CMC Hiatus · 7:25pm Oct 11th, 2015
I'm not gonna change the story status, but I do want to announce it - the next chapter of Cutie Mark Crusader Magicians, Yay, will probably be a bit of time coming. As in, squeaking in the end of the month at best, more likely November.
While I kick myself for pacing the middle act poorly, we're getting into the final act now. Like Twilight Falls, Sunset Dawns, I'll be writing the final chapters, or at least the most important parts, all together to make sure I pull it off right. The next chapter is a bridge to the final act, so it's not a priority in terms of narrative - the final act is. Once I have the last few chapters how I like them, I'll know how to proceed with the next chapter.
For the curious - Crusaders of the Lost Mark has nothing to do with this. Actually, the episode doesn't harm my fic, but improves it. I had an idea for the epilogue (spoiler alert - there will be one) but wasn't sure if I should do it or not. With this episode, however, I can, and that's a plus. There's another reason the episode enhances my fic, but that'd be a big spoiler.
Additionally, I've just been getting into some other things and just want to step back from the story for a little bit. But I have no intent to leave it - I love this story, I love that you all love it, I love how it actually fits into the canon perfectly thanks to Crusaders of the Lost Mark, and it will be finished. Just please don't hold your breath waiting for Chapter 8.
Canon events aren't nearly the big obstacles to stories people make them out to be, as long as you keep it in an earlier time and/or remember the AU rule. If anything, it gives you something solid to work towards.
Maybe you can sneak in a few references to how, by letting Trixie teach them stagecraft, they're reminding her of the things she's always loved about the craft, and the things her own mark is supposed to really represent.
No worries.