I'm curious - and I apologize in advance if this poll's been done already - but how to you readers like your stories posted? If a writer has a substantial buffer, do want him/her to start posting right away, and you'll deal with any gaps in posting that might occur if that buffer dwindles faster than the writer can write? Or would you rather the writer wait until they've finished the story so that there will be no gaps (and no writer sitting in the dark, pulling his/her hair out as he/she tries desperately to write under pressure)?

And writers - the flip side. Do you prefer to wait or are you willing to risk the dreaded Dwindling Buffer Syndrome?

I read stuff as fast as I can get it

As for writing, I used to prefer not posting a single snippet until it was all finished, especially after I had a minor disaster with writing my way into a very very bad spot to be in, and then having no way to write myself back out, but I have since solved that problem, mostly, by outlining my stuff first.

WAM is the first story I've started posting before it was finished, but I gotta say, putting myself on a schedule and seeing feedback regularly is, in the end, I think making me write more quickly, and it's harder to scare myself off of finishing it when I know folks are waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for the rest of it. My writing style, in turn, is particularly conducive to posting serialy before it's finished, simply because I prefer to write in a linear fashion.

I *do* however, have to know exactly what is going to happen to my characters from start to finish before I'll even consider posting anything though, now or in the future. I hammer out pretty detailed outlines for my plots before I even start to think about writing them out. And then, even if I decide to make some changes midway through, at least I have a fallback.

I'm not sure I can vote here, but I'll try to make my views on the matter clear. Clear-ish, at least.

Regularity is good. Nice to be able to count on the story being up on time.

Regularity is not everything. (Also, normal is boring and sanity is overrated.) If a part is a bit late, I'll live. I read on my own schedule anyway. (My own schedule being very mixed up and disorienting at the moment, but that's another matter.)

The boards are kind of like gamma readers. Or, they should be, IMHO. Not that they always work like that, but I still like to think of them that way. You post a story here to get extra FDK, and that FDK can help give you new ideas and point out little glitches and generally improve the story before you give it the final polish and send it to the archive.

If you're posting with a big buffer, that means we're more likely to see regular posts.

If you're posting without a net, that means we're seeing the freshest latest stuff and can have the biggest impact on how the story develops. ("Hey," says Reader X, "is Lois going to...?" <ding!> Lightbulb moment. Hadn't even though of that... <edit, edit, write...> -- Not that that happens often, but it's pretty cool when it does, I think.)

If a story goes on hiatus, I'm disappointed, but I'll pick it back up. Probably. I waited months for the next part of In Dreams, but I jumped to read it as soon as I saw it. I'm still waiting for the next part of Irene's New Heights. Sure, I had to go look up the title, and I'll have to refresh my memory before I can read on, but it'll be well worth it. On the other hand, sometimes I lose track of stories and never pick them up again. (I really need to go read the rest of Lifeflight one of these days. I was loving that story before I temporarily dropped off the face of FoLCdom...) Or sometimes I lose track of stories, think I won't pick them up again, then go "D'oh!" and scramble to catch up. It depends on the story and my life and mood and how busy the boards are and random things.

For myself, I rarely write stories that are more than a couple parts long. When I do, I prefer to write on the fly. Makes it more exciting. Helps motivate me. Keeps Timmy (who is very capricious) interested.

That's just my style, though.

Ultimately, it's up to you. There are advantages either way. Do what feels right and comfortable to you. Write, post. On your schedule and your terms. It's your story. If you need to take a break, odds are pretty good I'll be waiting.

That make any sense?

Paul

I prefer no gaps, but having gaps doesn't usually upset me. As a writer, I've left people hanging before, so I know how it is. Whether or not I'll start reading again, when the story comes back, is another question. I'll be first in line to read Long Strange Trip (even after it had a gap of over a year) -- and I'm still hopeful for more Imbalance -- but there are lots of other stories where I've just lost interest. It depends on my interest level and my available time.

As a writer, I never used to be able to wait to start posting, though I might make myself build up some sort of buffer. (Back when Zoomway first opened message boards, I posted a story part per day and finished the whole thing in just over a week. Of course, that story required a *lot* of editing before it hit the archive... <g> ) But more recently, I've been feeling more cautious and wanting to wait til a story is finished.

PJ

Well, I picked the responses that fitted my attitudes most closely, but here's the real answer <g>.

As a reader, I like a regular, two-to-three day posting schedule. A longer schedule is just about okay too, but the biggie for me is when a writer has to break their schedule. I don't mind if they do, but I like to be told about it. Preferably I like them to tell me roughly how long I might have to wait until the story reappears, because there's nothing more aggravating than not knowing when the next part of a story you're avidly reading is due. Honestly, I turn into a total internet junkie when I don't know when the next story part is due - I check the boards at every available moment of the day - and I really don't like being a junkie <g>.

