I've come to realize that what many authors have said, many time, really is true. It's a lot more work to write a story than to read it. "Real Life" can intrude on time to write, as can other literary commitments. Nice encouraging comments, or comments that point out perceived flaws, but include suggestions on how to rectify them, are greatly appreciated.
However, seeing a comment or PM that basically says "yeah, you posted something, but when will you get back to the other bit" is very disheartening.
While the vast majority of people that read here on BCTS appear to understand that this thing called life can get in the way of an author writing as often as he/she would like, a few appear to hold it against the author - personally - if they can't keep a serialized story going at a reasonably high speed of posting. They don't seem to care that the author may WANT to get more time to work on the story but that circumstances have conspired to make this difficult.
Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive today. I do know I've not had anywhere near the amount of time I'd like to write the past year... And, as a result, my large project in the SPA Universe has been very slow coming. In order to get some thing out - I took some pieces I'd written while working through ideas and such, and polished them up a little so they could be shared - hopefully to give readers a little something while at the same time letting them see a little more into the detailed world that is involved in the universe.
Getting a PM that effectively says I was wasting my time, makes me think that maybe I should not bother to post any more episodes, until I can post them all at once - as a complete story (However many months/years away that may be.) OR - to cause the story to be "finished" rather abruptly to get the naggers off my back. *sighs* so frustrating.
I understand why some people don't like to post until they've finished a story. Having read a story or two, that is NOT finished (& apparently never will be) I understand why readers may be disappointed that I've not managed to maintain my earlier posting interval. But, to get these kind of PMs (generally from the same folks - though not always) reminds me why I didn't write for over 35 years...
*sighs* To be honest, my movement toward transition, and keeping my family are far more important to me RIGHT NOW than writing. I make time, because I enjoy it (or I generally do) but, if it's a choice between spending time with my family and writing for "fans" that complain that I'm too slow - I'll tell you, my family wins!
Perhaps I'm off-base. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting what was said (but, it's not the first time, so I don't really think so)... But, that's where I am right now.
Good night. I'll go read something. After getting a note like that, I'm not really interested in editing my story right now.
Annette
Comments
You go girl. Your priorities
You go girl.
Your priorities are correct in my book.
Ignore the Idiot!
More than likely, the most your detractor has ever written was the PM to you complaining about your writing! "Screw him/her and the horse he/she rode in on!" You are the one who has been published and has been appreciated by many people while he/she more than likely couldn't write an understandable shopping list!
Don't give up writing!
Huggs,
Diane
From one anxious, yet patient little girl....
All I can say, is that I will patiently wait for more of your story, and will be happy whenever you have the time/choose to post it.
Would I like it sooner? YES! But I would prefer to see your original vision not posted for 3 more years, than see you end it tomorrow.
-HuGgLeS-
-P/KAF/PT
P.S. I'm sorry that my stuff looks like it will never be finished, but I DO plan to finish them... Some day. :)
I repeat, there are dense and insensitive
people in every forum and space. Yes, they can catch you off guard at the weirdest times too. I am Chinese-American and I still once in a while get a very insensitive remark directed my way.
Ignore these selfish dolts and do what you have to do to get through life. Clearly those clowns have never wrote a paragraph, let alone an entire story, in their entire life.
Kim
A sympathetic ear
Annette - You've just described what its like for me to release any new story for the last year. I get the same exact thing, and it's usually from the people that don't write at all or that write little one shot stories. Perhaps the lack of understanding on their part makes them seem somewhat rude, but it's their enthusiasm to see more of a universe that they have fallen in love with that drives them to remind you that they want to see more.
Sometimes there ARE rude people, but those are the people I ignore. There are certain keywords in comments or reviews that once I see them, I just skip to the next comment, or the delete button if it's a PM.
What a lot of people don't understand is that with some stories, the muse is just not there at the moment. So, I work on something else in order to Keep Working. If a writer stops writing and only sits there and stares at the screen, on the one project that you want her to work on, then you get squat. Eventually I return and write up a storm. Be patient. I know it's hard sometime. But its either that or watch as the universe you've grow to love gets thrashed with sub-par writing just to get something out for you to read.
