Or, how many hours does it take to write a chapter of a story? Some people have been concerned I'm not putting as much effort into UC (which, lets face it, is a far better story than CBWR). Really, this all comes does to time in my life and math.
Time and effort into a chapter:
UC - average, 15-20 hours to write. This is for 5000-8000 words. Once done, I re-read and edit three times (add 2-4 hours). Then it goes through beta (may be 2-3 days before I get it back, sometimes quicker, sometimes longer). Then I edit it again. Then I read it all again, sometimes twice. Add another 1-2 hours. Total time, not including beta - 18- 26 hours.
CBWR? - average, 30-45 minutes to write. Sometimes less. 500-1200 words. One read-through when it's done. No beta. Total time - 1 hour. Maybe.
So, if you wonder how I can get 5-6 chapters of CBWR? posted and none of UC, that's the crux of the answer. As I may have mentioned, I've been at work pretty much constantly this week. 60-70 hours, I haven't really counted since I don't get overtime. I normally work 50-60.
So - see where my writing time went this week? Straight to work. :)
I have been writing CBWR in between conference calls and system validation because it is just an exercise for me, the plot is straight forward, the characters are only mildly developed, and I don't have to concentrate like I do for UC. It shows, too. As a couple people have pointed out, CBWR is no where near my best work. Compared to SB or UC? CBWR sucks, big time. LOL
UC has an insanely complicated plot, with all kinds of intricacies that I have to concentrate on when I'm writing so I don't screw it up and have to re-write a bunch of stuff ten chapters later. The characters are far more developed with a lot more involvement with each other. Remember how someone ended up creating a family tree page just to keep everyone straight? And those were only the people who are related to each other! The more UC I write, the more I think it's going to end up being 50 chapters or more as well. I also write UC WAY in advance. Yesterday, aside from doing 4-5 hours on chapter 19, I also wrote a good chunk of what will probably be in chapter 23 or 24.
So again - don't panic about UC. I am working on it FAR MORE than I am working on CBWR, you just don't see it right away. I've missed one or two weeks of updates out of the last 16, including holidays and when I've been on vacation. It is by no means an after thought.
Thanks for supporting all of my endeavors. I'm really glad to know people are so into UC that they are worried about it - that makes it worth all the hours I put into it. Now relax, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and hang in there. Hopefully work calms down this week. :)
Time and effort into a chapter:
UC - average, 15-20 hours to write. This is for 5000-8000 words. Once done, I re-read and edit three times (add 2-4 hours). Then it goes through beta (may be 2-3 days before I get it back, sometimes quicker, sometimes longer). Then I edit it again. Then I read it all again, sometimes twice. Add another 1-2 hours. Total time, not including beta - 18- 26 hours.
CBWR? - average, 30-45 minutes to write. Sometimes less. 500-1200 words. One read-through when it's done. No beta. Total time - 1 hour. Maybe.
So, if you wonder how I can get 5-6 chapters of CBWR? posted and none of UC, that's the crux of the answer. As I may have mentioned, I've been at work pretty much constantly this week. 60-70 hours, I haven't really counted since I don't get overtime. I normally work 50-60.
So - see where my writing time went this week? Straight to work. :)
I have been writing CBWR in between conference calls and system validation because it is just an exercise for me, the plot is straight forward, the characters are only mildly developed, and I don't have to concentrate like I do for UC. It shows, too. As a couple people have pointed out, CBWR is no where near my best work. Compared to SB or UC? CBWR sucks, big time. LOL
UC has an insanely complicated plot, with all kinds of intricacies that I have to concentrate on when I'm writing so I don't screw it up and have to re-write a bunch of stuff ten chapters later. The characters are far more developed with a lot more involvement with each other. Remember how someone ended up creating a family tree page just to keep everyone straight? And those were only the people who are related to each other! The more UC I write, the more I think it's going to end up being 50 chapters or more as well. I also write UC WAY in advance. Yesterday, aside from doing 4-5 hours on chapter 19, I also wrote a good chunk of what will probably be in chapter 23 or 24.
So again - don't panic about UC. I am working on it FAR MORE than I am working on CBWR, you just don't see it right away. I've missed one or two weeks of updates out of the last 16, including holidays and when I've been on vacation. It is by no means an after thought.
