I love a good story. I especially love a good and completed story so today I thought I would talk about the pain that sprouts from starting a fic that goes unfinished or gets pulled without warning.

Before I go any further I just want to make a couple of things plain. I understand that all of the fan fic authors out there have a real life to attend to and, of course, that should take precedence above all else. This is not some battle cry against authors that can’t or don’t finish their stories or take them down. This is more like therapy, at least for me.

Could you imagine reading Twilight and having it stop right at the point Edward and Bella discover the meadow?  I didn’t think so.  Or what about being in the midst of Dark Lover and having it end prematurely after only page seventy-five (Black Dagger Brotherhood fans you feel me?) Of course we don’t have to be worried about published novels going unfinished but fan fiction is nothing less to me than an unpublished book.  It carries the same weight and doesn’t mean any less to me as a reader.  When I start something, I like to finish it and when I don’t get to, damn it, it’s upsetting.

Being the novice that I am, I entered into the vast world of fan fiction having not a clue that stories went unfinished.  Go ahead and laugh at my idealism, I deserve it.  I found out the hard way when I was sucked into an unfinished story.  I was about ten chapters in, and the author of this particular fic had hit their stride, or at least I thought they had.  Having devoured everything that was posted I waited anxiously for an update.  But an update never came.  What was even more difficult for me about the situation is the author never posted a note, nor did they ever answer my private messages.  Nearly a year later, the fic remains incomplete without explanation and I am left with an undeniable feeling of loss.

A bit of explanation can go a long way for this reader. Just tell me you are “procrasturbating” or that you’ve “lost your mojo.”  A little dab will do me just fine.  I’ll move on.

Recently an original fiction piece I was reading was pulled BUT it was pulled because of a publishing opportunity.  It brought up such mixed emotions for me.  I actually cried but took comfort in the fact that someday I might actually get to hold it in all it’s bound glory.  I also was eased by the fact that I knew the author herself shed her own tears and struggled with what she had to do.  I couldn’t help but be elated for her (her piece is truly deserving) and I plan to be one of the first people in line when it hits the shelves.  If said author is reading this post, please know that I adore you and support you infinitely.   I appreciate the candor with which you approached the readers and am grateful to know that someday, I will have the satisfaction of knowing how it ends.

So, I know you are all probably thinking there are so many fics out there deserving of reads, that will be or are completed and I should just shut up and proceed to read through the work in my growing list of favorites and, you’re right, I should.

I haven’t really learned anything from my experience with the unfinished fics of the fandom; I still read works in progress and occasionally I start a story that never gets finished.  At least now I know that it does happen and if I “risk” reading something new, I know that it might not ever be finished and I will have to seek resolution in other ways.

I would like to conclude this post by reminding you to get out and read some stories that are now in the “graveyard” aka completed.  Here are just a few recommendations:

Through Your Eyes by Megsly, Rated R

Things That Go Bump in the Night by Mac (completed but still being updated on this site), Rated NC-17

Lost and Found by Saluki, Rated NC-17

The Darkside of Twilight by Sarahbella & Lizabella, Rated NC-17

Past & Present by givesusakiss, Rated NC-17

The Grace of Flowers by Terribotta, Rated G

Recommend your favorites in the comments!

Have a great weekend everyone!

MWAH!

Jules