I felt really guilty posting so sporadically, so I swore to myself (and maybe some readers in DMs) that I would keep my wrangling with personal demons to myself until I actually FINISHED my god-cursed stories and posted the rest up until the end.
....seemed like a good idea at the time....
but as I wrote... diversions/digressions developed and I felt like one of those characters in an old horror film (say, poltergeist) running down the hall as it just kept getting longer and she found herself losing ground!
So. My conundrum:
Post more - to prove I've still been doting on these stories that are like pulling teeth....
or wait (as promised) until they're done, to post them all with a guaranteed (if not universally acepted) conclusion.
Comments
Just post whatever, whenever.
Just post whatever, whenever.
Why not post up a 'story' that describes the demons. I mean, have fun with it. I mean, the demon of procrastination probably looks like someone that can't be bothered to comb their hair in the morning, and showered last February.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Second that
Any post is welcome, even if not perfectly polished. :)
Haha. :-)
Haha. :-)
:-(
That's exactly what I did.
:-(
I feel I owe all the characters I thrust into fiction a suitable - and generous - denouement.
If it's the last ting I do - (And it may well be)
I will bring them to the ending they deserve,
K@
My Take
If you think there's a real chance that you won't finish them, then I suppose there's no point in posting and making us invest further in the stories, so to speak, to no end.
But assuming there's a good chance of your eventually finishing them, if these "diversions/digressions" are already written and are parts of the stories that you plan to include eventually, I'm not sure what's gained by waiting to post them. Seems to me that if we're still waiting indefinitely for the finales, there's not much reason to make us wait at Point A rather than Point B.
On the other hand, if they're items that you think you might omit once you're back on track, then I guess you need to hold onto them until you can reach a conclusion.
Hope that helps, though I'm not at all sure that it does.
Eric
Do what you feel is right
Kat, your muse may be "little" crazy making, but she enables you to write wonderful tales that are insightful, irreverent and heartfelt all at the same time; your stories are wonderful and it is worthwhile waiting for them- whether the odd chapter here and there or a steady procession of chapters upon completion of the story. They are your characters, your realities and your stories to tell as you see fit; I appreciate your efforts and would not dream of telling you- the bearer of freely offered gifts of your creativity- when and how to present them to me for my reading enjoyment.
Just make it clear
some obviously are 'work-in-progress, some are 'got a bit stuck' some are 'can't see how to finish this' ….. just keep readers informed of the state of play. A piece that has no update for a couple of years is usually 'got a bit stuck' or worse.
Stick them on the page and see what the reader-reaction is ….
Alys
The VEXING part....
Is that I (or - arguably - the muse) wrote the finish along with the beginning - and left it up to ME to connect the dots stringing the two together.
Gaaaaah!
;-)
I have not yet finished. I will not give up until the final sentence has been posted.
Yet I will admit to being as frustrated as ANYONE - at how long it takes the author to extricate herself from self-created cul-de-sacs.
(GROOOOAN!)!!!
I'm finally appreciating the old cliche about 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. :-(
K@
Guilt Isn't The Best Reason To Write
... unless it's a confession!
So, stop beating yourself up, look for joy in your writing, and try to find some part of the process to enjoy, whether it's the result itself, the cleverness of your plot, or the characters that you've brought alive. If the latter, get out/down there and play with them. Maybe they'll help you write the rest!
Life is stressful enough without having to create new stress. So, don't. This isn't your livelihood. It's supposed to be a hobby, and you're supposed to have fun.
People are hypocrites.
People are hypocrites.
They love stories and tell you to wait, but complain that stories aren't finished or look abandoned. They openly accept some authors posting a new chapter every few months while complain that a story is being posted every day.
I say just post as you feel. Trust me on this, I swore to myself that I would not post a story before I had finished it but keep breaking that promise. It's easier on your psyche to just do what is best for your mind, if it's getting too strenuous then don't post until you know where the story is going and finish the current arc while working on the next arc of the overall story. The way one of your stories is going, you have a large arc that is nearing completion and a smaller arc at its height. In another, you have things starting to get more complex and intriguing. In a third, you have things starting to come together but just need a clear mind to figure out of to get it pointed in the right direction to go on to the final act.
I believe you should just wait. Figure out your plans, figure out your characters, figure out your mindset for the next arc or next phase in the journeys and write. Don't let us dictate what you do, let yourself dictate what you do.
I'm told STFU more times in a day than most people get told in a lifetime
Regardless of what you do next - Thank You!
Finished or not, I'm enjoying the journey tremendously (I'm writing in the present since every now and then I re-read the stories).
Bru
PS
Don't do anything you hate