As a writer, I try to deliver what I like as a reader. However, I sometimes fail, because I find it difficult to time well the point when I start posting. I often start posting a little too early, and then have to slow down my schedule or stop posting altogether. Once I ended up writing like a mad woman every spare minute of the day and hassling my poor beta to get stuff back to me as quickly as possible, but these days, I'll rather just take a break than put myself and my friends through that!

Finally, I'm one of those who like to post while I'm still writing, because the feedback is useful and it maintains my enthusiasm to keep writing. If only I could get the timing of that first post right!

Yvonne

First of all, Lynn, (Don't worry, Nan, I'm enjoying every minute of it! ) Yvonne...well, do I even need to explain that one? I think everyone else felt the same way when we saw Damaged part one posted. (Just don't tell anyone that it scares the crap outta me. )

Sara (who might have more to add later...that is unless you all think I've rambled too much )

Okay, first of all, , Rambo I am not anymore. If I write something, it's going to be finished before anyone sees it. Although...with longer stories I've written for other fandoms (no, that'll never happen here), I was Rambo solely because of the fact that I found FDK helpful for a long story.

Second, I am a fanfic JUNKIE. I love to read. I cannot emphasize the need for a 12 step program enough. I'll read anything when it comes to posting, time permitting. You guys can post a part a year if you want, and I'll read it. I'll have to reread it often, but I'll do it!

JD
FARCE isn't such a bad idea.

Question 1:
I voted for "I don't mind gaps." I can generally handle a gap. Yes, I'll nag - but that has nothing to do with it If it's a story I like, I'll follow it - and, as I know that RL and writer blocks can be *very* annoying, I'll follow it even if it means going through a gap.
To be honest, though, lately I prefer not reading long WIPs from the boards. When I first joined, I read each and every part posted from each and every story. But I had to stop that because I had to stay up late and my father complained Reading completed stories, otoh, allows me to read them when I have time. At this stage of my life, I like following one or two stories (just so that I'm not completely left out) but I can't cope with all of them.

The above cover the second question too: I'm a lovely, kind person

Question 3:
Now this is going to sound weird:
So far, I've posted three stories in parts.
The first one, I wrote as I went. Which meant that I posted about 110 pages in... one year and a half.
The second one, I started posting when I had a buffer. I ran out of buffer quickly, and then posted as I went. (Now it's finished to be BRed)
The third one (which was a two-parter) I wrote it and then posted it. And then it needed major re-writing.

Conclusion: Don't ask me what I prefer, because it seems like nothing works for me

See ya,
AnnaBtG.

I don't post because I'm not good with grammer and mushy things. I leave the mushy stuff to my co-partner in writing Clark Kent aka Lisa.

Althought I think we might need a Perry white in the team.

Before I teamed up with Lisa, my stories had a lot of gaps in the places where the emotional stuff should go. My writing styple is probably more closer to Lois Lane's, all facts. I'm prabably good at writing text books then actual stories.

It wouldn't be my fault also if my series don't connect. The archives reps have only accepted my stories #1, 2, & 4 out of 23.

And finally, I like the thank Lisa profusely for her partnership. In my terminology, "I thank you to the 24th power". Meaning, I thank lisa twenty-four times.

I have to admit, I fall in the 'forgetful' pile--where if I am reading and the author stops posting regularly, I'll most likely have to go back and re-read. (Not that I mind!) But I do usually need a refresher. I prefer when things are posted fairly regularly, but I'm not there with a stopwatch. I'd say, if parts are coming out and you can expect one a week at least, that's a good goal. If it's sooner, all the better! But if, say, several months go by, I curl up into a ball and start to cry, mourning the loss of a good read, and hoping it doesn't make it into Maria's "Coma, Life Support, Napping..." list.

As a writer, I'd never post something that wasn't complete. For one, you can never guess when RL will pop up out of no-where and prevent you from writing. My W.I.P. was started last October and I thought (ha! ha! ha!) it might be done by November! ( 11 months later... ) Had I started posting in November, I'd have been feeling awfully guilty. :p In addition, many times my stories shift focus from my original idea, and I like to put in details in the beginning that carry throughout, give "clues" or provide foreshadowing for things to come. If I haven't gotten that far, I'd be leaving out what I consider to be vital detailing.

Interesting poll, and quality choices!
--Wanda

I don't mind gaps when reading. If they're not there I create them because my job doesn't give me much free time for fandom stuff, and so much to my frustration, I can't always read regularly.

For the same reason, I can't write regularly. I once tried to fly by the seat of my pants. After about 10 sections it became very difficult for me, so much that I started forcing the story instead of letting the Muse have her way. As a result, I became less and less satisfied with the story, and I had to stop writing and post a big apology to my readers. Because I've been pretty upset by that experience, the story is still a WIP I haven't touched since.

And so that's why I wait until I'm finished to start posting. However, I couldn't tick the option saying the story was polished and carved in stone. It's really not. A decent draft of the story is finished, but suggestions are taken into account and changes are made throughout the posting, thanks to my readers' comments.

Kaethel

I don't like gaps but tolerate them pretty well. As long as Lois and Clark aren't in a clinch, ready to..uh..oops..PG forum!

If I'm enjoying a story and it's hooked me it doesn't matter if I have to re-read b/c it's worth it!

~Liz

I'm wishing I could use the dwindling buffer as my excuse, but that doesn't work for me cause I just do a ton of file swapping from home computer to work computer to post stuff. I was kinda hating to read this poll cause I got a story going and I'm horribly stuck with where I'm at. The section I have is postable in length but it sucks straight up.

So I got no complaints if a writer has a gap...I know how it feels for whatever reason and I can only be humbly grateful for the butt kicking and nags I receive from those faithful enough to stick with a work in progress.

TEEEEEEEJ

What *really* drives me bananas is a) when I know a story is complete but the author is posting it incredibly slowly, or b) when I know a story is in the works and I'm dying to read it but I can't because the author wants to finish it before he or she posts.

But hey, I can be patient. I am patience personified. I am the very essence of patience. Patience, indeed, is my middle name. Honestly.

Yvonne P Connell

Yvonne, I can see what you mean about being frustrated when a writer posts a finished story in parts, and very slowly no less. But although I'm one of the writers who really likes to have the entire story done before I start posting, I kind of like the posting-in-bits practice. Reason being, if I myself am confronted with a story fed to me in 15 or so page bits on a regular basis, I can manage it. But if I see the same story as a whole and realize it's a 200 page epic, I would panic and think that I'd never have the time to read it, and therefore might not start.

I'll admit that setting up this poll was a way for me to relieve some mixed feelings I'm going through. I have a good portion of a WIP ready to go, but my brain is telling me to wait until I'm finished. It knows the panic I'd be experiencing in a few weeks when I encounter the dreaded DBS and for whatever reason can't manage to spew out a single coherent sentence. I've been in that pure panic mode before, and it is not condusive to my muse <g>.

But the antsy, hedonistic part of me is ready to get going. I've been stewing on it so long, I feel like I need to get it out there already. To see if there's enough interest to keep going (although that could turn around to bite me if there isn't interest). It's going to be another good month or two until I'm completely finished, and somehow I just can't seem to wait that long.

I wanted to get a pulse on what readers like and will tolerate and what other writers do, so my brain and my heart can take up sides and duke it out properly.

Lynn

Okay, I rememebered, though now it doesn't seem so witty anymore. :p

Question 2: I picked other because I completely understand DBS...though I didn't give myself much of a head start and went ahead and posted too quickly. So, dead stories...yeah, I mind...but gaps I can live with. But like Anna...I can't promise I won't nag.

I just wanted to say that I admire and envy Diane for not only having a steady buffer, but an outline as well. Man! I wish I had that...though I guess then I'd miss out on those lightbulb moments Paul mentioned. (Yes, readers, I *do* listen...and *no* Clark is *not* coming back in the next part. Not even if you beg. )

And to Lynn...how's this? I'll add one more story to my teensie weensie list of posted stories if you start posting! How's that?

Rambo (who wasn't aware until now that her pants had wings who knew?!)

I don´t mind gaps... really... Well I hate waiting, but I guess thats the cool thing about it..

As a reader, well.. sara, sqd and jenny make me go under sleeping pills everytime they keep me waiting for another part of their stories. But that´s cool... for now... when their stories get into a climax... i´ll need some really heavy sh... to keep waiting..

As a writer, I´ve had a bad experience with Even Steel Melts. I´ve worked under pressure.. not from the reader´s thought but my own. Now I´ve learned that I need a huge buffer to be posting again. I have a new story that has sth like 70 pages done but I´m still not confortable with that anyway.

Maybe a few dozens more and that will be cool.

MDL

Well, this beta is telling you to wait until it's all done and dusted and packaged up into neat little pink bows too, Lynn.

