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

[cyn-ful.livejournal.com]

*hides behind a rock thinking about two of her own WIP's just sitting there waiting for me to get the time and energy to write again*

I don't read them anymore because I'm afraid of the abandonment. Having at least two that are sitting there waiting to be finished, I understand life gets in the way. Knowing that I will finish them when I can - especially since one is so close to being done. I had actually finished it, but the ending was so rushed, it was just not good enough to be with the rest of the fic.

I would say comment to the author. I haven't written in so long that when I get notices from somewhere like FF.net that someone really liked one of my stories, it reminds me that there are still people out there reading and wanting to finish the story.

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

Hello! *waves* I hope you and yours are well.

it reminds me that there are still people out there reading and wanting to finish the story.

I had one of those comments the other day. I nearly fell off my chair, plus it made me realise that I ought to get a move on and finish the fic.

I would say comment to the author.

I did for my fave seemingly abandoned WiP. It was not a pleasant experience. A short note to say maybe one day or abandon all hope ye who once read here would IMO be a good solution.

[cyn-ful.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Yes, we are doing good overall. Growing like weeds - the little monkeys. Can you believe Ali is old enough to go to Hogwarts now? It just isn't right I tell you!

I know, those just shock me randomly. My first day back truly surfing through LJ (I have escaped the evils of Facebook), I went to one of the communities and one of my finished fics was being rec'd. I was shocked but all excited. It helped remind me that I need to finish a few of them. They are sitting in the front of my head on my todo list.

Oh yes, a short sweet note would be nice. It would be lovely. I should go do that for one or two of mine.

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

Can you believe Ali is old enough to go to Hogwarts now?

On my! Mind you, it's over 6 years since we first chatted over one of annie's fics. It's been really nice to hear from you again. *hugs*

[cyn-ful.livejournal.com]

I know. It just doesn't seem as if time has flown that much!

*hugs* Always nice to catch up!