WIPs, part two

[geoviki]

I've been thinking about WIPs again.

One reason is that I'm taking a good bit of time to make the final revisions to The Big Fic. (A Thousand Beautiful Things, or TBT. isiscolo calls it The Big Thingie. You could also call it That Bloody Tome). Unlike so many of you folks, I have a lot of wordsmithing to do on my writing before it's decent. And although I'm not in the fan fic writing thing so that I'll attract a bevy of fangirls, it's still nice to share what I've done and hear what you think (operators are standing by now to take your call...)

I think the first 70 pages or so may be in good shape (although I still need to talk things over with wayfairer and roxannelinton; zionsstarfish finished her beta chores and gave it her stamp of approval - Thanks, Z.S.). So I've been tempted to post it as a WIP, since a couple of you are patiently waiting.

But no.

Over the past months of being in HP fandom, I've grown accustomed to reading WIPs. I have so many of them bookmarked, that I've divided them into groups: those updated fairly regularly, and those whose continuation is in jeopardy.

And I love them. They're well written, they're entertaining, they're clever and engaging. The fact that they're WIPs has nothing to do with their quality or my adoration.

Still, after a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that all of the benefits of WIPs accrue to the writer, and none to the reader.

I think most of you would agree that the hiatus between chapters diffuses the impact of the story. The longer the break, the worse it is, especially when most of us are following numerous WIPs. At one point I ginned up a guide for myself, so I could pick up the thread of the plot again. But some are updated so infrequently that I know I'll have to start again from the first chapter to have any hope of knowing where the story is at.

Maybe this is just sour grapes. I think I've mentioned that I write in a scattershot way, pieces here and there. In my latest, I wrote the first three pages when the rest was nearly done. The last thing I wrote are pages 4-6. This is an odd way to do things, but it's a pseudomorph* from writing geology papers. No way could I write a WIP like that.

WIPs do have a literary tradition. Charles Dickens wrote WIPS, and his unfortunate American readers had to wait for the ship to come in – literally.

And I have to say, I'd get more feedback if I wrote WIPs – not that I'm suggesting that WIP writers do it for that reason. I'd have time to build an audience – word of mouth would build anticipation for each succeeding chapter. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't care about reaching an audience.

So the bottom line is this: I'll keep reading and loving all of your WIPs, but you'll have to stick it out with me and wait until TBT is all finished before I let it out. But I am working on it daily.

So what are your thoughts on reading and writing WIPs?

* geology term du jour - a pseudomorph is a mineral that forms by alteration or substitution of another mineral and retains the original crystal form. Bet you're glad you learned that!

Comments

[zhonnika.livejournal.com]

I like WIP's, personally. I like being fed clues and chapters and await them eagerly :D BUT I will also dive right into a 30 chapter monster posted all at once. It's whatever is easier for the author, in my book.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I'm an impatient little bunny. I hate to wait. It's a wonder I sat through two pregnancies.

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

Ah, I do anxiously await TBT, but I disagree that WiPs have no benefit to the reader (and yes, I do feel I'm part of the minority in this). I have a few reasons for liking WiPs more than big, long one-shots.

First, I've been raised on serial television. I'm used to things on an episodic basis, so I'm used to waiting for the next bit of gratification. Because of the way television series run, I'm also used to hiatuses, so I don't have much trouble jumping back in; if anything, it's easier in fic because I can go back and read everything easily. Second, I don't have a very long attention span (you can blame this on the television; I do), so I get very jumpy when reading long fics and end up skimming for 'the good parts'. Waiting for chapters seems to curb this response a little, which I'm sure makes sense to no one but me. Third, again stemming from the above, I seem to have an ability to leave fics I'm reading alone. I simply cannot walk away from page 200 of some story just because life necessitates it. For example, when I finally picked up gatewaygirl's Blood Magic (still a WiP), she was already on Chapter 50 or so and I read it all in one sitting, even though I didn't eat, nor go to sleep until 4:00am, even though I had work about four hours later. Now that I only have to wait for one chapter at a time, it's SO much better. At least I get to bed at a normal hour. Yes, I realize this is a flaw in my character. ;) I do hope you wait until a weekend to publish your fic so I have can set aside the block of hours I'll surely need. Heh.

I do, however, hate WiPs that never finish. I don't care if the story takes years to finish -- just finish it and assure the readers that it'll eventually happen.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

See, I'm glad I asked. I'd never have made the TV connection because I stopped watching it a while ago.

And I think my memory is crappy. I blame menopause. (Actually I blame menopause for almost everything; it's a great excuse). So when I read Blood Magic, even though it's updated frequently, I still can't remember the last chapter and have to review.