Thanks for supporting all of my endeavors. I'm really glad to know people are so into UC that they are worried about it - that makes it worth all the hours I put into it. Now relax, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and hang in there. Hopefully work calms down this week. :)
I think a lot of your readers must be people who don't write their own stories, which probably means a lot of them really don't understand the amount of work that goes into writing--especially something as complicated as your stories tend to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this; hopefully some people will start to understand just a little. :)
OMG you crack me up when you say that UC is much better than CBWR! It's not that we doubt yu but this is what I've seen happening with other authors.I adore a story then they start writing a new one and they drop the one story I care about. So thank you so much for letting us know you won't give up on the awesomeness that is UC. Take your time especially if you decide to give us 50 chapters of it!! *squeeee*
ReplyDeleteI am one of the persons who have write about the time you lost on each story. And i apreciate your explanation to me and the other readers how you work. I think i have to apologise you now. =P I understand you have a life of course, lol, but i really didn´t understood how you could write 5 chptrs of your new sotry e none of UC, now i understand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation. =D
Kiss,
Lilly
Stop focusing on the negative comments :( You are a fabulous writer and I appreciate anything you share with us ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation. But it's really unnecessary. I love all your stories. I appreciate your writing so much. It's amazing work.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree and its sad that there are people who can't see that. I'm an artist and as an artist I can explain it like this. UC equals to the master piece an artist draw even when it's easy and fun sometimes its really hard too but it doesn't mean you have to give up on the art completely. While CBWR is the sketches artist do to remove stress. Its pretty forward, what you see is what you get on CBWR. I even have a feeling savage just write what comes out of her mind without over analizing(if there are any analysis involve) while on UC you can tell by reading that the writer takes a lot of time or maybe more on thinking what will/would need to happens next.
ReplyDeleteWriting is such a time suck! I am amazed that you make the time to write - no, not just write, but CREATE - authentically, with respect for characters, readers, and *cough* for no financial renumeration.
ReplyDeleteMOST of your fans are delighted with your output, and multiple story lines. The naysayers, well, you know how I feel about them. I shouldn't repeat what I wrote last Sunday, er, this Sunday.
xx
Got to agree with the above comment (adonicass) whole heartedly. Where's the like button? Lol..
ReplyDeleteI admit that you were putting UC on hold, however after this post I understand. I wish you best of luck and completing Chapter 19 on resuming the normal schedule for that fanfiction. CBWR? is anyway diverting our suspense for UC. Thank you for keeping us occupied and not completely left us to hang on the string.
ReplyDeleteCBWR is interesting as well but UC is so much more than this. It feels like reading a book it is THAT well written. The fact that you take time to write it means so much to me as a reader. Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteIt pains me that you are having to defend yourself on your blog and author’s notes so often. I can’t imagine how anyone could dare complain about the pace you are working to offer us a free service and sharing your talent. I too look forward to your postings of UC but I would gladly wait the month(s) that it takes the average fanfiction author to produce a chapter of similar size and intricacy. Its truly disappointing that you update three times as often as most on the site, and they still have the nerve to hassle you when you fall behind the generous schedule you set. That’s merely obnoxious.
ReplyDeleteBut I find it ATROCIOUS that they would stoop as low as to insult another of your works in order to dictate your time. Your feelings on the mater aside, CBWR? doesn’t ‘suck’ in any capacity, even in comparison to UC. There are many ways to write a fantastic and compelling story and less detailed does by no means translate to sloppily written. How dare they attack one of your pieces in an attempt to manipulate you. Its really just distressing and I wish you wouldn’t waste your time listening to any of it. Even if that drivel was true, and CBWR? really was lacking, none of us have any business complaining about a project you are excited and working happily on. Stories like UC become daunting and stressful to write. Even if I didn’t enjoy your gothic lesbian Alice so much, I could never begrudge you the time you take to work on something that cuts the monotony.
I fear their greed will take the fun out of writing on the site and you will stop all together, like they have done to so many other authors before you. Please don’t feel as though you have to take the time to justify yourself to irrational and ungrateful readers. Even the ones that are more subtle with their demands and insults. The work you put into the stories you post for us makes it clear you are a fan pleaser, but some people simply don’t deserve a response to their ridiculousness. Don’t ever, ever let them convince you that anything you write is subpar, because let me assure you right now, if it has been typed by your fingers it is worth reading. People will do a great many things to get what they want but please remember that for every ONE jerk that emails you, complaining about your writing priorities, there are several HUNDRED readers like me that are pleased and satisfied to sit back and read everything you are willing to give us when you find the time in your busy life.
:) –Jaydee
I like both stories and I'm happy with the upgrade of any of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that will be worth the wait when you post the next chapter of UC.
Say what you want missy, but I am totally loving CBWR? Ignore, ignore, ignore all those people who are two faced enough to complain about updates but are more than willing to read them immediately! I love all your stuff, don't diss it!
ReplyDeleteCBWR to me is waking up at midnight because I got an alert of the update and will never be able to go back to sleep unless I finish reading it.
ReplyDeleteUC on the other hand is waking up at midnight because I got an alert of the update and I got, get back to sleep again with a smile on my face knowing tomorrow when I wake up there is a good story I can read over a cup of coffee.
Yeah - this reminds me of the Professor who wrote bodice ripping romances in her spare time.
ReplyDeleteGood brain exercises to relieve stress!!!!
Yeah - this reminds me of the Professor who wrote bodice ripping romances in her spare time.
ReplyDeleteGood brain exercises to relieve stress!!!!