"Wha' happened?"

After reading a lot of people's fanfic pet peeves and what have you, I've recently decided that I've got some explaining to do on a few counts. The one that keeps coming up and making me wince is the "If you're not going to finish anything, don't post it!" gripe.

Everything I post, I post with the intent to get it finished. I'm sure most other writers whose stories are left hanging do so as well, which is why the WORDING of this gripe pisses me off. However, at its core, this is a legitimate complaint.

Now if I start posting something, it's usually OUTLINED all the way through. I stop and go over the outline, trying to catch all the complications that might arise in advance and making sure the idea makes sense. USUALLY, this works.

Lately, it hasn't.

Let's look at the most recent evidence: "Sharp Edges," which has been left hanging since May '02. "The Key and the Sword," stuck and in rewrites since January '03. Both started with outlines and plans in hand, and both hit brick walls.

So for those of you wondering what the heck happened, here's my explanation. Not an excuse, but an explanation.

( Sharp Edges - when outlines run away with you. )

And on that note, we move on to...

( The Key and the Sword - big overture, little show )

So, naturally, I'm reluctant to start anything new unless it's a short. Part of me wants to nuke all my old WIPs and start over, but... I think I'll be killed. And I don't think I've got the heart to do it.

Oh, and just because:

( Full Fathom Five - my own damn fault )

And now it's 2:30, and I need to go get a flu shot.