Abandoned Fics

[marajade007.livejournal.com]

Hello All

Not sure this is the right community for this but
I can't think of any other community that I can start
a discussion in this matter...

I have been thinking lately that maybe some of the abandoned
fics could be taken on by some of the great writers we still have in this
fandom... With the authors permission if they can be found
and if not can an abandoned fic be co opted and finished.

It's just a thought... I for one would like Mechanical Michelangelo
to be finished... I know of a few other fics that are in the same boat!

Any thoughts?

Thanks in Advance

Comments

[wjsc99.livejournal.com]

I'd love it if stories were *never* posted unless they were finished. QAF is the only fandom I've ever participated in where unfinished fics or wip's are common practice. I'd never heard of such a practice, before.

I never, ever begin reading a wip, as I was seriously burned during my first few weeks in the fandom.

[mysid.livejournal.com]

WIP's are a bad idea all around. I must admit that I left two stories (in a previous fandom) unfinished, but in my defense, I posted them believing that they were finished one-shots. But then I had an idea for a second chapter, and a third, and before I knew it I was many chapters in. The problem was, I didn't know where I was going. I still regret that they were never finished, but my muse for that fandom retired.

Now, I absolutely won't post unless a work is complete. And I definitely avoid reading WIP's.

[court1429.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how many fics I've noticed when scrolling my flist that have an author's note that says something about "I have no idea where I'm going with this." And my immediate thought is "then why the fuck are you posting?"

And there are authors I've noticed when I'm looking for tagging info who have multiple abandoned fics. It's like they get a scene in their head and start writing and then just lose their train of thought, but who cares? They've had another idea! If I read those authors in the first place, I sure would quit. lol

[mysid.livejournal.com]

"I have no idea where I'm going with this." And my immediate thought is "then why the fuck are you posting?"

Sing it, Sister!

And yes, there are certain writers notorious for multiple unfinished WIP's. Finish one story before you start another.

[wjsc99.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how many fics I've noticed when scrolling my flist that have an author's note that says something about "I have no idea where I'm going with this."

---------------------

I don't write fanfic, but do make part of my living as a writer. I never sit down to a new project without first writing an outline which carefully details the beginning, middle and end of the story. Variations may occur along the way, but a writer MUST know where they're headed when they start.

Years into the fandom, and I'm still amazed by this 'abandoned stories' phenomena.

As for the OP, I don't think adopted stories are a good idea, except in very rare circumstances. I like the idea of wip's as plot bunnies . . . but that would just spawn more abandoned stories. :-(

[kellydeer.livejournal.com]

Amen, wjsc99! I feel the exact same way. I believe all fics should be finished before posting & I, like you, never even start reading a WIP no matter how good they sound!

I am keeping an eye on a couple in the FanFiction.Net community that look like they are going to be great (and very long).

Queer As Folk: Never Say Never by QAFfan (listed as complete, but hasn't all been posted yet) I was in touch with the author and she said she listed it that way because it has been completed, but she does seem to post the chapters religiously every week.
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2180573/QAFfan


THE GREAT DIVIDE by Nightvision55 (also seems to post religiously weekly)
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2079566/Nightvision55

But I will not begin reading until complete & all posted!