abandoned and/or unfinished series

[rightbank]

I have recently been reading some delightful stories that appear to have been abandoned by their author(s). Some were even written using a Title that included Ch. 01 but a Ch. 02 was never posted. Some were more subtle but included information such as a bet with a three part consequence, of which only two were completed in the story as posted. Another included to be continued at the end of the text, but has never been continued.

We know there are writers who sometimes take up the challenge to Finish T D Stories started by others but are never completed. The most popular category for this is LW. But, how does one suggest or encourage a writer to take on such a task?

Of course, it would be best if the original author were to complete their own written story series, but, failing that, is there a protocol for forwarding to, suggesting, or encouraging, someone to finish an unfinished written thought?

 

[Hypoxia]

The usual ritual is to PM the original author to ask permission. If they're non-responsive, go ahead anyway. Be sure to prominently mention your source and circumstance. I sure wish someone would finish a couple of series for me.

 

[greengamegirl]

The usual ritual is to PM the original author to ask permission. If they're non-responsive, go ahead anyway. Be sure to prominently mention your source and circumstance. I sure wish someone would finish a couple of series for me.

I feel the same way. However, I don't want to continue their stories. I'm more interested in what the original author wanted. Although, someone else may create interesting scenarios.

 

[sirhugs]

The usual ritual is to PM the original author to ask permission. If they're non-responsive, go ahead anyway. Be sure to prominently mention your source and circumstance. I sure wish someone would finish a couple of series for me.

I disagree with the second portion of this answer. even on Lit, copyright applies...

 

[Hypoxia]

I disagree with the second portion of this answer. even on Lit, copyright applies...

Yes, and if the original author feels the derivative work infringes on their copyright, they can request a takedown. My own view is that 1) if someone wants to continue any of my stories, and 2) they acknowledge that I'm the original source, then they can have at'em. And if I'm not around to ask them not to, they can have at'em anyway.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Then there are those stories the author has published on paysites, ie. Kindle, Smashword, etc., as finished works.

I leave my God Mother first chapter up and anyone asking me when it will be finished, I point them to Smashwords with a coupon for half off.

 

[Carnevil9]

Yes, and if the original author feels the derivative work infringes on their copyright, they can request a takedown. My own view is that 1) if someone wants to continue any of my stories, and 2) they acknowledge that I'm the original source, then they can have at'em. And if I'm not around to ask them not to, they can have at'em anyway.

I agree. I also don't have a problem with people "harvesting" stories to post on another site. It's not like I'm making any money off them anyway.

If someone does have continuations available elsewhere, for money, and their Lit "teasers" are just their marketing device, then they should be around to enforce their copyright. And they should make the link to the pay site obvious.

 

[CyranoJ]

So is one allowed to link to pay sites from the stories, or through profiles? I thought I saw it specified in profile management that websites should be non-commercial, but there are sites / forums where sometimes rules like that aren't widely enforced or have informal exceptions.

 

[MyRubiLips]

So is one allowed to link to pay sites from the stories, or through profiles? I thought I saw it specified in profile management that websites should be non-commercial, but there are sites / forums where sometimes rules like that aren't widely enforced or have informal exceptions.

You have to be a Literotica author, first and foremost, and then the link must be to your work specifically. No "web site home page" link, etc. Nor can you link other authors.



So, is there a story idea here or is this only a question of protocol?

 

[sr71plt]

The usual ritual is to PM the original author to ask permission. If they're non-responsive, go ahead anyway. Be sure to prominently mention your source and circumstance. I sure wish someone would finish a couple of series for me.

Tilt. Lack of response doesn't mean acceptance in the publishing world. It is at least unethical to continue someone's story without their active permission.

As a reader, I'd suggest not reading a series unless/until it claims it's all complete and will be published by a certain date.

 

[lovecraft68]

Tilt. Lack of response doesn't mean acceptance in the publishing world. It is at least unethical to continue someone's story without their active permission.

As a reader, I'd suggest not reading a series unless/until it claims it's all complete and will be published by a certain date.

I agree not sure on the legality of it, but for me I would consider it unethical.

 

[rightbank]

My original question was prompted by specific stories as suggestions

You have to be a Literotica author, first and foremost, and then the link must be to your work specifically. No "web site home page" link, etc. Nor can you link other authors.



So, is there a story idea here or is this only a question of protocol?

