[SpaceWeavil]

I was incredibly fed up, being stuck indoors all day with rotten weather, and wanted to start a discussion

What, in your experience, is the better way to post a WIP fiction - should you write the whole thing at home, then post it bit by bit, or should you post as you write?

Personally, I do the latter. I tend to post stories as I write them. I used to think this was the best way for me, because it motivates me to finish a story, and I am quite bad for leaping from idea to idea without actually finishing things. I also thought it would be good to get concrit along the way. I'm not so sure now, though, since I know a lot of people post completed stories bit by bit as well. One thing I've found with my approach that's a problem is that sometimes I put too much weight on lack of reviews or very slow hit counts, and whereas if I wasn't posting the story but was just writing it myself, I would plough away at it, I find myself wondering if the story's rubbish, especially if its something I've literally begged for concrit on and still has barely any, and get put off doing it. Even though I'm still enjoying writing and plotting the story, I still wonder what I'm doing wrong, if anything, if you know what I mean.

So I'm thinking now if I should finish all my stuff before I start posting, and just wondered what other people prefer to do, or if they've any thoughts on this.

[ellisk]

I'll tell you what, Space, since you are so good at writing so many things at once and actually finishing them, I'd keep doing it the way you are. I have all of my story written and that's a joke because as soon as I started posting it, the reviews I got made me think, 'Well what if..." and "What about..." and so I have ended up rewriting, expanding, cutting, pasting etc so much that if I look at the original first three parts that I wrote and the version that got posted, I can only shake my head.

On the other hand, for me, I do like having the whole thing written because as I wrote later parts, I said, "Well, I could include something in the early part that will foreshadow that," or stuff like that. Edit: Plus, I got to know my characters really well and I think I portrayed them more as I wanted to because I had their whole evolution written from end to end. I think I would have missed some potential if I had not had the whole thing largely complete.

I guess it depends on the piece. Mine gets pretty complex with underhanded dealings and all that stuff. If the story is easy to outline, you might as well post as you write, providing you intend to finish. If it is more complex, it might be better to get a good portion of it done before you write yourself into a corner publically. I know I would have done that several times if I had posted before I finished.

Those are my initial thoughts. K

[Elentari]

I personally write post as i go, except if I write a ficlet. I have very few options, since the story comes to me in bits and spurs.

I agree with the trap that lack of reviews present. One may get discouraged along the way. However, even when the public does not review, we are not quite able to exorcise the story until it's out, now are we? It's almost an infection.

wich reminds me, I have quite a few projects on the freezer, and no prospect of getting them out of there...

On the other hand, posting the story forces me into a commitment of finishing it. I am not able to let go if I know it is on air.

So there. My two cents.

[LuthienTinuviel]

Currently doing the latter for my experimental fic Lay of Arwen Undomiel. Stumped on Act 4, still clueless and not in the mood and pressed for time... law assignments and all.

Somehow I always have something in my mind about Legolas & Gimli's friendship tho. Guess I just suck at romance. Boo hoo me.

I'm sticking with short fics for now. Not good enough plotwise to work on something at that scale!

[ellisk]

Just re-read your original post and thought I'd add one more thing. You said you place too much weight on hit counts/reviews and thought if you wrote without posting you might not worry so much. That is true. You'd probably write more just for your own enjoyment and that is certainly good. But then when it comes time to post, I can tell you that the low response demon rears it's head. My whole story is written, like I said. I wrote it because I enjoyed it and wanted to explore those particular characters more. But response to it is fairly limited on the sites where I am posting it except for one. Each time I have ended one part, I have seriously hesitated to start the next just because I think, "Well who cares, anyway." So you can't avoid the evil, nagging 'Where are the hits?' voice.

[DarkElfChilde]

I post my chapters of any story as I go...eventually, I'll finish something.

- DEC

[SpaceWeavil]

[SpaceWeavil]

[Hellion]

I was going to post this some where else but this is a good of a place as any.

I am an avid reader and I have promised to review and rate.

As much as I hate WIP's I see the need and do not mind reading along with the author's creativity... AS LONG! as the writer follows through and keeps writing. There is nothing worse then reading 29 chapters of a WIP. If you have lost your muse be honest and take the story off. !!! More importantly !!! Don't rush the ending. If we have been there at chapter one we will be there at the end. ((Also, Ghetto will pimp your work if it needs exposure. Look how well it is doing for her wonderful WIP. I hang on her every chapter!!))

Case it point - Now Panic. Boz is gone and it wll not be completed. Is there something to warn the reader? Nope. And there I am the WIP Sucker. That is just wrong.

As for reviewing and rating the WIP - I will give you kudos and a shiny new pencil to keep you happy and writing. But a rating or story review waits until completion. If I like it I will just ask for more. If you want me to read your WIP I will. Just ask.

There is nothing worse then an abandonned story. Even worse is the author who doesn't tell anyone it has died a horrible death. Heck it happens. You didn't stab me. I will live with the notification.

Either way.. keep writing. You writers are wonderful!! Go forth and do!! So I can read.

Thank you,
me,

[SpaceWeavil]

[ellisk]

[ellisk]

[ellisk]

[SpaceWeavil]

[Hellion]

Hellion wrote:
As for reviewing and rating the WIP - I will give you kudos and a shiny new pencil to keep you happy and writing. But a rating or story review waits until completion.


It may not be a formal review of the whole story but you will see it and so will the rest of the world when I ask for more. It will be posted in the review section.

I am also going to read and review from this list over the weekend. Especially you Space Weavil. I think you need some TLC in the form of reviews. I know from your posts that you have been working very hard writing. So you are going to the top of my list.

If I am getting off topic I'm sorry. Being a single Mom I don't have much free time but as a seasoned Mom I think I will spend some quality time with Space Weavil this weekend.