The torment that is the WiP - Discuss

[moonlite_tryst]

That's discuss people, not flame!

As an author who has been a bugger for starting to post chaptered fics and not finishing them this may seem a strange post, but here goes.

Whilst spring cleaning my LJ, I clicked on a link for one of the greatest H/D WiPs ever written IMO. Although labelled as catagorically not abandoned, it has not been updated for almost three and a half years *cries* and who knows if it ever will because the author is now writing in another fandom *cries some more*, which leads me to wonder:

If a WiP has been abandoned for a period of time, e.g. over 2 years or more, and the author was close to the end, should said author post a synopsis regarding how things were going to end for the reader's benefit?

Does an author have any obligation to readers who have followed/are following a WiP, or does the label WiP translate into read at your peril?

Thinky thoughts authors, readers?

Comments

[pingrid.livejournal.com]

Obligation? No.

You could argue that the author has made some sort of deal with the readers by posting as a wip and engaging in discussion, getting feedback which boosts their ego and also CAN lead to a sort of collective worldbuilding. But when it comes down to it, fic writing is voluntary labour in order to provide free content. There is no payment or contract involved that can require anyone to prioritise the fic over their RL, or over any other fandom pursuit that strikes their fancy.

It would be a gracious gesture to post a synopsis, but I think you've got it exactly right when you say a wip label = "read at your own peril".

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

or over any other fandom pursuit that strikes their fancy

*shakes fist at Merlin and Supernatural fandoms* That seems to be the case with a couple of the WiPs that I was following: the authors were distracted by the shiny of new pastures, which I understand having lost my own H/D mojo for over a year.

It would be a gracious gesture to post a synopsis

I would love one for SoHW, but pigs will fly first. :(

How are you these days? Have you been lured into the Inception fandom? If so, you should read hackthis's LJ.