Changes · 6:38am May 20th, 2014
Okay, the newest chapter of The Most Unlikely Places is going up later today, but before you read it, I have to make a few points.
First, I've decided, after some serious thinking and struggling, that I'm going to keep writing. This may not seem like much of a revelation, but the issue I was having was that I would write a paragraph, and then fret about what my readers would think. I can't do that anymore. I'm going to keep writing, but I'm not interested in critique any longer. It's not that I don't appreciate them--I do, because it helps me grow as an artist--but I have a hard time taking the critique in stride and just moving on. I keep worrying about whether what I'm writing is up to the par that I've defined for myself. So I've decided not to worry about that par. I'm writing because it's fun for me, and that's just how it's got to be, or I'll stop entirely. I hope you continue to enjoy the story I'm writing to myself, but if you don't, I can't help that, nor can I really concern myself with it.
Secondly, and this is mostly a quality of life/simplicity decision, but I'm going to axe the SAFE/MATURE dichotomy in TMUP. I know I'll lose some readers over it, but the reality is that this most recent chapter would lose some fairly crucial elements if I completely omitted the mature section, and I don't really want to go through and prune it to keep it safe. This is intended to be a mature, sexually charged, romantic story, and if I pretend my characters aren't being motivated by sexual situations and feelings, or try to say it obliquely, then the whole story loses some of its impact. Scootaloo is wrestling with emotions brought about by intensely erotic feelings, thoughts, and situations. I want that to come across in the storytelling, and it's hard to do that when I'm being coy. So I won't. I'm sorry if that means you can't read the story any longer, but as with the above, I'd rather enjoy myself and keep writing, than be so worried about what my readers will think and not write at all.
I wish I had more pleasant news to share, but unfortunately I had to make a few changes in order to make writing fic fun again.
Thanks for your understanding, and I really do hope you enjoy the chapter when it shows up later today.
Good for you, I just recently started to do that. I was sick of being too reserved in what I may publish, thinking a new story would do poorly. Today I said screw it and submitted one of my new stories, not doing the best but I feel fine. I think the site is going through an odd time so new stuff may go unnoticed, but if we keep trudging along I'm sure things will be fine. I'm just going to try and have fun, glad you are too.
It's better to enjoy writing then going into an endless cycle of worry and doubt so I hope the changes help and things get better. Even with the changes I'll still be sticking with TMUP, a changed rating isn't going to convince me to drop it and I'll be looking forward to that new chapter.
Good for you, Kiro. I find myself in that space of being crippled by the expectations I think my readers have, too. In the end, if you don't enjoy doing it, then why do it at all? Cast off the chains and fly free! Someday I'll learn to take my own advice
The Most Unlikely Places is a good story, and very-very much better than any other story about Silver Spoon.
It's happy news that it will be continued.
Kris Carr
P.S: I like this story, it's one of my favorites.
Oh, I had no idea this were issues for you. Well, as I already said in my comment, I loved the new chapter you posted.
I very much relate to what your saying about getting a critique and how it can help improve...but also leave you stunted in worry. The number one person you should write for is you, and hopefully others will enjoy reading what you have to offer. And I know I great enjoy your work.
Also good for you on making a stance on the mature tag decision. You certainly won't be losing this reader!
The talent comes from you. Critique can only hone that talent. If it's crippling your ability to write then you should definitely go back to relying on your own critique for a while.
As far as I'm concerned you've already proven you write well. No need to get yourself down for the sake of some small improvement.
You still down for getting some critique after the story's finished, at least?
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From you? Always. Your critiques are pretty even-handed, although they do tend to hit harder than most, because I can tell you know what you're talking about. More often than not, you tend to point out the things I was already concerned about but just skated over, and that usually just makes me mad at myself. Still, I like to hear you're still reading (I figured you'd have given up on me by now
)
So if you have thoughts, I'm still all ears.
2130996 I've been keeping up, don't you worry. I like what I see quite a bit whenever a new chapter comes out, but I find I have to reread the previous one to remember all of what's going on. My plan is still to give it all a re-read once it's finished before I drop a big-ish review. It'll be most fair like that, with it all fresh in my head, I think.
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That will be awesome. I'll try to be less sporadic so that isn't as necessary in the future, but I've said that before
Does this mean that the updates will become more common now? If so, then
I Love this story and I hope you can keep it going how you want it to!
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I hope so. I've been avoiding writing because I've been afraid to disappoint. I refuse to bother anymore, so I should be writing more often.
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Schweeeeeeeeeeeat!