u/cheekynendoz

I’m currently deep in the process of writing and editing my fic, but I had an idea for an entiiiirely different fic. I’ve started making notes, drawing out chapter plans etc, because I love the idea and I NEED to write it. I’ve already written out two chapters and then felt guilty and returned to my original fic.

But do you guys finish one fic first before moving onto another, or are you able to balance more than one? I’ve been working on CHAOS for over a year, so I feel utterly compelled to see it through whether anyone reads it or not, but I also don’t want the momentum to dissipate with this fresh idea – which I think I like better 😭

If you write more than one fic at a time, what are your best tips for managing them and not leaving any unfinished?

Basically what the title says - happy to share the google doc with the completed/progressing chapters in them. I've already started uploading to AO3 but happy to go back and change things, I'm not overly precious over my work and I am very receptive to feedback!
It is a slow-burn, ensemble fic, the secondary characters don't require their own separate story arcs to a massive degree, but they very much have their own TOVs.

Main things I need checked:

• Character TOVs - are they individual enough, I'm wary of blending them or not being clear on who is who all the time. The dialogue does a loooot of heavy lifting in this.
• Grammar, punctuation, and sentence flow/clarity. I will die on the Oxford comma hill, so please let us align our views there first and foremost.
• Filler - I can be guilty of being self-indulgent, so if you feel certain scenes or chapters have too much filler or are just going into vague 'I'm sure this sounded great in the writer's brain' territory, please feel free.
• Pacing - It is a slow burn but I want to know if I'm making it tooooo glacial in that the chemistry is fizzing out as opposed to smouldering.
• Anything you bloody well want - like I said, I'm not precious about feedback, I won't cry if you tell me something doesn't read well or doesn't make sense outside of my own brain.

Happy to drop an excerpt in DMs if you want to know whether it's something you'd even like to beta! Thank you ❤️

CHAOS is what happens when you decide to write the fic you want to read and also let nostalgia dictate all media you consume for about a year.
Here is an excerpt to give you a feel for the vibes, banter and whether or not it’s something you’d remotely like to read.

> Harry dragged a hand down his face. “I cannot believe this is happening in my kitchen.”
> “I wasn’t aware punctuality was being assessed,” Malfoy said mildly, his attention still on Hermione.
> You were invited,” she said, folding her arms beneath her chest. She might as well have sent him a formal owl with directions.
> His eyes dropped so quickly, it was almost involuntary.
> Merlin’s bollocks. She unfolded her arms so quickly she nearly Apparated her own limbs to separate counties.
> Hermione’s eyes narrowed to slits. “What exactly are you cataloguing, Malfoy.”
>“Just admiring your brooch,” he countered smoothly.

> She glanced down reflexively. There was nothing there but her own mortifying gullibility.

If you’ve made it this far, here is a VERY quick summary:
Hermione Granger is the new head of a department that deals with chaotic magic that no one else wants to dirty their hands with. Her assigned team is not one she would have chosen herself, but she finds that they are irritatingly competent, especially a certain brooding blonde who wastes no time in doing what he does best – getting under her skin.

There is plot, there is banter (occasionally witty, often scathing), there is an utterly unhinged Theodor Nott, there is proximity but never enough, there WILL be smut but you’ll be waiting an awful long time (sorry, kind of).
10 chapters are on AO3 at ~48k words and I have about 35 that I am still editing 🙃 feedback (both positive and constructive) is always welcome.

Appreciate you.

Basically the title - when you say you like slow burn, how slow do you like it? Do you want some action (whether that’s physical or emotional bonding) halfway through, do you prefer the payoff to be aalll the way at the end as a form of self-torture?

Just curious to know people’s sweet spots when it comes to the fabulous trope that is the slow burn.