WIP Experiment, Take Two

[kerravonsen]

I'm pondering whether to attempt again the post-as-you-go alpha-reading experiment. It didn't work last time because there were too few people involved, I think. This time I'm considering extending it to my whole flist.
The purpose of this experiment is to help me keep up the momentum of writing (in this case, for the finish-a-thon) by posting part or all of what I'm writing (in locked posts, so that it isn't public), so that (a) I'm accountable and (b) people can encourage me to keep going. This would be completely unbetaed first-draft stuff; the point is to get the first draft done and fix it afterwards.

This has the potential to backfire, because if I post and nobody comments, that will be more discouraging than if I hadn't posted at all. Which is bad. Which means that if nobody comments, then I will stop posting, because posting would be worse for me than not posting, in that case. Unfortunately, some people could consider this to be "holding a story hostage", which is a naughty thing to do, I agree. But this isn't "a story", this is a sneak preview. I am still going to finish the story, and I am still going to be working on it, I'm just trying to find a way to make it easier for me.

Of course, the posting or not-posting is irrelevant for those who aren't interested in reading a Harry Potter pre-Hogwarts AU.

So I am making a poll.

Poll #10192 WIP experiment

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 6

Should KerrAvonsen procede with this WIP experiment?

Yes
5 (83.3%)

No
0 (0.0%)

Don't care
1 (16.7%)

If the experiment goes ahead, will you read the posts?

Yes
4 (66.7%)

No
0 (0.0%)

Probably
1 (16.7%)

Probably not
1 (16.7%)

If the experiment goes ahead, will you comment on the posts?

No, I already said I wouldn't read them
0 (0.0%)

Yes
0 (0.0%)

No
0 (0.0%)

Probably
5 (83.3%)

Probably not
1 (16.7%)

If no, why not?

I'm not into Harry Potter fanfic
1 (20.0%)

I'm not into fanfic
0 (0.0%)

I'd rather wait until the story is finished and beta-read
0 (0.0%)

I'm just too busy
0 (0.0%)

You are holding the story hostage and I disapprove
0 (0.0%)

Other (explain in comments)
0 (0.0%)

Ticky box!
4 (80.0%)

If yes, why?

I said No!
0 (0.0%)

I like Harry Potter fanfic
4 (80.0%)

I like your fic
4 (80.0%)

I like your fic even though I'm not into Harry Potter
0 (0.0%)

I want to be encouraging
3 (60.0%)

I'm bored
0 (0.0%)

Other (explain in comments)
1 (20.0%)

Ticky box!
0 (0.0%)

Comments

[dragonfly]

I gave you mostly no answers, largely because I don't read HP fanfic, so ...

BUT I totally sympathize with what you're trying to do here. I have the same problem, and have toyed with trying more or less the same thing. I do do better when people are reading what I write, tell me they like it and want to see more. Call me shallow, but there it is. But there's just no way to guarantee that. If we were all writing in the same one or two fandoms we might do well as cheerleaders for each other, but I won't expect cheerleading from people who don't know or don't care about my fandom, not to even mention whether they like the story I'm writing or not. Not that I wouldn't like to have it anyway. ;-)

Also, I was thinking the problem with working on an old WIP (unless it still has fans waiting for it to be finished) is that it's not new to anyone. If I said in my journal that I was working on a new Highlander story, that might generate a couple of "hrm?"s from a few people, but anyone who ever cared about the story already knows about it, most likely.

Okay, this is all kind of negative, and that's not what I intended. I'm just thinking at you, because I'd like a solution, too, and haven't found one.

[kerravonsen]

Because when it all comes down to it, it's like what one of my art teachers said: Art is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

[vilakins]

I enjoyed your WIP posts on the Draco AU but was disappointed I never got to read the whole thing.

[kerravonsen]

That's because I haven't finished it yet; it's stalled. (sigh) I will get back to it, but not right now.

[kerravonsen]

But with this one I am also intending to post everything, as you can see I've already posted the first scene.

[fred_mouse]

Reason for only probably on making comments - some weeks I only read through my flist once, and I feel bad replying to stuff that is several days old.

Other reason for commenting - I have permission, to comment on every single one? Not only permission, but the knowledge that just saying I'm reading along is a good thing! This is wonderful - while I like commenting, I don't always feel that making a Kilroy was 'ere type statement is appropriate, and so I don't comment at all.

[kerravonsen]

Yes, "Kilroy was 'ere" is perfectly fine! 8-)

[fred_mouse]

that makes me very happy! Will attempt to read in near real time...

(also, your icon? my first thought was "why is Snape dressed as the Doctor?")

[kerravonsen]

So the real question is, why did the Doctor dress like Snape? (grin)

[fred_mouse]

there is a story in that, I'm sure. I just.... no time to think about it. Will add it to the plot bunny folder, unless you want to claim it?

[kerravonsen]

It's all yours.