Can You Please Update [insert story here]?

If I had $100 for every time someone asked me this lately, I could hire someone to write for me. I’m really, really sorry! I never wanted to be that author, but some things are out of my control. I would love nothing more than a large, uninterrupted time slot which I could devote to writing again—it’s the reason I got involved in this fandom in the first place. The sad part is that I don’t anymore, and when I do, I have to juggle all the other extracurricular things I enjoy doing as well.

I enjoy writing, but it’s a lot of work. I can’t devote every spare minute I have to it, and I have to believe I’m not the only author who feels that way. I don’t mind people asking me when I’m going to post or telling me that they miss updates. It’s motivating. It makes me feel good. ZOMG, people still care about my fanfic and that is awesome!

But (for me anyway) there’s a big difference between curious longing and demanding an update. Even politely asking for one can rub me the wrong way.

“I really enjoy ABC, but when are you going to update XYZ?”

“Please update ABC. I’ve been waiting a really long time.”

“Why haven’t you updated for a month?”

“You should spend less time posting pictures of Rob on Tumblr and write more XYZ.” (Yes, someone seriously said something like that to me, because apparently hitting “reblog” takes the same amount of time and effort as writing a chapter.)

The fandom is my escape, and I love being here. I have 10x as many tweets from @o_Oza as I do with my RL account, my Tumblr actually has followers, I have friends on GoodReads and people to play WWF and Draw Something with, and that’s great. But when people insinuate that I’m misspending my free time by reading (paper books!) when I could be writing, it’s very disheartening.

Hopefully this doesn’t come across as bitchy. I just need to vent. I’m not trying to point fingers or make anyone feel bad. I’m sure readers who leave comments like that aren’t trying to be rude. I just really wish people would think about how their comment might be interpreted before they leave it. I’ll be the first to say I’ve probably been guilty of it, especially before I started writing. I handle a lot of situations differently now (reviews, tweets, PMs, fangirling) because I have more perspective. It’s kind of like getting a review from someone who’s all angry and worked up, and you have no idea if they loved it, hated it, or loved to hate it. ZOMG WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY THIS I DONUT KNOW!

I don’t think for a moment that readers don’t appreciate the work authors put into their stories, nor do they think writing should be an author’s number one priority. I believe this with all my heart, so why do comments like the ones above make me feel guilty for catching up on the final season of The Tudors when I could be writing?

Maybe I’m just too sensitive.

The one thing I know for sure is that I am going to start writing ahead for my next story. Having something to post on a weekly basis is a lot less stressful.

For those of you who are waiting for updates, it won’t be too much longer. I promise! Thank you for sticking around. ♥

Comments (12)

  1. Whooza March 14, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    I appreciate the gift writers like you offer freely and I look forward to the next Inside Man update.

    • Lisa March 14, 2012 at 3:44 pm

      I don’t write but I can understand! And while I am crazy about IM, I hate that people pester authors! Plz don’t let the pests build up a resentment that will keep you away form writing. I do know other authors that that has happened to! :(

      Whenever it’s ready, we’ll be here!

  2. Misti March 14, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    Sorry to hear authors are getting harassed to update. I don’t understand why people get so angry for things you are doing for free. I will wait a lifetime for your stories. Thank you for taking time out of your life & sharing them with us.

  3. Jan Conant March 14, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    I’m always excited to receive your updates and I love all your stories. Thank goodness there are people like you who like to write and are very good at it. Thanks.

  4. GraceDZ March 14, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    Please don’t feel guilty catching up on The Tudors. That is an awesome show! I watched it religiously when it was on TV. I always look forward to your updates. Thank you for writing your stories!

    • ooza March 14, 2012 at 8:52 pm

      The Tudors is awesome! I watched the first 3 seasons when they aired, but then we cancelled our premium channels. Fortunately Netflix has them all!

  5. Opi Knight-Williams March 14, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    I love your stories, and have an abnormal amount of patience (since I live with two children under the age of 2, both in diapers, I need all the patience I can muster!) and I also write fanfiction, so anytime you update is fine with me! Live life, update when you’re ready, and the whiners out there (the one’s telling you that you need to write instead of living) can take a hike.

  6. Rynnka March 15, 2012 at 3:11 am

    Thank you so much for your wonderful writing. And I must say I understand perfectly how you feel (I’ve been in a similar situation – though in different context). Writing should be fun – not an obligation. So do it only when you really feel like doing it. Don’t ever let these people get to you.

    However, I am looking forward to the next IM update..;-)

  7. oh Robward March 15, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I love your stories and appreciate that you take so much time and pride in them. It upsets me to hear that you’ve had comments like that it seems that lately more and more authors are getting crap from this fandom and then people wonder why we are losing so many of our best authors, some that where here from very early on and were much loved. Although i do not write stories myself i am a massive supporter in the fandom because reading is a passion for me, unfortunatey i am just not good at producing a good story myself so i always make sure that i show nothing but respect to you guys who are putting your work out there. At the end of the day people are very quick to forget that you guys do this for free, you aren’t earning a living from it, its something that is done in your free time and everyone has a life outside of this. Sorry for my mini essay but lately I’ve read so many author notes similar to this and i just hope you all realise that there are still lots of us out here that will always support you :)

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