Writing How about writing up a backlog of chapters before posting?

[Impurepyxia]

So, long story short (ha), I do have a story in mind but I don’t trust myself with updating once or twice a week with writing so I’m thinking of having a backlog I can post and not strain myself with something new I need to develop actual skill in. I kind of don’t like making people wait either lol.

and you know i wanna draw my cover and maybe do some illustrations because I’m that kind of bitch.

 

[expentio]

A backlog is absolute standard. Don't write without one. Even if you wing your story, once it's out, you can't take it back. You need at least twenty chapters advance so you can react if you realize something doesn't work, and you quickly need to adjust details several chapters prior.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

So, long story short (ha), I do have a story in mind but I don’t trust myself with updating once or twice a week with writing so I’m thinking of having a backlog I can post and not strain myself with something new I need to develop actual skill in. I kind of don’t like making people wait either lol.

and you know i wanna draw my cover and maybe do some illustrations because I’m that kind of bitch.

This is akin to asking if I should exhale when I take a breath. *^^*

 

[Corty]

Backlog is a must-have.

 

[rainchip]

Personally, I used to keep a backlog of four or five chapters, then ended up posting them all at once because I got excited. The key is not to get too excited—you’ll be fine as long as you pace yourself. Having a backlog is usually helpful since it takes the stress off on days when things don’t go according to plan.


That said you can absolutely write without one if you know your story well. I’m one of those authors who, as much as I’d love to have 40+ chapters ready, actually thrives on reader reactions. Knowing people are enjoying my work motivates me, while writing in the dark just slows me down.

 

[Eldoria]

My backlog is still a rough draft in the local language. I don't save it to SH unless I've translated and edited it thoroughly.

 

[DarkCosmos]

Do it, brother. I realized this the hard way.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

As long as you don't procreate, this is a great strategy.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

A backlog is good. I caught up to mine, unfortunately, and am having a hard time with it now...

 

[RightThereInTheTitle]

Consistent updates are key, and for most of us, having a backlog is the only way to accomplish that. I try to have 1 month worth of updates (i.e. I post 1 chapter per week, so I maintain at least 4 unpublished chapters at all times). And then treat "oh no, I'm about to slip under my backlog buffer" as a real deadline, since I know otherwise I would let myself miss updates when things got hectic.

 

[Worthy39]

I have like, almost 70 backlogged chapters. Highly recommend having some... maybe not that many.

 

[soupsabaw]

Personally, I prefer to have my works completely done before I start posting any chapters. It makes me feel safer because I'm also afraid of writer's block hitting me randomly.

 

[Ruyi]

support backlogging 100%

i used to wing it as i write, maybe just planning ahead of time etc.. as a result i haven't finished any of those stories i published except the oneshots

while they languish in hiatus hell i'm fully (or at least 90%) writing out my next projects. don't be like me. prep your backlog and suffer less. it'll also pad in any sick days/emergencies were you can't write stuff if you already have chapters scheduled in reserve to update.

 

[DireBadger]

Seriously, I prefer to have one or two entire books before I post a single chapter. Posting gives me a kick to edit the chapters, not write them.