A Lifetime Commitment · 5:43am Sep 22nd, 2021
This is a strange chapter title.
Props wanted to call it Wasteland Wedding.
I decided to change the title.
I've been soul searching since someone at Everfree Northwest who does these books said as a joke: "Ya know, no one reads them, they just collect them."
I had to sit there and was genuinely beside myself at that. I haven't known what I want to do now with that, as I wasn't sure people were still reading.
My best friend, Vonholtz, died due to Covid. I lost time due to covid. I just... It has been a journey.
Now after hosting Book Club for Dead Tree on my discord server, I think I wanna keep going past Book 3. Past chapter 60.
I want to know, if I should.
To do that, I need to know where everyone who reads this blog is, chapter is good enough or just the part you remember you are on. I want to know, if people are still reading and if it is worthy to keep going for a 4th book (17-25 more chapters).
I am leaning towards it is, but still unsure. If I do, I know this book series becomes a Lifetime Commitment; I like that sound of that. It isn't even scary but, how much further do I go?
I know if I keep going for Book 4, I'm going to be writing this for 10 years total, 5 so far, before it's completed. Imagine, a book series that takes 10 years to finish? That is what I'm starring at right now, knowing it will take 2 more books and then... I'll start a new story and a new book series for the next and see how far it goes. Do I keep going for that long? Do I push past this point of no return I guess is what I'm asking.
Because this is it, this is the point of no return. If I keep going, even with the Games Workshop and Independent Author Stuff, I'll forever be; a Fallout: Equestria Writer. The one writer who got everything legalized for FoE and then just, well, it is what I will be.
It is something that weighs on me with excitement and terror. Do I just take the leap of faith or not?
Fiaura
Sorry to hear about your loss. Keep your friend honored
If you still enjoy writing FOE then just do it! I will read what you produce. It's when the writing becomes a problem or a burden is when you need to reevaluate what you are doing. Though I will say..life is a series of speed bumps, know when to throttle back to get over them smoothly.
I will read ANYTHING, he’ll my book collection has been read near 40 times per book and I have three shelves full!
I honestly wish I could have gotten my hands on a dead Tree book of my own, would have been an amazing birthday present to myself but sadly just didn’t have the money at the time.
If you keep writing I will keep reading Though I need to get caught up again
I’m going to be honest here I don’t follow your story as much as some because I have school and a life but I do read it when I have time and I have been slowly making my way through your actual sessions on YouTube whenever I have five hours to kill because I can’t help but enjoy people spending their time doing things they enjoy so you know what if you find good reasons and enjoy writing the books I’ll keep reading them when I have the time because I enjoy wandering sunrise’s story and I am on this ride for the long haul
I haven't read it yet, mostly due to a sizable backlog of already completed stories on my shelf.
I read through Book One before clicking the Follow button. Shortly after, I ordered the physical prints for all the books. I don't bring valuables like that with me when I deploy, but a photo from home provided proof that Books 2 and 3 have arrived and are waiting for me. I've been waiting to get back before I continue further because there's something about a tangible book that heightens the enjoyment of reading.
I am also one of those collectors of printed fanfics. Admittedly, I've only read through half of the physical copies that currently occupy my shelf back home, but that's because I never order anything that I haven't already read in its entirety. With one exception.
Yours are the only books I've ordered without first having read through the entire work. Why? Because I know I will enjoy what comes next. And I know I would enjoy continuing the journey beyond what you've already done. I can say that confidently because you are that Fallout: Equestria Writer, and I see nothing wrong with that so long as that distinction continues to be something that holds meaning to you. Your commitment to your work, in the opinion of someone like me, speaks as loudly as your skill as a writer. I'm a habitual Discord lurker, but don't take my lack active participation as a lack of admiration. You've accomplished, and are continuing to achieve, what so many of us storytellers aspire to reach.
All of that was a meandering way to say that I support you continuing forward if you desire. And if not, we'll all still have a great collection to read again later down the line.
I have not yet read anything. I've been planing to do for a long time, but there is still something that made it's way in my reading queue before Dead Tree. Now this is the first one after I finish the current.
As to if you should be continuing or not, the answer is hard. The readers will obviously want to continue, it's as simple as that, but the real question is if you want to continue. If it doesn't bring you any enjoyment then stop.
