Writers remorse.

[MColton84]

Does anyone else regret starting a series? I ask because I tend to do stories in sets of three. I have done two in a series and no longer desire to complete the story. I had started it to cope with a real life tragedy, however, in working on it I found that it only caused more feelings to surface. It's been almost 3 months since I published the second installment and I am conflicted on how to finish it. Part of me just wants to leave it undone, but it hardly seems fair to do so. Another part of me just wants to muscle through and finish it, however, I am as of yet, uninterested in doing so. I know how it ends, but I can't bring myself to actually write it. Does anyone else go through this? If so then how would you deal with it?

 

[AlinaX]

Leave it until you feel inspired again, if ever.

 

[oggbashan]

Leave it until you feel inspired again, if ever.

I did that. It took me thirteen years to get inspired again!

Christmas Fairy Ch 01 and 02 in 2004; Ch.03 and last 2017.

 

[tomlitilia]

Does anyone else regret starting a series? I ask because I tend to do stories in sets of three. I have done two in a series and no longer desire to complete the story. I had started it to cope with a real life tragedy, however, in working on it I found that it only caused more feelings to surface. It's been almost 3 months since I published the second installment and I am conflicted on how to finish it. Part of me just wants to leave it undone, but it hardly seems fair to do so. Another part of me just wants to muscle through and finish it, however, I am as of yet, uninterested in doing so. I know how it ends, but I can't bring myself to actually write it. Does anyone else go through this? If so then how would you deal with it?

Yeah, I got persuaded by encoraging comments to continue the first story I created. I came up with a long plot and published a few more chapters. But then I got more interested in other stories and focused more on them. My writing skill evolved, and now I think a lot of that first series is pretty shit. Everytime I try, I can't bring myself to finish it.

Lesson learned, I no longer publish series chapters until the whole story is complete.

 

[horrorotic]

Does anyone else regret starting a series? I ask because I tend to do stories in sets of three. I have done two in a series and no longer desire to complete the story. I had started it to cope with a real life tragedy, however, in working on it I found that it only caused more feelings to surface. It's been almost 3 months since I published the second installment and I am conflicted on how to finish it. Part of me just wants to leave it undone, but it hardly seems fair to do so. Another part of me just wants to muscle through and finish it, however, I am as of yet, uninterested in doing so. I know how it ends, but I can't bring myself to actually write it. Does anyone else go through this? If so then how would you deal with it?

Writing can be great catharsis to cope with grief and pain, and there will be a cost to you for dredging deep in your emotion.

But if it gets to be too painful you stop. You're mental and emotional well being is far more important than people sucking up free stories being upset you didn't finish.

But I would add that when you're sure you won't finish, I'd remove the other two parts so new readers don't start it.

Take care of you first

 

[SimonDoom]

My response is to try not to sweat it. Don't think about it too much. With writing, look forward, not backward. I have two unfinished series. I'd like to finish them, but not so much that I worry about it or let them distract me from writing stories I'd rather write. You are not getting paid to do this, so do it in whatever way gives you the most joy, or that helps you improve as a writer.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Not really, yet I have a bunch unfinished at this point in my life that I'm just not 'inspired' to finish just yet. And I have some that parts haven't been posted that sit languishing on my hard drive.

 

[vanmyers86]

One thing I've seen some writers do is create a story universe, rather than a series, and add stories as they are inspired. For example, Bebop3 did this particularly well in two story groups, one set in Montauk and the other in Pueblo.

Creating a framework like a universe reduces the pressure to complete a series, and allows writers to fit in prequels and side stories that support or expand on the others without necessarily moving the series forward.

I too would never again publish a series until every story was written. But - lesson learned.

 

[NotWise]

I regretted the first series I published here. I started it a couple years before coming to Lit and had eleven chapters sitting around. I published what I had and another eight chapters after that before I realized that I'd never complete the story for Lit.

Readers were already complaining about the time lag between chapters, so I decided to take the story down rather than having it sit around gathering more complaints.

