Some Thoughts Before the Happy

[kriadydragon]

Okay, so I'm reading two stories by this author who likes to write really long, really involved fic. They're interesting, with really great whump and a great imagination on the author's part, but are the kind of stories that are going to take a while to finish and have the potential of being abandoned at any time (Yes, I know that's pretty much the case with all stories, but there are some stories that, to me, have the feel of having the highest probability of never being finished). One story in particular is reaching that point where it feels like it just keeps going and going, and I'm tempted to tell this person to just get on with it already.

Now this person has started a third story. And, yes, being the selfish reader that I am, it kind of bugs me, because it may or may not mean having to wait longer for updates on her other stories. It may or may not also mean dropping their stories because this person has officially overwhelmed themselves (from the talk in her Author's Note, she's going to school... enough said). Not a promise, just a possibility.

Fanfiction is all about freedom, about writing for ourselves: what we want to see happen and ideas we would like to explore. Sometimes life happens, and we can't always complete stories - which is why I always try to be understanding of WIPs and of people who can't finish them. But I'm of the opinion that if you're going to post these stories where other people can read them, then you need to have some consideration for your readers. I'm personally tired of reading really great stories only to have them abandoned even though they were so close to being finished (and having reached the point where the following chapters should have included the comfort part).

I've abandoned stories myself - stories I know I won't finish - so know and understand that things happen that make it hard to finish a story. But it's also why I don't post WIPs anymore.

Now, mind you, this author is kind of new so I can't say for certain if they'll finish their stories or abandon them. The author promises that the chapters for the other stories will keep coming, so who knows.

Anyway... yeah, kind of rambling now. I'm not against writing multiple stories - it is possible, if you're not fond of your sanity ;) - but I do think a writer is better off tackling as few stories as possible, especially if the stories are as long and involved as the ones this author is writing.

Comments

[bratfarrar]

I've been thinking about/wrestling with this issue for a while now--multiple WIPs, and posting them, and not letting them just die. Actually, I've been meaning to post something about this up at writers_lair--I just can't get it to come out right.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I felt a little guilty posting this because, as a writer, I know and understand the reasons why people leave stories hanging, why some prefer WIPs over posting completed works, being broadsided by an idea that has to be written and so on. It's our stories, so we have a right to drop them whenever we want for whatever reason.

But, as I said in my post, as a reader - especially as a reader knee-deep in stories that includes everything I love only for that story to never be finished - I'm selfish ;). I want an ending to these stories that I've been sucked into, and feel it rather cruel when the author drops the story only a few chapters away from completion (if they drop the story the beginning, it's not as big a deal since I'm not quite as invested yet.)

I definitely can't say for certain whether this person will drop one of her stories for the others. Even after starting her second story, she continued posting her first, and I know a lot of authors who have completely dropped one story for another. So, I'm hopeful, but it made me nervous when I saw a third story posted by this author. But I'm basing this on my own experience with writing multiple stories, and how overwhelming it can be, and the plots of this author's stories are pretty heavy. So, yeah, nervous and a tad frustrated.

tired of reading really great stories only to have them abandoned

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

What happens in this situation is I finally reach a point where I just want to either leave it alone for some time out or walk away totally.......
In writing, no matter what type, there must be a beginning, a middle and an end.......
It is better to think at the end of a book, a piece of ff, etc., 'I wish I knew what happened?' (OK I realize it is fiction we are speaking of not fact) or 'I would like to a sequel' than to find myself zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz off.......

Re: tired of reading really great stories only to have them abandoned

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I suppose that's true. There are books that have bored me so bad I didn't care how they ended. But I still think a good story that doesn't end is more frustrating, because at least the boring story is still there, complete with an ending.

I do wish this author would move things along, though, because the story is starting to feel like it's being dragged out: it's a bunch of stuff happening but not really going anywhere toward a resolve, just making things more complicated.

But as long as they keep posting, I'm going to keep reading, because I really want to know what happens. They can keep going for fifty chapters if it means getting an ending.

[coolbreeze1.livejournal.com]

Hi! When I first started reading fanfic, I had no idea what WIP was, so I started reading everything I could get my hands on. Then I discovered that some stories that I was absolutely loving...just stopped...never finished. Drove me insane! When I started writing, I made the conscious decision right from the beginning never to post a WIP - I've started so many stories that just petered out (all saved in endless files on my hard drive), and I didn't want to subject anyone to what I had experienced.

I know how frustrating that is, but as a writer, I also know that sometimes a great beginning of a story doesn't equal a great ending, or any ending. I won't let myself start posting a story until it's finished. The writing part is about my own enjoyment, but as soon as I start posting, it's not about me anymore - my story is now for other people, and it better end. :)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

"The writing part is about my own enjoyment, but as soon as I start posting, it's not about me anymore - my story is now for other people, and it better end. :)"

Very true :D We share our stories because... well, to be honest, the feeback's kind of nice;) But we also share because somewhere out there, we know someone will enjoy it. So it's only fair we make that enjoyment full by giving the story and end. even if it's not a good ending, at least there won't be any wondering.

I do feel like I'm being a bit unfair to this author, because though her stories aren't finished she's still updating. It just kind of urked me that she started a third story when she had two stories already in the works, and I reacted to that moment of frustration.

But I do think authors are better off writing few fics as possible at the same time. Oneshots... eh, I think it's possible to do as many of those as you want, but they get done faster if you focus on them one at a time. Chapter fic, definitely work on one at a time. I've tried writing two chapter fic at a time, and it was like a battle in my brain over which story I would pay attention to on what day. So it utterly boggles me that this person is working on three. But then I've never been good at multitasking, myself ;)

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I don't read WIPS unless they are by a writer I know. And I think there is a huge difference between a story that is done and posted in parts to give people time to read it...and a someone who is STILL writing the story.

I agree that we all write for the love. We're not paid, we're not published. It is an outlet, but once you post...you involve other people.

I also think that if you have any respect for your reader then you will finish you story first. How many times do RL issues come up?

How many times have you realized you need to go back and tweak an earlier section?

Why the heck are you writing something you don't know the direction?

I think we all start off writing WIPS. I did back in 2001. I stopped writing WIPs five years ago. It just saves your sanity as a writer. We go through spurts and stutters, no reason to drag your audience with you.

Sorry for the rant :-P

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

No, rant away :D. I always cave to WIPs because of curiosity, but will refrain from commenting until the story is finished. If the wuthor says that the story is comlpete and will be post chapter by chapter, then I'll both read and comment.

I really don't understand the merit of WIPs. I know some people say they help motivate them to finish a story, but it doesn't always work and all the author ends up doing is ticking of the readers. Like you said, RL issues happen, plot issues, and if the author has no idea where the story is going then it's a sure bet that the story may never be completed. But in the end, it's the readers who pay for it.

The person I mentioned, all her stories are WIPs in that they aren't completely written, so I also wouldn't be surprised if all the stories ended up unfinished. Thus my frustration that she started a third story.