Remember that there are a lot of people that just read it, enjoy it. No commenting, no viewing posts. They are just that little statistic, the view count, quiet supporters.
Hi Fiaura,
I am currently at chapter 47. I read the story last summer with your 2 published books (I read a few chapters more since I could not wait for the third book). Now I looking forward to continuing this awesome story soon when I reserve the third book (I am not from the USA). I definitely enjoyed the story so far and would like to watch the RPG streams in the future. But I think it would be best that I finish the published chapters/ book 3 first. This way I hope not to be spoiled as heavy. :D
By the way how far apart is the story from the RPG?
I’ve very much enjoyed reading Dead Tree and hope you continue writing Sunrise’s story. I know it is a tremendous amount of work and I appreciate the time and effort you put into all you do.
I do need to catch up a bit. Life has been challenging and I’m only about half way through volume two. But I’ll soon be back to reading.
It was great seeing you again at Everfree and I hope you’re there next year, too!
I will continue to read as long as you enjoy writing it
Sorry for your loss as well
Admittedly, I do collect books and sometimes buy them without ever having read the story. This was the case with Book 1. But since I'm a sucker for FoE, I followed up on it. I've been enjoying the story so far and will be following chapter updates whether you publish them into books or not.
Also, that person who said no one reads them sounds kinda mean. No need to listen to folks like that.
I am collecting the books, and also listening to them.
I will keep with you.
I know many books series in their 20s.
I've been reading this story years and will continue to do so until it's finished. So I say keep going.
Before I can start to answer, I want to offer my condolences.
I'm only on chapter 2, having started reading it before I'm done reading another story so that I can participate in the book club.
I have had to exercise some willpower to keep myself from reading ahead since I finished the first chapter, but I want to have chapter 2 fresh in my mind and without any potential spoilers for the rest of the club when we meet again.
I can say that I do collect printed works instead of read them, even if I have not read them yet. Many of my closest friends are also bronies, and have gotten much more into the fandom and reading than I have... I take suggestions of what fics to read from them, and they have not been wrong yet. So when I see a printed work I could get I consult with them before adding to my collection, and tend to hoard them almost as a dragon does with their shiniest, most valued possessions.
I actually do most of my reading here on fimfiction on my tablet, where the worst that happens to it is that I drop the tablet, likely on myself if I'm reading in bed, instead of risking hurting my treasured book.
Someday I hope to have a good reading chair and such and start reading from paper again, but my tablet is just too convenient, and my habit of reading in bed is apparently unstoppable.
So yes, I do, at this point, "not read them, just collect them", because I treasure the physical copies, flipping carefully through pages I've already read, but doing my reading elsewhere. I think that might be what they meant, that people collect and don't read the physical copies, not that they don't read the stories at all.
...But I know at least four people that waited to read stories until they could read the physical copy, too...
As for if you should continue... If you're enjoying writing I would say that you *definitely* should continue doing so, and that goes doubly so for this story that you have poured so much effort and love into.
If you're worried about being stuck as an FoE writer, I proclaim that nothing is forever. Change exists and while it can be resisted it is always there for you if you wish to embrace it, and if you do change and want to come back to it that's always an option as well.
FoE is part of your legacy, yes, but it need not define you, even if you take this leap of faith.
I'm embarrassed to admit it, I never got into Dead Tree. That's not likely to be corrected, because the longer something is the less likely I am to start it. So even though you're clearly reaching out for advice, but I don't know what to say.
I'm hardly the most frequent commenter, but I truly have enjoyed your Saga to date and look forward to each new update. If it's something you want to commit to and believe you can find some joy in, go for it. I know I'll be along for the ride, whether it ends sooner or later. Though I do hope later. And as someone who recently got into 40K I'm planning to get your book in that Universe when it releases. I'm a sucker for all things lore-filled. Best wishes, ThatBeardGuy.
Fi,
My condolences on the loss of your friend. I can commiserate with you on that. As for continuing your story, I understand how you feel. If the story still feels like it needs to be told for these characters then do so. In the last year, I have lost much time with friends and family while I concentrated on my story. I have not had the chance to keep up with Dead Tree, and am now looking forward to reading it and catching back up again. Your story is a very good one and I have enjoyed all that I read of it so far, both online and in hardcover. So yes, some of us do actually read the books.