Etiquette on taking over a story?

[PantsDownFun]

So, I know that the ideal is to ask the original author and get their permission/blessing, but what is the etiquette for taking over a story when you have made multiple attempts to get their permission and they haven't responded (not that they've said "no", but haven't given any answer either way)? Is the expectation that no response means no permission or is the expectation that if they aren't concerned enough to say "no" then they shouldn't be bothered by someone taking over?

[Themarble]

I had a similar dilemma with a story back in the day that wasn't finished, the author was seemingly missing and as such there probably wasn't going to be a finish for it. I was going to try my best to, but ultimately I changed my tune on the idea.

My advice is that without permission it wouldn't feel right even if that permission is impossible to get, as such an option you could take is writing a story that is inspired by the source material. You can easily note that as your inspiration and even if some scenarios are similar you can make a "spiritual continuation".

I'm not sure if this answers your question fully, this is just what I believe the best course of action would be.

[NickTwisp]

The only really ethical way to do this would be to start a new thread and say that the story was "inspired by" and credit the original author. But I would be very hesitant to use the same characters.

The first story I wrote on here, "Swimming At Aunt Jill's" is partially based on real people and events. The "Tommy" in the story is my Uncle who related to me the events of his visit to Jacksonville in 1966. Jill Coles was a real person (1919-2003). My Uncle did not really forget to bring his bathing suit. The only actual nudity that occurred was at 1:00 am when my Uncle and a neighbor boy snuck out and took an unauthorized skinny-dip in the backyard above ground pool.

Jill and husband Fred Coles (1908-1985) heard them and got out of bed to investigate the noise in their backyard. When Jill ordered the boys out of the pool, Tommy said, "But Aunt Jill, we're naked." Aunt Jill didn't care; she just wanted them out of the pool. The floodlight was on so my Uncle said Aunt Jill saw both of them fully nude until they could grab their towels on the nearby picnic table.

[Buckaroo]

This was discussed in a previous post:

viewtopic.php?t=2273

[NudeBaG]

I myself have unfinished stories on here.
Obviously, reaching out to the author is priority, but…
If a significant amount of time goes on without response…
As long as you make it clear that it is original, but in the vein of what you *perceive to be the author’s original intention’…
I think continuing/finishing a story should be permissible.

I myself have unfinished stories her that I currently have no intention of completing.
But, if someone wishes to take them up, I’d be happy to pass them on, if the vision is in line with my own/or better
It’s all about consent

[mrsalpaca]

I definitely agree that yes, the ideal is to ask the author and get an affimative response. With that being said though, I personally see no issue with someone continuing someone else's story as long as they credit the original author and provide a url link directly to the original story at the top of the post before you even begin the continuation.

As a reader and writer in regards to the case of abandoned erotica stories (which I view as one year + with no updates and the author has not been active on the website for a year), I view the onus as this: message the author that you would like to continue their story, let them know that should they contact you - you are willing to change / take down your continuation if that is their wish, credit the original author / story at the top of your continuation, and then write what you want regardless of what the author's original intention/direction was in their story.

Unless a story is actually taken from real life experiences or was written with the intention to make money, I'm on the side of do first and ask for forgiveness later as long as proper credit is given.