Finishing what one has begun

[KatieTay]

I can't seem to

I've only really wrapped up two complete series to date, and I have 3 or 4 more. Can't seem to work up the motivation to conclude those.

Anyone here with any tips on overcoming this particular psychological block? It doesn't seem to be mere lassitude on my part - I do try to get started on the final chapters, but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go, and I'd just... give up out of frustration.

 

[damppanties]

...but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go...

And why can't you let it go where it wants to?

 

[slyc_willie]

In the past, I've posted parts of an unfinished series. My most notable one -- no longer on Lit since I chose to pull it -- consisted of six chapters, each one novella-length. The first four chapters went up about a month apart, as I originally intended them to, and that story was all I was working on. And then real life got in the way, and considering that my life and family are supremely more important than anything I write, the following two chapters posted much, much later.

And then I stopped writing it at all.

I got hate mail. I got negative comments. Readers were pissed.

I've learned my lesson from the experience. Now, when the question of "should I continue?" comes up, or something similar, all I can say is:

No, you shouldn't. You've already lost the steam and lost your readers. Pull the series, start over, re-write, whatever. When you've got something finished, post the whole thing. If it's not finished, and you don't feel like finishing it, don't insult your readers by throwing up something that's half-assed done.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I can't seem to

I've only really wrapped up two complete series to date, and I have 3 or 4 more. Can't seem to work up the motivation to conclude those.

Anyone here with any tips on overcoming this particular psychological block? It doesn't seem to be mere lassitude on my part - I do try to get started on the final chapters, but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go, and I'd just... give up out of frustration.

It happens.

IRL I always have several projects underway simultaneously. If I'm stuck one place I work on something else.

 

[SamScribble]

One of the first short stories I wrote – before Lit, possibly even before the Internet – was about ten thousand words.

I submitted it to a ‘small magazine’ and, a couple of days later I got a call from the editor. ‘We like your story; we’d like to use it; but we’d also like to trim it slightly.’ (‘Slightly’ turned out to be by about five thousand words.)

Happily, the editor and I became good friends. About once a month we got together to drink wine, play backgammon, and tell lies. On one of these occasions, I asked him what his philosophy was on short stories. ‘Have a good opening,’ he said, ‘one that makes the reader want to keep on reading. Then tell the story. And when you have told the story, shut up. Brevity is your friend. It’s called a short story for a reason.’

All too often, when I post stories on Lit, the response is: that was good (or very good), but what happens next? Often, there is no next.

If you have a story to tell, tell it; if the story is told, stop.

 

[KatieTay]

And why can't you let it go where it wants to?

Well, when I start out, I have this idea of where and how the story is going to end. But then, the characters and the plotlines run away and I lose control, and all of a sudden I find I have to adapt my original idea, and then I start second-guessing the story and thinking "No, my original idea wouldn't be convincing, given the way things are shaping up my characters would do such and such", and "such and such" often isn't what I had in mind.

I try to balance a lot of different impulses - just to be outright down-and-dirty erotic, to have some depth, to give it some shallow hokeyness, to have a *lot* of depth... that last one hasn't been a problem so far though. But I basically stymie myself.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

One of the first short stories I wrote – before Lit, possibly even before the Internet – was about ten thousand words.

I submitted it to a ‘small magazine’ and, a couple of days later I got a call from the editor. ‘We like your story; we’d like to use it; but we’d also like to trim it slightly.’ (‘Slightly’ turned out to be by about five thousand words.)

Happily, the editor and I became good friends. About once a month we got together to drink wine, play backgammon, and tell lies. On one of these occasions, I asked him what his philosophy was on short stories. ‘Have a good opening,’ he said, ‘one that makes the reader want to keep on reading. Then tell the story. And when you have told the story, shut up. Brevity is your friend. It’s called a short story for a reason.’

All too often, when I post stories on Lit, the response is: that was good (or very good), but what happens next? Often, there is no next.

If you have a story to tell, tell it; if the story is told, stop.

That's so true.

 

[littlecordelera]

No, you shouldn't. You've already lost the steam and lost your readers. Pull the series, start over, re-write, whatever. When you've got something finished, post the whole thing. If it's not finished, and you don't feel like finishing it, don't insult your readers by throwing up something that's half-assed done.

Thank you. I hope the OP finds her answer, but you've sure as heck answered my dilemma.

