Honestly, ever since becoming a fanfic writer myself I’ve become like 500% more understanding and patient about other authors’ update schedules. An author takes 6+ months to post their next chapter? Yeah, totally get that real life can get in the way. An author abandons a fic? Disappointing, but it happens- sometimes inspiration for a story just dies. An author apologizes about taking so long to post a 10k word chapter? Dude, that’s like 18-20 pages on Word single-spaced. It takes me at least a week to write an essay for school a quarter the length of that, and that’s with a deadline.
It’s probably the most important thing writing fanfic has taught me, tbh. How to fully appreciate the hard work someone else has put into their story. How important the role of the audience is to an author. And that no matter what, you are never entitled to demand more of a story that you are getting for free.
If the ASOIAF fandom can excuse George for being 12 years “late” in delivering The Winds of Winter, while profiting greatly from the loyalty of his fan base, then yes.
You should have some patience and understanding for the fanfic writer who is still valiantly trying to push out free content in their spare time while trying to eke out a living working their real jobs.
All very true. We are doing our best and are using what sliver of free time we have outside our jobs and other life commitments to write. If we feel rushed to update then you're going to get quality that reflects that.
Writers when readers comment but they only demand updates:
Writers when no one comments: