Friday, September 9, 2011

WIP vs Completed Fics


In the Twi-fic fandom there are a lot of people who will only read stories that are complete and will not read stories that are WIP.


I went through a phase of only reading completed stories and then started a spreadsheet to put WIP stories so I would remember to read them.

So I was reading some pretty good completed stories but then I hit a wall. I went fic diving and looking for recs on web sites.

All the completed recs I had already read, I’m a fic h00r like that. The fic diving stories I found were ok but nothing really owned me. Sooooo....I went to my spreadsheet and started reading the WIP.

It is a different experience for me to read a WIP story. I love the excitement I get when I go to my favs on FFN and see that a story has updated or get the email that has updated it. I am a better reviewer for WIP stories. I usually review every chapter. Completed stories..not so much, I usually don’t review until the end. I also like the interaction from the writers when you are reviewing a WIP. Friendship can develop through supporting them with their writing and sometimes you get a bit more insight from them on the characters.

I do have a few "standards" for starting to read a WIP fic.
  • The main one is if the story hasn't updated within the last 60 days, I will not start it. I will put it on my to read list and check back every so often.
  • This isn't just for WIP but for all fics...if the story hasn't grabbed me with in the first 5 chapters. I will flounce...sorry but it's true.
  • I usually can read through minor grammar errors as long as the plot is good but if there are a lot them I will give up.
It has been forever since I put Fic Recs on my blog…I have been reading some amazing WIP stories. For the most part I read Edward/Bella All Human stories. I am drawn to angsty stories. I think I like them because they usually make me emotional. I do like happy endings but I don’t need them. After reading a few angsty stories I like a sweet love story where they have overcome all of these obstacles and still love each other in the end. I am a romantic at heart. *sigh*


Bella & Edward forever!

Here are the stories that own me at the moment – I will try not to give any spoilers:


Beautiful Sorrow by DreamOfTheEndless

Author’s Summary: Bella worshiped Carlisle, so when he proposed she didn't think twice before accepting. But then she met Edward, her fiancĂ©'s half brother & the other part of her soul. Will they be able to survive the consequences of their betrayal?

This is another story that owns me! I love Issy's style of writing. I can visualize what is happening. In this one both Carlisle and Bella are very wounded. My heart goes out to both of them. So far, we do not know much about Edward but I'm sure when we do my heart will go out to him as well. This story makes me think...there isn't a clear good guy/bad guy. Mistakes are made by both Carlisle and Bella. This doesn't excuse their behavior and they haven't made the best choices as you will learn when you read it. Issy gives just enough of the story to keep me coming back to read because I have to know what happens or why the characters are the way they are. There are 15 chapters completed. Sometimes I root for Bella and Carlisle's relationship to make it and then I remember this will be an Edward and Bella story. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I also have become twitter friends with Issy. She is a sweetheart and gives great story recs.


There is light by belladonnacullen

Author’s Summary: This was 1987; before the Internet, before Twitter, before Facebook – this was back when it was still possible for people not to know about things: big things - like bands, and little things - like G-spots. AH, ExB, with some other parings along the way.

When I read the description 1987 grabbed me because it was the year I graduated from high school so I thought I would give it a go. The story starts off Edward is a rock star and Bella is still in high school. He is a lot older than her and the things they go through are a beautiful heartache. The flashbacks to the 80’s bring back a lot of memories for me of good and not so good times. This is one of the stories that makes me feel. My heart physically hurts when I read it. I want I Bella and Edward to be ok and I don’t know if they will be and it’s killing me. That is all I’m going to say about this story but if you like angsty stories then read this one. It’s on chapter 18.


Bring on the Wonder by Bronzehyperion

Author’s Summary: Bella works the streets of Seattle as a prostitute. Edward is waiting to be ordained as a Catholic priest. Is there anything they have to offer each other? Or are there just sacrifices they both have to make… All human. Rated M for a reason.

The writing in this story is amazing! It is so well done. I love the concept. This is not the usual Bella is a prostitute and Edward comes in and saves the day. There is conflict in their relationship. Bella feels like she isn’t good enough for Edward. Edward struggles with decision on becoming a priest or not. The priest and Carlisle do not support Edward and Bella’s friendship. I have thought about myself while reading this story. If I had a son would I want him in a relationship with a girl that was a hooker? I don’t think so. Now I feel like I’m a bad person…sorry I digressed. This story is on chapter 36. We are now getting answers to Bella’s past and I have a feeling it is coming to the end soon.


Here is a rec for a completed story for those of you that only read completed fics.

The Elusive Mr Cullen by dariachenowith

Author’s Summary: Bella is a high class escort, Edward her newest client. They soon realize that there's more between them than great sex and witty conversations. While Bella doesn't believe in fairy tales, her life seems to be turning into one fast. Or is it? AH/OOC

This one started out very hot. I'm not kidding, you may need a cold shower after reading the first few chapters. It really gripped me from the beginning and then something happened that blew me away! I totally didn't see it coming!!! I can't tell you what IT is or I'll give it all away. This very steamy story ends up to be a mystery. I also love Daria's writing style. She gives me shivers!


I hope you read the stories and please review. I know it makes the writers squeeeeee!

4 comments:

  1. I want to read all of them, especailly There is a Light.

    I like when a friendship develops between WIP authors too.

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  2. Thank you so much:) I am truly speechless! Wow!
    You absolutely made my day!
    Love,
    X0X0

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  3. @tonguetwied - You will love the stories! :)

    @dreamoftheendless - I'm glad my post made your day! You made me squeee when you posted a comment! :)

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  4. I've been rec'd The Elusive Mr. Cullen before...thanks for reminding me of it!! Jiff just read There Is Light and said it was really good...I'm assuming it's complete now. I haven't heard of Beautiful Sorrow or Bring On The Wonder...I'll have to check them out and add them to my TBR list!

    I agree with your pros and cons of WIPs and Completes. I agree that the suspense and anticipation of a WIP is fun, but I have this fear that the story won't finish and I'll be left hanging. I get so invested in stories. The investment is also why I prefer completes...I love to just immerse myself in a story and you can't really do that with a WIP.

    I am actually reading a few WIPs and it's not so bad once I got used to it. But I think I still prefer completes.

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