The Knife’s Edge · 5:51pm April 12th
The other day I got a message from ZanarNaryon telling me they had created a TVTropes page for To Serve In Hell. Now, TVTropes can be a dangerous place to start reading, unless you have a few hours to spend getting lost in it. But if you want to check it out, please do! It’s a delight seeing the whole thing laid out like an actual story on there!
It’s a great feeling to still get views, comments, and external hits on Hell, even all these years later. I put too much of myself in that story not to care.
Way too damn much.
I go through cycles of trying to ignore the sequel threads that are still stuck in my brain, then having intense brainstorming sessions when I let them out to play, then trying to bury them again. More recently, I think I finally “found” the sequel. Like for real. And let me tell you, it was never a question of whether there were threads and a general direction; it was more a problem of finding a satisfying arc for the characters. Everybody loves a good plot (heh heh), but plot isn’t the reason why I’d want to write more. It’s the characters, and to a lesser extent, the world, that keep drawing me back.
Why post this now, out of the blue? I dunno. I think I’m afraid of letting myself write the damn thing. I overcommitted myself to what turned into a harrowingly personal project last time, and it’s scary getting real with myself like that again. I’m also afraid of ruining Hell by trying to add to it. I mean, once you pick Rarity back up from where I left her, she damn well better do something that doesn’t spoil the bittersweet tragedy that she got to. And besides, it’s like 5-6 years later; is there even an audience anymore? Especially since the sequel would have to be different from the original by including more of the political landscape of Equestria and beyond?
I don’t have answers. I don’t know if I need answers. I have an outline that I don’t hate, and no real obligation to do anything with it. But at some point it becomes an exercise in denial to pretend like the fire no longer burns, even if I’m skittish about it.
Very happy to hear you've found a potentially satisfactory solution to the puzzle. Here's hoping carrying it forward from the rough concept goes smoothly.
Honestly I'd be willing to bet there's still folks interested. And also worth stating, writing for fun is a valid pursuit too, though I will agree that external praise is very addictive. n_n
Well, if you get around to writing it, I’m still up for editing.
I just recommended this story to Loganberry, too, so he'll eventually get to reviewing it.
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Indeed, though given how few 100k-word fics I cover, "eventually" is the operative word! It is now on my RiL list, though.
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Yes, I imagine it'll be a while. Were I to start on it myself, I could only optimistically say, "Sometime this year. Maybe."
Congratulations on the TVTropes page.
MmHmmm, seems like someone has writing in his blood...
Well, what you do is ultimately up to you of course, you still have fans that would love to see you do new work, but most of us understand that it can't take over the rest of your life, especially if it is only at a hobbyist level. So, decide what is best for you, we will accept how ever you choose.
knife