End of the Month Progress: August · 6:23pm Aug 31st, 2017
I got an eclipse for my birthday.
Plenty to talk about this month: story progress, possible Patreons, and awesome story readings! And if you're participating in the Sunset Shipping Contest, time's almost up. The folders close at 11:59 pm PST tonight, so make that final effort!
Everyone else, meet me below the break!
Sunset, this month's word count if you will.
30,473.
Yes! I'm on fire, baby! Once again, a majority of those words went into Spectacular Seven. So good news on that front. I feel like it's really rough in some spots though, so I'm really glad I'm taking this approach to write it all out before releasing it. It just feels right for this story.
But before I get too deep, if you're linked here from Sunlight you're probably wondering why. Well, an awesome VA by the name of Wubcake has done an awesome reading of the story! If you haven't checked it out, do so. She's currently up to chapter 8, and I'm on pins and needles waiting for the last two! Listening to her almost makes me want to write a sequel. Almost.
This was an interesting month for writing. I spent the first half in Texas where my uncle's house had really crappy internet connection. I would have started follow-ups again, but when it takes five minutes to load a single image, you know it's not happening. I left just before Harvey hit, which if you haven't donated to something yet, any organization, I encourage you to do so, even if it's just five bucks. A little can go a long way.
By birthday came and went with little fanfare save for an eclipse of the sun. I wasn't in the path of totality, but it was still hella cool to watch. Another thanks to DrakeyC for my awesome art gift. I still need to think of a story to use it for.
Speaking of stories, did I say I was going to release two this month?
Yah, you did.
Ehehe, yeah, I did. Well, that clearly didn't happen. I dropped my own entry into the Sunset Shipping Contest because I couldn't get it right, and the other story Mechanical Soul is still waiting to be looked over by my editor. So, I'm just gonna have to cram September full of stories.
(Take everything I say with a grain of salt, I have a bad habit of saying something's going to happen and then it doesn't, then saying I'm not going to do something, and then I do! I'm a crazy person.)
One thing that will happen this month is the release of my biggest story yet!
The continent of Equus is comprised of three kingdoms, one for each the unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies. For one thousand years they've lived in relative harmony, keeping the mythical Windigos at bay.
Within the kingdom of Arcanos lies Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, home to the greatest up and coming magic users. Twilight Sparkle has been admitted to Class Zero, the highest class in the school, and with the meeting of her seven classmates, her life is about to change forever.
After a grave incident paints a declaration of war from the unicorns, the kingdoms slide into bitter conflict with Class Zero at its heart. And with the conflict comes a bitter chill not even the sun can warm. Twilight and her new friends will have to give it their all to defend not just their kingdom, but the entire land.
But it'll take more than just unicorns to stop the coming cold. Because if the three kingdoms can't work together to find harmony, there may not be a home left to fight for...
That is the synopsis for Class Zero, a project three years in the making. The only project older than this now is Childish Killer but unlike CK, I want this soooo badly. This is going to be a culmination of everything I've learned thus far in my time here. This one is firmly an AU, with even a different map that I'll be drawing for the story. You'll see new interpretations of some old characters, and a wide cast of them to boot. There's about fourteen main characters, some of them you can guess, like Twilight and of course, Sunset will play an important role, but others like Fleur Dis Lee and Blueblood are vital to the story as well.
Long Road to Friendship was pretty much my claim to fame and Sunset of Time was my favorite story and revelation that I loved writing. But this? If I can, I want to be remembered for this. This is what I want my nonpony fiction to be like. A sprawling epic with twists and turns, mystery and history, colorful characters, romance, political intrigue, and a few epic fights. The story was inspired by Final Fantasy, so I consider this my Final Fantasy. This won't be the last story I start, but it might be the last one I finish before I take my leave.
I have a cover artist, and with the talks we've had so far, I'm so excited to see the final product! I have two editors and a pre-reader, but I would like one more story editor. If any of you are interested or know someone who would be, please leave a comment. Note, however, that I'm looking for someone who considers themselves pretty good. Sorry, no first timers or maybes. I need 100% 'yeah, I can do this!' Say yes, and you'll be invited to my Discord server, so having a Discord account is also a requirement.
Class Zero and Mechanical Soul are set to come out this month. I have a third story I'm picking at that I would like to drop in September as well. It's going to be cute, fluffy, and on-going. If any of you remember Crusaders, Go it's a spiritual successor to that.
Last bit of news, I'm thinking of opening of tip jar out of Patreon. That's all it would be, a tip jar. I would love to offer you guys something, but besides the stories already in progress, I can't do much. Writing what people tell me to write hurts my soul. Story reviews? I'm struggling just to read stories, let alone find time to review them. Story bumps? Right now, Across the Shimmering Sea is the only live story (wow, that's sad. Remember when I had five?). So yeah, I can't give back anything else than what I'm already giving. School starts at the end of the month, so I know I'll need money for food and housing. The more money in the tip jar, maybe the less hours I'll have to work, meaning I can spend more time writing. I'll let you guys know when the tip jar is open.
That about covers it. Editors welcome, shippers, get your entries in, anyone who's still feeling Twisexual, go listen to Wubcake's Sunlight reading. Everyone else, help Houston and stay pony.
Patreon has a tip jar feature?
...if they aren't, why are they here?
And why is Sunny so quiet this month?
4653971
Producing Spectacular Seven keeps me busy.
Well, I for one am excited about a potential September of many horsewords - but I'll keep my salt shaker close at hands, as suggested.
If you still want an extra editor I'd be happy to throw my hat into the ring. And I do have Discord, so no issues there.
I hope your hype that eg is getting its own canon series Sunset. I know I am!
Pft big deal I still get to be in the movie~ ooooh and that one short-
Hush Starlight!
I can't wait for more Spectacular Seven!
And is great to hear your projects are still moving, at your own pace.
Obligatory, humble petition for more Across the Shimmering Sea. It's getting so good!
Have a great September Albinocorn!
Well your projects seems very interesting to me especially Zeros class too eager to read it (even translate it ^^) good courage et bonne chance très chère amis ;)
All of your stories are amazing and I can't wait for what's to come.
Another epic from The Albinocorn? I look forward to waiting for it to be completed so I can read it, caving and reading the published chapters, forgetting about it, coming back and having to read the whole thing again, and repeating the process 5 times.
In all seriousness, I love your stuff, so continue to do what you do, and have a great month.