As usual Rasufelle has made a wonderful point. I would like to add to it without high-jacking her thread.
Although most of the writers on BC are on the distaff side, there is a right way to ask for more, as Dickens has shown us.
When an audience rises as one and asks for more at a concert, they're taking part in a dance in which they know the singer/band have held a favorite in their pocket for an encore.
Writers normally don't hold back. When they add "The End", it usually is.
However, if you would really want to read more . . . and it is the author's job to make you feel like you should . . . you might want to make one of the following comments.
"You've created such a wonderful setting for your story that I would like to live there. I will read this story again and again and will imagine how the characters lifes have gone forward."
"Wow . . . I have at least five new friends that you've introduced me to. I will ask myself WWSD (Sarah being the main character) when faced with my own personal decisions. She is so good at providing solutions. I'll bet that as she matures she will become even better."
"You've created such a unique plot. It seemingly provides endless possibilities for story arcs."
"You tied up everything in such an attractive ending. These characters seemingly could survive an unexpected circumstance. I wonder how they would react if _______ were elected president?"
I'm sure there are many others who can add to the above list.
Jill M I
Comments
The World Is Not Enough
(Apologies for the subject title, TV was running a James Bond Marathon)
Apologies aside, some people are never satisfied. When I read a story that resonates deeply, I take the character's life into my own. I feel the character is a part of me. I cannot help feeling a deep desire to maintain that connection. I find myself re-reading the story in hopes of gaining new and deeper knowledge and understanding.
When we have very close friends or family and get the chance to visit together, the parting is never easy. I am an avid people watcher. It is deeply touching to see an emotional farewell. It also leaves an empty space when you are separated and have no surety as to if or when you might be reunited.
For me, most stories are a one and done. They are like a casual affair, or a one night stand. Other stories (On The Road - Again by Karin Bishop immediately comes to mind, as does Tanya Allan's Monique) leave a deep sense of loss when they get to the end.
Many of the authors here, yourself included, have managed to write gems like these. They leave me deeply touched and grateful for what they shared with me, but they also leave me yearning for more. I would never be rude, crass, or demanding in requesting more, but I have no problem with sharing my desire for a continuation.
waif
Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.
You think the reader has it bad
The writer often has it far worse. Once we have ended a story there can sometimes be a feeling of loss since there is no more to write and nothing more intended. The tale is out and has to survive on its own merits. Often the next tale is something completely different and it takes a wrench of the mind to set it on the new track.
Of course, sometimes the situation is far worse. I have this planet in my head... There are many stories to be told which are set there and so far my readership seems to be willing to let me tell some of them. This sometimes happens to an author and it can be either a good or bad thing in the long run. The only thing I can say in my defence is that I endeavour to ensure that everything I write is completed however long the tale turns out to be. I have failed in this precisely twice and I may go back and fix one of those in the future. I don't like dangling ends - if you'll excuse the expression.
The reader often overlooks just how much effort can go into writing a story - or writing anything, really. Even for those of us who seem to be able to produce a good enough stream of words there is still a lot of work to do behind the scenes. (This is where newer writers often slip up.) When you stop writing, it can sometimes be like turning off a particularly loud noise - or stopping banging your head against the wall. I never claimed that writing was painless.
Penny
Readers
I think that readers are not quite as thoughtless as you paint them. They post kudos and give feedback that is valuable to an author. They sometimes send personal messages, as well. It is a lot like a person at your home for a dinner party asking if she can have another helping. It should be asked by the reader with respect, and accepted by the author with courtesy.
I have been badgering Karin Bishop since last November for the sequel to Port of Departure. I tried to do it in a polite way and gained an online friend and pseudo-mentor. She has corresponded with many valuable tips in my own writing and was kind enough to email me today with the news that her sequel is now on sale.
I understand that there will always be readers (as well as authors) who are less than courteous and/or gracious, but IU believe them to be the exception rather than the rule.
waif
Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.
Next course please.
if you think of each chapter / posting as a course in a banquet. ;)
poking authors to post the next entry in an incomplete story is one thing, the interest in it does help to motivate them for the next posting.
completed serials it truly depends on how it was wrapped up. some leave them open for further story arcs, others don't. Before you ask for more look at how it was completed, that will tell you how likely it is for more to be forthcoming.
for a solo, you can only compliment the story and express an interest in seeing further adventures of the characters with little expectation it will be forthcoming.
Stupidity is a capital offense. A summary not indictable.
I think we who can't stop
I think we who can't stop writing these longer stories are as much of the problem as those who ask for more as we are feeding the requests for more.
I haven't said this before but I envy some of you authors for your abilities to let things lay. I have tried and failed miserably to write something that is just a one-off but it always ends up turning into multi-part fiascoes that bring one story together with another and another.
You though, you can just write something, let reach the end, then walk away. You can turn your mind off and stop wondering about the characters, storylines, plots, dialog. I wish it were that simple for some of us but it isn't
And after seeing so much issue over the requests today I seriously hope that this whole issue doesn't lead to a split where the sequel/prequel/multiparters are in conflict with the one-off writers. It is upsetting that this is even an issue. People have told me to "write as you want" but seeing it cause some to feel the need to complain is scary especially as this was supposed to be a good place to read interesting stories. Please don't let this be an issue to some of you, there are far too many amazing writers here to let this be an issue.
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
No split is forthcoming :)
The inspiration for my original blog was primarily the comments to Erin's latest piece, "It Came With the Mask." At the time of me writing the blog there were 9 comments on it... and 7 of them were nothing more than "hey, when's the next part?" despite the fact that the story wrapped itself up perfectly fine ad showed no inclination toward having multiple parts.
I enjoy serials too, and don't have a problem writing them. But I STILL get people telling me, TELLING me, that the next year of PFH needs to come out and how it needs to go, not taking 'the story is over' as an answer. That goes beyond the politeness and understanding Angela/Jill suggests and right into stressful territory, and to me is very disrespectful.
The site is great because of the mixture of stories it has, and that should never change.
Melanie E.
Always leave them shouting for more
'Leave' being the key word.
You sometimes have to be cruel to give them your best.
"Please Sir I want some more"
Please sir watch the you tube video below:
http://youtu.be/sZrgxHvNNUc