It's one of the basic rules of nearly every fandom: don't publish unfinished fics. Don't post stories with (1/?) in the subject line. Works in Progress, according to conventional wisdom and popular bias, are the work of the devil, the product of immature writers who are so desperate for feedback that they can't be bothered finishing a fic before they get their next hit.

And yet, people keep posting WiPs, and fandoms develop cultures that support them. Worse still, some of them are *good*. Some of them are worth the time we spend waiting for the next chapter, for the hints of things to come, for the angst we experience as we wonder whether they'll ever finish the damn thing.

As sites like fanfiction.net encourage posting by chapter, and more and more newcomers enter fandom, the conventions forbidding WiPs seem to fall by the wayside. And why not? Some WiPs linger in stasis for months as Real Life gets in the way of updates. But others are updated regularly, and getting new chapters becomes as much a part of readers' routine as sitting down to watch tv.

In lieu of an actual article, we at zendom are proud to bring you some of the best of the WiPs around.

But don't come crying to us when you realise that you're hooked, and that the next chapter isn't due for another month...

The Lord of the Rings

Lie Down in the Darkness, Rise up from the Ash by Dwimordene

This is a VERY dark AU for LOTR. The premise: without Gollum, how does the Quest turn out? Anything by Dwimordene is absolutely amazing! She's incredible. She writes symphonies, I tell you. Symphonies! In this one, she takes away one "note", following along the storyline of LOTR quite closely except that that one note is different, which changes the "song" completely.

Dark Leaf by JastaElf

Sequel" to Leaf and Branch: What if Elrond had NOT been in time to rescue young Legolas? Warning: Non-consensual pairings. Leaf and Branch is great--and complete--and the end makes the reader smile real big. This one makes the reader cry a lot. And this writer brings Celeborn to life magnificently!

Veiling of the Sun by Maggie

The seduction of the One Ring proves too strong for the son of Gondor, and his weakness becomes the Fellowship's greatest trial. AU. Another what if that changes LOTR from the point that Boromir tries--and this time succeeds--in taking the ring from Frodo. It's good and getting better chapter by chapter.

Roots by Dwimordene

So when did Legolas meet Aragorn anyhow, and under what circumstances? Another Dwimordene--She does have some completed stories, this just ain't one of them!--and the best I've seen yet of the "When Aragorn and Legolas Met" stories. Complex plot and wonderful characterizations. Sets us up for LOTR quite well.

In the Hall of the Wood Elf King by Treehugger

The Hobbit AU. While the Dwarves are imprisoned in Thranduil's dungeons, Bilbo meets Legolas quite by accident. We find out why Elves don't smoke pipeweed. This story has me laughing out loud. It's hysterical, but also holds true enough to "The Hobbit" canon. It incorporates Legolas, who being Thranduil's (the king's) son would probably have been around somewhere when Bilbo and the dwarves traveled through Mirkwood.

Harry Potter

Snitch! by Al

It's inconsistent in parts, but anything that creates a believable Gangster!Harry and a sweetly-in-love-but-still-recovering-from-his-Dark-upbringing-Slut!Draco has to at least be read once. And given that Alex started writing this when he was 18... he's a wonderboy.

Dreamwalk Blue by Viola

Tom Riddle's schooldays: featuring doomed romance, highly symbolic dream sequences and a rare portrayal of Dumbledore as a romantic interest.

The Sorceror's Apprentice by Jacquez

At the end of 7th year, Snape takes Harry as his apprentice in (Defence Against) the Dark Arts. Snape is snarkish and sadistic, Harry is rebellious and gifted, and no one -- least of all the pair themselves -- can really believe that the partnership will work. The whole thing works beautifully, melding comedy and drama with a deft touch. (Really, any fic where Snape quietly laces Trelawney's tea with cannabis deserves attention.)

Through a Glass, Darkly by Spyke Raven

Snape. Voldemort. Dumbledore. Potter. A twisted triangle, or series of triangles. Slashy, disturbing and oddly beautiful. When I grow up, I want to write like Spyke.

A Surfeit of Curses by Heidi

A Draco redemption fic which doesn't gloss over the complications inherent in such a radical reinterpretation of the character.

Pawn to Queen by Riley

A controversial Snape/Hermione featuring the battle of the sexes, Slytherin style.

There Is No Such Place by Liz Barr

Even though I know, in the most general of terms, how this story must resolve itself, I am continually surprised by how much I am addicted to it. Liz writes a wonderfully convincing relationship between Snape and Lily, avoiding such pitfalls as Mary-Sues and OOC-ness; all the while, she is filling in the history of this period presented to us in canon. An added bonus is the so far regular and fairly frequent posting of chapters.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy Season Noir by Anna

When bits of this started appearing in Anna's blog, I was instantly addicted. Here's the skinny in her own words: "I also have this desire to see the veils between dimensions actually collapse, and a season-long darkness fall over the earth, making Sunnyhell a place of noir chaos: gin joints, smoky bistros, demons and vampires walking freely. Sort of a Casablanca feel to everything, perpetually dark and misty, with a Naziesque regime, a human collaborative government a la Vichy France, and a human Underground, with some demon friendlies aiding their cause. Spike, of course, is a dark and gallant spy, working for the Underground while putting on a demonic facade for the Nazi bastards."

Chocolatey Goodness by The Mad Poetess

This was the story that hooked me on Spike/Xander, well before I'd ever seen the show. Here's the writer's take on her story:

Xander. Spike. Chocolate. One neurotic human with dark eyes and no self-esteem, one psychotic vampire with bleached hair and no self-control, falling in love. And lust. And possibly vats of chocolate sauce...

