The future, and sequels. · 12:54am Apr 26th, 2016
So, now that there's a week without an episode, I don't have to draw a comic, so I have time to discuss what's coming next.
First off, I'm still surprised by how popular Changeling Courtship Rituals turned out to be. The whole thing was just happened on a whim; I came up with the idea that everything Chrysalis has done was her idea of dating Twilight, and went from there.
If you read one of the past blogs, you can even see where I mentioned I was going to post the first two chapters of CCR, then start posting the other, finished story I had while sort of lazily finishing CCR. When it blew up, of course, I had to change my focus a bit. In fact, CCR ended up being far more complex than I had originally planned it. Originally it was supposed to be like six chapters, at probably half the length it ended up being. I don't even remember if I had any kind of sequel in mind.
But everyone loved it so much, that I had to concentrate on it more to make it as good as people wanted it to be. And I ended up pulling much more depth out of it than I had seen in the first place. Just as an example, for 'The Princesses' chapter, the original rough outline I had in my mind had neither Luna nor the fight at the end. It was pretty much just talking to Celestia and that was it.
The entire story turned out far better than it would have due to all the attention on it, and I have all of you to thank for that.
Now, onto the subject of sequels. There is a sequel planned, and there's some good news and some bad news about it.
The bad news: The sequel will start being posted around September of this year.
The good news: That's because I'll be posting my other finished story in the meantime.
This is the story that I called both more and less serious than CCR. More serious because I have more planned in general for it, and the scope of it is much larger – I'm figuring on something like five parts to it, plus a variety of side stories, though the plans get more and more vague past part two currently. Less serious because... well, it's a bit crazy. As in, I have plans for every villain to be in it at some point, and I know for sure I'm going to be getting complaints about characters acting out of character a bit. I kind of want to call the scale of it epic, but really the story is too ridiculous to say that.
Right now, I'm planning on posting a chapter a week starting the first week of May, depending on how the cover and some changes to the story I want to make go. That should end the story about halfway through July. Then I'll spend a month or so working on the cover for the sequel to CCR, as well as writing more for it. With almost four months, I'm hoping to have at least 4-5 chapters ready to go.
So, that's the plan. Super nervous about this new story, since it's sort of been my baby for over a year now, but hopefully it goes fine. Thanks for reading everyone, see you in a week!
Looking forward to the new stuff; you have an excellent sense of humor and great writing chops. Thank you for putting your time and effort into all of this!
I can't wait for both stories, for me especially, this ridiculous epic you talked about. I'm sure that's gonna be a joy to read. As for the squeal to CCR, the ending of that story was like a knife slowly carving my heart out, and serving it to me on a platter. I couldn't sleep that night, my mind was too focused on where the story would go in a squeal, and how much I cared for the characters struggles.
Ah, finally releasing your pet project to the world. One of the most exciting and terrifying moments for an author. Well, I enjoy your writing style full on and I'm certainly curious at what you've got going on. Though unless you spoke about it in previous blogs and I have a swiss cheese brain I don't remember what this bigger story was about general wise. So I certainly can't wait to see what you've got in store for us. My tracking folder is hungry. Feed it my friend.
Then I will be looking forward to September greatly!
In the meantime, I'm curious to this new story, I'm certain I will enjoy it!
While I have only read To Dethrone a Princess and Changeling Courtship Rituals (though I intend to read the rest of your stories at some point), I like to think that I've gotten a decent feel for your writing over those *checks* ~41K words.
Your pacing, both in individual scenes and over an entire story arc, is top notch. Your sense of comedic timing and your choice of words to convey the right feel for a scene are also excellent. I think that as long as you actually try to write a good story then it'll turn out well.
Speaking of To Dethrone a Princess, here's another reading of it. I have to say that I prefer it over Scarlett Blade's reading.
Well, I'll be looking forward to your new project, then. From what I know of your writing, I can't see it as being anything but at least somewhat enjoyable and probably better than that.
well CCR is one of my top Favs so it will be a long wait till September but I will be watching for this new story to try and tide me over and I'm sure it will be great as you know how to write a good story.