Poll: Fic posting preference

[silversolitaire]

I'm conducting a little poll to see what people's posting preference is in regards to long fics and WIPs.

[Poll #999406]

Comments

[sandrine]

I should add that my willingness to tackle really long (novel length) fics depends very much on the fandom in question, while WIPs are a no-go for me unless it's a super-rare fandom/pairing I've always wanted to read. My attention span is generally too short for that.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

This is a really interesting one [hence getting carried away - apologies for the length of this...] I never, ever post WIPs myself, as it doesn't feel fair, and it puts me under lots of pressure to finish them. As a writer, I also fear that people lose interest after a while, and so the comment count goes down as time goes on. As a comment junkie, I find this too terrible to cope with ;)

As a reader, if it's an author I know is going to finish, and in a reasonable amount of time, I might read a WIP, but not otherwise. I also worry about the wanderings and meanderings of plot - unless the author has everything really well planned out, there's a danger that a WIP writes itself into a corner with no way out. Plot is important to me, and I get cross when it gets abused.

This is pure self-interest, but I'm interested in the feelings about 'serials' in TW-fic. By which I mean the kind of thing I write, where each story stands-alone, but they're all part of the same fic-verse that I've created. There's a few of them out there - do they fall into the category of long-fic, or WIP or what? And are they problematic for new readers? Just interested, that's all...

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

Hm yes... I kinda used "serialized" here as "long fic in chunks", but I see how I actually missed what you're talking about there... *scratches chin*. Well, TBH if every story you post actually is a stand-alone and they just fit in nicely with the overall plot of your story arc, then I wouldn't really call them long fics or WIPs. More like, uh, short fics that fit into an overall story arc but can stand alone. So that doesn't really apply to either.

As for your other points, I couldn't agree more. I feel exactly the same way, both for writing and reading WIPs.

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

Interesting poll, I'll have to come back and check out the results again later after more people have responded.

Personally, with very few exceptions, I don't read WIPs because a) 80% of them never get finished and b) they usually end up not making much sense because the author changes gears halfway through. Sometimes they even change pairings halfway through, which drives me nuts. Torchwood seems to have an inordinate amount of WIPs compared to completed works, which is why I have been a little frustrated in trying to find good fic in this fandom. There's little that will make me scroll past an entry faster than seeing "Part 12 of ????" on a header.

[johanirae.livejournal.com]

It really depends on the author. It helps if I get more familiar with the author on his or her shorts, then be willing to join the wait for his or her gradual WIPs

I am wary of going for WIPs for fear of abandonment, but on LJ this hasn't happened very often... I guess I really don't like the "wait indefinitely for what happens next" thing... I abandoned one or two series because it never seemed to end. On the other hand, I am definitely glad to dive into a long series that is now finished and taken as a classic in the fandom

I once drew a WIP series, which I realised would have really benefited, style and tone wise, from long term planning. Which is why I don't do a lotta of them now O_o

[johanirae.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, been also wondering, with authors, how important is it for a WIP to be based on a previously clearly structured outline? You have a option here which mentions interaction with the author. Would it be better if the author tweaks the plot when lots have commented on a particular issue? Or just stuck to how he/she figured the story would go?

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

When I first started out writing fics, I often posted WIPs, basically because I was nervous about how my writing would be received and I didn't want to spend a week working on something and then post it only to have three people comment and go 'yeah, that was rubbish.'

Now I'm more confident, I tend to finish something and then post it in regular instalments. That said, I recently posted the first part of something that's not finished, just to meet a challenge deadline, and I kind of regret it, because I feel like I've left people hanging. I plan to finish it before posting any more instalments, which means there'll be a massive gap between part one and two, but then the rest will be close together.

Even when I was posting WIPs though, I always knew where I was going with it, and didn't respond to comments beyond 'oh that's interesting, I might explore that at a later date.'

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

Oh and as a reader, I don't especially mind waiting for instalments in a WIP, but I hate it when authors expect you to remember what happened previously and don't provide a link to earlier parts. That really winds me up, because it's not a difficult thing to do.

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

Often I am just not willing to start chaptered fics, esspecially wip, because I don't know if they are going to become ridiciulously long or be abandonded. Often you miss an installment being posted as well. I for one miss things on my friends page sometimes and it's difficult if you miss a chapter of a fic. Usually I avoid the chaptered ones unless it comes highly recommended of I know the author's other work well.

[melina123.livejournal.com]

Keeping track of WIP's is just such a pain, especially on LJ, especially trying to keep track of more than one. Plus I find it very difficult to follow stories when chapters are posted weeks (if not more) apart.

If a WIP looks interesting or is by an author I like, I try to remember to keep an eye out for when it's done (sometimes I'll use the LJ "track" to remind myself to check back), but I prefer not to start reading until it's finished.

When authors make it hard to follow a multipart story in LJ -- no index page, no links to other chapters at the top of each, or at the very least, use of tags -- I might check to see if it's posted at whofic, and if it's not, I usually just forget it. If the author doesn't want to make it easy for me to follow their story... well, I guess I just don't understand why some authors seem to actively discourage readers by making their stories hard to follow.

