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Sunday, December 11th, 2011 12:26 pm
There is an online writer of serials whose work I generally enjoy. But the latest story -- not unlike some others in my memory -- has simply gone on too long, and I've lost interest. In my mind the story resolved months (and chapters) ago, and everything that came after has been just boring, because all the tension is gone.

Is it helpful to tell a writer this? Or is it likely to just seem peevish and insulting to say something like that? A lot of online writers seem to do this with their favorite characters.
Sunday, December 11th, 2011 11:33 pm (UTC)
I don't think there's any helpful way to say that, unless you are already in the kind of relationship where you know that you can offer unasked-for advice.
Monday, December 12th, 2011 12:34 am (UTC)
I was afraid of that, and I've been staying mum about it for that reason.
Monday, December 12th, 2011 04:13 am (UTC)
It's tricky, but maybe you can say something to the effect that you hope she'll move on to something new, because it seems that the current thing feels mostly wrapped up. That way you're not directly telling her you're bored, more that you're looking forward to the new thing.
Monday, December 12th, 2011 04:25 am (UTC)
Maybe I could, at that . . . there's some on-hold stuff I could inquire about, maybe. I don't know.
Monday, December 12th, 2011 05:45 am (UTC)
I have told someone that her story felt over and if she wanted to write more about the characters, maybe she should start a new story about them or add extras at the end. (I have reviewed almost every chapter, so my advice wasn't out of the void.) She didn't listen (which is fine because it was her story) and her story ended an excruciating three years story-time after I would have ended it.

I told her because I would have wanted to know (even if I didn't take the advice, I'd give it some thought). But I didn't tell her that I decided not to start reading her next story because even though I liked her characters and plot (for the most part) I didn't think I could deal with another 3/4-of-the-story's-length ending.