I'm back, bitches! · 6:02pm Oct 5th, 2023
I don't know for how long, because I never know these things.
All of 2023, and to be honest probably longer, it's been really really hard for me to write, because of crippling anxiety over finances. My business is not doing well. I've been trying to get a job all year, but that hasn't worked out yet either. So every moment I wanted to write, I thought, but I should be doing something else, something to make money. Except there was only so much of that I could do, so I ended up mostly surfing Tumblr instead.
In the middle of August, a switch got flipped in my head, and I suddenly realized: punishing myself for being broke by refusing to write would just make certain that I will never be able to make a living by writing. Writing doesn't cost me anything, so when I'm broke, that's when I should be most free to do it. So I busted my ass. In August, I finished my 52 Project (finally) and added a 53rd story as a bonus, then finished two other short stories and made significant progress on two others. In September, I did a pseudo-Nano -- picking a 30 day month, assigning the NanoWriMo goal of 50,000 words, and set off to finish my novel, The Cold At The Heart Of The Light. Didn't finish, but I got 3 chapters done. Considering that it took me from 2008 to 2023 to finish 8 chapters, this is impressive. Also, there are only two chapters left. (It would have been one, but I decided I needed to split 11 into 11 and 12.)
So here we are in October, the month of my birthday. I am still terrifyingly broke. I cannot go see the eclipse I have been planning to go see for 6 years because I can't afford to fly to the Southwest. Nobody can afford to get me any presents. I won't be able to go out for a birthday dinner. So I've decided I'm going to indulge myself. I've written a lot of original fiction over the past two months. I'll be writing more before too long. This month, I'm going to write fanfic if I feel like writing fanfic, and stop feeling guilty about it. Honestly, writing fanfic is more productive than sitting in front of a tv for hours.
I wrote the two "Ice" chapters of Earth, my expansion of my very early story Ice. This includes one wholly original chapter, and one rewrite of "Ice", originally a dialogue-only story, to include character actions and a POV. Also, some minor tweaks for characterization. When I wrote "Ice" it was 2013, the fourth season of MLP had just started, and Discord had a mostly adversarial relationship with everyone but Fluttershy. The rewrite takes place in the seventh season or thereabouts, so Discord's ties with Twilight and Spike are a lot closer, and I had to make some changes to reflect that. Discord is still a sarcastic whiny baby when he's in pain, though.
I've posted the first of the two Ice chapters today, and will probably post the second tomorrow or something.
I'm not taking requests for what to write next. I know y'all really want Not the Hero, but it requires a major outlining project because I ran out of outline, so it will still be a while before I can do that one. I want to focus on stuff I've already outlined so I can knock it out quickly.
SHE'S BACK
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:DDD YOUR DISCORD IS BEST DISCORD
It’s really great to hear from you. I’m sorry about the situation you’re facing—I’ve spent a good chunk of my anxiety this year on some of the same thoughts, and have really been pushing my own writing down the line—but it really is good to see you.
Welcome back! Sorry to hear you've been struggling so.
Glad to have you here for however long we have you.
I'm eagerly looking forward to whatever works you have to share with us. 😃 I'm sorry to hear that things have been rough, but I hope that writing continues to give you a good outlet. And happy birthday month, from a fellow October-ite. 🙂
Heyyyyyy!!
Let's GO! Glad to see you back, even if it could be under better circumstances. I'm glad you're deciding to take some time to indulge in fanfiction, and I'm glad you're being kind to yourself by sticking to things that are already outlined (Am I biased because I really like Earth? Yes, but that's besides the point-).
It's great to have you back in any capacity.
I know it doesn’t mean much from some stranger on the internet but I’m really fucking proud, both for you for going through these struggles and also for the completion of your 52 Project (that requires dedication as well, that most people never have.) You’re also the best MLP writer I’ve ever discovered, so it’s awesome to have you back! Finance struggles are horrible but I’m glad you’re seeing light with that! It really sucks but yeah, writing does make a lot of things just better. Also, feel free to write what you want to write, I heavily agree with another reply on here, “your Discord is the best Discord” whatever you write is always an interesting, well-written idea so I don’t care what you write. If it’s MLP fanfiction based at all, I’ll just be happy, lol. And happy birthday month! I appreciate everything you’ve done with fanfiction through the years.
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Yay! Glad to have you back, and I’m sorry you’ve been going through a tough time.
Welcome back, and I hope the job situation improves!
Welcome back. Hope all goes well for you.
Welcome back! I hope things take a better turn for you soon.
I just want you to have everything you deserve and more, without financial struggles. But I'm happy to hear from you again!
Glad you are back. Happy to have your fanfic here, and good luck on your original fiction (and that job search) as well!
I'm sorry about your financial situation- wishing you luck with your job search. I only discovered your stories recently, but I am slowly working through all of them as they are all incredible, you have an amazing gift for writing. And happy birthday!