My sympathies, Annette.
LOL, I actually received something recently that was rude. It was along the lines of "You promised to work on INSERT STORY TITLE, where is it?" I was so incredibly tempted to write the final chapter right then as: "Big rock falls from the sky and kills everyone. The End." There. Story concluded. Happy?
Be careful what you ask (demand) for, because that is what sub par writing will result in. The universe you fell in love with will suck.
~Lili
Blog: http://lilithlangtree.tglibrary.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lilith_langtree
~Lili
Write the story that you most desperately want to read.
re: Discouraging
Hi Annette,
As I've mentioned before, life and family must come first. Commuting to client sites puts a lot of strain on family time - you don't want to waste the time you do have on writing. You have done really well to bring your family with you as you move towards transition and it sounds like you are doing somethings right.
Yes, I am always pleased to read your writing, but I'm even more pleased to hear how everyone has accepted you in your next step.
Hugs
Karen
You Can Block Future PMs
It doesn't help with the present one, but you can always block future PMs from that individual. Maybe if enough authors block PMs from negative individuals it will get a message to them.
Real life is a real problem for a lot of us. But from the readers perspective, an unfinished story that you really enjoy that languishes over time leaves you wanting more. Danielle is an example of that, but we all keep waiting for the next installment so that we can follow the story and enjoy the wonderful writing.
Please keep your chin up and continue your great muse.
As always,
Dru
As always,
Dru
More please, whenever you can
Greetings Annette
I look forward to seeing your stories when they become available.
But you have to look after your family and youself before you get time for that writing.
Best wishes.
Brian
I was about to switch off
I was about to switch off prior to stepping out for the day when I saw your blogpost.
I am in the same boat as you. I sympathize and totally agree. Just remain true and remain on course. Those who offer constructive criticism are one thing, selfish, self-indulgent and self-righteous individuals who only focus on what they want are another.
Ignore the poor person who wrote you. Obviously, that person just sees his/her own wants and does not see beyond them. I grew up with some people like that - one of them was this rich girl who always got her way. Another was this semi-autistic boy (I believe that someone like him is called a "high-functional autistic"). But regardless of the cause, whether it's a medical condition or the person is just simply a brat, it is useless to be mad at them. Perhaps they just need to have the situation explained to them. And if that's not enough to change their tune, then I think you just need to ignore them. A hundred such individuals are not even equal to one appreciative reader. Think of the people that appreciate your work - I believe that they will give you enough reason and fortitude to continue on.
- Bobbie
http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/14775/roberta-j-cabot
I like stories continued but I know the author's delema too
I hope I have not been one of the pushy people. If I have ever seemed that way, I am sorry. I do tend to the silly and flippant remark at times, okay MOST of the time, but if I offended it was not intentional.
Oh yes I am disappointed when a story series goes on hiatus but as a sometime writer here I know one's muse, RL and all are not always cooperative. My own main series is almost two years on hold but not forgotten just bogged down.
That you post infrequently in a way makes your stories all the more valuable. I admit long delays make it harder to follow any serial -- I'm so sorry any readers I still have -- but then it encourages one to re-read earlier parts to get back in the groove so to speak.
In an ideal world we would all be able to write when and where we wanted and produce on a set schedule but that is rarely true.
Take the time you need and politely ignor any rudeness on *us* readers part..
No ifs ands or buts about it.
Best wishes.
John in Wauwatosa
John in Wauwatosa
Discouraging
I know what it's like. Real life has meant that what was once regular stories has now ground to one every few years. I have three part works that I must finish and at least another four stories that have beginnings but no ends.
Write when you have time and when you feel like it. Write for yourself and ignore the critics. Post when you want. Remember, it's called real life because it's real.
Keep up the good work.
Love
Samantha
a comment on Crystals...