That way, I can remain one of the few who's read this wonderful, angsty, traumatic, waffy, witty, lyrical and just plain superb story for even longer and keep on being very smug about it.

What? What are you all looking at me like that for?

LabRat

Lab,



AnnaBtG.

Hey, Lynn. Yep, I totally agree that receiving a long story in parts is much easier to digest than trying to read the whole thing all at once. I guess it's just a tricky juggling act between posting often enough to keep impatient people like me happy, and spacing the posts out sufficiently to give people time to read them and give feedback.

I'm also extremely familiar with that head/heart struggle - my heart usually wins, unfortunately, which is why I end up scrambling to keep pace with my own posting schedule. If you can keep a cool head and wait until you're finished writing - aided and abetted by that irritatingly smug rodent - then I take my hat off to you!

Yvonne

Well, I've mentioned my opinions on this matter several times, but I'm not above doing so again.

First, when I post I like to post 2 to 3 times a week depending on the status of the story. If I feel I don't have the story to do that I'm comfortable with as little as once a week. But no longer than that. I think that's about the limit to keep your gentle readers involved without significant lost of the story thread.

I also feel that when a writer decides to post they have a responsibility to their readers to post on a reasonable schedule. If I expect someone to continue reading (and commenting?) on my story, I have to provide them with a regular supply of fic.

Having said that... sh*t happens and I understand how real life can raise its ugly head and dash the best laid plans. When that happens all one can do is grin and bear it.

When I started I posted as soon as I finished a part. But back then, I wrote shorter stories and didn't use my SuperSecretMysteryBetaReader. Once the stories got longer (which I still blame on Wendy) and found that in order to minimize the possible interference of real life, I had to build up a buffer to give me a cushion to be writing as I'm posting.

My current rule of thumb for longer stories is to have nine or ten parts in the can before I start posting. It's hard to wait that long, just because one gets antsy and wants to get some feedback on what you've written.

I also agree that the gentle readers do have a definite secondary function as gamma readers and their comments can have an affect on the story as it continues. I've had to make changes and additions to 'correct' flaws that had been pointed out, or ideas that got raised. You just hope that those aren't so major that you have to scrap or rewrite a large portion of what has already been written.

My current wip, which I foolishly have started posting, had a buffer of nine chapters. I will be posting the second chapter later tonight and still haven't finished the tenth. Not good.

Tank (who should have taken the lesson from Yvonne and built a bigger buffer)

Take it from me, Tank, bigger buffers don't always help! I used to start posting when I had about 40 pages of a story written, and as I carried on writing that would keep me ahead of posts for quite some time - even posting three times a week. Then I moved to 70 pages, and with my current WIP I didn't start posting until I had 100 pages written. And I've had to move from twice weekly to once a week with that (although there are exceptional circumstances involved this time to LabRat!


Wendy

I don't like gaps, but sometimes they happen. As long as the author is posting fairly regularly, say at least once a week, I don't mind. RL can be complicated and I understand that.

What's annoying is when people abandon stories after several months because they got writer's block, but leave the stories up on their web sites and don't bother to leave an e-mail address to contact them for feedback (or nagging, as the case may be.)

I tend to get writer's block in the middle of stories myself, so I usually wait until they're almost finished or completely finished before I start posting.

I repeat, All my stories are complete but one. I'm just not posting anymore. Even the "Vamps" one is complete.

Also want to say "Good-Bye"...Maybe...

I've finally stop writing L&C fanfics. So, I might not be comming around anymore.

LabRat.


(Phew)

Hmm, as for the rest of the poll, I don't like buffers - I want to be on the same page as my readers. That can usually inspire me to write more or on the off hand encourage me to write an off angle, like I did with the Duality ending.

As well, problem with writing this much this fast is an immense clutter of grammar/typo checking that is missed even at a second perusal. (There are things that sounded fine to me a 3am, but now I have to think back as to what exactly I was trying to convey.)

Which is why Duality is in a rewrite buffer.

*lounges in newbie-fluffy-fandom*

I don't write at all and I hang around a lot. Mind you, not as of the past two months though. RL bites.

i am impatient and don't like to wait. on the other hand, my own story has taken years to come to even being closed to possibly finished. real life rocks! I love it and it's challenges but it does interfere with both the will to write and the opportunity.

when I began LST, I had one toddler. Now I have a kindergarterner and a 3.5 yo.

I 'hate' gaps to the point that I don't usually start a story on the message boards unless it's written by a very reliable author. Someone who I know who will keep a schedule (even if I want it to be faster ) and will finish.

I've been disappointed by writers who have started and never finished

I love the archive though so I can read at my own rate, which is usually pretty fast!