To Try For the Sun: Musings, sequel-talk, etc. · 3:58am Nov 12th, 2015
I'm gonna talk for a bit.
The response to Try For the Sun has substantially exceeded my expectations. The many words of praise and encouragement from commenters and reviewers have been read and re-read, and they have brought me through work these last few days with a smile on my face. I am very pleased to have created a thing so well-received. More so, I am happy to have created something that has made people feel, wonder... and best of all, create. God of Physics created a ballad for the fic, and Flowey the Happy Flower created a roast/parody. All this has been very surprising for a guy who wrote something inspired by an obscure hippie song.
So. Let's talk sequel. I'm not writing one, and I'll do my best to explain why.
In his review on the Goodfic page, I feel Architect hit a very solid nail on the head. The tone of the fic is what creates it: the desperate, losing struggle against a cold fate that had already claimed thousands. It's what makes what comes next magical. To tack on more would change the very nature of the fic. War and politics, a rise to the throne, etc. The story's not about that. It's about a poor kid saving her sister. Sure, she's got a great destiny in the future, but for now she's got snowponies to build. She's twelve.
A sequel for Luna meets a similar barrier: this simply isn't her story. It's the story of a moment: "To Try for the Sun," and succeed. It was never my desire to create anything more than a one-shot with this. Perhaps I will change my mind in the future, but for now I find myself without enthusiasm for producing sequels.
Having said that, I have been asked if I would allow others a crack at the universe. I would be honored and humbled if someone wanted to write of Luna's rise, or Platinum's fall, or whatever else they feel inspired to create. So yes, please go ahead. If someone actually goes and does it I might create a group, but for now please know that it has been a privilege to write a story that has been enjoyed.
Those are some good points, and their are correct. To add more would ruin it.
As for us writing the sequel... sorry, I have invested too much into my world to try.
Most stories aren't really intended to have sequels.
I sort of quietly ignore a lot of requests for sequels for the same reason.
Though of course, I was one of those schmucks who wrote separate stories about each of them getting their cutie marks :V
well, I suppose I can respect that, shame to, but i suppose it's better to stop while you're on top rather than to ruin a good story. Though, what you have planed next, and i'd be happy to pre-read for anyone who wants to make a fic set in this universe
By all means do NOT write a sequel to this one. But to have other writers expand on the universe is an excellent idea. I may just take a crack at it once I'm done with my current tale.
To Try for the Sun seems to pick up many things that were weird about Wayward Sun and turns them into something great. I cannot say if this happened by accident or actually was something conscious, but either way I'm fairly certain that expanding the story would make it worse. By missing 9/10 of the length that Wayward Sun has, there is very little room to implement most errors the story had.
While I would like to see if your able to become more continuous and stable in your style, I would rather see that with other (non-god) characters. The only longer story that did this is about three years old, so the style couldn't possible represent your current standing. If you decide that the shorter stories are where your strength lies, there's always the possibility to take on the youth of Discord, not to do a sequel but to stay with this story for a bit longer.
Now I shall go and face my own paperwork.
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"Youth of Discord?" I am not familiar.
I do think short stories have become my best... I approached Wayward Sun with the intent of making every chapter an emotional ride, but that level of intensity is hard to maintain for long. And that heavy emotion is, I think, where I'm best at. I do still have ideas for lighter, quirky stories, but I consider them knowing they just won't be as good as my serious-face ones.
At any rate, thanks for the review.
Hear hear ^_^ I can agree with that.
I sometimes despair when I hear people talking about a movie, story, whatever, and treating "That was good" and "It should have a sequel" as if they were the same thing. This is a complete story, and anything more would need a very different tone. I'm happy to see a writer who values the quality of a story as much as popularity. (I've only just dived into fanfic, but I'm amazed how this place seems to have more respect for itself than may writers' forums I've been on)
Fair enough. If you're not comfortable making a sequel, then obviously, making one would be counter-productive.
To dream of the Moon!!!
This is your choice in the matter, and I can understand perfectly. To make a sequel to this would ruin what was originally the set tone for this. I'd rather leave it at that and just everyone love this masterpiece. Seeing this has inspired me to try harder at embracing and showing emotions at a level I can only dream of! I've done one so far, but comparing that of what I written to this would be like trying to match two things that aren't meant to be together.
All in all, be proud of what everyone perceives to be your greatest achievement