And of course one of my love-it WIPS is your Oscillate Wildly. Now that WIP, I remember, because it's got such an unusual plot. So why are you writing to me -- go forth and update your WIP, woman!

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

go forth and update your WIP, woman!

* blames menopause *

Now, to hide my Driver's License in a safe place. ;)

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

Phew, easy to say "I've been raised on serial television. I'm used to things on an episodic basis". Now imagine that you see one episode on, for ex., Monday, April 12, the second one on Tuesday, April 13, the 3d - Thursday, April 15, the 4th - Wednesday, April 21, the 5th - Wednesday, July 7. Etc. And then imagine that you follow 20 TV series all of which show new episodes with such a consistency and regularity. I'm afraid a cozy ward in a mental clinic can be prepared in advance :/

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

And my "delayed WIP" bookmarks are too long - over a dozen. None of these has been updated in 2004 at all. It's frustrating, because for the most part, they are intriguing.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

It's weird, isn't it? I rarely read WIPs, unless I trust/know the writer. I tried to post a Star Wars fic as a WIP once, but kept getting sidetracked and left it somewhere in the middle. I have no idea if I'll ever finish it. I decided to post LMH as a WIP for several reasons -- for one, it was just a first draft, in my mind, and I'd rounded up a small group of friends to read it and give me feedback. I didn't think it would be very long at the time, and figured I'd just write it all out, post it on LJ, look at their comments, rewrite it, and then post it somewhere. Second, HP is a new fandom for me, and I felt like I needed feedback during the writing process to get things right. I knew I was still working through character and universe issues in my head. Again, I expected to get regular feedback from my friends, and not much else. I really, honestly, truly did not anticipate so many people would read it.

That's added stress to the situation, I'll admit! The problem with posting a WIP (as a writer) is that, unless you're completely organized, it can be very hard to do well. You'll realize in part 6 that you wish you had done something in part 2 differently, because that would set you up for something very cool and suddenly crucial to your story. Without reposting the earlier parts, it's too late! You can't progress, because suddenly it won't make sense. That hasn't really happened with LMH, but it did happen with the SW fic mentioned above, and that's exactly why the story ultimately stalled.

On the plus side, if people really give you serious analytical feedback, it can actually help the writing. This has definitely been the case for LMH. People have pointed out inconsistencies to me, and picked out things they thought were clues that I hadn't noticed. Getting feedback during the writing process has definitely affected my writing of the story. I don't know how readers are interpreting my story unless they tell me, and if they are seeing something I didn't intend for them to see, it's extremely helpful to me to know that. I can keep it in mind, and work around it, or even address it. I'm planning to rewrite LMH and post the final version somewhere, and all of that feedback is going to be incredibly valuable.

I don't know if that made any sense! So, would I do it again? I think I might, actually. I think you're absolutely right when you say a WIP benefits the writer more than the reader. Readers who stick with WIPs are doing the writers an amazing favor, and I hope they know that.

One more thing about posting a long fic as a finished product vs. posting it as a WIP: I also have a novel-length Star Wars fic that I've been working on for a year and a half. I'm glad I didn't post it as a WIP, because there were a lot of plot issues I needed to work through, and a lot I needed to learn about writing. However, it's still sitting on my hard drive, in need of another rewrite. And that rewrite is going to be a daunting task! There's something about having people waiting impatiently for the next part of your story that motivates you to sit down at the computer and get it done, you know? It's all about the deadlines, for me...

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

I've been watching the progress of LMH like a hawk for quite some time but I'm still waiting for it to be finished before I start reading, in spite of the fact that I know that only two chapters are left. Soon, right? :))

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're commenting here, because LMH is one of the WIPs I'm in love with right now. In fact, I delayed coming to work until you posted it, I was that anxious. Yikes! (And it was a terrific chapter, don't read this painless_j, such a balance of ecstasy and agony! Perfect!)

I didn't think it would be very long at the time, and figured I'd just write it all out... Ha! I like that - Help, I've WIPed and I can't get up! Well, I for one am glad LMH is longer than you'd planned. It's getting more interesting with every chapter. Plus, you update on a regular, frequent schedule, which is another big plus.

I don't want to discourage anyone from writing. If WIPs are the way for someone to make it happen, then I'll read WIPs.

On the plus side, if people really give you serious analytical feedback, it can actually help the writing. I overlooked this angle. I think you're right.