It's okay to laugh. It's meant to be funny. (Sometimes.) A healthy dose of angst as well, and enough pop culture to make even Joss blanch.

Star Trek: Voyager

Revolution by MJB

Revolution opens with Tom angst, Maquis unrest, and a Chakotay who cannot bear the sound of Janeway's voice. Mutiny is in the air, and the characters, major and minor, must take sides. Tom is his own side. When we last left this riveting tale of the Maquis revolution that might have been, a powerful alien species was interfering with the battered and divided crew of Voyager. When they put the humans on trial, who will be awarded command of the ship and who will end up in the brig, or worse? Stay tuned...

Connect the Dots by Barbara Watson

In a highly ambitious novel, Barbara Watson interweaves canon episodes with her own additions, creating a novel that skillfully 'connects the dots' that previously might have gone explained. The focus here is on the Paris & Torres relationship, beginning from their early antagonism to budding friendship and finally to love, but all characters shine here. Currently, the novel has been up through "Favorite Son." A wonderful primer all the way around for VOY fans.

One Word by Jenn

This was riveting from the very first scene. Take an upcoming wedding, a murder attempt, considerable jealousy and mix it together and you get the recipe for a highly intricate and psychological mystery. The highly complex character interactions and development lead the reader in one direction and then promptly in another way, keeping one guessing at whodunit.

X-Men

X-men: An Accidental Interception of Fate by Minisinoo

When Harry Met Sally, X-Men Style. That is, how Scott met Jean, and why they fell in love despite almost nine years between their ages. Broadway, EJ and Scott at Berkeley, Jean serenaded in the mansion dining hall -- it's all here. Plus the mental breakdown of a telepath when her powers explode unexpectedly.

Min is my favourite X-Men writer, and has a fantastic back story for the X-people. She writes in both comicverse and movieverse, is a dab hand at characterization, and has a wicked sense of humour. 'Interception' not only has your typical X-angst, but romance, college hi-jinks, and an unexpected bit of Rock n' Roll.

Star Trek: Deep Space 9

Star Trek DS9: Faith by Gabrielle Lawson

Comprised of two stories so far, 'Hope' and 'Forgiveness', with the third part 'Peace' still to come.

I'm not sure this falls within the true definition of WIPs, but as it's still in progress, I'm gonna throw it in anyway. This is how I like my WIPs, done in a kind of chapter format, where - although there's an overarching storyline - it's presented in large chunks of essentially self contained stories. Focusing on Bashir, it examines primarily his disillusionment with the federation and Sisko, after the dramatic events of the last television series, and particularly the involvment of Section 31. It's a journey back to the sense of self Bashir started with, a sense of self perverted by the insidious corruption within the Federation and certain of it's citizens, and the betrayal of the squeaky clean ideals he began with. Of course, it's also so much more than that. It's worth reading her other Deep Space Nine stories as well, as they establish some non-canon background that does inform her later writings.

Original

Knights & Pawns series by Twig

Something a bit different, this is an original fiction, a massive work in progress combining fantasy, magic, technology, angels, mystic crystals and the destruction of the world. Knights and Pawns is the main ongoing story, but there are a plethora of side stories. Twig has created a detailed self sufficient world, vibrant and interesting characters, and a load of kick ass action! Add it to the list!

Anime/Video Games

FFVII: Conflict of Interest by Madamhydra

Everyone knows that there are many secrets in Cloud's past. But just how dark and tangled are those secrets? And how does Cloud's friend Zack fit into the picture? Cloud thought that he had forever escaped his role as Sephiroth's shadow. He was wrong.

And the most important question still remains... Who is the REAL Cloud Strife?

Whisper by Twig

Based on Neon Genesis Evangelion, Whisper is a huge work in progress. Ten years on, Shinji is trying to make a new life for himself in the US. But he's haunted by his tragic past every step of the way, and now it's going to catch up with him. Incredibly detailed, with a leisurely pace of its own, it gradually draws the reader in. Twig has the amazing ability to describe violent action and emotional turmoil. And she knows how to stretch suspense to breaking point.

The X Files

A Lonely Death by Olivia

Skinner/Mulder. Perfect Mulder, perfect Skinner, perfect Scully, and fine original characters to go with a compelling and terrifying story. Read at your own risk, but I wouldn't have missed it.

The Faculty

Void by Wax Jism

The fandom in question is technically "The Faculty," but you don't need any knowledge of the movie to read it. Wax took the characters and their initial situation and ran with it, ignoring the aliens-eat-high-school-students'-brains plot. The result is closer to realistic fiction with slash content. It's bleak, ugly and loving at the same time, and perfectly captures the teenage us-united-against-the-world mentality. She takes her characters from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, yet every twist and reversal makes sense. Characterization is her strongest suit; it's skillful and resonant, and leaves space for the characters to flow into completely different modes of behavior while remaining essentially themselves.

NC-17 for sex, violence, scenes of dubious consensuality, and generally being disturbing. Slash, het, and every which way: Casey/Zeke/Delilah.

Man from UNCLE

The Case of the Missing Spy Affair by Aithine and Veronica

Napoleon and Illya are placed smack bang into a hard-boiled detective story with a slashy twist, and they take to it like ducks to water. This perfectly captures the droll humor and action/adventure of the series. Napoleon is simply perfect as the gorgeous playboy with a mysterious past, and Illya is right in his element as the private eye who's hired to help him out. The description is so vivid that it brings the characters to life. Film noir buffs will also enjoy the numerous in-jokes.

Liz Barr likes the sound of her own voice enough that she occasionally volunteers to compile fic recs, despite the fact that everyone knows she couldn't organise her way out of a paper bag.