I need some opinions on this · 5:16am Sep 6th, 2013
Hello, all.
The few of you who are actively keeping an eye on me have probably noticed I haven't written anything lately. It's been almost a month since chapter 10 of Hocus Pocus came out. Unfortunately, nothing new is currently approaching completion, and I need some opinions from a few of you before I release my next bit of content.
The problem: I'm actually putting together a new fanfic. I was planning to release the first chapter soon, and then update that and Hocus Pocus in alternation. I know Hocus Pocus appeals to a fairly specific audience (namely, those who have both read "Shipping and Handling" and who are interested the 'school of magic' trope.) and I figured working on a second story would give a little more variety, since Hocus Pocus is kind of long, and those not reading it wouldn't be seeing anything else by me for quite some time.
However, progress on the first chapter of this new fanfic is slow. Very slow. And I think it's because I'm now trying to juggle this plotline while not dropping Hocus Pocus's. I'm starting to worry that if I continue to put attention on this new fanfic, both fanfics might suffer.
So I want to know what you guys think. What do you want to see from me next? Should I keep working and get my next story off the ground, or should I toss aside distractions and put full focus on Hocus Pocus until it's finally done? (It's only half over, by the way!) Both fics are going to be written eventually, but I'm not sure which schedule to choose.
Drop your opinions in the comments!
~PRB
If you're deep into this new fic... Keep working on the new fic.
~Skeeter The Lurker
From a personal point of view, I find working on multiple tasks to be detrimental to my performance.
That's just me though. On that, I'd recommend sticking with your current story.
I think that you should focus on one or the other although you should give a preview or teaser of your new one so we can really decide
1331321
yeah, knowing the options better would help. generally speaking, though, go where your muse takes you. Mine is fickle and doesn't like writing very much, so you can see where that leaves me...
It is tough to give an actual opinion when I don't know anything about your new unknown story.
I don't know what your writing process is like. If you are worried about losing the plotline you could take a break from both to write out some detailed outlines for later reference.
That said, I am one of those few that have read Shipping and Handling, and I am also enjoying your school of magic as well.
I absolutely loved Shipping and Handling. (The parts with Pinkie were a little too much for me but still good). I really want Hocus Pocus to be the best story it can possibly be. If you are 'really' concerned about the quality of HP then I would keep focusing on that.
I hate nothing more than a good story that gets dropped part way through. Well except stories that have great potential but are just so poorly written that it is physically painful to read.
If you're really into this new story focus on that for awhile and flesh out HP until it's perfect. And to those that haven't read SP, just shame on them. It should practically be required reading for the fandom.
Actually, I feel that while Hocus Pocus references Shipping and Handling here and there, it doesn't rely on it for any context. And I have yet to crack open any Harry Potter books or see any of the films, really, so ... just putting that out there. I think seeing it as a niche fic is selling it short.
That said, write what makes you happy! A happy writer is a happy reader, and I'll be reading either fic anyways... if you're feeling a bit weary of Hocus Pocus, definitely take a break - would hate to see you get completely burned out on it.
While I selfishly would like you to work on Hocus Pocus, I would have to admit that it would be best for you to work on whatever inspires you the most.
As one of your readers, I would rather have you produce some well-inspired work instead of going through the motions to satisfy the imagined demands of a faceless crowd. Those of us who like your work will continue to like it, regardless of the frequency of updates.
Remember, you are writing because you have a story to share. Not because you have fans to please.
Try to focus on everything, and you can see nothing. Focus on only one thing and you'll see it with great clarity, but you'll miss everything else. Best to keep your focus in one place, but keep both eyes open so you don't get blindsided.
That's my cryptic way of saying to focus on Hocus Pocus until it's done. If you happen to have a great moment of inspiration for the new story, just scribble it down in a notebook and come back to it later.
Feel free to quote me on that first part, by the way. It came out pretty good...
As someone who is currently juggling 7 fics and the creation of an 8th, I'd say work on one at a time.
I need to take a vacation...
Anyhow, good luck, whichever one you choose. I, personally, want to see more Hocus Pocus, but if you feel the new fic is more worthy of your attentions, then work with that one instead.
As the writer, you really just need to pick how many you can handle and run with that.
