When readers are the impetus for stories

[njlauren]

I recently published several stories on lit, "long time coming" "another love Redux" and "Just this once" (the latter story was finishing my original ending to "just this once, if you please" by Kalamaxos) that had their impetus in a message sent by someone that actually likes my writing. They originally asked me to work on "Another Love" by Richard Gerald, then asked me to finish "Just this once". It was flattering enough that I finished, and the person also kindly gave feedback but respected that it was my work. I finished another story "Long Time Coming" because he seemed interested when I gave him a synopsis of it (and encouraged me). It was unexpected and really was a pleasure that it happened, also got the writing bug going in me again. "long time coming" I started about 5 years ago and didnt finish it, "Just Once" I did my original ending a long time ago, then finished it at their request. It was truly nice to have that, someone who actually likes the muck I put out

 

[StillStunned]

It was truly nice to have that, someone who actually likes the muck I put out

It's an amazing feeling, isn't it? These characters, these events, these worlds that exist only in our minds - until someone reads them, and then they exist in their mind too.

And just as your world lives in their mind for a little while, they live in your world. Isn't that an absolutely astonishing thought? It's like having the same dream, or melding your minds. Once you think about it, there's nothing that compares to being a creative and have someone enjoy your work.

 

[Voboy]

I did this several times when I was a new writer here, taking reader requests and such. Some really good stuff came out of that, but I found I liked writing my own stuff better. Worse, I started charging for custom stories, and that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Glad it's working for you, OP. It's definitely nice to know you're reaching people, and when it happens here it means you're reaching them in a very intimate way; there's a lot of satisfaction there, I find.

 

[THBGato]

I think I'm partly responsible for at least three stories here (as a reader). Basically, three series by different writers had lain discontinued for several years, but a comment I made spurred them to adding another chapter.

And that's why you should always leave a comment on a series you are enjoying folks!

 

[BeechLeaf]

You even got your own tag, 'thbgato made me write this'.

 

[THBGato]

You even got your own tag, 'thbgato made me write this'.

No way!

....

Just checked! That's so cool. #forgetmystoriesthatswaybetter

 

[bi_cathy]

No way!

....

Just checked! That's so cool. #forgetmystoriesthatswaybetter

I was waiting for someone to notice it

 

[EmilyMiller]

I think I'm partly responsible for at least three stories here (as a reader). Basically, three series by different writers had lain discontinued for several years, but a comment I made spurred them to adding another chapter.

And that's why you should always leave a comment on a series you are enjoying folks!

That’s some achievement

 

[bi_cathy]

To answer the thread now, well, I suppose there's the example above. And it worked out so well. I'm extremely happy with where that series went and how that chapter turned out to be, and I know it would've never existed otherwise. It wasn't even on my radar to write it, or anything like it.

On a smaller scale, though, many readers made me add scenes to ongoing series with their feedback, but a full story, that was the first time.

The mere nature of my writing also means that I get countless requests for continuations, but I'm usually deadset on where I want to stop a story and how. So I doubt I'll yield very frequently. But, uh, never say never?!

 

[anthrodisiac]

I'm using the fact that anybody is reading my current series as a guilt stick to keep writing it. If I'd tried to write the whole thing in one go before publishing, I never would've finished, would've given up on writing, and never written another thing again. My hope was that somebody would actually, you know, be mildly interested, and I'm still kinda floored that people like it as much as they do. Which is to say, I'm floored more than two people read anything I wrote, and that they didn't hate it.

So now that I have readers waiting for me to finish the series, it's forcing me to keep going on it. It's good I did that, because I got smacked by some pretty hard writers block for almost three months, still trying to claw my way out, but if I'd just waited to finish? Nah, I would've packed up and gone home. So, thanks, readers, for making me feel like I owe you the finish, because I want to give it to you, and make it worthy of the smattering of humbling praise I've gotten for it.

 

[Voboy]

So now that I have readers waiting for me to finish the series, it's forcing me to keep going on it.

BTDT.

I was able to bring it to a conclusion that made me happy, and even better I felt the ending was right for a character that I had grown quite fond of by that time. I didn't have droves of people hounding me to finish, but I definitely hounded myself on their behalf.

 

[lovecraft68]

I think there's a line in regard to this.

Readers always want more. Give them 25 chapters and wrap up every storyline and they want more.

If a reader suggests something that resonates with you and makes you think "You know, that sounds pretty good" that's one thing, but to just keep going on a story you saw as finished or to just attempt something because so and so-who is not doing the work-wants it, then you're not being true to your own muse.

Just always be sure you write what you want, and not be a lounge singer taking requests

 

[njlauren]

I think there's a line in regard to this.

Readers always want more. Give them 25 chapters and wrap up every storyline and they want more.

If a reader suggests something that resonates with you and makes you think "You know, that sounds pretty good" that's one thing, but to just keep going on a story you saw as finished or to just attempt something because so and so-who is not doing the work-wants it, then you're not being true to your own muse.

Just always be sure you write what you want, and not be a lounge singer taking requests

Lol. There is a husband and wife writing team, Ilona Andrews ( they write urban fantasy ) and they have this dedicated fan base they call the 'Book Devouring Horde', and it is like that with them . They have several ongoing series plus they just introduced a new one, and it is never enough! They are very careful about announcing future projects so they don't get overwhelmed with readers wanting to know delivery dates and the like .