How to deal with author's guilt?

[Nane]

Spesifically the guilt of not posting on time or not as much as you like to.

I already warned people in my story's description, stating that the updates will be slow. Usually, I write and edit a chapter in about two months (I know, right?) because writing is not my primary occupation and I'm pretty busy (also write in a relaxed manner). But now it has been a little over two months and I still haven't updated.

I have written the most of the chapter, and I know how I want to proceed the story. The problem is that I don't have the mind to think about it at the moment even though I have occasional breaks in my life. And the more I think about I need to post, the worse I feel, because there must be some readers thinking 'What happened to this story? Is it dropped?' or 'Meh, it's not worth following this one anyway.'

So, if this ever happens to you, how do you get over it? Give me some advices

 

[Ai-chan]

Ai-chan deal with it by saying, "It will be updated whenever it will be updated. If you want a particular story updated, tell Ai-chan. You don't say anything, Ai-chan assumes nobody cares."

 

[Paul_Tromba]

This is happening to me right now since I'm staying with some family at the moment. I just figure that I'm busy with other stuff and there is nothing I can do about it.

 

[Redemit]

The only the thing that matters in the end is if you finish the story or stop writing

people love to complain most of the time I'd say it's done out of genuine concern or just humor so don't worry about it too much but if it does bother you I'd suggest giving update chapters letting people know what's going on and what to expect

 

[Nane]

Ai-chan deal with it by saying, "It will be updated whenever it will be updated. If you want a particular story updated, tell Ai-chan. You don't say anything, Ai-chan assumes nobody cares."

That's a neat way.

The only the thing that matters in the end is if you finish the story or stop writing

people love to complain most of the time I'd say it's done out of genuine concern or just humor so don't worry about it too much but if it does bother you I'd suggest giving update chapters letting people know what's going on and what to expect

I planned it from start to finish, and I don't want to stop writing, but I guess in my head it was a faster process kinda disappointed in myself as well.

 

[Cossimeri]

For me, I just try to keep communication flowing. I'm not perfect about it, but I do like to make posts on my profile saying "yo, things suck, no Chappy for a bit" or whatever. People seem to like that. I mean I've had a couple stories go two months without updates before, just because I've made the massive mistake of starting way tooo many all at once. (Silly ADHD brain... can't focus on only one story)

 

[SailusGebel]

Succumb to the guilt, and stop posting at all.

 

[Lloyd]

I don't feel guilty, just stupid.

 

[NotaNuffian]

I kinda feel shitty when my oneshot porn got dragged into a second chapter in the making after ONE reader ask for it. I just told him that following the status quo, the two women will not die if I did not post the next chapter. I then asked him on any advice on the next chapter and he did somewhat merrily provide me with some ideas and followed me.

That was 12 July 2020. More than a year ago.

While I do feel pangs of guilt once in awhile, I also can feel the cholesterols clotting my heart and sharp pains at my chest whenever previous project fuckups and my eternal daily RL problems flaring on and off. So the guilt is placed next with all the shit and quickly forgotten...

Succumb to the guilt, and stop posting at all.

I did, somewhat.

Godammit I think I will visit my docs later.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

Spesifically the guilt of not posting on time or not as much as you like to.

I already warned people in my story's description, stating that the updates will be slow. Usually, I write and edit a chapter in about two months (I know, right?) because writing is not my primary occupation and I'm pretty busy (also write in a relaxed manner). But now it has been a little over two months and I still haven't updated.

I have written the most of the chapter, and I know how I want to proceed the story. The problem is that I don't have the mind to think about it at the moment even though I have occasional breaks in my life. And the more I think about I need to post, the worse I feel, because there must be some readers thinking 'What happened to this story? Is it dropped?' or 'Meh, it's not worth following this one anyway.'

So, if this ever happens to you, how do you get over it? Give me some advices

Only new authors experience authors guilt. Keep living, it will go away

 

[TotallyHuman]

The same way you overcome killer guilt, do it enough times, and you no longer feel it

 

[Nane]

Succumb to the guilt, and stop posting at all.

Somehow I feel like...that's not the right answer.

Godammit I think I will visit my docs later.

Glad to contribute in some way

Only new authors experience authors guilt. Keep living, it will go away

Guess I'll have to cancel my plans then... New objective: Keep on living.

The same way you overcome killer guilt, do it enough times, and you no longer feel it

Oh, thanks for the advice

 

[longer]

Simply don't care and clearly communicate to your readers that you're a lazy sack of bricks too preoccupied with egirls and videogames.

 

[Lorelliad]

I put mine on a hiatus since I've been too lazy to do it due to school. Don't feel bad.

Comes back on Dec 17 :)

 

[Rudia_Estelle]

Spesifically the guilt of not posting on time or not as much as you like to.

I already warned people in my story's description, stating that the updates will be slow. Usually, I write and edit a chapter in about two months (I know, right?) because writing is not my primary occupation and I'm pretty busy (also write in a relaxed manner). But now it has been a little over two months and I still haven't updated.

I have written the most of the chapter, and I know how I want to proceed the story. The problem is that I don't have the mind to think about it at the moment even though I have occasional breaks in my life. And the more I think about I need to post, the worse I feel, because there must be some readers thinking 'What happened to this story? Is it dropped?' or 'Meh, it's not worth following this one anyway.'

So, if this ever happens to you, how do you get over it? Give me some advices

That happened to me a when I was taking a break because of health problems. I took a break for 4 months although I promised them to write chapters occasionally. I just recently got back to the writing yesterday. For me, I just explained my situation properly to the readers, and thanking them for their patience since there was nothing I could do. Everyone might have their priorities in their life so don't be that guilty. Just focus on what you want to do and if you feel guilty, just explain them about the situation properly.

 

[Cipiteca396]

As long as you actually intend to keep writing, there's no reason to feel guilty. If you don't intend to write, then you should say so, and only feel a little guilty.

If you're obsessing over the idea that you're not writing right now, then you can just write. It's not like you're doing whatever you were supposed to be doing instead, lol.

If you try to write, and nothing happens, or something is physically stopping you from writing, all you can do is say why and go on your way. If you aren't getting paid, then you have no obligation to continue, let alone post in a timely manner.

If you are getting paid... Get your shit together. Take a vacation, go to a party, whatever. Spend some money and wake up the next morning and go, "Oh god, I'll starve if I don't get the next chapter out..."

 

[gaylolis]

i think the guilt i have is being bad.

i just come in terms about it since it hurts me physically if i tried to write something good.

basically i just pick the lesser poison.

 

[AliceShiki]

I mean... Been almost 2 years since I started working on my 2nd novel and I have yet to start publishing it.

Sometimes RL hits you hard, and sometimes you just have a really hard time dealing with procrastination... After a whole day procrastinating, only finishing the daily work quota at 4am, you just don't have it in you to write, yanno? ADHD sucks~

So well... Try to not think about it too much? You like writing, but you don't have time to write? Then write when you can. It's not unfair to leave it for later when your other priorities stop you from writing as much as you want~

 

[Nane]

I mean... Been almost 2 years since I started working on my 2nd novel and I have yet to start publishing it.

Sometimes RL hits you hard, and sometimes you just have a really hard time dealing with procrastination... After a whole day procrastinating, only finishing the daily work quota at 4am, you just don't have it in you to write, yanno? ADHD sucks~

So well... Try to not think about it too much? You like writing, but you don't have time to write? Then write when you can. It's not unfair to leave it for later when your other priorities stop you from writing as much as you want~

Thanks for that! It's really encouraging