It uses the {notice} {/notice} tag and appears before the Chapter 1 heading when posting Chapter 1. So my "High School Massacre" submission for Chapter 1 is:
High School Massacre
Switch Blayde
{notice}
The Lincoln Steele series (published as author S.W. Blayde):
Book 1 – "Steele Justice" (only on Bookapy and Amazon)
Book 2 – "High School Massacre (on SOL and Bookapy/Amazon)
Book 3 – "Death of a Hero" (on SOL, but longer version on Bookapy/Amazon)
Each book can be read standalone, like James Bond novels.
{/notice}
Chapter 1
The boy huddled…
There already is a notes field for author remarks. But it's up to the author to use it. It's seen after you click on the story.
I have seen these in use, but they're not what I meant. I was think of allowing authors to split what they give as the description of a story into two parts: the permanent bit that's appropriate one the story is complete, and a temporary part that is shown with the permanent bit in story listings - but only while the story is flagged as in progress.
(Basically, it's easy for an author to forget to alter the story description
Once posting's complete, to remove any info about the posting schedule. This is particularly true for a story that's being loaded up for automatic posting. So I'm asking if would be easy to add a field that allows an author to give readers (as part of the description) extra info that is only relevant while the story is in progress, viz:
This story is complete, and chapters are posted on alternate Tuesdays.
or:
Tags will be added as the story progresses.
ETA: (which I translate as "wait until this story is complete before deciding whether to read it.")
If you choose to use the Description to post temporary information that is your choice. If you choose to place the information in an end note, that is also your choice.
Either way, you then have the responsibility to delete the temporary information from the Description or the end note when the story has been fully posted. Saying it is "Basically, it's easy for an author to forget to alter the story description" may be true, but it is an excuse.
Why do you feel it is Lazeez's job to create a new feature so you don't have to update the Description or end note you created.
Furthermore, all of that information could be added to an Introduction to the story. Your reader would see it once at the start of the story and wouldn't have to see it on subsequent occassions, but could always refer back to the Introduction if necessary. Some readers choose to skip reading an Introduction, and if they choose to do so, the result will be the consequences of their decision.
Why do you feel it is Lazeez's job to create a new feature so you don't have to update the Description or end note you created.
Ahem, my apologies, I'm a mere reader not an author, and I was just suggesting something that might make it easier for authors to ensure the description of completed stories don't have info that is no longer relevant.
Not a problem. When an author makes a post, their name is underlined. I overlooked the indication that your name is not underlined and spoke as if you were an author. Sorry.
Your suggestion would work. I don't know how much work that would be for Lazeez, probably a lot. I just think adding the information in an Introduction is a better way to handle the information. A second method would be an Author's Note at the start of the story.
Descriptions are limited to 500 characters. Most of the descriptions I've read are useless for getting readers to read the story (e.g. Read it you'll like it). Wasting characters to convey information that has nothing to do with the storyline seems to me to be a waste of characters.
When an author makes a post, their name is underlined.
This is not definitive.
If an author uses a pen name but then posts in the forum under their account user name, you won't get the underline
Came here to add exactly that.
I post stories under a pen name and get to choose under which name I want to comment on stories or post in the forum.
(An example of what I find distracting is this from the description of book 3 from Grey Wolf's variations series:
Likely about 550,000 words. Posting schedule: 3 chapters / week (M/W/F AM).
I've deliberately one of the better authors here, as an indication that anyone can forget to update the description of a posted story when eager to start posting the next one!)