 

[lovecraft68]

In the past, I've posted parts of an unfinished series. My most notable one -- no longer on Lit since I chose to pull it -- consisted of six chapters, each one novella-length. The first four chapters went up about a month apart, as I originally intended them to, and that story was all I was working on. And then real life got in the way, and considering that my life and family are supremely more important than anything I write, the following two chapters posted much, much later.

And then I stopped writing it at all.

I got hate mail. I got negative comments. Readers were pissed.

I've learned my lesson from the experience. Now, when the question of "should I continue?" comes up, or something similar, all I can say is:

No, you shouldn't. You've already lost the steam and lost your readers. Pull the series, start over, re-write, whatever. When you've got something finished, post the whole thing. If it's not finished, and you don't feel like finishing it, don't insult your readers by throwing up something that's half-assed done.

Good answer.

If you're not feeling it, how can you expect your readers to?

I have noticed that here there I will write something that for whatever reason not only flowed, but I had a blast writing it.

One of those, "I can't wait to get back to the keyboard" stories.

Without fail each one of those has done very well here and I think its because that "good feeling" was transposed to the readers.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Good answer.

If you're not feeling it, how can you expect your readers to?

I have noticed that here there I will write something that for whatever reason not only flowed, but I had a blast writing it.

One of those, "I can't wait to get back to the keyboard" stories.

Without fail each one of those has done very well here and I think its because that "good feeling" was transposed to the readers.

Now that's the dummest statement I've read in the last 2 minutes. Its truly STELLA grade goofiness.

Readers come in every flavor there is, and they bring their fund of experience and info with them. Your enthusiasm and appetite for Walter Brennans ass isn't transferable.

 

[lovecraft68]

Now that's the dummest statement I've read in the last 2 minutes. Its truly STELLA grade goofiness.

Readers come in every flavor there is, and they bring their fund of experience and info with them. Your enthusiasm and appetite for Walter Brennans ass isn't transferable.

I beg to differ.

never underestimate the power of enthusiasm.

People who are like that are infectious and it can be felt in a story.

Now maybe it is simply because when you're enthused with what you're writing it simply comes out better, but I like my theory.

And if I am convinced I can convince others.

Or at least convince myself I can and that in itself is enough

What you think about you bring about.

 

[thelovingsadist]

I can't seem to

I've only really wrapped up two complete series to date, and I have 3 or 4 more. Can't seem to work up the motivation to conclude those.

Anyone here with any tips on overcoming this particular psychological block? It doesn't seem to be mere lassitude on my part - I do try to get started on the final chapters, but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go, and I'd just... give up out of frustration.

I came up with a few different personal preferences that help me with this in a lot of my "real life" writing, as its called around here.

First, I don't start writing a story until I outline it. I know a lot of writers don't like, or just don't want to make outlines and do other pre-writing, but it is invaluable for me. Before I even start writing the first line of the story, I know exactly where the story starts and ends, and exactly what primary details I want in between. This goes even more so for a longer story, like those that are often broken up into a series. Prewriting is your friend, and it doesn't just apply to each individual "chapter" in a story. In a series, the entire series is the story, not just its individual parts.

Second, I have a personal rule with the whole series thing. I either will not share a series until it is entirely done, or I simply will not write a series. There's nothing wrong with single short stories (or long stories that aren't broken up into a series), and this echos the post from SamScribble. You don't need to write a series. Just write a story, and then decide if it should be a series. Sometimes it can be, other times you need to remember that indeed, brevity is your friend.

Third, as JAMESBJOHNSON mentioned, it is good to have more than one project running at the same time if you are able to handle that sort of thing. If my mood for one project drops I will focus on it for a while to practice concentration and endurance (because I'm that kind of person), and then I will move over to something else before I hit burnout and end up writing something I'll just delete later. Sometimes you can write an entire story in one sitting, other times you need to let it sit for a while and come back to it.

There are a lot of good ideas in this thread, and I hope some of them help you. I have learned a couple of good things myself.

 

[MSTarot]

Well, when I start out, I have this idea of where and how the story is going to end. But then, the characters and the plotlines run away and I lose control, and all of a sudden I find I have to adapt my original idea, and then I start second-guessing the story and thinking "No, my original idea wouldn't be convincing, given the way things are shaping up my characters would do such and such", and "such and such" often isn't what I had in mind.

That is almost a word for word description of how you write a first draft. There is a saying in the military 'no plan survives contact with the enemy'.

Well in writing it's 'No plot idea will survive unchanged after the writing starts."

From what I just read it sounds like you're doing fine but maybe need to try and just let one 'run away' to the end and see what you've got.

