Tough Times All Around · 6:48pm Aug 27th, 2015
This is my third or fourth attempt to put these thoughts down coherently, so here goes...
A few weeks ago GaryOak returned from BronyCon, and was kind enough to bring back a gift:
Chick-abs can really tie a room together.
I asked him to say "Hi" to mutual acquaintances, but he was so wired the whole time, he couldn't possibly remember everyone he said it to (there was Bad Horse, TailsFox88, and, er...). Now I'm curious—who among you did my greeting get through to?
* * *
Now for updates.
Lately, I've noticed a few people here having crises of enthusiasm. And if it's not enthusiasm, it's a sheer issue of time constraints. A job or career will, at one point or another, necessitate periods of long hours or unpredictible schedules. My own problem is the latter. Writing anything is difficult enough while working swing shifts, and editing is next to impossible. My attempt at Romance has gone exactly nowhere, and I'll be lucky if my rough-drafted SunFlash story comes out before EqG3.
But Horse Voice has to come back at least one more time. One Evening at Emmy's will not be my swan song!
Now, the good news. (Maybe.)
My boss likes the cut of my jib, and he's a tough man to please. He wants to transfer me to a position whose hours (he says) would be more regular. The trouble is, they need to find a replacement for me first, and that could take weeks. Will my muse come back when things are settled? I hope so, because I know I can still amuse and enlighten, at least a few more times.
Still I wonder: By the time I've got a handle on things, and can produce quality writing on a regular basis, will there be much of a fandom left to reach out to? Looking at the new site statistics, it seems everything except blog posts plateaued after EqG2. Perhaps it's because the films and show have started doing a lot of the stuff that, for the longest time, only fan fiction could: exploring distant lands, adding recurring villains, bringing back the Smooze, and so on.
On the other hand, conventions are still gaining more people every year, so it's too early to say the fandom is in decline. I only wish I could have been more prolific during the Golden Age--early 2012 to mid-2014, or thereabout.
I want to make all my readers a promise: Come what may, you will always be able to find my work. Someday, when there is no more audience left besides people taking the odd walk down Memory Lane, I'll collect everything I've written into a single-volume ebook, and try to find a good place to host it, where it can easily be found for as long as possible. I've thought of calling it Biblical Monsters & Other Grim Tales.
But not yet. Times may have changed, but the story isn't over yet. And who knows--the next sea change may be right around the corner.
Be well, everyone.
HV
The fandom's peak came at the start of season 4 according to Google Trends, then declined somewhat afterwards to the present plateau.
It is hard to say whether that is permanent or not, and to what extent the fandom will linger.
On the other hand, two of my most popular stories came out this year, so... I dunno. There's still a big audience out there.
I found some cover art for your SunBrad fic:
i.imgur.com/EgaWD9Y.jpg
I imagine there will be a huge peak when the movie comes out in 2017. In fact that will probably be the peak.
Too many seem to be having these issues. They forget that they just need to work steadily on them and they will get through it all in the end.
Also its only your swan song IF YOU LET IT.
Too many seem to think that they are nearing their end. Its really only a simple plot point before the next wave of momentum, no reason to stop short.
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All good points. I'll try and remember these facts during tough times.
I super agree with SIlentwodfire; I don't think you sing your swan song until you are dead, and even them other people who have been influenced by you will keep remixing whatever you have made. I don't want to see thing end and I don't think I have too, you take a break as long as you have to but when you come back, even if it is to tell us you are moving all your work I and many others will still be here waiting for the next chapter.
I may have danced off to a land beyond the fandom for the most part, but I'll always come back for a a good Horse Voice story.
In the meanwhile, something is rising in the depths of my imagination, and it is name is Kamorrah, the city of eldritch vice...
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I appreciate it, guys. Last night, I was all for announcing retirement in the morning, but I realize I can't just abandon such great readers, no matter how few are still active.
New plan: Wait till the swing shifts end, then see about making another comeback. And maybe try and return to form with some decent dark fiction...
3353398 I can't wait. Whatever you do I would appreciate if you would keep us up to date every week/month/quarter/year, whatever works for you.
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I normally dislike talking about myself, but I'll do my best. Plus, there is a "DVD extra" to my stories that I've wanted to put together for ages. I hope you're a music lover.