Late 2016 + New Year Update

Well, better late than never I suppose.

I know I said in my previous blog post that I'd give an update before the end of 2016, and I apologize for not delivering that promise. It would seem that I had overextended my time and attention between multiple family events, several events with friends, and a work schedule that takes up more of my time during the winter months. Because of that and resulting fatigue, I was unable to provide myself the time needed on New Years Eve to make an end-of-year update. Fortunately, my work schedule allowed me a break today to allow me to share current events in terms of story posts on here.

First off, I just want to thank everyone who took the time to follow me and all the updates I made throughout 2016. Looking back on the year, I don't think I've been that challenged, and occasionally pressured, to write stories that much since I first started writing over on DeviantART in 2010. The year saw me finish off Taismo: The Equestria Games after fifteen months from the first to last chapters, and a bonus special to tie things with Twilight's Kingdom: Unite & Descend, and seeing how some of my most favorite parts of this story happened throughout the year was memorable for me. There was also my little tribute for our fandom's favorite canine psychologist Dr. Wolf and having him interact with Tails and Cosmo with his special talent of helping others, and for finding a fun little way to bring my favorite portion of the fandom into my Taismo canon. Truth be told, the idea for each chapter lingered in my head for months, but during that time it took a few days of forcing myself in front of my computer screen and keyboard to get the words out appropriately. Regardless of the pushes, seeing those two stories completed this year was well worth the effort, and I thank my readers for raising the view numbers and ratings up to give me extra motivation.

Next up, with two stories completed and my time for their focus done, it's time to transfer that focus elsewhere, and that towards Battery. At the time of this posting, I am saddened to say that writing for that story got grind down to once or twice a week. This setback comes down to two factors: my increased work schedule as I mentioned before, and while transferring files from my phone (my current primary writing place for big stories) a good chunk of a final draft was lost in the process, and so I have to rewrite an entire scene that I believed to have penned at its best before. A new update to the story may not be able to happen for some time, at least another month at the earliest, until I write far enough forward to not only provide a complete new chapter, but to get far enough ahead where I just don't post up to where the story leaves off both online and on draft. The writing process is currently slow, but it's still ongoing, and I'm hoping to write on a more regular basis in the next few weeks.

Now, onto what else I've got in mind for 2017. For the last several months I have had new story ideas I wanted to move forward with, some of which I've shared and hinted at in previous blogs and AMWDW: Tails & Protecting Cosmo. Starting with my blog posts, more specifically my previous two, are still ideas I'd like to carry out but don't wish to do it alone. The first being my Daring Do/Knuckles the Echidna crossover, which I would like to have at least one collaborator and one proofreader/editor, and the second being JAGCon, a fun little tribute with MLP conventions that revolves my fictional Team JAG Band and some outside guests, and I'd like to get as many others to contribute as possible to make up this fictional con setting. After that is what I mentioned in my previous blog about the ponies' musical taste and what their favorite band/artist would be, at least from their exposure from my Taismo universe and the Team JAG Band, and having those ideas explored through yet another new story idea I have, a short little one-off that takes place at the former Golden Oak Library. If there's anyone that has their own little thoughts and opinions for this or any other story, feel free to comment or message me and we'll see where things go.

But going back to my AMWDW story mentions, I'll explain this new story and its origin of thought in a nutshell. Just before going to Bronycon in 2015, I decided to sit down and watch a certain new movie called Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, and then the follow-up Resurrection F. After viewing those and being introduced to some of Dragon Ball's newest fan favorite characters, an idea surfaced that would turn Equestria into an ultimate war zone for our heroes, and put a certain centaur up against a certain God of Destruction (but not entirely how you think). This story and all the elements that would go into it has already been mapped out with its beginning and end, and several key events for everything in between. Once I have all my intentions finalized and a good draft set, I will go ahead and begin writing that, which in all truth is when I allow myself time for another project.

Lastly, I'd like to share what I have in store in terms of short/one-off stories. Other than the previous two one-offs already mentioned, I have a couple more ideas that actually doesn't completely involve the ponies. One story is yet another concept inspired by Pen Stroke and his latest story called Glimpses, a very intriguing read for any fans of multiverse works, and take both Nyx and Starlight Glimmer on a look of a moment not shared of a certain friend's emotional past. Another story actually has zero starting ground with MLP, and instead based on a Seedrian OC over on DeviantART, which I'm happy to say is in the starting process of being written. For those interested in something different, I'll have a link to it posted here when it's done. And of course, to anyone interested in my Team JAG Band portions of my writings, I do wish to make some new stories involving the mentioned tribute band and them playing concerts for ponies across Equestria to enjoy, so look out for something new in that regard.

And that wraps up all my thoughts on 2016 and what I have intended for the new year ahead! I imagine that it looks like a lot for me to take on at once or at all, especially with the various different scenarios that differs one from another greatly, but it's a challenge I'd like to pressure myself with to find my creative limits. If you have any thoughts or opinions about what's been shared here, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. In the mean time, keep your eyes pealed for a new update soon, and let's get ready for an amazing new year of ponies, bronies, and the big MLP movie! Until next time, stay metal and hail to the ponies! \m/ /)

-Jesus Manson, the Metalhead Brony