ANSWERED: Abandoned Stories - What is the protocol for finishing one? - - YOU DON'T

[NCostello]

ANSWERED: YOU DON'T.

(I posted some of this information in another thread, but this is another question.

I found a story by Debaser_Lament called A Way to Get More.

I found it pretty hot and looked for chapter two... No luck. And to my horror, it turns out that the story was written in 2011 and the author has been idle since

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

My Initial thoughts:

1. Story and author need to be idle for a minimum of five years
2. explicit permission from author, or three attempts over a three week period.

 

[ElectricBlue]

(I posted some of this information in another thread, but this is another question.

I found a story by Debaser_Lament called A Way to Get More.

I found it pretty hot and looked for chapter two... No luck. And to my horror, it turns out that the story was written in 2011 and the author has been idle since

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

Repeatedly.

You shouldn't do it unless you have explicit permission from the other author.

My Initial thoughts:

1. Story and author need to be idle for a minimum of five years

No. I have stories older than that, that I might come back to one day.

1. explicit permission from author,

This and only this.

1. or three attempts over a three week period.

Rubbish. You need explicit permission, not attempts to get it.

Thanks!

Write your own story.

You have no rights whatsoever to "continue" someone else's story. It is THEIR story forever, never yours.

 

[lovecraft68]

(I posted some of this information in another thread, but this is another question.

I found a story by Debaser_Lament called A Way to Get More.

I found it pretty hot and looked for chapter two... No luck. And to my horror, it turns out that the story was written in 2011 and the author has been idle since

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

My Initial thoughts:

1. Story and author need to be idle for a minimum of five years
2. explicit permission from author, or three attempts over a three week period.

Thanks!

Not your fault, but this topic comes up repeatedly.

There will be an ensuing argument over copyright where some think you can do it, others will say no and on and on.

Point of reference is a story called February Sucks that a lot of people hated the ending to and reached out to ask if they could write a sequel. The author didn't respond and over 20 stories were posted here without permission and are still here. The author eventually returned and gave a blanket permission moving forward and never did anything with the others, so I suppose technically you can do this and the site won't care unless there is some reports on it.

Then there's people like myself who look at it from a strictly ethical point of view and if you don't have permission, you shouldn't do it. Even if they never come back, its not your story and not yours to finish. Basically a dick move IMO

You do you, but be prepared for this thread to be a long windy road of the same old same old.

I gave the cliff notes.

 

[Cagivagurl]

If you posted in another thread, then I'm sure you already got your answer.

NO...
Never....
Stop asking the same question...

It is totally unacceptable (I my opinion) To steal somebody else's work, thoughts and ideas...

There is only one way. Get the Authors permission...

Cagivagurl

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

(I posted some of this information in another thread, but this is another question.

I found a story by Debaser_Lament called A Way to Get More.

I found it pretty hot and looked for chapter two... No luck. And to my horror, it turns out that the story was written in 2011 and the author has been idle since

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

My Initial thoughts:

1. Story and author need to be idle for a minimum of five years
2. explicit permission from author, or three attempts over a three week period.

Thanks!

NCostello, curious what would be stopping you from reimagining the plot from the start to make it your own, then writing your own original story?

 

[Bramblethorn]

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

Yes. There are three ways it can happen:

• Author explicitly gives you permission
• Author explicitly releases their story into the public domain (I guess this is a form of "gives you permission").
• Wait until copyright expires on the story (under US law 70 years after death of the author, or if it's anonymous, 95 years from publication).

Not being able to get a reply from the author does not constitute permission. Mailboxes get full, people go on holiday, people get stuck on a story. One author here (now deceased) mentioned taking something like 11 years to complete one of his stories.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I begin to suspect these are just troll posts

 

[ElectricBlue]

I begin to suspect these are just troll posts

More so someone who thinks their desire to continue someone else's story outweighs the fact that it's not theirs to do that, and hasn't even thought about writers' ethics.

The thread will yap on about copyright, which always misses the point - it's never a question of whether you can do it or not, it's really down to whether you should.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Addendum: readers don't always agree with authors on where a story should end. Many authors like to leave something to the imagination. I skimmed this story (which is more NC than Fetish IMHO) and it's not at all clear to me that the author ever intended for there to be a Part 2.

