Fic Talk > General Discussion

updating stories

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MonkeyAbu:
Seems like we are all in agreement when it comes to this topic and as redundant as it may be, I want to put my two cents in.

I really agree with Kelly with the point she made about certain authors who have no intentions to finish certain stories. It would be respectful if an author would let the reader(s) know they just can't possibly see themselves finishing the story, and on top of that for closure, take the unfinished story down. I have recently considered doing this with some of the unfinished stories on my profile page that I have seem to of lost interest in. However, maybe it is just a personal thing, but I can also understand why an author might be hesitant to do so. Although they might feel like they can't see themselves ever finishing the story, they still don't want to take it down in hopes that eventually by some miracle they'll get that spark of life back into the story and want to continue writing it. Plus, there's no denying how good it feels when a reader happens to stumble on a story of yours that you have not updated in ages and weren't planning to update and they leave you such an encouraging review that it inspires you to start back up on the writing process with it.

It is very frustrating when an author takes ages to produce an update or just sorta falls off the face of the planet, but I think that frustration is a result of a lack of notice from the said author. One thing I have tried working on is letting my readers know if I don't see an update coming for a while or if I am just trying out a new idea and am not sure if I am going to continue on with it. It all comes back down to respect like Kelly said. It sucks having to sit around and wait for something that may never come. If you know of specific readers who enjoy your story, then keep them updated on your progess so they aren't left in the dark, even if you don't see an update happening any time soon. Trust that the readers really do appreciate that. But that should really be given to all of the readers. Yeah, the readers are still gonna be left waiting, but at least they know whether or not their time spent waiting is justified.

It's ok to hope that readers will continue to read our stories once we produce an update, but it's their choice. No author wants to lose a reader(s) because of a lack of updates, but sometimes it just happens. But it's all personal choice. If a reader absolutely enjoys your story and you are struggling with producing enough updates with short update gaps, I would think that reader(s) would be understanding enough and wait for the update, no matter how long it may take, as long as you keep them updated and don't just leave them hanging in the dark.

Sometimes life just gets in the way when it comes to being able to update. For me lately it has just been trying to get acclimated to my schedule at work. I've been working this job for nearly two months now, but I have been realizing that I'm still not acclimated to the varying hours of my work schedule. Three shifts I am working 3:30pm-11:30pm and the other two I am working 11:30pm-7:30am. I've never been so tired in my life and it sucks because I love to write and I constantly have ideas running through my head but I never seem to have the energy or concentration to get them out in words. I swear the amount of time I sit in front of the computer staring blankly at the screen is starting to make me go blind. Heh... But there is always various obstacles in life that contribute to lack of updates and readers should take that into consideration. As long as the author is respectful enough to keep the readers posted. Geez...I'm really beginning to think I'm sounding the most redundant tonight...

Question before I stop rambling incessantly and lets see if I can actually make what I'm trying to ask make sense: Getting a ton of new ideas in your head can be great right? But does anybody ever find themselves getting one too many new ideas in their head all at once and then have trouble starting the development process for the ideas? If so, what are some ways you have gotten past that? This also has to do with getting new ideas for a story that is already in-progress.
 

mare:
Nice to see we are all in agreement on this. Now that i'm kind of winding down my fanfic writing career? lol, I do try to let my readers know i'm taking longer in-between updates. I love my readers, they seem to stick by me no matter how long I take and I also love it when I randomly get a review for something I have written a gabillion and a half years ago.

I think it should be some kind of mandatory fanfic law that if you take more than two months to update a story you should owe your readers at least a note or something to let them know what the status is lol

nicksgal:
:-[

What if school is eating you and writer's block too?

And then your computer breaks?

*feels bad and goes to cry in a corner having a lack of anything intelligent to say at this moment*

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