Random Ramblings CLXVI · 3:30am Apr 23rd, 2017
IN WHICH STORIES PROGRESS SORT OF
I've been getting some good feedback on one of my "Recovery" stories, which I'm no longer titling The Photoshoot, as I always felt that was a weak title and my prereader agreed. I haven't figured out what the final title will be, though I have been given some great suggestions to help me on my way. I still need to tweak some parts and expand the ending, but the second draft is definitely improved from the first. Please click the friendly green button to learn more.
Meanwhile, progress slowly continues on the Recovery story that's meant to take place before that one, and will be published first. Certainly not the first time I've written stuff out of order. The story, tentatively titled Sunset Shimmer: Spider Queen, is meant as a bit of lighthearted comedy amidst the rather serious Recovery Arc. But…
My problem as a writer -- something I ran into with my very first Burrito story -- is that I tend to give even my comedies kind of a bleak setup. It's ironic, really. I used to earn side cash drawing cartoons, and those were generally considered to be very funny. I guess it's just the difference in the medium. Even when translating one of my own cartoons to prose, the written version inevitably came out darker.
I know it's too late (4/20 is over, man) to do a drug story, but I'm doing one anyway, dammit! Why? Because it fits in with how I want the Recovery Arc to go. Posh gave me an idea -- one of two, actually -- that was simultaneously stupid and brilliant and I'm going to use it and give him full blame. I don't think it'll go quite like he expects, but I've been told that's why readers like my work; somehow I'm able to surprise people, make them feel things both about the characters and themselves. That's a shock and a half considering how many Sunset stories are out there, made by so many better writers than me. Look forward to lots more Sunset from me anyway!
I don't know what I expected when I posted Ponyville Holds An Election way back on January 20th 2015 -- it was positively received, but nothing groundbreaking. I expected Sunset Shimmer Buys A Burrito to get more eyeballs due to its bizarre title, and it did, but I certainly never expected it to get popular enough to have been linked by someone on Reddit (where I do not have an account, otherwise I'd be pimping my work there all the damn time). The popularity of Highs & Lows continues to blow my mind. Even just a couple of days ago, I got a note that someone gave it a fave. It's been over two years since I wrote it! I've managed to gain over 150 followers -- which is peanuts compared to, say, most of the writers I follow -- but it's still amazing that there are people out there who care enough about my work to want me to post it at all. Just the other day, someone PM'd me after I thanked them for faving one of my stories and said, "your material is great!". I don't think I ever expected reactions like that, and I will always be grateful.
Me being me, all I can do is apologize for not working faster or harder for you, since you deserve better than what I give you. I always hope my quality speaks for itself, but I can't help but feel that's a cop-out for my own laziness.
Lately, I keep passing out during the afternoon when I should be writing or cleaning. This is probably a combination of my medicine, The Itis (when I eat a heavy lunch), and the fact that my bed is very comfy. Also, it's kinda cold today. I must now leave it to feed my cat.
Peace out!
Oh, so Posh is to blame for Spider Queen. That makes total sense. I often find myself blaming Posh for a great many things, a few of which may have even happened.
(Posh if you read this I love you man NOW GO PUBLISH THE EYEBALL STORY AARGH)
Also: Sunset Shimmer: Spider Queen is one of the best titles I've seen on here
handshooves down. If people fail to click on that for the title alone... I can't even.I too find it pretty darn amazing to have people reading stuff. It's wonderfully affirming to have a place to go write and get feedback and clicks and stuff like that. I do think it's possible to self-flagellate to an unhealthy degree, though. Like I've been churning out a ton of stuff lately (by my standards), and I'm kind of riding a weird edge of mild burnout and a deeply entrenched desire to keep on rolling. Because the bottom line is that we're all doing this as a fun hobby free of charge (except for the Patreon folks!) and you gotta take care of yourself and the actual things that underpin the ability to take the time to have fun hobbies. Otherwise it's not fun in the long run.
4506841 - Yup, it's all Posh's fault. But I'm glad it happened. Even with an end goal in sight, I was feeling stuck on the arc until that.
I enjoy it when readers spark weird ideas I can work with, like when you referenced the Burritoverse in Heavy Rock and it inspired me to write Rarity Pays For Burritos, and something else you said made me decide to give Maud the burrito treatment (haven't started it yet
). Posh also suggested one of my Sunset stories should end with a pie fight. That will be alluded to in Spider.
FanOfMostEverything made a comment on my Comma Comma blogpost about Spike getting tetchy when mad, and I'm going to turn that conversation into the next chapter of Mayor's Break Time. Much meta.