 

[OddLove]

Can't you just write your own story? Obviously, you'll be inspired by the stories you've enjoyed in the past. But you can create your whole ass own world.

 

[NCostello]

NCostello, curious what would be stopping you from reimagining the plot from the start to make it your own, then writing your own original story?

in

If you posted in another thread, then I'm sure you already got your answer.

NO...
Never....
Stop asking the same question...

It is totally unacceptable (I my opinion) To steal somebody else's work, thoughts and ideas...

There is only one way. Get the Authors permission...

Cagivagurl

this is the first time I've asked. I posted the example story in another thread.
But I understand and agree.

If there is an FAQ, then I missed it and My Bad.

 

[EmilyMiller]

If there is an FAQ, then I missed it and My Bad.

There ought to be if there isn’t already.

 

[NCostello]

I edited the title to reflect that this has been answered.
Thanks everyone.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I edited the title to reflect that this has been answered.
Thanks everyone.

This question gets asked all the time. And we are all authors and don’t like the thought of this happening. So you have two reasons for us to be a bit grumpy.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I'm keeping my big, fat, black mouth shut this time.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

ANSWERED: YOU DON'T.

(I posted some of this information in another thread, but this is another question.

I found a story by Debaser_Lament called A Way to Get More.

I found it pretty hot and looked for chapter two... No luck. And to my horror, it turns out that the story was written in 2011 and the author has been idle since

Has there ever been any discussion of a formal process for "finishing" abandoned stories?

My Initial thoughts:

1. Story and author need to be idle for a minimum of five years
2. explicit permission from author, or three attempts over a three week period.

I just posted my take on this in a different thread, but I'll repeat it here:

I wish that this site did a better job of controlling stagnant, incomplete stories. They litter the landscape and encourage more writers to throw their crap out there, simply for feedback, or to prove something to themselves.

I fully understand and respect that there are also a large number of well-intentioned writers where life simply got in the way of them finishing what they started.

If the site were to impose a deadline for a story to be completed before it gets removed from the site, as some other sites do, I think we would all benefit. Let the writer resubmit the completed work when it is written in its entirety. Hopefully, this would motivate writers to either get back into their story, or better yet, entice them to complete it before publishing.

 

[ElectricBlue]

If the site were to impose a deadline for a story to be completed before it gets removed from the site, as some other sites do, I think we would all benefit. Let the writer resubmit the completed work when it is written in its entirety. Hopefully, this would motivate writers to either get back into their story, or better yet, entice them to complete it before publishing.

What's the criteria for determining whether a story is "complete", though?

I have a story here titled blah blah Ch.01, where I fully intended there to be a follow on. But five or six years later, there isn't. But the first "chapter" is self contained, resolved within itself, so I'd be pissed if someone arbitrarily came along and took it down, just because they think it's not finished.

As an aside, not a single soul has asked, where's chapter two? I don't think readers care much, to be honest, provided the story they're in delivers the goods.

Mind you, I've learned the lesson, and no subsequent story starts with Ch.01 unless Ch.02 was in fact written, or at least, well underway.

 

[lovecraft68]

OP says question answered, but the preaching continues.

 

[TheRedLantern]

As an aside, not a single soul has asked, where's chapter two? I don't think readers care much, to be honest, provided the story they're in delivers the goods.

Now I'm tempted to dig through your profile for this story and make a comment asking for the next chapter with several well-thought out points and questions that showed that I read and undestood your work. THAT will teach you to leave a Chapter 1 with no Chapter 2!

 

[ElectricBlue]

Now I'm tempted to dig through your profile for this story and make a comment asking for the next chapter with several well-thought out points and questions that showed that I read and understood your work. THAT will teach you to leave a Chapter 1 with no Chapter 2!

You are an exceptionally deviant person; although to identify the story won't be a challenge, since it's the only with Ch.01 but no Ch.02.

If you do read it, you'll find it quite EBish. It's actually a collaboration, so the more interesting activity would be to identify which parts are mine, and which came from my collaborator. I read it the other day, and some sections I know for certain are my writing, but there are other sections where I'm no longer sure.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I just posted my take on this in a different thread, but I'll repeat it here:

I wish that this site did a better job of controlling stagnant, incomplete stories. They litter the landscape and encourage more writers to throw their crap out there, simply for feedback, or to prove something to themselves.

