The New Intimacy

Have you ever run out of space when writing a standard review?

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Contributor: B8trDude B8trDude
As a rule, I like to use the extended review template whenever possible. There have been a few times; however, when I've not been able to use it as EF requires the standard format for some (not all) products. As a result, I have now had at least two reviews that had to be shortened considerably because there is a restriction of 800 words for standard reviews. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the word limit for the extended template reviews is higher.

I ran into this problem with my latest review and I'm continually tweaking it in order to include exactly what I want it to say. I really wish that there was a higher word limit. Do you feel the same way?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes, I wish there was a higher word limit for standard reviews.
B8trDude , indiglo , Valentinka , DeliciousSurprise , darthkitt3n , PassionQT , Taylor , - Kira - , Beck , Tagmstr , toxie m , ToyTimeTim , OhMy! , Antipova , js250 , Ms. N , Kindred , Love Perpetua , deltalima , Silverdrop , leatherlover , padmeamidala , LennaKieran , Breas , married with children , wrmbreze , chantal coopette , Kitka , Katelyn , Nazaress , MR Chickhabit , ~LaUr3n~ , Rossie , lilly555 , TrenchcoatHunters , RomanticGoth
36  (75%)
No, the current word limit is fine.
K101 , El-Jaro , mpfm , melissa1973 , Girly Girl , Kissy , Hallmar82 , milfstatus , AHubbyof2SexualMinds , Envy , Nora29714 , FHeemz
12  (25%)
Total votes: 48
Poll is closed
01/09/2012
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Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Definitely. This happens to me sometimes when I'm writing lingerie reviews, since you can only use the standard format for those. I regularly have to go back through and cull my lingerie reviews to make it fit. Often, it does make for a more concise review, but sometimes I feel like I lose a little bit of info too.
01/09/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Voted no because using the experience and personal comments section so far, let's me use as much as I want.
01/09/2012
Contributor: M121212 M121212
Yea I definitely have run out of room on a standard review. It does give me a good excuse to edit down my writing though.
01/09/2012
Contributor: PassionQT PassionQT
I have, but I think the limit they provide is usually sufficient enough. Sometimes I get a little too wordy.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I do end up going into the experience section often, because I run out of room.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I have, but not very often. I can definitely see where it would be handy to have a longer word limit for some things, but for most things I feel like if you're going over that consistently you might be saying too much.
01/09/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
I've gone over, but I think the limit is pretty decent. It's not a bad thing to be tweaking it until it's perfect and concise. A lot of reviews have gotten extremely long, and there's something to be said for presenting the important information in a more compact and effective way.
01/09/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Ya, it happens. I just have to think about the review before starting it. Most of the time I use Word Perfect to write the review, this lets me know the word count before choosing which template to use.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
This happens to me ALL THE DANG TIME!

I can see why the limit is short, if you're just writing run-on paragraphs it could get really repetitive real fast. But since I'm personally making a "personalized extended template," I really wish there was more space. In my P-spot flogger review, for one, I was cutting words out of ever sentence and still didn't cover a lot of what I wanted to cover (like how it actually feels during anal use!?!) or the kind of wood it was.

For my recent Little Afterglow sampler review, too, I ran out of words by like 300 and had to totally skimp on the descriptions of the three not-that-interesting scents. I can only imagine trying to do all that *and* talk about the candle...
01/09/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
I have run out of words as well. I would like to see a slightly larger allowance for words, however as Sam said above, this would make a lot of run-on reviews with repeating, etc. in SOME cases. There are people who do extensive repetition just to make the word limit. You are not one of those, I love your reviews.
01/09/2012
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I'm in the minority here, I guess.

If you run out of words, a good idea would be to go through what you have written and try to tighten it up a bit.

That's just me though.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
In general I think the word count is enough, but there are occasionally some products that require a lot of explaining which results in a lengthy review. It would be nice if we had the same freedom to write very detailed reviews using the standard template, but its not an absolute must. If I think I will go over the word limit, I will use the extended template instead.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
In general I think the word count is enough, but there are occasionally some products that require a lot of explaining which results in a lengthy review. It would be nice if we had the same freedom to write very detailed reviews using the standard ... more
Hrm. See, I wanted to use the Extended Template today because I was putting up the first review of a product. link But it felt so repetitive---I feel like I just type the same thing over and over when I use the extended template.

