The Importance of Story Layouts

I think layouts are important to an extent. As others have said, they can help set the mood and tone of the story and whatnot, and they're somewhat of a first impression, like a book cover is irl. And I always appreciate the time and effort put into a nice-looking, well-organized, and thoughtful layout.

But they're not a necessity. I'm not a fan of the default layout, but if I come across a great story with a shitty layout, I'll go ahead a use it. Not everyone is great at making layouts, or has the time to make them, and I think not having a "pretty" layout is a silly reason to potentially miss out on a fantastic story.

However, not gonna lie--if a layout is just blatantly terrible (i.e. moving/flashing backgrounds, text that can't be read without highlighting, etc.), than it's almost a guarantee that I'll just click out of the story. I know it's judgmental of me, but I feel like if the writer can't tell that their layout is that bad, than their writing is probably similar.

I think pretty layouts are enticing, but since I mostly read on mobile, I'll usually read a story not knowing whether it has a layout or not

I can't read stories where the layout isn't good. The wide text on the big screen is hard to read and the neon layouts are just nah. I can read stories with default layouts but only if I'm using my old mobile phone - otherwise no.

When I'm on mobile I don't care at all for story layouts cause I can't see them. Though when I'm on my computer I usually won't read a story that doesn't have an interesting/decent story layout.

I absolutely cannot stand the default layout on Mibba. It is way too wide and it hurts my eyes to flick across the page like that, so I won't read anything with a wide layout like that unless I'm on my phone where it doesn't matter. I don't want to get a headache just so I can read a story

Katie Mosing:

I absolutely cannot stand the default layout on Mibba. It is way too wide and it hurts my eyes to flick across the page like that, so I won't read anything with a wide layout like that unless I'm on my phone where it doesn't matter. I don't want to get a headache just so I can read a story

It's the same way for me. I try really hard, but I start getting a headache after awhile and have to stop reading, but if the story is interesting enough, I'll deal with it and read it in spurts to avoid the headache.

Katie Mosing:

I absolutely cannot stand the default layout on Mibba. It is way too wide and it hurts my eyes to flick across the page like that, so I won't read anything with a wide layout like that unless I'm on my phone where it doesn't matter. I don't want to get a headache just so I can read a story

I feel the same way! Wide layouts just make it hard to read because I have to constantly be moving the scroll in order to read it.
I also cannot stand dark backgrounds with bright colors because it just hurts my eyes to read.
I feel like having a nice layout really makes a difference, at least to me, because I like my stories to have nice layouts.

I think they're vital. I'm biased because I love to write and make graphics, so I seek out stories by similar people. When a story's not got a layout I tend not to read it.

@ Kelsier
Me too! I feel like the layout says a lot about the story as well.

I read on mobile but if I'm not sure if I want to read a story based on the summary I look at the layout. Typically, I avoid any of the neon punky ones, just because of past experiences with them.
I do try to give every story a chance though and read at least the first three chapters.

I'll give any story a chance, even ones with slightly clunky layouts, and for those I don't actually mind the default Mibba layout. I just love layouts that pertain to the story itself and give off a nice atmosphere, but I'm not a fan of the artsier ones with fonts that are just way too tiny to read.

Honestly, I feel like people put way too much emphasis on layout and how a story looks as opposed to how the story actually reads

Don't get me wrong, I think it's nice to have that amazing presentation and have layout that fits the atmosphere and vibe of the piece, but at the same time, it's not everything. Not everyone has the time, the ability, or the resources to make insane layouts for every single thing that they post, but that doesn't mean those stories should be completely ignored because of it.

A pretty layout doesn't make up for a poorly-written fic.

Granted, I do put in the effort and get really invested in making layouts for the pieces I'm excited about/have put a lot of time and effort into (so I'm not a layout hater), but I'm also guilty of just slapping something together for the sake of getting the piece posted

When it boils down to it, this is a writing site, not a graphic design site, so I don't really understand why whether or not a story has a "pretty" layout (which is fairly subjective) carries so much weight as to whether or not someone will read said story.

In my recent experience on Mibba, I find that the "better*" stories generally have a nice looking layout. I think, perhaps, when some writers have worked on pieces they're really proud of or pieces they've put a lot of time and thought into, they also want to make sure they have a layout that's "worthy" of it. Also, it might be that Mibbians who are willing to spend time creating a fitting layout are also willing to spend time working on and perfecting their stories too.

Sometimes I think the effort and care put into creating a layout is often reflected in the effort and care put into creating a story.

I also think that aside from aesthetics, sometimes a 'bad layout' can just negatively affect the reading experience. Like if I'm struggling to read the font or there's a bunch of distracting or unrelated images or the color combo is hurting my eyes, then I'll have a harder time getting into the story because just reading it feels like chore.

(Obviously, this isn't always the case and it's certainly not to say that users who don't bother with layouts don't care about their stories or don't write lovely stories. This is just what I generally come across when looking over the story overview page.)

* "Better" being stories that I personally think are well thought out and well written and interesting to read.

chai latte:

However, not gonna lie--if a layout is just blatantly terrible (i.e. moving/flashing backgrounds, text that can't be read without highlighting, etc.), than it's almost a guarantee that I'll just click out of the story. I know it's judgmental of me, but I feel like if the writer can't tell that their layout is that bad, than their writing is probably similar.

On top of this being 100% me, I will also click out of stories with a white font on a black background. I use to think those were all the rage and then once I no longer had 20/20 vision I realized how truly irritating that was. Layouts using blurry images - like Myspace days type - with neon writing I also click out of. Sometimes if I find a story with the default and a less-than killer summary I will click out also. I'm totally a layout snob, so there are a lot of factors.

However, and I've done it before, sometimes these stories with downright terrible layouts find their way to me and are good. These end up being things I've read on Mobile.

Part of me also agrees with both Audrey and Kandi - it's subjective and also shouldn't matter. So I do try to keep an open mind when I come into stories that have layouts that aren't "pretty"

I, personally, think layouts are vital to a story. When you're reading a story, you kind of have to look at the layout as you're doing it and if it doesn't fit the vibe or it's the default one or there's no effort put into it, then it kind of ruins the aesthetic...

decay:

I, personally, think layouts are vital to a story. When you're reading a story, you kind of have to look at the layout as you're doing it and if it doesn't fit the vibe or it's the default one or there's no effort put into it, then it kind of ruins the aesthetic...

unless it's using the mobile app, then it doesn't really matter. Sometimes if I want to read a story but doesn't have a very good layout, I usually recommend the story (so I can find it later) and read it when I'm in bed.

@ She Said Poptarts
LOL yeah but I never use the mobile app so I'm forced to look at the layouts
But I'm also talkin' in general. If a story is REALLY good then obvi things can be overlooked

@ decay
yikes, sorry about that.
Overlooked, yes.. but not enough to bring pain to your eyes, eh?

@ She Said Poptarts
Hehehe I've never actually had to encounter that. Not sure how I'd do

I honestly don't think layouts are completely important because you can't really center the font in a real book and add all these special bb codes to make them striked out and italicized (you italicize and bold and stuff to some extent). The only thing you can actually decorate is the book jacket/cover. Still though, layouts are nice for online stories, they can set the mood and can be visually pleasing. Like with others have said, layouts dont have to be important but they do set off the first impression of a story. I only care about a layout if it makes the story harder to read. Because then i can just tell the author what it is about the layout that makes the story hard to read.

I think they're super important. I mean, here on mibba, where you have the option to customize and tailor your theme to your story, why wouldn't you? When I see a customized story layout, it makes me think that they care a bit more because they took that extra time to give their story a little more oomph. That's how I look at it anyway.