I fully understand and respect that there are also a large number of well-intentioned writers where life simply got in the way of them finishing what they started.

If the site were to impose a deadline for a story to be completed before it gets removed from the site, as some other sites do, I think we would all benefit. Let the writer resubmit the completed work when it is written in its entirety. Hopefully, this would motivate writers to either get back into their story, or better yet, entice them to complete it before publishing.

I’ve got two ‘hanging’ stories here. The first is where I have a solid outline for the fourth and final chapter, but imposter syndrome struck. The feedback on Ch. 01 - 03 was so positive, I became paranoid about ‘sticking the landing.’ Was my final resolution worthy of the other chapters? Was it too melodramatic and shmaltzy? I’ll get around to writing it some time.

The other was a SciFi series set in a SW universe (but not referencing any specific characters, or events - it’s even at an indeterminate time and with many deviations from canon - it’s definitely ‘inspired by’). The views in C&FF were so dismal that I was discouraged. But I loved my characters dearly and liked the central premise. I’ll probably rewrite / complete it as a novella. Is this stealing from Lucas / Disney? Probably, but only a setting, like borrowing Sherwood Forest from Robin Hood.

In either case, I find the idea of having a time limit on my creativity kinda ick.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

What's the criteria for determining whether a story is "complete", though?

I have a story here titled blah blah Ch.01, where I fully intended there to be a follow on. But five or six years later, there isn't. But the first "chapter" is self contained, resolved within itself, so I'd be pissed if someone arbitrarily came along and took it down, just because they think it's not finished.

As an aside, not a single soul has asked, where's chapter two? I don't think readers care much, to be honest, provided the story they're in delivers the goods.

Mind you, I've learned the lesson, and no subsequent story starts with Ch.01 unless Ch.02 was in fact written, or at least, well underway.

Have you ever considered asking Laurel to rename it for you?

It's not that difficult to determine if a story is complete. Typically, there will be a resolution that brings closure to whatever the plot of the story is. Does it stand on its own as an episode or does it require additional content to fulfill its objective?

 

[SamBomb]

Take what you found hot about the story and write a new story then continue it on. There is some vague idea I'm sure you could make your own?

 

[MelissaBaby]

I’ve got two ‘hanging’ stories here. The first is where I have a solid outline for the fourth and final chapter, but imposter syndrome struck. The feedback on Ch. 01 - 03 was so positive, I became paranoid about ‘sticking the landing.’ Was my final resolution worthy of the other chapters? Was it too melodramatic and shmaltzy? I’ll get around to writing it some time.

The other was a SciFi series set in a SW universe (but not referencing any specific characters, or events - it’s even at an indeterminate time and with many deviations from canon - it’s definitely ‘inspired by’). The views in C&FF were so dismal that I was discouraged. But I loved my characters dearly and liked the central premise. I’ll probably rewrite / complete it as a novella. Is this stealing from Lucas / Disney? Probably, but only a setting, like borrowing Sherwood Forest from Robin Hood.

In either case, I find the idea of having a time limit on my creativity kinda ick.

I had planned The Adventures of Ranger Ramona as a three parter, but as I wrote it, I found that the first part was somewhat skimpy, plot wise, and ended up writing it in two parts. I still have some plot ideas for a third part, but none that rise to the level of being a complete story. But maybe someday I will put it together. I would object to any changes that would limit my ability to do so. Luckily, it's almost certainly an academic question.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Have you ever considered asking Laurel to rename it for you?

Why waste her time? It doesn't bother me, and it doesn't bother readers, and I might one day write another part.

It's not that difficult to determine if a story is complete. Typically, there will be a resolution that brings closure to whatever the plot of the story is. Does it stand on its own as an episode or does it require additional content to fulfill its objective?

Who, exactly, is going to read these long unfinished stories to determine that? That's where this all falls down.

I think this is another one of these author things, where readers actually don't care all that much, or are clever enough to figure it out for themselves.

Sure, some moan, but in the grand scheme of things, how many? We all know comments are in fact quite rare, when compared to the number of views a story gets. There are probably more comments saying, please continue this story, where the writer has no intention of doing so.