How not to convince a stressed author to write more.

[icarus]

Lobbying for updates is always a good thing. Every author likes to hear that you want them to write more. Some strategies, however, are more effective than others.

Effective strategies:

i was wondering, do u plan on writing more for this story, because its really good and i'd love to read more of it!

and the very unusual but kind...

Figures I would get hooked on this, knowing you have a blockage for the next part. I am eager for an update, but this one is worth waiting for.

and the specific quote plus request...

I loved the timid:

quote: so um what do you need from me?

I hope the next update is not that far.


Ineffective strategies:

Helloo~o! Anyone home? I hope so, 'cause I'd really love to see this fic go beyond chapter one!

and...

IF THIS IS THE END IMA GONNA *CRY*!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SPENT 5 1/2 HOURS READING THIS YOU BETTA FINISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and the ever popular...

MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE!


Also, can anyone spot why the following may be an ineffective offer?

hey mayb we can collaborate ?????

This has been a public service announcement.

Comments

[nufaciel.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I know these kinds of "persuasion" all too well. My personal favourite was when Ordinary World was on ffnet. My grandmother had died abruptly, and I just couldn't write anything for a few months (absolutely no will at all). I don't know how many "I'm sorry for your loss, will you update soon?"s I got after that. Made me just want to pitch the story out the window and never look at it again, lol!

Those kinds of feedback are precisely why I won't post WIP fics online anymore, with the exception of my yahoo group.