Tolkien had no idea what he was going to do with the character 'Strider' after he had him get the hobbits to Rivendell. He had no plans to make him into the lost king of Gondor. Certainly the scruffy ranger wasn't going to be in love with Elrond's daughter. But it all just kind of ran away as he was writing it out.

Your doing fine. Stop worrying and just write. What's the worst that could happen? You have a story you don't like? Moth ball it and come back and take a second look at it a few months or years from now. You never know what you will find then.

 

[PennLady]

You could try outlining a story and setting down your initial intentions that way. It doesn't mean you have to stick to it, but you'd be able to look back and see what you had thought. Then you might be able to branch out, or branch back, so to speak, from where you were. Or you might find that the original idea doesn't work but your new one does.

I used to have a habit of outlining when I got about about halfway through a story. That would let me see where I'd been and often give me ideas about where to go. Sometimes taking that step back and setting it out in front of me what I already had made it clearer what could happen next.

Sometimes the thing to do is simply pick a story and keep writing it. Just put something down -- you can always delete or change it later. I don't think you can necessarily expect that your level of enthusiasm for a story will continue all the way through. You might get bored, or frustrated with a block, or distracted by something IRL, which makes it harder to go back. But if you can just do it, that can often help get back on track.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I beg to differ.

never underestimate the power of enthusiasm.

People who are like that are infectious and it can be felt in a story.

Now maybe it is simply because when you're enthused with what you're writing it simply comes out better, but I like my theory.

And if I am convinced I can convince others.

Or at least convince myself I can and that in itself is enough

What you think about you bring about.

You can differ, and youre still wrong. I'd say 99% of LIT writers believe they write from Gods lips to paper, and its crap they swoon over but its still crap. LIT writers get a pass cuz LIT readers are knuckle walkers.

 

[LaRascasse]

I can't seem to

I've only really wrapped up two complete series to date, and I have 3 or 4 more. Can't seem to work up the motivation to conclude those.

Anyone here with any tips on overcoming this particular psychological block? It doesn't seem to be mere lassitude on my part - I do try to get started on the final chapters, but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go, and I'd just... give up out of frustration.

It seems you have the end or later scenes in mind, just struggling to get to them. I'd say write the later bit first while it's still hot in your head. Then fill in the lead-up to them.

 

[lovecraft68]

You can differ, and youre still wrong. I'd say 99% of LIT writers believe they write from Gods lips to paper, and its crap they swoon over but its still crap. LIT writers get a pass cuz LIT readers are knuckle walkers.

Nope. you're wrong.

It's not God's lips that whisper in my ear.

 

[KatieTay]

Thanks for all the advice everyone

Please don't flame each other. Let's make erotica, not war.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I can't seem to

I've only really wrapped up two complete series to date, and I have 3 or 4 more. Can't seem to work up the motivation to conclude those.

Anyone here with any tips on overcoming this particular psychological block? It doesn't seem to be mere lassitude on my part - I do try to get started on the final chapters, but somehow it just wouldn't go where I'd thought I'd wanted it to go, and I'd just... give up out of frustration.

I think you would benefit from preparing an outline before you start writing. It doesn't have to be a detailed point-by-point summary of the story. A brief outline with the major points highlighted would help you find the path before you stray too far afield. You can do minor course corrections, thereby eliminating the need for major, impossible to pull off changes at the end.

 

[sr71plt]

A tip? Certainly. Finish it off before starting to post it. You could always open it up again if you got a new wind. But it isn't really fair to readers to get them hooked on something you're just rambling around with and may not finish.

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

Unfinished stories...

This has been a big problem for me. I write three types of longer stories

1) I have a complete plot, outlined and write the whole thing before submitting
2) I have an interesting idea and compelling characters, and I let them drive the storyline
3) Stories that were never meant to be long, but I let the readers talk me into it.

I've had pretty good success with all three, but I do admit, I feel the pressure from the readers to work on the ones I release a little at a time.

Gamer Goddess, The Last Boy Scout, Jen & Me & Road Trip are all examples of the first type. Every one of them, although completed, have had many requests to add further chapters, especially The Last Boy Scout. That's nice, but I feel little pressure to do it, although I will add one more chapter to The Last Boy Scout, which I work on intermittently.

