Is it OK to write a new story while finishing another?

[metropolinational]

I have a question. For the past six months or so, I have been working on a huge story, called The Botched Marriage. I published Book 1 over July/August, Book 2 over September/November. I've been putting out chapters of Book 3 over the past month. Each book is 11 chapters long.

I admit I have fallen in love with my characters, and my OCD has gotten worse and worse with each chapter. These last few chapters have important conversations that resolve long standing plot lines, and sex scenes that are real turning points for these characters lives. I'm having a hard time letting go of any imperfections and just hitting that publish button. I just keep tweaking things.

I want to be clear: I am enjoying the bejesus out of all this. It is so incredibly soothing to come back to each paragraph and find just the perfect thing for one of my characters to say - something that ties back to a snippet from 15 chapters ago. Something that adds just a little bit more depth to them. I also just want to take my time, I guess, because as I approach the end of the book, I know I'm going to mourn the loss of these imaginary friends. It's not something I expected, but it's real.

So, my question. I have a ton of stories waiting in the wings. Over a dozen. Is it ok to take a one week break from the novel and finish one short story during that time? I am certain my readers will absolutely hate it. Even though the vast majority of my readers hate me and the story, they certainly are not ambiguous about wanting me to get more stuff out, faster. They complain endlessly in the comments and by email about wanting the next chapter.

I'm not asking for permission, obviously. I'm just asking if ethically, do you feel a responsibility to wrap up a novel before working on anything else? Am I being cruel to the readers who I have hooked into this story? Do I have a moral duty to release them from their suffering as quickly as possible?

 

[YmaOHyd]

I think it's fine. The only issue is that when you go chasing a plot bunny into the woods, sometimes you get lost.

 

[ADirtyPerv]

I have 40+ WIPs, and the only way I ever finish one is by getting distracted from another one. The dopamine fails to flow on one story, so I open another one. It's part of the process, for me at least. If your readers can't handle your process, they're welcome to try this for themselves.

See if THEY can maintain discipline. It's hard! @StillStunned can't encourage everyone.

 

[metropolinational]

I have 40+ WIPs

But these are stories in your laptop, right? They are not stories that you have published and are awaiting missing chapters? I don't see anything like that on your story list...

 

[RocketGrunt]

My strategy for avoiding writer's block is to switch which project I'm working on frequently. Ideas come up and I jot them down even when it's not the thing I'm writing. I have three series going on Literotic right now and other pieces that are Patreon-only. I put up over half a million words on Literotica last year. It's fine.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

Is it ok to take a one week break from the novel and finish one short story during that time?

A week.


A month.


Six months.


Who's gonna say otherwise?


The one big thing you risk is remembering which story you're working on and don't end up with unplanned cameos of characters from one story popping into others.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

I don't see why it wouldn't be.

 

[ADirtyPerv]

But these are stories in your laptop, right? They are not stories that you have published and are awaiting missing chapters? I don't see anything like that on your story list...

Oh I'm just describing my process. Yours might be different, but it's your process.

And to be clear, I have tons of requests for more chapters, and occasionally people will bemoan new stories in place of sequels. But fuck 'em, I don't do sequels much. Only when the characters really call to me (once so far).

 

[spiderboi]

I was a reader for a long time before I started posting, and I never minded when an author I enjoyed took a detour to another series or standalone entry while I was reading their other works. I was just excited to get something from someone I like to read. I have a few series going, and I'm also working on and actively posting standalone projects. As long as you don't abandon a series, I don't think people mind all that much.

 

[ElectricBlue]

So, my question. I have a ton of stories waiting in the wings. Over a dozen. Is it ok to take a one week break from the novel and finish one short story during that time? I am certain my readers will absolutely hate it.

You've caught yourself on your own hamster wheel.

Even though the vast majority of my readers hate me and the story, they certainly are not ambiguous about wanting me to get more stuff out, faster. They complain endlessly in the comments and by email about wanting the next chapter.

I'm not asking for permission, obviously. I'm just asking if ethically, do you feel a responsibility to wrap up a novel before working on anything else? Am I being cruel to the readers who I have hooked into this story? Do I have a moral duty to release them from their suffering as quickly as possible?

Fuck no. If the story is so damn good, readers are going to wait, and they'll love the other piece too.

Seriously, only you can judge this, but to place yourself at the beck and call of readers - that's not always in the best interest of the story. But there's no ethical obligation to do anything - you could die tomorrow. Your scenario is a less extreme version of a story pausing for a while, but you get the point.

