[sindohte]

Here's a fanfic etiquette sort of question that has been floating around in the back of my head for a little bit. There are a number of stories out there that are WIPs. Hopefully the author will stick it out and finish writing the story both for their enjoyment and that of the reader. But what about unfinished stories out there that have lingered for months without any type of update?

There is one story here on OSA that has languished for 10 months with only 1 chapter completed so far. And it has been 6 months since the author last logged on to this site. I don't want to be like the crazed fan from Stephen King's Misery, but I also would like to see it finished. It is an intriguing crossover featuring the Twinkies and the Magdalena, a comic book heroine. It just seems somewhat stalkeresque to hound the author to finish a story they might have either lost interest in writing or things may have come in RL which has prevented them from continuing.

So after all this blather, here is my question - Is it ever appropriate to take an abandoned WIP and finish it up? Esp, if in the dedication/disclaimer of your story you gave credit to the original author?

[miriel361]

Have you tried asking the author?

Maybe she'd be happy for you to take the first chapter and finish it:

[sindohte]

I haven't contacted her yet, because I have kept hoping that she might update it on her own And it would involve me needing to indulge in my obsessive-compulsive habit of tracking down every Magdalena comic book for "research" purposes (I have used that excuse many times to justify buying yet another LOTR book). Hmm, well it certainly couldn't hurt to ask. But in the absence of author approval, what should be done?

[BittenBuggy]

I know what you mean Sind. There was a sweet 'pixie-fic' started that was really quite adorable! I didn't have you inhibitions and emailed the author a dozen or so times with no reply

Needless it say, it stands... STILL NOT FINISHED...

[NancyBrooke]

I HATE W'sIP! at least, getting caught up in them...

I always try to wait until a story I'm interested in is done, but, when I have gotten caught and the story languishes, I certainly have written the author to let them know I'm into it and hope they'll continue.

Usually, I get no answer; the person has just given it up, which is a bummer.

I think, after you've contacted or tried to contact the author, and looked around the web to see if they haven't posted the story elsewhere, you could finish the story with the appropriate credit and disclaimers given. If the author logs in and sees it, and is bummed about that, then you cross that bridge when you come to it. Maybe at that point you suggest they either finish the fic or withdraw it, though that might be a little harsh.

Gives rise to another question -- do truly abandoned fic have a place in archives? or should the author, if available, remove them?

At the very least you'll have a fic you might enjoy reading for yourself (and possibly to share with some like-minded friends).

[Elvenesse]

I'm guilty of an unfinished WIP, and I don't know what to do with it. I've only written one chapter of a Aragorn/Legolas friendship story and I don't want to write any more. People have reviewed it, but it's nothing special and no one's desperate for more. Should I leave it to languish, or pull it from everywhere but my own site?

[Leila]

I'd say get permission from the original author first. You never know if they might have a new one in the works.

[Viv]

Well, I'm one of those slower-than-molasses writers, sometimes with several months in between updates. Doesn't mean I won't finish the thing; it just means that I get easily distracted with other things (bad, bad me).

But yes, I'd be miffed if someone went and finished my cheesy epic without warning me first. It's my cheesy epic, after all. I filched the characters fair and square.

[sindohte]

Good point Viv. But when would long enough to wait after I have tried to contact the author to ask if they are going to finish their story, but have not received a response?

The story in question was posted on 8/24/03 and last updated on 8/25/03. If after trying to contact this person and not receiving any response, do you and others think it would be fair to say that after a year, this story is probably not going to be updated? Because if I waited until December of 2004 without a response, it would be in the range of 1 1/4 years with no activity on this story.

Well I suppose all of this is really just a moot point in some ways. I will just email the author and see if she answers. But I will freely admit that I am not too hopeful that the author will update her story again, because she hasn't been back to OSA since November 2003.

Thanks everyone

[Thuriniel]

I have noticed that some started to write due to the excitement of the movies. Once the excitement dies, the writing stops. Sometimes Real Life circumstances will have something to do with it as well (i.e. boyfriends).

I've come to the point that I'm careful with the WIP I decide to read ... I've just had too many dissapointments !

[SilverMoonLady]

I've recently sworn off writing WIPs (after I finish this last one) for fear of doing this very thing to somebody (making them wait endlessly).
I do believe that after a year of total absence, this person may well indeed be gone for good, and once contact has been attempted, with the proper credits, it's a bunny up for grabs...

[Leila]

[Maram68]

Hmmm I'd like to comment on this issue from two points of view, as an author and as a fanfic archivist (aka webmiss of two archives).

As an author, I am very very slow writing. Add to that that I never post withour beta, that makes a quite long time between updates, and if you consider that I try to update the couple of WIP's I am involved with taking turns (aka a chapter for this one, then for the next one, and so on) .... it takes ages (kudos to those faithful sould who were by my side through the 14 months invested in writing Adversity).

As an archivist I have contacted dozens of authors in both fandoms (LOTR and Actorfiction) who have written a first chapter of a fic (inspired by watching the movie or whatever) and then just change their interest in a couple of weeks.

For me, it is a matter of commitment. If you write a first chapter and then loose the muse, then delete it and tackle something else. If you loose the muse half-way (after 5 chapters) then you shoudl try to sporn the muse (for the sake of the time invested).

The moment you post your story, you are sharing it with others and engaging into a commitment with readers. Be true to it or honest and just pull the story. Others may pick up the bunny later (for which case I agree with contacting the author ...)



C.

[sindohte]

Well folks, I sent an email to the author of the story. Cross your fingers and toes that I will get a response.

[DragonEyes]

we're all waiting for her reply now...I think....
I sent e-mails to lots of writers and they rarely ever replied so don't get disappointed...if she doesn't reply then she's missin the sense of responsibility that comes with writing a story....
my story which is my first is a wip....I went through hell during school and still managed to update it...I think if I ever lost interest I'ld apologize and take it down...but I started and set my mind on completing it even if it isn't worth... I just don't like to leave things unfinished....

I think if she doesn't reply...You just forget about the story and make up your own version of it even if not written...like just imagine it all...I do that when I don't get to see the end of a movie I like...