Anyone do this?

[Seadog777]

I have multiple stories unfinished right now. I'll be working on one, have an idea for another and then immediately start working on that one.
I currently have 6 different unfinished stories saved.
Anyone have this problem?

 

[Lady2020]

I don't think you are alone.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I think 90% of us would admit to this.

The 10% are probably lying.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Well, I do get into that situation often, yet I just write down every idea I have about the other story and then continue writing the first. There is definitely a pull to do more than just write down the idea I just came up with, but I disciplined myself not to switch to the other story until the first one is finished.

 

[FelHarper]

I have a fantasy, urban fantasy, two sci-fi stories, a BDSM femdom story, and an I/T story where I have written at least a few thousand words each, in addition to nagging ideas that I don’t know how I would want to start.

Yeah, it’s a problem. I let those ideas flow out when they need to, but try to redirect back to my main projects. It doesn’t always work.

 

[Voboy]

Well, I do get into that situation often, yet I just write down every idea I have about the other story and then continue writing the first. There is definitely a pull to do more than just write down the idea I just came up with, but I disciplined myself not to switch to the other story until the first one is finished.

This. Jot down what you've got as a bare outline or just a paragraph, then close that doc and finish what you've already got on the boil.

Old business before new.

 

[HeyAll]

I also have a lot of unfinished stories. What stops me is that the story doesn't feel right. Sometimes the ideas are great but when you write it, the logic isn't always there. It needs more time and thought to be completed.

I don't have a problem putting them away and coming back months later, or maybe a year, and finishing it with new ideas.

 

[Seadog777]

I also have a lot of unfinished stories. What stops me is that the story doesn't feel right. Sometimes the ideas are great but when you write it, the logic isn't always there. It needs more time and thought to be completed.

I don't have a problem putting them away and coming back months later, or maybe a year, and finishing it with new ideas.

On three of my stories, my biggest problem right now is how I'm going to finish them.

I can't seem to be able to decide on a final decision. I keep going back and forth.

 

[firmbutgentle]

I have a folder with dozens of drafts/fragments/etc. So ... yeah.

 

[TheRedChamber]

I am very unfocused in other areas of life so I try very hard to keep this under control. At the moment I'm working on a novel length story and occasional write shorter stories when I'm blocked on the main one or when it's with beta readers. I'm trying to keep the short stories down to things that can be written in two or three sessions tops.

I've got four or five really good ideas for 10—20k word stories that I'm dying to start but am strongly resisting because either I'll get nothing done on the novel for months or I'll end up dividing my time and losing momentum on both of them.

 

[Lovecraft_Lore]

Yes, I have half finished stories from contests 2-3 years ago.

I got scenes that don't fit in any current story. I have stories that don't go anywhere. fragments. Stories where I re-wrote half of it and now I don't know what to do with the first draft.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I have three in progress, and a whole folder full of ideas.

 

[lanceGibs]

I have three in progress, and a whole folder full of ideas.

You are very organized

 

[Seadog777]

I have three in progress, and a whole folder full of ideas.

What's the most you've had unfinished at the same time?

 

[DanDraper]

Many times over. Sometimes it's because I get a new idea in my head and I need to write out some of it before I forget.



....

 

[Rob_Royale]

Not yet. I'm only three stories in, so far, but I tend to focus really well while I'm writing. I have time during the work week to outline the story and make notes. I write on my days off, based on that. Seems to keep things flowing smoothly. I have a word document that is a dumping ground of ideas.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

Setting aside the Alexaverse, Time Rider, My Naughty Neighbour, Love You Daddy, Sapphic Serenity, the Great Khan, and Like A Daughter To Me, I have... fifty-six unfinished stories.

Ow. Thanks for making me look...

 

[Seadog777]

Many times over. Sometimes it's because I get a new idea in my head and I need to write out some of it before I forget.



....

Me too.

 

[Seadog777]

Setting aside the Alexaverse, Time Rider, My Naughty Neighbour, Love You Daddy, Sapphic Serenity, the Great Khan, and Like A Daughter To Me, I have... fifty-six unfinished stories.

Ow. Thanks for making me look...

Damn that's a lot.

 

[MelissaBaby]

What's the most you've had unfinished at the same time?

Separate stories, probably three or four. But when I was writing my Mary and Alvin series, I would usually have at least a dozen or so chapters started at the same time.

 

[Emotional]

I dont. If I have an idea, I have a document where I will write a one page synopsis. Other than that, when I start a story, I am 100% focused on it until I hit that final submit button. By the time it goes live, I am several pages into the next one.

 

[jaykaythree]

Does it count to work on one story at a time, but have four or five ideas kicking around in my head?

Because that's my situation.

 

[RejectReality]

LOL


Granted, some of these are cut bits which are reference for the sequel. ( Jackin' Jill ) Some are finished stories that I haven't migrated to the old drafts folder yet. Some are just waiting for me to finally admit defeat and move them to the Half-Baked folder... But it's also just what's visible without scrolling, and doesn't include my holiday stories folder, or my Danica folder.

 

[FifthEstate]

I think you are all just better at this than I am. I’m a methodical writer who has to concentrate on my current story to make any progress. But the one thing I do for future possibilities is publish draft story titles/descriptions on Lit to remind myself of concepts/ideas. The funny part is I find myself editing/re-editing those before I ever write a single word of the story itself…sometimes they turn into something, sometimes they don’t.

 

[alohadave]

View attachment 2191903

Wow, you don't see many people using Word Perfect nowadays. Last time I used it was back in the DOS days.


As for me, I only have a couple stories completed, but I have several in progress, and a couple that are just an idea/quick plot idea.