Should I continue?

[knitedreams]

I wrote the first two chapters of a story and posted them. They did okay as far as ratings go, but I don't know if I should continue it. Is it good enough to continue or should I stop while I'm ahead? Anyone have an opinion? (I know my stories need an editor, not just my lousy crack at editing. Rest assured that I have one and I'm hoping he'll stay on a while ).

Honor's Folly
Honor's Folly Ch. 2

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Knit,

I'm afraid no one can answer that for you. I was asking the same question a few weeks ago after posting three or four chapters of a novel on the romance category (see sig). Since then reads, votes, and scores have all dropped off. That's not unusual but it does become a bit discouraging.

You probably need to ask yourself that most selfish of questions, "What's in it for me?" If posting more chapters will benefit you in some way, then why not keep on? But if it's an unrewarding chore, why bother? In other words, does the gain justify the pain?

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Darkniciad]

Knit,

I'm afraid no one can answer that for you. I was asking the same question a few weeks ago after posting three or four chapters of a novel on the romance category (see sig). Since then reads, votes, and scores have all dropped off. That's not unusual but it does become a bit discouraging.

You probably need to ask yourself that most selfish of questions, "What's in it for me?" If posting more chapters will benefit you in some way, then why not keep on? But if it's an unrewarding chore, why bother? In other words, does the gain justify the pain?

Rumple Foreskin

You beat me to it, but I'll put in me 2 cents worth anyhow.

If you're asking the question, then perhaps the story doesn't excite you enough to continue it. On the other hand, if the votes and views are what has soured you, then know that this is completely normal. It's typical for things to drop off after the first chapter, and often doesn't stabilize into the regular readers for a few chapters.

If you like the story and want to finish it, then go for it. If it just doesn't live and breathe for you any more, then delete the existing chapters and save them until/if an ending comes to mind. Having a dead-end story in your list can turn people away from your other work ( especially chaptered stories ) if they think you don't finish what you start.

 

[knitedreams]

Thanks so much for your input, Rump and Dark. I think I'll finish it. Thinking selfishly, I just can't leave a story unfinished and it's not like it'll hurt anything if I finish it. Besides, I almost have chapter three nearly done.

Thanks again for the words of wisdom!

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Knit,

I'm afraid no one can answer that for you. I was asking the same question a few weeks ago after posting three or four chapters of a novel on the romance category (see sig). Since then reads, votes, and scores have all dropped off. That's not unusual but it does become a bit discouraging.

You probably need to ask yourself that most selfish of questions, "What's in it for me?" If posting more chapters will benefit you in some way, then why not keep on? But if it's an unrewarding chore, why bother? In other words, does the gain justify the pain?

Rumple Foreskin

Rump...

Only you know if it's worth it. If you feel the story inside of you, then write it. If only one person reads and likes it, then it's worth the effort you've put into it. At least that's my philosophy.

 

[mjl2010]

Rump...

Only you know if it's worth it. If you feel the story inside of you, then write it. If only one person reads and likes it, then it's worth the effort you've put into it. At least that's my philosophy.

Just one person liking it for hours of work? I'd hope for two myself.

MJL

 

[knitedreams]

I can understand how just one person appreciating your work can be thanks enough for the time and effort you spent on it. It's still a heady feeling whether it's one person or a hundred people.

 

[SavannahMann]

I'm a selfish bastard

I have mentioned that I write stories I want to read. I've been beating myself up over the author series I have going on, because frankly, I didn't like what I had written in part seven. If one hundred people had voted it a five, and it moved to the top of all lists, and I wasn't happy with it, it would still suck.

Frankly, I didn't want to read what I had written, but I'm working on it now, and hope that it will be acceptable to me.

My advise, do what you want to do, write the stories as you have said you will. If everyone thinks they suck, and you like them, because it's what you want to read, then you have written a good story. If it brings pleasure to another, then even better, but first and foremost, write what you want to.