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

[potteresque_ire]

Mmm. I think the easiest answer is—I don't think the author has any obligation. As a reader, I think I am in the "all or nothing" camp; I don't think I'd be too interested to read a synopsis-sort of ending if I won't get to read it with all the flesh, blood and bone. Whether the characters come together has never been too relevant to me when I follow a story; even the how I am not too keen on... it's almost always the details, the little things that I am after.

WIPs are tough for me to follow because I have honest trouble remembering the details of anything I read more than a week ago; the last WIP I tried to follow was Drop Dead Gorgeous, but every time a new chapter came out I had to re-read... and before the story ended I was starting to get bored of the beginning because of the sheer number of times I had to go through it :(. So this wasn't as much about the risk of reading WIPs but a personal problem that I am alone responsible for...

If I am to write a long, multi chapter story one day, I think I will be those people who die an old, peaceful death first finish the whole thing first before posting—no, I don't really trust myself. :))) Also, because I tend to not follow a strict plan when writing a story, chances are I'll need to "patch" the earlier parts as new ideas spring up from the later and so it's best I have the whole thing done and beta'ed before making any part of it public. But if I do end up with an abandoned WIP, I think I will try my best to accomodate the wishes of my readers, whatever it is—be it providing a synopsis of the ending, or burning the script, or ... :)))))

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'd be too interested to read a synopsis-sort of ending if I won't get to read it with all the flesh, blood and bone. Whether the characters come together has never been too relevant to me when I follow a story; even the how I am not too keen on... it's almost always the details, the little things that I am after.

YES! i couldn't figure out how to say something like this, but this is a bit how i feel as well. the reason why i love a story is how the words work almost as much as what they are telling. i do have attachment to the what and the how, but the biggest part of the experience is the actual combination of words and details that are used to express those things. to me, good writing is about the writing.

[potteresque_ire]

*Huggles*

Yeah, it's the writing that really makes and breaks a story. And, for me at least, it's the process of penning the details and hammering out the little things that tells me for reals if the sketch I have in mind really works. I know a lot of authors who don't need that, but that's because they've spent extensive amount of time and effort thinking and plotting out the story and kind of ... immersing themselves into the world they create. So if the author has moved on and hasn't really given much attention to providing an end to her WIP, then what she provides as a synopsis may not be well thought out and may prove to be a letdown more than a closure that her story deserves.

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

good writing is about the writing

Yes, and that's why it's such a bloody tradgedy that several WiPs I can think of will never be finished. The pull of the wordsmithing *is that a real word?* is such that I do re-read them, particularly SoHW, but God, I'm left feeling bereft at the end when it just stops.

Why re-read then? Because no-one makes magic leap off the page the way she does. I really couldn't care less if Harry and Draco only ever kissed in her fic, it's the journey - as you say - the joy, the angst, the complexity that makes me want to scream, " OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE FINISH THE FIC ALREADY!!!!!" especially when it's only a couple of chapters from the end. *goes to wimper quietly in a corner*

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

the last WIP I tried to follow was Drop Dead Gorgeous, but every time a new chapter came out I had to re-read

I'm following an original m/m like that ATM. When chap's are posted at intervels of 3 - 4 weeks I'm okay, but when there's a gap of 6 months or more I've lost the subtle nuances of the plot. I've told myself I'm not re-reading any more of book 2 until it's completed.

Also, because I tend to not follow a strict plan when writing a story, chances are I'll need to "patch" the earlier parts as new ideas spring up from the later

I know what you mean. I have those issues with a 5000 word fic. I'm a bugger for constant editing as I go, which is the very opposite of what I try to teach the kids at school when they write their 1st draft.

be it providing a synopsis of the ending, or burning the script, or ...

I've come to the conclusion that what I really want is a note that says whether a fic is on hold or that's all folks. It's the not knowing that drives me potty. One m/m series I've been following for over 3 novels is on hiatus, but at least the author said so. Now, I know the fic that shall not be named has a similar message on it, but it's 3 and a half years old. Somehow, I can't see an update happening. *much wailing and gnashing of teeth ensues*

[symetric.livejournal.com]

and she's expressively asked people not to ask if it'll be updated, which frustrates me even more.

the think is, i love the word building, the slow, steady fall into the world you're reading about and i know, i know the synopsis is nothing is comparison to the real thing, but if there's an option between nothing and the outline of how it all happened, i'd pick the how it all happened so that i could at least imagine it that way.

*pets* oh man, Lusi, i feel your pain.

[moonlite-tryst.livejournal.com]

We'll gnash our terrible teeth and roar and terrible roars of woe together.