The Perfect Game, Two Moms, Two Laps, and A GOR-y Halloween, are examples of the third, where I wrote one story and was talked into writing more through feedback. I get stuck on these, and sometimes have difficulty following through. The Two Moms, Two Laps series is especially troublesome, I get emails almost every day asking me what the hell is holding things up. It's a pain, and I'm starting to feel guilty submitting anything else, until it's done. I have a ton of work near finished, and about 7 stories in the queue ready for submission, but I'm determined to complete this one before submitting anything else except contest entries (which are time constrained). Thankfully, I think I'm finally on the last chapter. No other stories of mine have generated so much interest in continuing, although the Something to Talk About continuation is close. Damn, I can't believe how many people aren't happy with the ending, and want one more chapter.

The second type is the real killer. CvsN and A Blackmail Tale, are just wandering stories, with a set of interesting characters and a useful scenario. Not only do I rarely feel driven to work on these (and CvsN has been going on for 12 years), but when I do start, I have a couple of days of reading just to remind myself where everything was going. Pool Payments was this type and took 4 months to complete. I wonder if I'll ever manage to finish these, but they have a lot of fans, and I still get the regular requests to release another chapter.

Where is this meandering going...?

Hell if I know. All I can say, is continue writing. If you don't enjoy writing one thing, write something else. You're doing this for free after all. Don't pull the stuff, work on it when you can. Even if it takes years, the readers will forgive you, as long as its finished. At least I think so. It hasn't effected my scores or anything, and I dare say, I won't finish CvsN for another few years, if ever.

I write for fun. If it stops being fun, why would I continue? That said, I don't think I'm going to start any more stories where I don't know where they're going. They're just too much work. In the future, I'll complete them before submitting. Except for those darn #3 types.

My $.02

 

[StrangeLife]

Unfinished stories...

This has been a big problem for me. I write three types of longer stories

1) I have a complete plot, outlined and write the whole thing before submitting
2) I have an interesting idea and compelling characters, and I let them drive the storyline
3) Stories that were never meant to be long, but I let the readers talk me into it.

--
--
--

I write for fun. If it stops being fun, why would I continue?

Well said. It's an unpaid "job" and as such the customers can't really complain. Even if a story totally sucks it's still excellent value

But even as the newbie that I am, I've already experienced being talked into writing a sequel to a story that originally was supposed to be stand-alone. So I can testify to the fact that the power of argument #3 definitely shouldn't be misunderestimated...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

People whine and complain and bitch; its human nature.

When I moved to this county in 1973 volunteer firemen was what we had, there was no government fire service or paramedics or ambulance. And every fire or wreck or drowning we went to someone always bitched about how we fucked them outta their taxes. We got no tax money. We existed by paid subscriptions, and that money went for the firehouse, trucks, and hoses.

If you got a 10 inch dick, she wants 11 inches.

 

[SecondCircle]

You can differ, and youre still wrong. I'd say 99% of LIT writers believe they write from Gods lips to paper, and its crap they swoon over but its still crap. LIT writers get a pass cuz LIT readers are knuckle walkers.

I don't have any illusions that readers will get the same impressions I have from my stories, or feel the same emotions. They will interpret it as they will because everyone is different.

But there is logic to the "good feeling" thing. It's been said that you shouldn't cook something if you are in a bad mood or don't enjoy what you're cooking, because the level of care you put into it will show upon tasting the end product. If you enjoy what you're cooking, put a little love and care to it, it's gonna come out way better. Not to say that someone still won't like your green bean casserole... they just may not like that food or that style you made it with.

If I'm writing something and it doesn't please me, then why continue? If I don't even like it, why would a reader? Sure someone just might, but I know I'd be more prone to cut corners and slack with creativity, and wind up with a steaming heap of filth.

And I can't be sure if God has lips. Not sure he would have use for them.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I don't have any illusions that readers will get the same impressions I have from my stories, or feel the same emotions. They will interpret it as they will because everyone is different.

But there is logic to the "good feeling" thing. It's been said that you shouldn't cook something if you are in a bad mood or don't enjoy what you're cooking, because the level of care you put into it will show upon tasting the end product. If you enjoy what you're cooking, put a little love and care to it, it's gonna come out way better. Not to say that someone still won't like your green bean casserole... they just may not like that food or that style you made it with.

If I'm writing something and it doesn't please me, then why continue? If I don't even like it, why would a reader? Sure someone just might, but I know I'd be more prone to cut corners and slack with creativity, and wind up with a steaming heap of filth.

And I can't be sure if God has lips. Not sure he would have use for them.

My point is professionals and most amateurs crank out quality stuff inspite of how they feel about it, if your know your business your sentiments shouldn't matter UNLESS your attitude pisses in the punch. I had a client who was all excited about being pregnant with Elvis' baby, he'd been dead 10 years, but she was a happy camper. I didn't catch her excitement.