There's something about having people waiting impatiently for the next part of your story that motivates you to sit down at the computer and get it done Absolutely! That's why I've put so much time into TBT - no rewards for me until I finish it. And to be honest, most authors are responsible about satisfying their readers. There are some, though, who've forgotten their obligations. I do feel, even though fics are a gift to the fandom, each author has a duty not to leave their readers hanging forever. However, this is idealistic. People do have lives, things happen, hobbies change. Both readers and writers take risks with WIPs.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Unlike so many of you folks, I have a lot of wordsmithing to do on my writing before it's decent.

Don't sell yourself short, my dear! As I said in my fic-review post, the reason I'm so picky about really good stories is that the little things seem to matter more when the rest of the fic is so darn good. You get off fairly lightly from my editorial pen, you know - just ask some of the other writers I beta for!

And stick to those guns. Don't WIP this one.

As far as my own reading habits go, I no longer read WIPs as they come out. I might start a WIP and decide to keep reading it, but in most cases I'll just wait until the rest of it's posted before going back to it. The only exception is when updates are fast and furious.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

You know what, though - I did a lot of rewriting on it before you even saw draft #1. It just doesn't come out in a nice flow for me the first time.

Actually, I find that your editing inspires me.

And here I am rereading my Strunk and White as a lunchtime diversion. I should memorize it.

I've been trying to limit WIPs in my life, but sometimes it's too appealing. I see a rentboy fic and I'm all over it.

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

I came to the conclusion that all of the benefits of WIPs accrue to the writer, and none to the reader.

Agree but not quite. There's a risk for a writer, too. Enthusiastic, encouraging comments are very good for authors' egos, and I do appreciate it that the further in the WIP the more warm and sympathetic comments authors get. But the readers that follow WIPs don't see the whole. And the author can lose it, too, and get entangled in details and sub-plots. Anyway the text that was posted as WIP needs serious revising afterwards.

If you really want a word to be spread and so on, you can post it as a pseudo_WIP after you've finished it, like Cosmic is now doing with her Depths of the Winter - she publishes a chapter weekly, having assured her readers that the story is finished and betaed.

But some are updated so infrequently that I know I'll have to start again from the first chapter to have any hope of knowing where the story is at.

I dropped several really good novels because of it. I'll re-read them when they are finished.

Unlike so many of you folks, I have a lot of wordsmithing to do on my writing before it's decent

As for me, it's not a flaw, quite the opposite - a big advantage. Too many fics would profit if their authors put more effort and time into writing.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

I came to the conclusion that all of the benefits of WIPs accrue to the writer, and none to the reader.

After reading comments, I should maybe say "all of the benefits of WIPs accrue to the writer, and none to me. And that I share the risks with the writer, so they better be trustworthy about it.

[twigged.livejournal.com]

I honestly don't like WiP's because of the reasons you mentioned. I'd much rather read a long fic all at once. It also sounds as if you and I write pretty similarly. I find the writing process almost painful. Words don't spill out for me, and I endlessly tweak before I'm satisfied with them. I also write scenes out of order (and sections within scenes). Sometimes I write all the dialogue in a scene and fill in around it, and other times I write beginning to end. It's all very schizoid, but I just go with whatever works for me that day.

That said, I did WiP a 40,000 word SV fic last year, and liked it enough to start the H/D WiP I'm working on now. Feedback is a big part of it, but for me it's more the expectation that is there for me to keep working. The linear writing thing is a challenge, but I figure I'm probably not doing myself any favors writing endings first anyway.

I think it has given me more confidence in my story telling skills, as well. I started the SV fic with only the beginning and middle plotted, but some of the plotting that happened while I was WiPing it was really good, and I might not have made all the mental connections I did had I not been working on it steadily.

I look forward to your fic, though. Epic H/D?

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Ha! See note above about not being able to resist a rentboy fic -- yours was the one I had in mind when I mentioned it!

You are one of the few who've mentioned non-linear writing. Like you, I go with whatever feels pressing at the moment. But to be fair, I do have a semi-detailed outline I follow. Infrequently, I slip in an unplanned scene. The outline is typically anal, and I analyze the POV and the tone of each scene (active or a talking head scene, for example). If I have too many talking head scenes in a row, I try to liven things up with action.

TBT is H/D, but not overbearing about it. It really focuses on plot more than that relationship, but being the shameless H/D slut I am, I have to have it there. I can't say it's epic -- only you reader types can judge!

[twigged.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I'm an outliner, too. I always stress about POV and am v. detaileda bout which bits of plot are going to be revealed where. I tend not to plot to the very end, though. I get enough detail in until I feel comfortable enough to start the fic and after I start, I use it as a loose outline. I keep bits of dialogue in my outline, too, or my draft would be a total mess.