Writers who abandon (SRP) Story Threads

[DanFS]

Hi there,

I'm looking for a thread which lists those users who have abandoned storylines part-way through, leaving their writing partner(s) hanging, without the courtesy of an explanation, or any message saying that they are going away on their holidays, etc.

I cannot be the only person on Lit this has ever happened to, but it's so incredibly frustrating to start writing with someone who claims on their SRP
profile and in PM, that they have the same tastes as you, once you have established what you think is a rapport, and a plot direction, only to be left high & dry, with no explanation, whilst they continue to write in their other story threads.

They don't reply to private messages, and maybe it's just me, but I consider that extremely rude.

I think it would be a good idea to post the usernames of these users, so other writers know what could happen, if they start writing with them.

What do other users think about this?

Many Thanks,
Dan

 

[fr33ks33k]

While it is certainly a shame that people abandon threads without any explanation or a simple "sorry, it's not working", I don't think creating a "blacklist" will help the situation any more than it will harm it.

My best advice is to simply let threads like that drop, and move on to the next story. There are a plethora of writers here, and those that stick around are typically the best ones to write with anyway, so those who disappear without warning either have other important things to handle, or aren't worth writing with anymore.

Just my two cents....

 

[Light Ice]

I think if you cry about it enough they'll come back. Poems in Iambic Pentameter will accelerate the process.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

To the op:

Sometimes shit happens that is more important than lit. I know I have personally gone on extended hiatus before without a word. Granted all my writing partners know that I have chronic health issues. But,the point is just cuz someone stopped writting with you does not always mean that the don't want to write with you. They might just be caught up with nore important things.

Not to mention f33k hit it on the head. Just move on to a new story. It is not that big a deal. I have had to do that in the past with stories and characters I have put years of thought effort and emotion into. It is the gamble of collaborating with other people.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

Well shit on a shingle. I think I just agreed with LI in a round about way.

THE WORLD IS ENDING!

No... no it isn't that's just Irene knocking on the door.

 

[ShyMystica]

Oooooh...Bond! *fans herself and swoons just a little.*

Ok, back to topic. I really don't like the idea of shaming such writers. Personally, life happens, and other things become more important than logging onto here and informing those that something has happened.

That isn't to say that they are being rude by choice.

Personally, I try to follow some guidelines of etiquette and inform those that I can't continue, or that I am ill, or something along those lines. And while I may be one of those shamed names because of my inability to write atm, being put on that list would destroy any hope of me returning to finish a story at all.

Maybe this thread might help? I started it a while ago.

SRP Ettiquette Query

*looks back at the Bond AV, swoons a little, then leaves with wishful thoughts...*

 

[DanFS]

Thank You to all of you who took the time and effort to respond.

I value all your input and am happy that after a few hours to reflect, my feelings on the subject, by and large, echo your views.

It still really bugs me that certain people have advertised for new writers with new threads, and not had the courtesy of letting me know that they have lost interest, even when one person in particular is explicit in their SRP Profile, about letting people know if they are going to be away from a thread, and demanding the same from others, only then to NOT do that themselves!

I know and understand that real life has to come first.
It's the double-standard that irks me.

fr33ks33k - I think I shall follow your advice, and seek out other writers with which to collaborate, and put these other threads down to experience.

Light Ice - Thank you for the insight. I had to look up 'Iambic Pentameter' as I had not heard it before, so thank you for the learning experience.

Firmhanded_Daddy - Thank you for the advice. As you say, it's not that big a deal. I'll move on.

ShyMystica - Firstly, I wish I were Bond! (or as good looking)
Secondly - Thank You for making me realise that most of the people I am likely to be able to write with on Lit are courteous, considerate individuals, and I have just been unlucky lately.

The link to the SRP Etiquette thread was very helpful. I knew I wasn't alone!

I would like to make it clear that I will not be starting a thread to 'name and shame', as I do not feel this would be in Lit's best interests.

I would hope this thread in it's current form would be enough of a prompt for those people (they know who they are) who would otherwise not bother, to let their writing partners know if they aren't going to post any more.

 

[Light Ice]

You still wet the bed, don't you?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Sometimes, it's hard to tell a person that you don't want to continue a thread, for whatever reason. Maybe they don't feel like hurting your feelings or quite possibly, they can't log onto a computer to drop you a line or they lost interest in Lit because the RW is holding them captive.

The thing is, why even make an issue of it? There is a plethora of writers around here looking for someone to do a thread with them. Go tap into them. Things like that are going to happen, period. It's like an S.O.P of Lit. Complaining does nothing more than make one look like whiner. I can't think of anyone who wants that moniker.

 

[Veroe]

Doing SRPs is tricky sometimes...sometimes you find out the story just isn't working for you...it's nothing to cry over. I've had people drop threads on me without a word, and likewise I've been guilty of doing it too. It's not them being rude, or mean, it's just the risk you take when doing these SRPs. Don't take it personally they may have a legit reason to withdraw from it or they may not be feeling it like they thought they would've at first.

Send them a PM or two after a good amount of time has passed with no response asking if they wish to continue, if they don't. Try putting it up again for another cowriter or move on to the next story.

Above all don't take it personally. That's just lit.

 

[DanFS]

Veroe & Darkwarrioress - Many Thanks for your input. It does seem to be something you've all gone through, and a necessary evil of using Lit.

Everyone who has posted on this thread has much more experience than me here, and I thank you for your guidance.

As you say - nobody wants to be known as a whiner; including me.

I was trying to guage how strong the feelings about this issue were, and now I know.

 

[monique_minx]

You still wet the bed, don't you?

Sorry....

Bahahahaha!!!
That shit cracked me up! I love you LI, hat's off!!