To update just to update or to update because you actually have something planned out for your story? - Comments

@ Brian Haner Jr
None. There is never a wrong time.

@ addesin
Is there really ever a wrong time to use Dean Winchester?

@ Brian Haner Jr
Probably one of the better uses of that gif on mibba if I do say so myself. Just sayin.

Personally, I take a while to update stories even when I'm actively writing them (I went MIA from Mibba for like a year or so, came back for a couple months, then went for another three due to real life issues) and whilst readers might get impatient or annoyed at my spaced updates even when I am active, that's just the way I do it.

The way I see it is that unless they want a short, 2 or 3 page chapters (mine average about 20-25 pages) that make a scene stretch out for 3 or 4 chapters instead of just being in 1, then they'll just have to try and be patient. I rarely do completely filler chapters (or progressive chapters, as I like to call them) but if I did, it would be for a reason... there might not be drama or action, but there would still be a point to the chapter.

Basically I think that unless you're happy with the chapter or at least feels it serves a purpose, then wait until you can write one that does. I've found that most people can be patient and understanding, so there's no need to pressure yourself into writing if you're not in the mood or whatever.

@ addesin
That gif.

@ Brian Haner Jr

@ addesin
Not just you. I hate when people update just because and the chapter is boring and it's like "Why did you even bother?"
If I don't have any inspiration, or writers block is taking me out to lunch, I wait. I'd rather apologize for making people wait, than apologize for giving them a pathetic update.

I hate the idea of updating without anything substantial to add to the story so I only update when the inspiration comes. If that means updates are 4 months apart, so be it. My stories are my pride and joy and I'm never going to put in less than 100% just because I haven't updated in a while. But that's just me...

@ laredo.
Exactly. It's like, I really do want to update it, but I don't want it to be a crappy one after making readers wait for so long and I'm sure that update won't help me work on from there.

I've found some sites where I can just write from prompts (OneWord.com and Write or Die are one of my favorite ones. OneWord for prompts and Write or Die so I keep focused and stop procrastinating); I also use the prompts thread here and the character development game, but it takes a lot of time to actually pull out something good enough that I feel like I did a great job after being inactive for a long time.

This is my main struggle right now! It's like, well, I haven't updated them in forever, so the chapters have to be AMAZING. But what if I can't make them amazing? Do I wait or do I post an awful chapter?

@ Fair
I have a lot of difficulty writing fillers for stories because that's when I usually reach the point of "I am no longer interested in this plot-line, so I guess I'll just fill it with nonsense and see what happens", but I've noticed that's very different with every author. You, for example, I've noticed that in your writing your "fillers" are actually part of the characters' development, so they're not really fillers; they're just not that filled with plot, so it does help your writing a lot.

I usually end up updating slowly but when I do I try to make them good. Sometimes my stories need filler chapters or I write one just because I needed to get something done for the plot to continue or I just need to post something to go off of.
I know that sometimes I've updated and I didn't like the chapter but it helped the plot go on and also inspired me to keep going so I keep writing after that; if not only to redeem myself for a chapter that might've not been my best.