... calls for the.. ' deletion of stories not updated for more than 3 years. Oh and thanks for everything you do.' Not an exact quote but close enough. Bet he's not an author.
It's easy to get a little frustrated and maybe use wordings that are slightly abrupt if looked at a particular way. Hey I had a dig at Lilith about unfinished stuff as part of a comment a few months back, so I've been guilty I guess. Then as a scribbler of mostly little one shot stories, I suppose I'm a lightweight. Sigh.
Life messes us all up at times and this place is often an escape of sorts, if you can't write maybe you read or just peek in now and then. It helps, so a little misdirected frustration is understandable, but it can still hurt. There's all sorts of stories, methods and approaches and motives for writing them. An involved multipart thing is different from a short piece, more time and involvement on a single story arc.
Without the writer, hale a hearty and in the right frame of mind there is no story, or no continuation. A polite enquiry is cool, a demand is not. We do what we do and to a greater or lesser degree similar in that it means something and we hope some like it or get something from it. Do your thing in your own time Annette, even the narky ones probably would rather that than the alternative.
Kristina
I've a dozen stories
'under construction' but my muse seems to have gone on an extended holiday and not taken me with her.
I have a few stories which merely need completion, but I'm reluctant to publish until they are finished - just so as to avoid falling foul of the impatient reader.
I have every sympathy with writers for whom real life intrudes. I know just how long even a 'simple short story' can take, from idea to publication.
Susie
Some People
I hope by now you have come to appreciate there are some people out there who would be upset if you shot them with a clean bullet.
What do people who are getting good stories for free want? While there is a phrase I could use here that would be an appropriate response to them, were I to pass it onto you, it would ruin my image of being a nice, sweet little ole thing.
(Oops! I forgot. That image has already been shot to hell).
Any who, do not let the peons get to you. Do what you need to do and what you enjoy. The rest, well, as far as I'm concerned, they can take a flying leap at a rolling donut.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
You could consider it a compliment.
Obviously, I don't know how the message was phrased but, if nothing else, it shows that writer was so tied up with your story that frustration overcame propriety. Also, written communications are easily misunderstood if the writer isn't careful in their wording.
However, in the end, it's your time and your story and it's your right to prioritise your time as life and mood dictate.
Robi
Requests for more...
I've only just entered the world of authordom (is there such a word?), and the first two stories I wrote, which were intended as solos, both received comments along the lines of "More!"
I think most have now realised I'm not going to be a prolific author, and will not expect anything to be released at any given time. The same would probably be true of other authors who release stories / episodes at random / infrequent intervals.
However, reading stories here can get addicting, and for authors who usually publish on a regular schedule, a small minority of readers can get upset if an episode / story isn't released "on schedule" - which is why some authors feel the need to give advanced warning of expected absences (for whatever reason).
We all have competing demands on our lives, added to which inspiration for a story / chapter / episode doesn't necessarily coincide with the time available to write it. Some authors are lucky enough to be able to add an episode (almost) every day, for others it's usually weekly, others biweekly or even monthly, and for some with incredibly hectic lives, bimonthly or even less frequent.
That doesn't make the stories any less appreciated when they do arrive - and it doesn't mean that if you 'miss' a date in your usual posting scheudule, the following episode / chapter should be twice as long!
As others have said, if you just get the occasional whiner, just ignore them. If they become persistent, block them. Or if you get several whiners, quickly scribble a blog post along the lines of "I'm busy in real life at the moment, but I will get around to it when I can. Expect it when you see it." Then ignore / block any more whiners :)
--Ben
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
I don't Know
I Don't always know or recall everything that I post for comments. If I do say stuff that is offensive then I am truly sorry. You are correct it takes a lot of work to create the stories that have been created. It is less work to read. I my self hate having such huge pauses in stories that I truly love. Though I for one am happy that you put your family first before your fans, and I respect you for it. I like that you are working with Karen for this interlude that you two are doing. If you need more help with your Editing or Proff Reading let me know I am willing to help you out.
Your's Truly
Arina