I am an avid reader, not a writer. Reading my way around the site I have encountered several examples of authors actually encouraging others to submit a follow-on to their story submission. Other times an author will find a story written by someone else that seems to leave the issues unresolved and after following the protocols discussed in this thread will attempt to get closure for the orphaned story.

In my case I have found several interesting stories by writers who have become inactive, sent them a PM asking if they are going to keep their series going, hoping that my question might encourage them, but not gotten a response.

My reason for asking the question was the hope that an author might want to take up the gauntlet and use the story kernels as starting points and have fun completing them.

One example is a story written by SmithCommaJohn, Mom's Camping Trip (4.59) written in 2005. The description is "Mom has three tasks for her son", but only two are completed in the story. There are several others that fit into this same mold. I just don't know how to suggest them to writers.

 

[sr71plt]

Whether or not it's done doesn't have a thing to do with whether it should be done. It's the author's story until/unless he/she releases it. It's fine if the author gives permission to handing the story on, but it isn't the author's responsibility to actively confirm anything.

Write your own stories.

 

[lovecraft68]

I am an avid reader, not a writer. Reading my way around the site I have encountered several examples of authors actually encouraging others to submit a follow-on to their story submission. Other times an author will find a story written by someone else that seems to leave the issues unresolved and after following the protocols discussed in this thread will attempt to get closure for the orphaned story.

In my case I have found several interesting stories by writers who have become inactive, sent them a PM asking if they are going to keep their series going, hoping that my question might encourage them, but not gotten a response.

My reason for asking the question was the hope that an author might want to take up the gauntlet and use the story kernels as starting points and have fun completing them.

One example is a story written by SmithCommaJohn, Mom's Camping Trip (4.59) written in 2005. The description is "Mom has three tasks for her son", but only two are completed in the story. There are several others that fit into this same mold. I just don't know how to suggest them to writers.

If an author is encouraging it, or on board with it, then have at it.

I just had this happen, an author was very annoyed with how I ended one of my stories and we were discussing it, we become friendly and talk about writing all the time now and he asked if he could do his version of the ending of that story and I told him to go for it, but make sure he mentions in a note he has my permission so he does not get killed, and I made it a point to comment on it so people would believe it.

But that's permission, just picking up where an old story left off without that person's consent is very different

 

[CyranoJ]

I would assume you could also suggest story ideas based on one of these uncompleted series -- or similar to one of them -- without actually bringing flat-out continuing another author's story into it.

 

[JasmineDeMure]

Whether or not it's done doesn't have a thing to do with whether it should be done. It's the author's story until/unless he/she releases it. It's fine if the author gives permission to handing the story on, but it isn't the author's responsibility to actively confirm anything.

Write your own stories.

I agree whole heartedly with this. My copyright is my copyright. It is actually paramount to theft in my opinion to highjack some ones creation without permission.

 

[MNGuy]

I would have finished mine, but I died.

 

[oggbashan]

I get around to finishing my sets of a series - eventually.

It might take a decade, but I get there...

I wouldn't be happy about someone trying to complete one of my unfinished stories unless they asked first.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Honestly there is a way for everybody to win.

Step one. Admit your story was inspired by and is a spiritual continuation.

Step two change around the names.

At that point it is technically an original idea or at least as original as say True Blood is in a world with Vampire Diaries or the Walking Dead in a world with Dawn of the Dead.

 

[Mello_SixtyNine]

I've gotten a lot of comments asking for a part 2 to my stories but I have so many ideas for new stories that I'd rather just write something else than continuing a story. My problem is that I'm also a procrastinator. I have three other stories (The New Hairstyle, The Spider Bite, & The Secret Lessons) that I just haven't finished writing. And it's not like they are just rough outlines. I've written over 8,100 words for, "The Spider Bite" and over 4,000 for, "The Secret Lessons".

I think my problem is that I'll get an idea for a new story while I'm writing the previous story & I just have an urge to type that up while it's fresh in my mind.

 

[Hypoxia]

Tilt. Lack of response doesn't mean acceptance in the publishing world. It is at least unethical to continue someone's story without their active permission.

* LIT is not the commercial publishing world. This is a free, amateur site. I won't make money by continuing a story, mine or anyone else's.
* LIT authors don't necessarily remain in communications. Dead, disabled, or disinterested? Hard to tell. How long should I await a non-response?
* Continuing someone else's story, or paying homage to them, is not the same as copying them, especially not if the comments clearly state the origin and continuation status. And if the original author demands a take-down, so be it.
* The universe of fanfic is built on extending pre-existing stories. Should it all be banned?

