Commissioned: Should I or shouldn't I?

[PrevertOne]

Somebody sent me an email request through the Feedback to write three stories for him. Now I've never done something like this before, and I'm inclined to decline because some of the themes he wants don't exactly match mine. However, I'm kind of open to the idea but I'm kind of hesitant. I don't know the guy and it's flattering that he asked but it could also be something from which I should stay away. So does anyone have thoughts? Cautionary stories? Advice on a final decision? Scam warnings?

 

[slyc_willie]

I've had dozens of requests for tailored stories over the years. I haven't written any of them, and probably lost a few fans because of it. Oh, well.

Some writers don't mind writing for others. Me, I write for myself primarily, and if I were to consent to writing for someone else, I am no longer writing "my" story. Granted, now and then a request might lead to inspiration, but the resulting story is always one that I wanted to write, for better or worse.

However, I know that there are writers who are willing to give voice to another person's fantasies. I suppose it comes down to what kind of writer you are. Can you write passionately, given the dictates of someone else? Can you make "their" story yours? If so, have at it.

 

[Hypoxia]

Is he offering money or other valuta? Must you reveal your identity? How could you be harmed? You say, "some of the themes he wants don't exactly match mine." This is an opportunity to stretch as an author and push your comfort envelope.

 

[sr71plt]

I've written theme-request stories and posted them here. (They get prosluged as "requested by . . .") I make clear, though, that I'll just take what they give me as inspiration, the story will spin out as it naturally does, and it gets posted by me with no review/vote by them.

I got a request to write stories for money yesterday, but it must not be the same as the OP's request, because it gave no content. I answered "thanks, but I already write the stories for money."

 

[Bramblethorn]

Somebody sent me an email request through the Feedback to write three stories for him. Now I've never done something like this before, and I'm inclined to decline because some of the themes he wants don't exactly match mine. However, I'm kind of open to the idea but I'm kind of hesitant. I don't know the guy and it's flattering that he asked but it could also be something from which I should stay away. So does anyone have thoughts? Cautionary stories? Advice on a final decision? Scam warnings?

I have friends who do visual-arts commissions. Their business model typically goes something like this:

- Initial consult (establish client reqs, due dates, $ etc)
- Part payment before work starts
- Client gets to look at a rough sketch and gets one chance to say "that's not how I wanted it, she needs to have pointier ears"/etc
- Finish work, possibly deliver low-quality/watermarked version of work for inspection
- Client pays remainder of fee
- Deliver full work

Bigger jobs (paying more) might get more feedback opportunities. Obviously you'd need to adapt that for fiction, but the main ideas are (1) money up front, and (2) make sure you don't get bogged down in change requests, or surprised by "that's not what I wanted, I'm not paying for this".

If he's unwilling to trust you with money in advance, I guess escrow is an option.

(Assuming the money is worth your while and the requirements aren't deal-breakers, obvs.)

 

[PrevertOne]

He is offering money. Or at least that's the impression. He contacted me through the Feedback section on my profile. His themes include hardsex, which I'm not sure of the exact definition, animal sex, which I imply to be bestiality (not my thing, monster sex yes, real animals, no). His other themes of pregnancy and hybrid birth, I've written about. Maybe I should ask for more information?

Is he offering money or other valuta? Must you reveal your identity? How could you be harmed? You say, "some of the themes he wants don't exactly match mine." This is an opportunity to stretch as an author and push your comfort envelope.

 

[Sammael Bard]

Get the full info before taking the plunge - every nitty-gritty details - 'coz you don't want to be haggling with that guy later on (Oh, you wanted this? But I'm not really comfortable...)

Last time I took up a request like this, she(?) agreed to pay me via the escrow account, but later backed out and said she'd pay only via my real account number.

Long story short, I didn't give the material and told her to fuck off.