The Writer's Crisis: A Message for My Readers · 4:51am Feb 22nd, 2015
(This may be slightly rambling. I'm writing from the heart.)
...I miss when things were simple.
Dear Sweetie Belle: 9,664
Heat of the Moment: 9,795
Someone much smarter than me once told me that sex sells. And another smart person once said that it is a poor writer indeed who does not write for himself.
...
'Heat of the Moment' was a dumb little drabble that popped into my head and wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote it. I expected it to do the same numbers as 'It'll Be Fun.' I never anticipated this.
'Dear Sweetie Belle' is, in my mind, my finest work. I slaved at it for weeks and poured my actual soul into the thing. Even it's rejection from EqD was the catalyst that made me keep writing.
And now, if a new Follower does a search for my most viewed stories, the number one is clop.
...
I look at the three stories I'm working on now. 'Victory Lap' is just not working. I've hit a roadblock and I can't seem to force my way through.
I've asked Swirling to start the cover art for 'Ages and Ages More' and I love the plot for it. The problem...
...the damn problem is 'Changelings.'
And this damn Continuity.
And the damn clop.
For the first time, I've honestly asked myself why I should continue. Not just writing, but anything fanfiction related. I love fanfiction. Everywhere I go, I praise the idea, the concept, of fanfiction to anyone who will listen. I tell people that it's not just characters fucking, that there's writers telling huge, expansive stories. There's writers pushing the boundaries for what fanfiction is.
My dream is to write my own original work, and to one day have it published. And then, while being interviewed on some talk show, I'll drop the bomb that I honed my skills writing fanfiction. And not just any fanfiction, but My Little Pony Fanfiction. I'd even tell them my username and urge young writers to follow my footsteps.
Do you know what the next day's headline would be?
"Author Reveals History of Pony Porn."
I want to finish the Continuity. I've never written something of this magnitude and the last thing I want is for it to vanish like so much fog on the wind. I want to reach a level one day where I can be having a conversation with the man who basically taught me to write and show him how his own use of Continuity influenced me.
I want...
...
I don't know what I want.
I just don't know.
But, in the end, I guess I do.
In the end, there's only one thing to do.
Swirling, I know you're reading this. Hold off on that cover art.
To the fans eagerly awaiting the rest of 'Victory Lap,' your wait will be a bit longer.
It's time to write for me for a little while, and that means telling the story I want to tell. Views be damned.
Fellas?
Let's do some damage.
Look...I'll be honest. I think you may be falling into the trap that many writer's do: too much emotional investment in your work. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle loved writing historical epics and only wrote Sherlock Holmes to pay the bills, now see what's happened.
When in doubt, call your homies and fuck some shit up.
Fwiw, I do think both 'Heat' and the 'Dear Sweetie Belle' series/verse are excellent stories, and very well-written at that.
While mature/clop isn't the only thing I write, I'm in the same boat as you, in that my most read story so far is my first mature foray. But you're in the right place though - tell the story that you want to tell, how you want to tell it.
If you don't do that, you'll never be able to walk away from a story and feel like you're satisfied with it.
*sends encouraging vibes*
2819811 Is that the same as, when in doubt talk to a friend?
If you want to write clop, write clop. However, if you feel it's holding you back, or holding your other fics and ideas back, then maybe switch your clop to an alt account and keep it for fun?
One of the biggest traps for writing Fanfiction, however, is not knowing what you want aside from it... a big big question if you ask me. What would you want on top of fanfiction?
I agree with your thinking. I was actually surprised that you wrote clop. I love your stories for their ideas, their writing, the character development, and if I think of where you're heading with the next one, then I encourage it. You have to do what you love, otherwise you won't be happy.
You have original ideas for this fandom, and the way they tie together is just amazing. I may have been one of the few to drop from reading your stories, but it's not your fault. I'm busy with life and for awhile I only read Hetalia fanfics. I'm getting back into reading pony fanfics.
You inspire me to work hard for this fandom. I may not update as much as you do, but that doesn't matter. What matters is I support your decision, but don't ever let something like numbers discourage you. You are a great writer. Tell yourself that everyday, because it's true.
You are one of the people who don't need to write clop to get views or popular. Even if everyone else leaves you, I'll be here reading your stories and doing your contests. I promise.
2819831
Sure. Why not?
