I'm seriously sure I'm in the minority on this but i think it's stupid for her to even feel like giving up.
1. I don't think she is a whinny rich celebrity but I do think she is being rather melodramatic and weak.
Yes, she owes us nothing, nothing at all but that doesn't mean she isn't letting us down. Every single fan she has feels let down right now. ESPECIALLY (and I am NOT one of these people) the ones that didn't even read the leaked copy before she posted it. I don't feel the ones that did are wrong, but the ones that didn't definitely don't deserve this.
More importantly, she is letting HERSELF DOWN by letting someone who hurt her win. Is that really what she wants, to just give up and let the person who did this win?
I'd, personally, like to hope she's better then that. I can understand her being upset but to me, this is absolutely no reason to postpone or discontinue this book. It's not as if someone posted a rough draft of the entire book. That would be different. She may not feel like the story would come out right but in all honesty she should still sit down and write it. Let me clarify:
She might have to push the date back until she can completely change and fix what tone might be wrong but she should NOT walk away. She should NOT give up. She should NOT let this control what she does. I can understand if she needs more time but the way she says it "indefinitely" sounds like she wants to give up, at least for awhile. Why not set a date (she can even keep this private) push to finish it by that date. If it's not the way she wants it set a new date and change it. Keep going until it's right.
How on earth does this leak make her work pointless?
I've read the 12 chapters and they are amazing. That's a pretty freaking good rough draft if you ask me. Everyone else who has read it loves it! Isn't that what it's really about? Her work being shared and people being happy to read it? People see her work before it is finished all the time and now, a few more people do. That semi-small difference renders it pointless? I almost hate to say it but, the chapters being out is not a big deal. Again, I want to clarify...
Her trust being broken IS a big deal. The action of this person hurting her and how that makes her feel IS a big deal. However, The fact that the chapters are out is not. She should just, get over the fact that almost half of the book has been read by many people. It's not her "finished perfected" copy but hey, people still love it and she can't make it un-out so....just let it go. (though I don't feel that is the problem here, It's more how she her feelings and how she thinks it will effect her writing.)
Stuff happens, and then you must force yourself to move on.
And in all honesty, If Midnight Sun never gets finished it IS Stephenie's fault and it is ONLY her fault. I do not blame the person that leaked it for that. Yes, they did something that hurt her and yes they betrayed her trust but they did not stop her from writing the novel. She stopped herself from doing it. If anything she should be using this to motivate her more to finish and rise above the negativity that's been surrounding her lately.
If her solution is to give up and run away, I do not support her. I know I would not make the same decision, I would not advise her to make the same decision, and I truly believe she is reacting to this situation the wrong way.