I am a terrible person

[lauren3210]

I've just had to ask for an extension for this fic, and I feel so bloody awful about it. I've NEVER had to do this before, other fest mods will attest to this, I'm usually one of the first to hand in my submissions. I really wasn't going to do it, and I typed my fingers to the bone yesterday trying to get it finished, but I just couldn't quite get to the finish line.

However, on the plus side, if I do get granted an extension, I think that yesterday I had a sudden brainstorm on how to make this fic good. I've been struggling with this story, as you guys know by now what with all my whining, but now inspiration has finally hit. So, by the grace of the mods, hopefully I can now hand in something I really feel good about, even if it is a few days late.

Has anyone on my flist had to ask for an extension before? How do you deal with the guilt?

Comments

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I feel really bad, because I know how hard the mods work to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and I feel really terrible that I've come along and thrown a spanner in the works. But you're right, I should focus on actually finishing a fic that I can feel proud of handing in, rather than just sitting here feeling guilty.

I would never judge someone who has had to drop out, because I don't know what's going on in their lives that leads them to making that decision. I suppose I just feel so bad because although I have been working hard on this fic, I did forget about the deadline at first, and maybe if I'd been paying more attention, this wouldn't have happened.

Anyway, hopefully I will get the extension and can give the prompter a really good fic for the fest! <3

[this-bloody-cat.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I'm sure plenty of people have ♥ (And well done, you! I knew you could finish this! :D)

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I'm glaring all squinty eyed at my muse right now, for waiting until the last minute before letting inspiration strike! But at least it finally has, so hopefully this fic won't end up as the disaster I was thinking it might, lol!

[nia_kantorka]

I think it's normal and will happen sooner or later. I missed an extension for erised by hair's breadth, and tbh, I should have asked for it. There is a scene, I should have rewritten. Now, I always cringe thinking about it. And that's what you're avoiding- you go, and write a fic you're satisfied with! :D

And drop outs will probably be an issue too. Life tends to mess up plans. No matter if one's organised or not. Family, partners, work- a lot of things are holding our focus before fandom. And, never forget, we're all doing this for fun. And as much as I love fandom or my writing, I'm pragmatic enough to see when I wouldn't manage or -worse- would lose the fun.

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

That's a good point, actually, because I do want this fic to be good, which is why it's taking the time that it is. And you're right, it probably would have happened sooner or later, and I should make sure that the stress doesn't take over the fun part!

Thanks sweetie <3

[eidheann_writes]

I asked for my first extension for Erised and... Yeah guilt. (I was late for one other fest, but was mod and... Being able to *see* that we were OK and I wasn't throwing any schedule off of leaving holes in the posting schedule helped.)

As for how I dealt with it for Erised, I kinda didn't? I used the guilt to push on and finish, but it left me feeling sad about the fest and unhappy with my work for longer than is usual.. I'm over it now. But it was just a time thing.

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that with an extension, I can make this fic something I can feel proud of, rather than something I've just cobbled together and thrown at the fest before walking away with my hands in the air.

You make a good point though, to use the guilt to push me onwards to the finish line, so I think I will do that!

[capitu]

I'm so happy inspiration struck, darling! :D

Don't feel bad. *hugs* It happens, but if granted - and I'm sure they will, just use the time wisely. They'll be happy to get your fic, and knowing you're happy with the story you're submitting, that's what matters, too! <33

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

Yes, finally! It took a while, but I finally know what I'm doing with this story, so hopefully it won't take too long to finish now!

And yes, fingers crossed that it's granted, so that I can hand in a fic I can feel proud of!

[celestlyn.livejournal.com]

Don't feel bad about it. You did your best. I've actually seen a few people have to ask for 2-3 extensions before finally getting it all to come together. You are usually very punctual. I'm sure it will go smoothly for you now that you have your inspiration. Good thing you write fast!

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I think what did it was that there were so many fests looking for sign ups and I got so involved looking at all the prompts, that actually sitting down to write kind of passed me by. I've never had that before, I've always just signed up for one fest and then written the story, and I think juggling all these different fests led to me dropping the ball a bit with this one.

But yes, now that I finally know what I'm doing with this story, I should be able to knock it out quite quickly, because I do write quite fast when inspiration hits! Thanks darling <3

[amorette.livejournal.com]

Girl. I have asked for THIRD extensions before. That leads to some guilt right there XD

Youre adorable ♥

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I know that it sometimes happens like that, where no matter what you do, things just don't come together in the time you have. It's just never happened to me before so this is a new experience for me (and one that I don't ever want to repeat, lol) so I'm panicking slightly, haha!

You're a sweetie <3

[birdsofshore]

Gosh, I must be an appalling person, because I have never felt guilty about asking for an extension, I don't think. It usually makes me feel stressed, but I sort of presume the mods will say, no, be off with you, if they're not happy to grant an extension. Am I really deluded? Do mods really loathe people who ask for them?

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

lol I don't know, I've only been a mod for about 5 minutes and writing hasn't even begun, so I haven't had to grant any extensions myself! I guess I just feel a bit bad because I take signing up to these fests as a promise I'm making and not managing to keep to the deadline is me breaking a part of that promise. But that might just be my brain being a bit weird, lol!

Anyway, vaysh was absolutely lovely when she granted me an extension, so I feel much better now that I know that I have a chance of handing in a fic I will feel good about and that hopefully the prompter will love!