Just putting out a feeler here... · 10:56pm Apr 20th, 2014
First off, my apologies for not updating recently. I've been taking a short time off from writing. No specific reason; just felt like taking a tiny break. But I'm back to being active now! I'm tagging Sober Companion because that's the next story that'll be getting an update!
Second, I've been wondering how people would feel about the idea of me accepting writing commissions. I have no clue what kind of market there might be or if people would even be interested at all, but that's what the purpose of this blog is! Would there be any interest here? If I were to do it, I'm envisioning something like $10 per 1000 words, and I'd write on practically any topic, but would reserve the right to turn a story down if I object to the content. I only ask because money is a little tight for me right now, and if people would be interested, then I'd be glad to provide!
So! What do people think? Good idea? Too money-grubbing? Let me know, and be as honest as you like!
Taking a breather is needed. Everyone needs one at some point.
I don't see it as a problem myself, but with no money and no talent, it's not something I could participate in myself. There are pros and cons I can see about it. You might have to be more open to what to accept because that's a thing about that free market.
Everypony needs a break every now and again. As a fellow author, I know that first hoof.
Commissioning stories is actually something I've given thought to doing myself. Of course, I'll need to become more popular on this site before that becomes feasible for me. Nonetheless, I think it couldn't hurt to offer. Considering you're the author of 'My Sediments Exactly,' I wouldn't be opposed to commissioning you myself if I wasn't capable of writing on my own.
I don't think commissions are necessarily a bad idea, but it seems like none of the writers I follow that have ever dabbled in it have ever had a whole lot of good things to say about the ordeal. It's stressful, easy to get too invested in it, difficult to be sure you're doing what the client wanted... from what I can tell, it usually drags away from what made fanfic writing fun in the first place. (I've never written on commission myself, this is just based on what I've heard from folks who've tried.)
It's possible you could be an exception; you're certainly a versatile enough writer that you might take to someone else's story idea quite well. But in full honesty, I have yet to talk with someone who said they enjoyed writing fanfic commissions.
Good luck to you, whether you decide to go for it or not. I'll be looking forward to the next chapter of Sober Companion either way.
I think if I could pay you for commissions, I would just keep asking you to update Sober Companion
. Still, I think commissions are fine as long as you don't let people force you to write want you don't want. People are fine with artists asking for money, so no reason why writers should have to do their job for free.
Well, hell, if it helps someone out financially I guess I'd be interested in requesting a commission. More importantly - most importantly - I could get something out of it!
I would suggest making sure the commissioner understands they need to ask for something that plays to your strengths. You could talk to Alexstrazsa or MythrilMoth about their experience with writing commissions. The former is super busy, but the latter is almost always online somehow.