The readers talked me into extending a Valentine's Day story into a series. I took eleven months to write the next two chapters, and seven more months for the next five. It's been waiting for three-and-a-half years now for me to get inspired again. There were readers complaints and down votes because it's unfinished.

Last summer I decided that I'd finish the damn thing before I wrote anything else. It's a really slow, mostly uninspired process -- like working at a job you don't like. I'll never do this again.

If, in the future, I ever publish another series it will all be written before any of it is published.

 

[Omenainen]

OP, judging by the amount of unfinished series on Lit you’re not alone. It took me a while to wisen up, but now I usually go to the last chapter and check the comments to see if it’s finished or not before even beginning. It’s frustrating to read a long series and be left hanging.

I’ve only written one series, but because I wanted to write in different categories I didn’t make it a series but independent stories. Still, I had a bit of a problem by the time I got to the last chapter, because then I wanted to resolve things that had no business being in the story when it wasn’t a series, so that approach wasn’t bulletproof either.

 

[KeithD]

Don't push to finish it. But if you don't want to have to worry about the readers, don't post any of it until/unless you've finished it all.

 

[oggbashan]

Don't push to finish it. But if you don't want to have to worry about the readers, don't post any of it until/unless you've finished it all.

Fuck the readers! They get our stories for free.

 

[MColton84]

Thanks.

I have done the outlines and framework for all three of the stories. Initially I started that particular series as a way of dealing with my brothers passing. I was able to write and release the first one without a hitch. However, I caught myself forcing the second one and hated the feeling. I am hoping to eventually be able to complete it, but I can see that I wasn’t ready to approach the subject. I suppose that I should just leave it as is and finish it on my own time. I appreciate all of your insights and advice. I was feeling a little guilty for leaving people hanging on the ending, but the second story was so rushed that I ended up feeling disgusted with the end result. I certainly didn't want to repeat the same pattern on a third installment. Thank you for your honest feedback. It means a great deal to me to be able to ask such questions without feeling foolish doing so.

 

[KeithD]

Fuck the readers! They get our stories for free.

Well, sure, that attitude obviates the whole reason for posting the thread.

 

[oggbashan]

Well, sure, that attitude obviates the whole reason for posting the thread.

Of course, it does, but we worry far too much about the readers' responses.

If you are happy with your story as posted, the voting, rating, and rude comments are irrelevant.

It is great when a story is liked and appreciated, but if not? Write another and say 'Fuck them!'.

 

[SimonDoom]

Fuck the readers! They get our stories for free.

I agree with this attitude.

Write for yourself and your own satisfaction. If readers don't like what you're doing, they have over 500,000 other Literotica stories to choose from. For free.

Remorse and regret won't make you a better writer.

 

[AlinaX]

If readers don't like what you're doing, they have over 500,000 other Literotica stories to choose from.

And until they've read all 500,000, they should behave themselves.

 

[AlinaX]

Besides, since no story is original - they've all been told - even if you leave a series unfinished, you can be sure somewhere amongst those 500,000 some other poor author has already written the finale.

 

[KeithD]

Well, good, thread solved then.

 

[stickygirl]

Does anyone else regret starting a series?~~~ Does anyone else go through this? If so then how would you deal with it?

Schubert did it. You're in good company

 

[AlinaX]

Schubert was probably thinking: "There. Second movement done. I'm happy. Eh? What do you mean symphonies have to have four movements. (Sigh. Bloody traditionalists.) Fine. This is my grand 'Unfinished' symphony - happy? I'm off fishing now. I fancy a nice bit o' trout."

 

[MsNatalie99]

Does anyone else regret starting a series? I ask because I tend to do stories in sets of three. I have done two in a series and no longer desire to complete the story. I had started it to cope with a real life tragedy, however, in working on it I found that it only caused more feelings to surface. It's been almost 3 months since I published the second installment and I am conflicted on how to finish it. Part of me just wants to leave it undone, but it hardly seems fair to do so. Another part of me just wants to muscle through and finish it, however, I am as of yet, uninterested in doing so. I know how it ends, but I can't bring myself to actually write it. Does anyone else go through this? If so then how would you deal with it?

