I got an interesting question from a reader that others might want to know as well. Hence, this blog post.
I'll paraphrase it here:
I like to wait until a story is complete, or nearly so before getting involved with it. Do you have an approximate percentage of completion?
I sympathize with the question, as I often feel the same way. There are actually a few stories on this site that I am currently monitoring and waiting for a similar signal before I dig into them.
This was my response (Chapter 12 had just been posted):
The honest answer is I have no idea. This is my first writing project beyond essays I wrote more than 30 years ago in school, and I am certain I'm being overly ambitious on it. I plan to keep plugging at it until I am happy with the end result.
I'm probably 30% done with this timeline. I have a good outline of what I want to do with it.
I have something like a rough plan for a second one. I think it will go over well on this site.
I'm sure there will be a third but have almost nothing planned there yet. Just hints of ideas so far.
I also have a solid ending in mind. It should tie it all up nicely.
There is no way I could guess how long it will take. Check with me again this time next year.
Though potential feedback would be missed, I won't begrudge anyone who decides this is something best saved for later. It's a work in progress. Things might change, and you may want to keep that in mind if you are a current reader.
I wish good health and happiness to you all. (Even the Trolls)
-SM
P.S. Okay, the Trolls can suffer a little first.