[Rant-AMA] RwR Thoughts: Next Steps · 9:03pm Jul 2nd, 2014
Pictured: Leo's bravado climbing stairs of his plans while being watched by his desire to do other things.
One-thousand nineteen.
The number of days that have passed between the first chapter being accepted on Equestria Daily and the final chapter being uploaded to FIMfic.
A staggering number, really. I hadn't expected to have a project so demanding, so maddening, so infuriating, and so fulfilling. And, yes, I had also not expected the project to deal with ponies, but that bridge has already been crossed. I do tend to take pride in my writing skill (sometimes to damaging lengths), but never have I ever imagined it taking me on a venture quite like Rain without Rainbows.
Regardless of the fandom, the content, or the length of time required to finish it...I do firmly believe that the writing on this project is the best I have ever done. And not just in fanfiction - I mean out of any project I've ever done. There was always something pulling me back to the chapters during the periods of hiatus, when I would have liked nothing more than to clear out my Drive folder and move on to less taxing endeavors. I've never really quite figured out what that 'something' is, but I'm given to believe that a few others have felt it as well (if the critiques and reviews I've received over the years are any indication).
Whatever that 'something' may be, I feel like I need to be thankful for it, now that the project is finally wrapped up. After all, having a lure to not only bring me back to writing, but to do it for a thousand days, is hardly something to take for granted. Whether it's a muse, a desire, a challenge, an addiction...doesn't really matter. It brought me back, again and again, and in the end I'm thankful for it.
And so much better for it, too.
God, what can I write here that won't sound dated? I've never felt this way about a completed project before. Mainly, I think, because no other project has received quite this much attention and adoration. Even with my Ikusa project to consider, there have been more questions regarding Rain without Rainbows. Despite the comparison to other, more deserving fictions (such as anything by Cold in Gardez - christ, that guy is amazing), I'm grateful for what I've wrought and what I've earned.
Well, to a point, anyway. Because as some followers already know, there's more to the story than what's been told. Plus, some facts have remained hidden from the public in regards to the project itself. It's high-time I unveil some information about both.
* Readers of my blog already know of my planned Prestige Edition, which I intend to make as special as it sounds. This edition will feature the 'full and final' story, complete with the planned Asides and the appropriate expanded scenes. At this stage of writing, it's difficult to gauge how long it will be, but my educated guess is that the word count will sit somewhere close to the quarter-million mark. The online edition is 147,309 words long, including comments and transitions, so this will be quite the expansion.
* I've also collected a few choice scenes on my "cutting room floor," as it is, that I intend to share as an additional chapter here on FIMfic. Right now, I still need to visit these scenes, mark them up appropriately, and make sure they stand to make a lick of sense, so these deleted scenes won't see any views until after. They'll be coming soon.
* There's also the matter of the musical consideration I've failed to include for nearly all of the story. It's been so long since I've bothered with the Drive synopsis document that I'd much rather just start from scratch. That, I think, will be handled as an outside link, as it treads the line between "update" and "personal" too closely.
* Some interesting project facts for you! One thing to note is the sudden disappearance of my co-author, Cyros Lugoth, following the close of chapter fifteen. Well, you know as well as I do how much time passed between then and now. Suffice to say that Cyros found better things to do with his time than cater to my imagination, and I don't fault him for it. I'm still very thankful for the part of the adventure he took with me. And Cyros, if you ever choose to hop on my side of the fence, I'll have a beer and a story for you.
* Another project fact! That word count per chapter is astounding. My previous record for chapter length sat around fourteen-thousand, so reaching even eleven-thousand was quite a feat. But when chapter sixteen began, I knew I had to pull no punches to make it great. So I didn't question the twenty-thousand tally by the end. What did surprise me, however, was the following chapter. Twenty-one-thousand words for the aftermath? Mother of god, that's a record I set entirely by accident! Just goes to show how much there was left to tell 'after' the big moment.
* One question I've been asked a few times is whether or not I'll continue the storyline. Not like the Prestige Edtion, but rather a sequel. I've answered this before, and I'll answer again: a sequel has always been intended. As the story evolved, it quickly became "Rainbow's" part of a larger story. That said, obviously there's an even bigger tale to tell. However, that idea has always been Cyros' domain (his characters, his location, his lore, etc.), and I'm unwilling to take the reins from him without first getting his blessing. So yes, a sequel is intended, but no, it's not being worked on at the moment. I can tell you that it will take place entirely outside of Equestria, and only reference canon characters, thereby making it more of an original endeavor than this one ever could be.
All of these facts in mind still cause my head to spin with new thoughts and ideas. It's hard for me to say that Rain without Rainbows is finished, because I honestly don't believe the story is done being told. Plus, there's the matter of updating the first act to better allow story flow, and of fixing chapter seventeen's obvious case of bad writing. Some days I'm an author, other days I'm just a maid.
In the end, though, I'm happy. Thrilled, even. The adventure is out in the world, like it was always meant to be. I didn't let this project die. And having come out the other side, I can safely say I've matured. Now I'm a little wiser with my craft, and with luck on my side once in a while, I'm certain I can find someone who needs my particular brand of talent.
~Leo
P.S.: I'll end this rant with an AMA. Anything you people wish to ask of me, go for it. It doesn't even have to be related to RwR (though it would definitely make more sense). Ask me anything!
Why do you taste like Bacon?
What is the worst fanfic that you have read outside of this fandom?
What is the best fanfic that you have read outside of this fandom?
In this fandom, what is your favorite fanfic (Besides mine of course since I am awesome)
Of Fallout Equestria, Past Sins, and Immortal Game, wich have you read and wich is your favorite?
Have you written in any form outside of this fandom?
Are you as excited for the new Sailor Moon anime as I am?
2252002
•Because in the game of life, you either love bacon, or you're wrong.
•My Immortal. I was dared. And no, it was not worth it.
•An Evangelion one. I fail to recall the title, but the author's name was Lucythebeast (or something to that tune). It was my first real taste of character progression done right.
•Town between Salvation and The Glass Blower (both by Cold in Gardez). The Glass Blower because it's so beautifully haunting, like an ice-cold knife ghosting along the back of your neck. Salvation because I've never seen better handling of characters and conflicts in any fandom anywhere.
•I'll admit, the only one of those I've read is Past Sins. I've got Immortal Game on my to-read list, and have been slowly inching toward FoE. So my answer right now is biased toward Past Sins.
•Yes. My first projects in fanfiction were writing for Golden Sun, Final Fantasy: Tactics ADVANCE, and personal experience in high school marching band. I've also dabbled in Artemis Fowl, though that has never taken off. The Golden Sun fandom was where I met Spirit Seer, a close friend and my most valued pre-reader.
•*Shrug* I've never concerned myself with school girls who can turn into magical heroes. Now, just your typical school girls? Yeah, I've been there twice.