Hey Matt,

You write what you want to write. If you finish it than great, if not than oh well. Don't worry about the H next to it. Art is about feeling. I also want to point out that most everyone reading it is probably jerking off, and probably not as interested in your expression as they are in their experience. If you feel done writing something, than be done. I can imagine that if they want to stroke to Pornagraphic stories, than they are not relying solely on you to do it. As almost everyone else has pointed out, you are not being paid to write here, so stop working so hard and enjoy what you are doing. Just have fun buddy!

 

[SamScribble]

I’m afraid that after all of these years, I still haven’t got my head around this obsession with ‘chaptered’ stories. Just write a story. And then, if you like the characters and feel the need to explore ‘what happens next’, write another – and tack it on.

And when you feel that you have had enough, you’ve had enough. Stop. Move on. No need for any remorse.

 

[Sextified]

One thing I've seen some writers do is create a story universe, rather than a series, and add stories as they are inspired. For example, Bebop3 did this particularly well in two story groups, one set in Montauk and the other in Pueblo.

Creating a framework like a universe reduces the pressure to complete a series, and allows writers to fit in prequels and side stories that support or expand on the others without necessarily moving the series forward.

I too would never again publish a series until every story was written. But - lesson learned.

I totally agree with creating a Universe to write in. I started with a simple idea of dealing with the loneliness and loss of a potential relationship, and pouring my feelings into 'what might have been'. I made the mistake of turning it into a series, then compounded it by making it into a book, then a series of books.

Along the way, I also came up with the idea (too late) of the Universe solution, and writing story arcs instead. I'm currently revisiting the oldest works (first novel), and taking that very approach. As long as I wrap up the main thread, and find a logical and emotional 'stopping point' for the main characters?

I'll be happy to stop there, until I have the entire next arc completed, polished and ready to post.

I literally have dozens of much smaller arcs mostly written as background material, and several that have already been posted on other websites.They are set in the same city, and build upon all the other works. Your comment about them supporting, or enriching, the main storyline WITHOUT 'moving' the main story forward is especially helpful to me right now.

Thanks for that.

In the mainstream world of SciFi, Horror and Fantasy worlds, L.E. Modesitt's ENTIRE body of work is loosely and/or tightly connected, even across genres. He tells one complete story per book, shifts forward or back in time, or across genres, and wraps up each novel nicely for the readers. It might be a decade before he comes back to the 'exact' point in time. Once, he told the other side of battle from the 'foes' point of view, finally humanizing them for the rest of the series.

For the OP?

Feel free to shelve the story for as long as YOU need it to stay there. If you have your own personal feelings wrapped up into the details of the threads, that makes it special to YOU. Digging into your own past does stir up dangerously powerful feelings at times. It's hard to do for some of us.

But to have invested so much effort, and have it result in something that your not happy with?

That wouldn't be a good thing for anyone.

As long as you can continue to write, and write well, shelve the older unfinished work, until your ready to go back to it.

Usually I have found it's better to be happier with your final results, then add the regret of doing something poorly to add to your memories.

The LAST thing you want to do right now, is to end up feeingl that you want to go back and FIX something, a few years later.

I know.

 

[MColton84]

Hey Matt,

You write what you want to write. If you finish it than great, if not than oh well. Don't worry about the H next to it. Art is about feeling. I also want to point out that most everyone reading it is probably jerking off, and probably not as interested in your expression as they are in their experience. If you feel done writing something, than be done. I can imagine that if they want to stroke to Pornagraphic stories, than they are not relying solely on you to do it. As almost everyone else has pointed out, you are not being paid to write here, so stop working so hard and enjoy what you are doing. Just have fun buddy!

Natalie,

I literally just spit out my coffee reading your reply. That is a hilarious and honest interpretation, and I appreciate your candor.