But generally -- yeah, I much prefer completed stories that I can read at a pace I choose. Series are different, and I don't mind reading stories in a series as they come, even with long breaks between, if each story stands on its own.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_stolendreams_/]

I personally don't read many WIPs because I'm always worried that a writer will abandon them half way through.
However I am currently in the process of writing one.
When I started I was intending for it to be two separate fics, the first one that I posted and then a sequel. However based on both the comments I was recieving and my own feelings when I sat down to write the sequel I realised that there was a lot more that needed to be said before I moved onto the sequel.
I've always known exactly where the story was heading and certain things that must happen along the way. Sort of like knowing that you have to get to point D via points A, B and C. But I do love hearing peoples comments, hearing what they think, how they think the characters would react etc. After all, there's no reason they can't take a slightly scenic route from point B to C as long as they get there.

Does that make any sense at all? If it doesn't I'm very sorry

[spacedye-vest.livejournal.com]

I love WiPs just as much as I hate and fear them :) I had bad WiP experiences in other fandoms, but TW is so small and new and I'm so in love with it that there's never enough so I don't get too picky.
I read drabbles, short fics, longish one-shots, multi-chaptered fics, WiPs.

But I prefer completed stories and the shorter I have to wait between installments the better.

[avon-09.livejournal.com]

AS someone who finds it really difficult to write long fics, writing stand alone stories and linking them can make it a whole lot less scary. I've given up on the idea of writing anything longer than 5000 words because I can't plot sufficiently well to make it remotely interesting.

I also agree with jadesfire's reducing comments theory. If the author is my friend I ask them if I can read it all in one go, simply because of time, which negates a comment a piece. Not fair on them I know.

[sandje.livejournal.com]

I love long stories and I don't mind WIPs but a lot depends if the author manages to capture my attention in the early parts, I usually keep a look out for the rest and read them when they are posted. I certainly prefer regular instalments, because that also makes it easier to remember what happened before.
If I get the feeling though that the author is kind of making things up along the way and doesn't seem to know where the story is heading I usually stop reading.

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

The Torchwood fandom does love its WIPs but I confess I rarely read them. There is nothing worse than starting to get invested in a WIP that is never finished. I also find that authors instead of writing the entire story and then posting it in chunks seem to write and post as they go along which means that characters aren't always consistent and plots can meander as the author loses their way. To read a WIP I would have to know and respect the author or have had it recommended to me. I certainly never rec a WIP until its finished as the few times I have done that the author either didn't finish the story for months or the piece massively declined in quality after I'd recced it.

I often think that the Torchwood fic writers out there working on these massive opuses would be better off mixing short stories with the novella WIPs and building an audience that way.

[unfeathered]

Personally, I will only read a WIP if it's written by someone I know and trust to post very regularly until it's finished, or at least until some of the plots are tied up so I don't mind too much if it goes on a long break or is never seen again.

I also usually wait until there are a fair few chapters up before I start reading.

As far as Torchwood goes, I haven't started reading any WIPs because I simply haven't had time.

And I do like those who write in 'serial' form, because you still get character and plot development, but each part feels complete in itself.

I can't say anything simply...

[sarcasticchick.livejournal.com]

I'll be frank. For starters, I read -some- WIPs, I currently am writing a WIP. And I am by -no- means claiming perfection :) I am equally at fault in much of what I say.

I am probably the worst when it comes to being a harsh critic w/ little patience when it comes to writing. Why? It's not that I don't respect other authors, but I have little respect for authors who do not respect their own writing/skills.

The problems that often are encountered in WIPs (I think) is that the stories are dropped, they wander plot-wise, they have short/almost pointless chapters, they aren't treated with the same beta-care as others, the characters shift and change throughout, plot points are dropped completely, and that gun on the wall in the scene two never fires by scene 5.

Did I hit everything?

To me, those problems are a disrespect to writing.

There is a definite difference in my response/reading of WIPs. A set schedule (whether it's daily, weekly, biweekly, etc...) will encourage me to read. A set number of chapters. A/Ns which say/imply an outline, a projected plan for the story, a purpose, etc... Previous chapters linked. Teasers into the next chapter. Respected author. No prompting to continue if x-number of comments are received. No "TBC...?". Betad. No A/Ns containing "please be gentle!" "omg this is my first fic liek omg lol!!!!!111111wtfbbq" " "this is horrible/awful/etc... but I'm posting anyway" "if u n0 liek, u can suX0rz my ballz!!11" "new to fandom, watched one episode, unsure of characters/plot/storylines but here's my take on the next season and forget the writers!" etc... No misspellings in the subject line. No "untitled" piece, especially in a series.

But looking at that list, this applies to one-offs, epics, WIPs, written-but-posting-in-chunks, etc... Like I said, I can be a harsh critic ;)

If an author shows some respect for their skills/talents, I will read anything. It doesn't matter if it's a first story, a respected author, new to fandom, one of the originals. But writers (especially fanfic'ers) have a hard enough time earning the respect they deserve for their creative talents that it sickens me to see a writer self-deprecate.