Any suggestions for how I can make that better?
01/10/2012
Contributor: B8trDude B8trDude
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
In general I think the word count is enough, but there are occasionally some products that require a lot of explaining which results in a lengthy review. It would be nice if we had the same freedom to write very detailed reviews using the standard ... more
For many of the products that use the standard template, the word count is fine and actually helps to edit things done to a more readable review. The problem (I think) is that we can't use the extended template for all products. If we has the option to use the extended template for every review, that might solve the problem. Of course, if we could get just one or two hundred more words added to the standard template, that would help too.

Another minor problem I've noticed when using the standard template occurs when adding photos. The code for the photos is included in the word count which, in turn, reduces that actual number of "real" words that can be used. Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words
01/10/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by B8trDude
As a rule, I like to use the extended review template whenever possible. There have been a few times; however, when I've not been able to use it as EF requires the standard format for some (not all) products. As a result, I have now had at least ... more
I hate when you have to cut back. You spend more time trying to think of a shorter way to explain something.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
Hrm. See, I wanted to use the Extended Template today because I was putting up the first review of a product. link But it felt so repetitive---I feel like I just type the same thing over and over when I use the extended template.

Any ... more
When I use the extended template, I don't necessarily follow the question prompts exactly, as long as I cover the information somewhere. I agree, the sections can become repetitive and I often have trouble figuring out which section to place information. However, the alternative is using the standard template and cutting out information.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by B8trDude
For many of the products that use the standard template, the word count is fine and actually helps to edit things done to a more readable review. The problem (I think) is that we can't use the extended template for all products. If we has the ... more
I didn't realize that the code for pictures added to the word count. You could use a URL shortener to lower the number significantly. I use Google's when tweeting.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
If the word limit for the extended and standard were the same, it wouldn't feel so restrictive. Everyone would get used to saying what they needed to say in the amount of words allowed. But when we're used to using extended, and for some reason have to go back to standard, it can feel constraining.

Like others, I just move on to the experience section when I run over. So far, I haven't had anything that ran over the word count for both sections combined, but if it did, I would find it quite annoying.
01/10/2012
Contributor: gone77 gone77
I think I have a couple times, but to me that just means I need to be less verbose. As a writer it challenges me. I think the word count is fine as is.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I didn't realize that the code for pictures added to the word count. You could use a URL shortener to lower the number significantly. I use Google's when tweeting.
The code counts as one word, at least according to my Open Office writer. A lot of characters, but only one word.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Silverdrop
If the word limit for the extended and standard were the same, it wouldn't feel so restrictive. Everyone would get used to saying what they needed to say in the amount of words allowed. But when we're used to using extended, and for some ... more
I have had things run over both sections. Examples include P spot flogger, Ina, Reflections Beauty, and the Little Afterglows, and that's just what comes to mind. I had to reduce my sentences to lots of choppiness, and still feel like I left a lot of info out (and tried not to repeat myself!).

It does feel really disappointing to have to cut back and leave out info, especially when reviews in the extended template can be twice as long (and often very repetitive). I would use the extended template if I could figure out how to do it without repeating myself all the time But as is, the standard is the better option for writing a straightforward review, for my writing style. So, I get right down to the wire all the time.
01/10/2012
Contributor: Girly Girl Girly Girl
no i don't do written reviews
01/10/2012
Contributor: Breas Breas
I usually end up "continuing" in the experience section.
01/10/2012
Contributor: married with children married with children
I run out on my first standard review for a sponsored item, but after that I have known to keep the count down.
01/11/2012
Contributor: B8trDude B8trDude
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I didn't realize that the code for pictures added to the word count. You could use a URL shortener to lower the number significantly. I use Google's when tweeting.
That's an idea - I wonder if it will work. The standard template uses word, not letter, counts. I'll have to try it the next time I run out of space and see if it helps.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
Yes, I have run out of room. I usually have to cut sections out. I tend to prefer the extended template since I don't have to worry about removing things that I think are useful. Also, it helps me make sure I cover everything, and if people are just looking for specific information they can just skip over to that section. I know the extended template isn't offered for all types of products, though.
01/12/2012
Contributor: chantal coopette chantal coopette
happens all the time
01/12/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
I always seem to run out of space when using the standard template.
01/12/2012
Contributor: Hallmar82 Hallmar82
I can say a lot about some products, but I can usually do so concisely.
01/12/2012