Taking someone else's WORDS and claiming them as your own is plagiarism. Taking their IDEAS and embellishing them, giving credit where due, is creative writing. Ideas are not owned nor copyrighted (although they may be trade-secret protected if applicable). If the originator does not object, I won't hesitate to expand such ideas. And if they DO object, I'll pull the pieces.

 

[sethp]

Just message the author.

I'm guilty.

I have a hard time getting into my sequels. I'm usually knee deep into several new stories.

I just now re wrote a 3 section story I had and added a chapter 4. still needs to be edited and finished a new story that still needs to be edited and started writing a sequel to my most popular story and then have an epilogue for another story that everyone is clamoring for a sequel to and then I really need to add a second chapter to my 2nd most popular story and then I have 3 other stories in the works as well.

It's not easy being a writer!

 

[Hypoxia]

Just message the author.

That works -- IF they respond. If they're alive. If they give a shit.

It's not easy being a writer!

Fuckin' aye. We write because we must, driven by hunger, or inner voices or mad compulsions (same thing). If writing was easy, everybody would be doing it. Oh wait -- they are. Badly, though.

These be perilous times. Children no longer obey their elders, and everybody is writing a book.
--Pliny the Elder, 77CE​

50 SHADES proves that competence is irrelevant to success. (And that was damnable fanfic.) Millions of 'writers' churning out words like chimps at Selectric keyboards. Everyone telling their stories and fantasies. Everyone with their own fetish niche. Stories of Bengali women with steaming armpits; of mutant Mexican jumping beans used as anal beads; of lovers of asparagus-scented urine; of hypersexual vampires.

There are ten million stories in The Naked City and they mostly suck. But as long as they're free, so what? Time for ch.83 of OH DADDY! STICK ME!

 

[JasmineDeMure]

That works -- IF they respond. If they're alive. If they give a shit.


Fuckin' aye. We write because we must, driven by hunger, or inner voices or mad compulsions (same thing). If writing was easy, everybody would be doing it. Oh wait -- they are. Badly, though.

These be perilous times. Children no longer obey their elders, and everybody is writing a book.
--Pliny the Elder, 77CE​

50 SHADES proves that competence is irrelevant to success. (And that was damnable fanfic.) Millions of 'writers' churning out words like chimps at Selectric keyboards. Everyone telling their stories and fantasies. Everyone with their own fetish niche. Stories of Bengali women with steaming armpits; of mutant Mexican jumping beans used as anal beads; of lovers of asparagus-scented urine; of hypersexual vampires.

There are ten million stories in The Naked City and they mostly suck. But as long as they're free, so what? Time for ch.83 of OH DADDY! STICK ME!

It's like any other creative field in today's world. I will admit that I am not a good business person but I can't help but think that part of the reason that my photography business failed was due to the fact that everyone has a camera. I spent many years in school learning my craft and then never stopped learning. I practiced and pushed my knowledge but being a good artist doesn't mean anything to those that don't know the difference.

All creative fields have similar story and it is very sad. Unfortunately the only way to put the genie back in the bottle is to turn back time. Every once in awhile I do get surprised with quality though.

 

[JasmineDeMure]

* LIT is not the commercial publishing world. This is a free, amateur site. I won't make money by continuing a story, mine or anyone else's.
* LIT authors don't necessarily remain in communications. Dead, disabled, or disinterested? Hard to tell. How long should I await a non-response?
* Continuing someone else's story, or paying homage to them, is not the same as copying them, especially not if the comments clearly state the origin and continuation status. And if the original author demands a take-down, so be it.
* The universe of fanfic is built on extending pre-existing stories. Should it all be banned?

Taking someone else's WORDS and claiming them as your own is plagiarism. Taking their IDEAS and embellishing them, giving credit where due, is creative writing. Ideas are not owned nor copyrighted (although they may be trade-secret protected if applicable). If the originator does not object, I won't hesitate to expand such ideas. And if they DO object, I'll pull the pieces.

Actually you make very good points . We see all sorts of fan fiction being made and the rule there is generally as long as no money changes hands then it's ok. Who to say that a "fan" of an author can't continue on with an idea and then the author could still come back and work on the orginal. There are even exercises where a group of people create something from a single concept so why not....

Thank you for bringing these points up. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own creation that we forget that part of our job as creatives is to inspire others.