The WIP Folder of Doom + Getting Organized

[firethesound]

I've spent the last week on and off wrangling the WIP Folder of Doom back into submission. The last time I'd gone through and organized it was at the beginning of 2019 so it's been a while. At that point, I had 113 WIPs and about 350k of writing in there. So I went into this assuming that I'd have somewhat more than that, but probably not too much more, since I haven't been writing all that much over the last couple of years. Probably about 400k is what I'd mentally (and emotionally) prepared myself for.

Y'all. I just finished. And I have 460,000 of unposted and incomplete writing. What. The. Fuck. It feels a bit ridiculous to be as shocked as I am, because I was expecting 400k and when we're already at that point, what's another 60k? But. Yikes. I really really need to get some of this out of my life. The good news is that after another round of combining docs and transferring fics I'm for-sure never going to finish into the Graveyard folder, I've only got 105 WIPs, which was a lovely surprise to have the total number of WIPs go down instead of up. Then, for shits and giggles I went into the Great Big Doc of Fic Ideas to see exactly what's there. Another 172 ideas for fics, ranging from full outlines to ones that are just a line of dialogue or a title or an image, or--my very favorite--one that just reads "gothic horror and fucking." I still have no earthly idea what that means.

I closed it again. We're not going to think about MORE IDEAS when I've got 460,000 of fic that's already started and needs to be finished, jesus christ.

I'm aiming to finish and post at least one before the end of the year, and am fairly optimistic about doing it. I'd thought about getting a PWP done, as that'd be the lowest hurdle wordcount-wise, but ended up pulling out one that'll be a bit longer. I've got 8k, and think it'll be done in another 8-ish, which means it's long enough for me to really sink into and build up some momentum on, which will (hopefully!) propel me through into the new year, when gracerene is twisting my arm to make me sign up for Harry Draco Bang. Which I'm actually really excited about and looking forward to! It'll be really nice to have a deadline to force me to finish something longer, which I've not done for a while. It's been... (and I actually had to hop over to AO3 and check because I honestly couldn't remember) almost 5 years (how has it been five years?!?!) since I've posted anything that broke 50k, which is a real problem considering the number of 50k+ WIPs I've got languishing.

Beyond that... I need to come up with a plan about how to tackle the rest, because I really do want to get this madness under control. I think setting a goal of one fic per month is probably too ambitious, but maybe one per quarter? That'd be four, plus Harry Draco Bang, which seems a nice, reasonable, not-completely-bonkers amount of fic to aim for when I've only been averaging about two per year for the last few years. In any case, I've got some time to think on it before I set my 2021 goals.

Comments

[malenkayacherepakha]

Grace is very good at the big bang arm twisting! Very exciting to hear you're thinking about taking part though.

That's a lot of words and ideas to sort through, must have been a hell of a job. Good luck with the fic - perhaps see you for some sprints if timezones and my (current lack of) writing mojo allow!

[firethesound]

Haha, I can assume that mine is not the only arm being twisted for big bang? XD

It was more of an undertaking than I expected! But it's done and I feel much better for it... Would love to join you on sprints!! I'm not sure what time zone you're in, but I'm generally around for an hour or two starting at 8pm EST, and sometimes for a little bit around 2:30pm on weekdays, if my schedule allows <3

[malenkayacherepakha]

That is a correct assumption haha - I'd like to, and have tentatively started something tonight that might end up working for it, so we'll see!

I'm UK/GMT, so your 8pm would be a bit of a late night for me! Maybe we'll manage a sprint one of your afternoons at some point.

[gracerene]

Yes!! So much fic!!! If you'd like to have a goal, my half-birthday is on May 19 and my regular birthday is on Nov 19 and I *do* accept fic as a present, so, you know... :D

But the thought of more Fire!Fic is always wonderful, as is the possibility of finally knowing how those two fics I've partially beta'd end! :D

[firethesound]

Lol, those would actually be pretty useful as due dates to get things posted by XD

I'm hoping to get one of those partially-beta-ed fics done (as you have been arm-twisting me about!) and... hopefully will start making progress again on the other? I am glad that you keep poking me from time to time that I've left you hanging on it because I really want to get that other one done and am very easily distracted by other shiny WIPs (which is why I have so damn many of them...)

[moonflower_rose]

Lawd, I'm a bit jealous of all your words even if they are unposted! I have constant ideas and then have no ability to sit down and concentrate long enough to write any of them. I started using Trello a couple of years ago to organise my ideas (especially the ones which are micro fragments like "gothic horror and fucking", lol). I found that helped a lot, I'm still a very slow producer but I feel more organised and like I haven't lost ideas in the wilderness of my hard drive.

[firethesound]

I tried to use Trello to organize my life and it was a complete failure for that, but now that you're talking about using it for fic ideas I'm tempted to give it another try, I can totally see how it'd work for that! Lol at the wilderness of your hard drive. I sympathize XD

[glittering_git]

I am very impressed that you managed to sort through 460k worth of ideas/fic!! Can you send me some of that motivation pretty please?!!

Oohhh that would be so lovely if you did Big Bang! I've been considering signing up, but not sure that any of my current ideas are 50k+ yet, so we shall see. also, v down to sprint as well if our timing does line up!

Four plus Big Bang seems reasonable! I'm excited to see what you're 2021 goals are. I've been thinking about mine a lot, too... tis the season, I guess.

[firethesound]

Happy to send you some of that motivation, except it doesn't seem to be the sort that extends to actually writing!! So maybe not the most useful lol

Tis the season indeed! I really love seeing everyone else's plans and ideas and goals, and everything feels so reasonable at this point while setting my own... and then of course by like February... XD

[glittering_git]

Haha still useful, though, in sorting through my own wips! so thank you ;)

Yes, I'm trying to be very realistic about my goals, so hoping that they won't feel too overwhelming come February