Mr. Ring as one of your readers I would just like to voice my personal opinion. While I did enjoy your cloppy story , it was but a fun distraction. But I truly love your other works. The epic world building, awesome emotion and gripping premises you write are simply awesome. I thank you for what you have given this fan community. And I hope you aren't discouraged by this recent event. Hope to see more greatness from you in the future.
Your humble follower,
Shining Nova
Ditto.
I don't have as much fun as I used to.
It looks like it's been said, but here's one more person saying it: You can't do anything unless you truly put your heart in it. The minute that things you love have turned into something bland and it no longer does entice and inspire you yourself, that would be the minute to take some time, re-evalulate and honestly talk to your self and ask what is the thing that makes you go.
We love your stories, no matter the rating. The variety of your works are phenomonal. So many that make us laugh, think, weep, even shake your fist. Sex sells, that is true. And at times it's embarrasing that only one part gets you notice (damn LCD). Truly it is just a part of your repreoite (I can't spell worth a damn). Never allow just one thing to pigeonhole yourself. With what I have read from you, I am very happy that you don't limit yourself, and even if you did decide to close the chapter on FIM to make it in other circles, I will always respect your work and give you all the best.
Things are still simple.
Write what you want. Write it when you want to. Accept that pornography has a different audience than everything else ever. Well, the same audience, really, but they don't like admitting it.
Don't think so damned hard about it. It's really not a big deal. Do you like writing the smut? Then carry on! If you don't, then why are you doing it?
You always gotta do things for yourself. Otherwise, what's the point?
You have my support, writer.
Unfortunately I'm too interested in seeing how the Continuity wraps up to give this situation the perspective it deserves, but, like they said, write as you feel.
(Jeez, that Magnum Opus Dissonance entry did not come too soon.)
Assuming "Victory Lap" is as short as its prequel, may I suggest finishing that one first and get it out of the way?
2819810 That's... a really good point.
2819818 To be fair, 'Red Shoe Diaries: Equestria' is becoming quite the nice little anthology. (I'd be lying if I said that I didn't pretend your FlutterMac chapter took place in the Continuity.) I'm also quite intrigued to take a peek at 'Remembrance Day' in the near future.
2819836 I did consider the alternate account, but I'm afraid it'll end up being a Bachmann/King situation.
2819943 I knew you'd pop up, Rubycast. You'e always there to cheer me up.
2820028 Thank you.
2820119 And thank you as well.
2820311 Ha, I just read that. Excellent work as usual.
2820494 As I said, there's a roadblock. At this point, I'm going to do the next couple chapters of 'Changelings' to clear my head, then try 'Victory Lap' again.
To all of you, thank you so much. Sometimes I just need a little reminder that no matter how difficult things are, that I have the greatest readers in all the world.
2821622 A what situation?
2821628 In the late 70s-early 80s, it was seen as bad form for an author to publish one book a year. To get around that, Stephen King convinced his publisher to release other novels of his under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. The so called Bachman Books were different than King's other works and were moderate successes. When King eventually was outed as being Bachman, the sales for the four novels skyrocketed and suddenly they were viewed as being equal to King's other works... just because they were revealed to be King books.
Essentially, I wouldn't want to write something, have it fail, be outed as the author, and then have that story suddenly looked at more critically by being compared to my other works.
A positive of the Bachman situation is that the pseudonym allowed King to write about subjects he normally didn't and he occasionally will write a new Bachman book when he wants to experiment a little.
...
Huh. Typing it out like this makes me reevaluate the whole idea.
2821787 Pfft, JK Rolling did that and got caught. I don't think anyone thinks any less of her.
2821885 It's not being thought of less that's the issue, it's the thought of credibility, I guess.
Reader: Meh, this story is okay.
(Learns that author that everyone loves is the author)
Reader: BEST STORY EVER.
2821979 In both scenarios you get little to no critique or feedback, but at least in one of them the yay it's awesome. *shrugs*
2822174 I dunno. I guess everyone's got weird little fears and such they can't really explain.
2821622 Of course! What are friends for? :3
*salutes*
I'll be there with you through the thick of it. I get how you are feeling, and I hope you get the dreams you want. Also I'll happily be the first to pre-order the book once it gets published! I know you can do it! i.imgur.com/ePDRmLN.jpg
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