In general, I have noticed, the more fics you are working on, the worse it is. Splitting attention rarely does either story any good, unless you are VERY good at juggling projects. Now, two stories isn't so bad, really, but if you think you are already having trouble juggling both, it might be best to shelve one or the other for the time being,
My personal preference is for more Hocus Pocus, but do what ya gotta do.
Work on whatever you feel most strongly about. Sometimes you need a break from a long work to recharge. If you really want to work on this new fic, then go for it. Use it to refresh your perspective and gain new insight on your other projects. Go with your gut on this one.
I've made the decision to only write one multichapter story at a time, since I'm not that fast a writer. I'll interrupt it with the occasional one-shot story.
I'd prefer a focus on Hocus Pocus, since it gets hard to remember the specifics of every single ongoing story I'm following, and it gets harder as more time passes between updates.
Do what you feel works for you. This is fanfiction after all. You don't have some editor whose deadline you have to meet, lest your contract get the axe, or something like that. Those of us who are reading Hocus Pocus and are enjoying it have it favorited, so it's not like we're gonna miss it when you update. The first rule of writing fanfiction is that the writing should be something you enjoy doing. If you're doing something you like, then we can certainly chill and wait for the result.
Really it's up to you. While working on both would be the best as far as what we get if done right. If you just don't think you can do both at the same time and make them the best they can be, I'd say finish the stories you start before moving on.
Normally I'd say work on whatever you feel like working on at the moment, but my recent experiments with my writing process have shown that it might be better to stick with one fic at a time.
Dedicate alternating months for each fic. i.e. Sept is new fic month, Oct is HP*, Nov is new fic, etc, etc, etc
*I just realized the initials for that fic tie in with Harry Potter, which seems to influence the fic itself...
I would think working on multiple fics at the same time would cause a big mess and force a loss of direction for either one. But if you can make it work, by all means do it.
if you havt to you should finish hocus pocus
Write your other idea. Or at least start planning it. Updates may come slower, but if you don't get those ideas out your head then they'll make it explode. Or worse, you might never get an opportunity to actually write them. You need to give all your ideas a chance, and if you just let them fester at the back of your head then they're wasted.
Being a fan of Hocus Pocus, I personally, for my own selfish reasons would have to ask that you focus on that. Mainly because I know what happens when I try to work on two things at once... It's you story though and if you feel that it needs to be told then tell it. If not, write down every idea you have for the other one in EXTREME detail, because if you're anything like me, you'll have all these wonderful ideas stored in your head clear as day, until the moment you finally sit down to write them.
If I were you, I'd work on Hocus Pocus. Even the people who don't like Hocus Pocus would be happier waiting for a really good fic after HP is done. I'd rather have one after the other than two mediocre ones running at once. If you can start forming the plotline and such for the new fic, do so. It will help with the creative processes for both.
I think Hocus Pocus. If you're feeling doubtful about writing two fics at once, you should stick with one. It's always better to have one amazing story than two average ones, after all!
I think that you should put all of your focus on hocus pocus... Hey! That rhymed!
write how you like it the most, because you do this as a hobby, something to enjoy, not to do us a service or something
Pretty much what 1331383 said
HOCUS POCUS ALL THE WAY!
I LOVE Hocus Pocus, and I can't wait for the next chapter to come out, so obviously I would say to focus on Hocus Pocus. On the other hand, getting a new fic out there will indeed apply to a broader audience. You should choose whatever you feel is best, but instead of writing two stories at the same time, which in most cases causes both stories to suffer in quality, I think you should focus on one story or the other. I'm sure your fans would prefer it if they could get the same amazing quality people have come to expect from you and have to wait a bit longer than to have two shoddy stories that are written quickly. Just look at DawnFade, University Days hasn't been updated in months and it still has people drooling over it's next release date because they know DawnFade is taking his time to create the next chapter. In the end though, the only person who can decide is you.
Personally, I don't read fanfics unless their completed, else I end up juggling storylines and get them confused. So I agree with your one-at-a-time approach. If you feel that you need a break from Hocus Pocus (which I am excited to read when it's finished!) to try something else, go ahead. Whenever I have to write an essay, sometimes I hit a block and need to come back after doing something else to have a fresh mind when I try again. However, if you are on a role or have some momentum, keep in mind that starting a new fic will make you lose your momentum, unless you are SURE you can pick it up again. So really, do you feel you need a break, or do you not want to lose momentum? As long as you don't drop either (especially Hocus Pocus), I'm fine with either. Good luck with your decision!