There are few authors - book-published, fanfic, online novelists - that I consider superb. But you thought it was good enough to publish for others to take the time to read. Show some respect for yourself and your writing when posting. I will respect -you- for that, no matter your skill level in plotting, characterization, writing, etc... That's all workable. You gain experience through practice, through feedback, etc... Cheapening what you do is worse than a WIP.

(I know mistakes slip through on occasion, shit happens, even with betas.)

And on a side note, I know through personal experience that if I am writing anything 'long' - it is far better for me to write as a structured WIP than to wait till it's finished then post. I'm a slow writer and a procrastinator, so deadlines -help- me. Others don't have those problems and kudos to them who can write in entirety before posting.

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

I will read WIPs if they're by an author that I've seen enough stuff from to trust that they'll finish. Or if someone I trust recs them. Or if the summary's interesting. :) I'm easy.

As far as posting, I'm just getting started on the "writing" end of fandom, but I've got one long one I'm working on that I know for sure will need to be finished before I start posting, because I know me, and if I don't have it finished first, I'll write myself in a corner, write something that contradicts itself, etc. It'll need to be completely finished and polished before I put it up.

The good thing is from reading these comments, I realize that I should make that clear in the header: "This fic is completed. A new chapter will be posted daily," or whatever.

[misslucyjane]

I've yet to read any WIPS in Torchwood. I'm waiting for them to be finished.

Once bitten, twice shy and all that. So many stories in various fandoms that I've loved and that never were completed.

I've written some epics myself and I know the wait can be frustrating, and real life interferes with fic all the time . . . but I have less time for reading than I used to, and I don't want to get invested in something that's only going to be a disappointment.

Perhaps it's harsh, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

[athousanderrors.livejournal.com]

I can't speak for others, but I know me and maverick0324 tweaked the ending of our 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' fic with kitty!Ianto. We took out some of the angst, because we had so many comments from people saying they couldn't cope with the continued angstyness of the fic.

But like I said, can't speak for others. :)

[eaeelil.livejournal.com]

I couldn't honestly answer the last one, so i choose one at random (sorry if i throw anything off) mainly becuase ... What is a WIP??

[emlyn-rune.livejournal.com]

As a reader, I'm more likely to read a WIP if the author has at least given some indication as to how many parts there are going to be. I hate seeing 'Pt1 of ?' on a story. To me this is an indication that they have no idea where the story is going. I usually pass on these ones until they're finished.

I also get frustrated and stop reading if links to previous parts aren't included with the newest post.

[(Anonymous)]

Work In Progress. This site may help with some of the short forms...
http://www.subreality.com/glossary/terms.htm

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

Hahaha you know, you don't HAVE to do tickybox when you don't know what this is about! *g* But thanks XD. Maybe you can ammend your answers accordingly once you know what it is. You just refill out the poll and your answers are changed.

Anyway, as the anonymouse said below, WIP is Work in Progress. That's a very common term in fanfic where the author posts each part of a fic as they come. They basically write, give it a quick read-over (hopefully...) and post it. So, at the time of posting, the story isn't actually finished yet. So that's the difference to posting a long fic in parts.

That's the exact reason why so many people are wary of WIPs since all of us fanfic readers already have been burned before where we've started reading a promising sounding WIP and then it was suddenly abandoned, or the parts were posted very irregularily and it was difficult to follow along, or the author changed his or her mind in the middle of the story and it went off into a different direction. All things that wouldn't really have happened otherwise.

Does that explain it better now? ^^

[michael-the-car.livejournal.com]

I love long fics, (50 pages plus and I'm in heaven) and I will read WIPs. My personal grouch in the TW fandom is that there are some brilliant WIPs that show no signs of being finished though.
It would be nice if the author could at least post the fact it has been abandoned, just to stop people like me feeling frustrated when the next installment doesn't appear.

I know we can't chain the writers to a computer, no matter how much we may want to, and I am grateful for all their efforts because they have given me hours of brilliant reading, but it is kind of sad to re-read something that has really grabbed your attention, at a later date suspect it will never be finished.

[daphne121.livejournal.com]

I try to only read WIPs from authors that I trust (I know they usually don't abandon their fics). However, I generally can't help myself. I see new fic, and I must click!

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

The last time I did a WIP that didn't have a clear structure was years ago, back when I was writing the Mary Sue epic. (seriously, never again.) but then I had no clear idea at that stage of the plot beyond some vague scenes. It's much better if your WIP has a cast-iron structure, because that way it tends to get *finished*.

[ceindreadh.livejournal.com]

I've stopped posting WIP's - or at least I don't start posting them until I've most of the chapters at least drafted out.

A few times though, a random comment or critique on a chapter might inspire me to alter subsequent chapters. It wouldn't usually be enough to change the course of the entire storyline, but just enough to add to it a bit.

(and the reason I stopped posting WIP's was because I left my first fandom with several in progress fic's on the go and couldn't bring myself to finish them. I promised myself I'd never do that to my readers again)