 

[StillStunned]

I'm not asking for permission, obviously. I'm just asking if ethically, do you feel a responsibility to wrap up a novel before working on anything else? Am I being cruel to the readers who I have hooked into this story? Do I have a moral duty to release them from their suffering as quickly as possible?

Ethically? You've been giving your readers your time, energy and emotion, all for free. In exchange you might have had the satisfaction of views, votes and comments, but the effort from each reader is minimal.

You owe them nothing. Whatever you choose to share with them is a gift. Your only responsibility and obligation is towards yourself: will the rewards of finishing your story outweigh the pleasure of taking time out and writing something else?

 

[metropolinational]

You've caught yourself on your own hamster wheel.

Lord, that is so true. I love this line!

 

[sister jenny]

The only person you have to care about and listen to is your muse.
A muse is a fragile, wonderful and fickle being that needs love, care and safety.
Listen to your muse and do whatever it says.
Write a new story? Do it!
Write a new book? Do it?
Continue what you are doing? Do it!

Listen to your muse.
Love it.
Care for it.
And above all protect it.

 

[Writer61]

Of course!

In addition to my main WIP, I usually have a couple of side projects that I switch to when progress bogs down. It stops me from fretting over whatever is blocking progress and helps keep the pipeline full.

The challenge is to keep the number of side projects under control.

 

[alohadave]

Even though the vast majority of my readers hate me and the story, they certainly are not ambiguous about wanting me to get more stuff out, faster. They complain endlessly in the comments and by email about wanting the next chapter.

You are posting in Loving Wives, that's what they do.

Also this is concerning, if true:

From Metropolinational's Bio:

"I have been a long time reader of stories here for a few years. I'm joining now primarily because I am frustrated by a number of amazing stories, particularly in Loving Wives, that don't have an ending. So I have downloaded a couple and finished them. I hope that it's ok to post finished versions without offending anyone. I would love to get some tips on how to do best do that in a manner that doesn't get me in trouble or steps on anyone's toes."

Don't do this without permission from the authors.

 

[MrPixel]

Don't do this without permission from the authors.

"Finishing" others' stories without explicit permission is a big no-no. Get caught, get tossed from LitE. Simple.

Since I have published a number of "750 word" stories in LW - a popular annual exercise among some authors which in my case are frequently commented as to "needing completion" - now I have to watch that you haven't purloined something I have allegedly "started" to extend into a story under your pen.

I have to add, ending a story with a scene in suspension is a plot technique - let the reader finish the obvious in their imagination. Do not assume this for others' works.

 

[Britva415]

the vast majority of my readers hate me and the story, they certainly are not ambiguous about wanting me to get more stuff out, faster. They complain endlessly in the comments and by email about wanting the next chapter.

 

[Writer61]

As long as you don't abandon a series, I don't think people mind all that much.

Up to a point, Lord Copper.

And then there is George RR Martin.

 

[Rob_Royale]

If it's not then I've been a baaaad boy.

 

[metropolinational]

Don't do this without permission from the authors.

It was what motivated me to join. Ended up never happening once I found out people are so obsessed about copyright here. I had no idea people cared, but now I know. I plan to only work on other people's stories if they have an open invitation for anyone to write alternative endings, like in February Sucks, Just Once, and the story I'm working on now.

All my other stories will just be my babies.

 

[spiderboi]

Up to a point, Lord Copper.

And then there is George RR Martin.

Fair counter

 

[metropolinational]

now I have to watch that you haven't purloined something I have allegedly "started" to extend into a story under your pen.

ugh. I never brought this topic up. now the copyright fetishists are out in force. please make a different thread about this topic if you like. I was getting useful feedback until AlohaDave and MrPixel changed the topic.

 

[ADirtyPerv]

ugh. I never brought this topic up. now the copyright fetishists are out in force. please make a different thread about this topic if you like. I was getting useful feedback until AlohaDave and MrPixel changed the topic.

You got like a half dozen on-topic comments. Pretty good for the AH, really.

 

[metropolinational]

You got like a half dozen on-topic comments. Pretty good for the AH, really.

You know? Excellent point. Thank you to those who responded on topic. This was very helpful and I'm glad I asked.

 

[Writer61]

ugh. I never brought this topic up. now the copyright fetishists are out in force. please make a different thread about this topic if you like. I was getting useful feedback until AlohaDave and MrPixel changed the topic.

If you did not realise that continuing another author's work is against Lit's rules, then @alohadave and @MrPixel's comments are helpful.

Complaining suggests that you know that you are wrong to do so.