Obviously this phenomenon isn’t limited to fanfiction or even writing, but it seems to me that there are (at least) two styles to long writing projects:
- Serial: Pushing through to the end on a long-fic before starting a new one, or
- Parallel: Writing multiple long-fics side by side, depending on what feels right to write at any time.
I’m curious where other writers see themselves in this split, or if they do at all - maybe I’m totally off the mark!
As far as I go, I definitely fall into the first bucket, even when it’s tough & I reeeaaaalllly want to explore the new shiny idea my brain has come up with. There’s a sense of completion that comes from focusing on one core project & knowing that I’ll see it through to the end. Sometimes my brain won’t let me write it for short periods & I’ll jump away from my long-fic to write a one-shot or shorter multi-chapter story but I don’t maintain multiple long-fics at the same time because I’d just get confused & struggle to relate to my story (especially as I focus on the same characters/fandom for all my writing so far).
I’m always hugely impressed with writers who manage to juggle multiple long-fics at the same time, even if they don’t finish some of them. It seems to me like it’d be a lot less stressful to be able to just write whatever inspires joy in the moment & leave a story without the need to complete it - I’m totally aware this is a “faraway fields are greener” situation, but it’s nice to think that it’s a more enjoyable approach.
I recently came across a writer who’s maintaining at least 3 long-fics that I could see & every new chapter comes with a note at the end saying which story is next on the list to be updated. Now, chances are they have at least one of these fics pre-written, but either way, I’m in awe of them. 😮
I also am the sort of person who knows the satisfaction I gain from finishing a project is more than the enjoyment I get from starting something new. However, I have also juggled multiple long-fics at the same time. Usually they are in different fandoms when I do.
My brain can fixate too hard on other people’s stories, so if someone doesn’t have a good track record of finishing, I’m not likely to start reading an ongoing work. Just means those people aren’t writing for me. As long as they are happy with what they are doing, that’s good.
Hmmm… I could see working on multiple long-fics in different fandoms being an option alright, although I think if I were to go down that route I’d have to make them very OC-light. My fics so far tend to have a central OC where most of my energy goes, which is mainly just down to writing romance/smut & focusing on one character who has no actual canon romantic experiences in the fandom. That said, I don’t really get interested in ships between existing characters so maybe I’m doomed to writing long-fics featuring OCs forever. 😁 How terrible that would be…
Whether the project is small or large I am always working multiple stories at once. My brain cannot stick to one thing. Every time I’ve tried guarantees a fast burnout.
As for what the public sees, I only release things when the story is completed or at least 80% done. Because I cannot trust where my brain will be in the future I don’t want people waiting for the next update to something that I cannot honestly tell will be months or years from now.
(The comic I’m posting right now its script was finished 2 years ago but only last month did my brain allow me to draw enough of the pages for me (because my brain won’t let me draw it in order either) to feel like sharing it.)
As for the “styles” you mentioned, I’d add something for people who only have one story, one project they care about. Though in my experience I’ve only met those kinds of people in original story projects (even more specifically, worldbuilding projects). There isn’t anything else to move onto!
Oh, I like your 80% approach. I’ve been posting my current long-fic as I write it & have steadily eaten into my buffer over time (stessful!) so I’m not doing that again even when I only have one story on the go. 😅
Interesting about the “one project” people. I don’t think I’ve come across it but I definitely have seen it in film making (I’m a big film nerd). I sometimes see a film-maker with produce an excellent film & then either nothig or everything that follows is garbage. Like “Dude, you had one good film in you. Maybe leave it at that.” Great if the person knows that about themselves up front, although it must be a bit sad when they get to the end of the project & have nothing else to move on to.
Yeah if I had a more stable life I’d post sooner but that’s not going to happen hhhh.
I wouldn’t call someone who only had one good project in their history the same thing. Those people still have a desire to create regardless of the struggle. That is what they spend their time on.
I don’t think it’s sad if someone only has one story to tell. Some people hop hobbies. For a few years, it’s writing. For another set of years, it’s knitting and podcasts. Another, swimming.
I personally cannot grasp how, but that’s how some brains roll.
So, I’m one of those people who tends to hop from hobby to hobby. Tbh writing fanfiction is probably the one I’ve been most consistent with since I started a year ago, & I’m kind of terrified I’ll end up dropping it because I really enjoy it! It definitely feels like a hyperfixation for me & I worry one day I’ll wake up & that focus will be gone. It’s also the one that’s most freeform creative so I think that may be linked to my worry (I’m usually much more of a consumer than a creative).
I guess if someone is at peace with hopping between hobbies & concluding a project & then they’re done with the whole hobby, then that’s not sad. But where I am at the moment, I feel I’d mourn it a bit. But then I guess I’d forget about it because I have terribly poor autobiographical memory… 🤷♀️
Ah! Goodness, I’m sorry you have that to dread about! The few I’ve talked to who hop hobbies have told me they may not “miss” a previous fixation, but just angry/upset about having to ride the chaos. Especially since some hobbies are very expensive.
Some others however, once they found fandom and it’s flexibility there is an “easier” bouncing of hobbies. Usually migrating from one fandom to another but still deep in fanfiction. The frustration instead comes from putting so much work into a story for your brain to drop it and wanting to work on a whole new story, setting, characters.
Thanks! To be fair, it’s not an awful worry to have in the grand scheme of things 😅 but now that I’ve found something I really like, I want to stick with it (at least that’s the way I feel at the moment). And yeah, maybe if I do bounce, it’ll only be as far as another fandom (which is a pleasant thought!).
Sometimes my brain won’t let me write it for short periods & I’ll jump away from my long-fic to write a one-shot or shorter multi-chapter story but I don’t maintain multiple long-fics at the same time because I’d just get confused & struggle to relate to my story (especially as I focus on the same characters/fandom for all my writing so far).
^^^ This is true for me as well. If I’m working on a long fic, it’s the only long fic on my docket. Shorter fics I often play around with.
Yeah, I think it’s easier to compartmentalise a short-fic vs a long one. It feels like there’s less bleed through between them for me.
