Do you get depressed when you finish a story?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I read a Tumblr post about this that worded the issue better, but I didn't 'like' it because I didn't really agree with it and now I have no way to find it again...

Anyway, just because I didn't like it doesn't mean I don't think it had a valid point...I can see how finishing a project and leaving those characters and the world behind can be kind of sad, like graduating from school...maybe you didn't have ten tons of fun 24/7 being there...but it was like a home; you got used to it. And now that time is over...

I usually feel that way in the middle of a story. ^^; When everything is at its most exciting, the main characters are all established and I'm still looking forward to writing the 'juicy' parts, I just think, "Man...creating this is just so much fun; I never want it to end..."

But honestly, by the time I'm done with the story, I'm very done. I've worked hard to make the ending make sense and close off all the character arcs, and I really need a break. It usually takes a while before I have the energy to even think about a sequel; the relief of finishing is too strong. ^^;

[gmaximin]

The thing is that to me, even when the project is over, it feels like he never really leaves, especially in the age of endless promotion, you always get a chance to revisit and take another short dive even when the main work is done for...
Besides, I generally run several projects in parallel, so I guess no... I don't really feel depressed. Annoyed (if I'm not 100% happy with it), or excited (looking forward to push it into the world)... but not depressed.

[DiegoPalacios]

Finishing a story in your own terms is truly satisfying.

While creating a project can be fun, there are many other ideas that can be fun to make too. Specially because you will have more experience and skill to pull it off.

[silverraven0]

Often time, I finished the ending of a story first rather than the beginning (because), so when I ended it in a bad time like killing off the main characters, it can make me hold off of writing for some time. There's one or two short story on my folder that I haven't finished for months because of that.

As for really finishing a story, I guess I just happy go lucky after they ended in a good time or somewhat inconclusive, as for a bad end, it very much depend on how much I love my own characters to care and promising a different dimension for them to start over (lmfao).

[AmysGames]

Usually when I finish a story, I feel a sense of relief. Like, finally, this thing that I've been wanting to share with people for so long is finally done! Hooray!

But I might feel differently when I finish some of my larger projects? Like, will it feel weird to finally be finished with something that's been part of my life for so long? I guess we'll see when we (eventually) get there.

[Prometheus]

I haven’t finished a story yet, but I think that being sad to leave the world and characters you’ve worked on to work on a new project is normal, for me it’s more exciting. Because I’ve got so many different ideas, and I want to see them finished.

[feuersichel]

I'm not getting full on depressed but after I've finished a super long story I feel kind of happy and sad at the same time. Like, what am I supposed to do now? What is the meaning of life? :'D but also, heck jeah I finished this big project!

[PaulDevers]

When I finished my first webcomic Calamity Jane I really didn't want it to end? I kept thinking that maybe instead of moving onto my next project, I should just un-cancel it and go back to the gag-a-day strips that were fun to draw and write? It was hard to move on. It's like saying goodbye to a close friend. You don't really wanna do it, but it's gotta happen eventually if you want to keep moving in life.
I'm glad I have done so, but I still can't help these overwhelming feelings of nostalgia for what I've written earlier, y'know? I'm certain this will stack on again when I finish my current comic also.
So to answer the question properly, yeah, I guess I do get a little depressed? But never in a truly glower manner. Just a little mournful.

[domisotto]

I just feel a quick jolt of excitement when I type The End, and that’s it. I finished quite a few stories, and honestly, it’s not a huge deal once you learn to plan it and write it consistently. Without success, it doesn’t feel like some sort of an accomplishment, tbh.

[vancitta]

I really wouldn't say it's being depressed. I feel more like "lost" because of the abrupt end to the routine that was a habit for x amount of days. especially since I get completely engulfed by projects and just immerse myself 24/7 so when one is finished it's more like "what am I meant to do with my days now!?" which is short-lived and disappears as soon as I start the next project.

[kkaawmics]

Like some others have said, I think length of time in the world determines how sad or empty I feel at the end. The only time I was desperate to make bonus content to keep the story alive was after completing a trilogy

As a very young writer at that time who had never completed a long work, I was probably bothered by all the glaring loose threads (e.g. how does this couple end up? Did this character ever find happiness? Should I give people an epilogue about x, y, z?) I ended up writing short extras until the empty feeling disappeared haha

[micnrt3]

I was actually depressed while writing my story and still am

[PaleOcra]

I could hardly imagine that moment if I finish the story, but i think i would miss my characters so much. It's like, how would it feel like when after years of being with these fictional characters, and finally saying goodbye? It sounded rather sad. But I suppose, when they leave, a new one comes in.

[jamelin]

For me, ending a project is an emotional rollercoaster. First I'm totally releived that it's done, then I feel like the happiest person alive and then I actually get depressed for a while. It's not the sad kind of depressed but a motivationless empty kind of depressed. And for me, it happens with every project, not just comics but also essays or planning a big event and so on.