So Updatecember didn't work out QUITE like how I was hoping. · 8:46pm Jan 1st, 2018
Happy New Year, everybody!
So, on the one hand, I started Applejack: Marvelous, and it was a pretty big hit. People really seem to like it, which has got me really excited. What's more, I seem to have found a relatively good writing strategy to keep me invested and productive (at least more than I was)
A side effect though, is that this method ALSO seems to hyperfocus me onto a single project.
Alright, I think it's time I finally explained this process I've figured out for myself to better clear up what's going on
Basically, I make sure that I have the next chapter ready to go before I post a chapter. Right now, chapter 3 is completely done and ready to be posted, but I don't intend to actually post it until chapter 4 is done. I won't post chapter 4 until chapter 5 is done. And so on. This means that I've got a chapter ready and waiting to be published, and I'm REALLY EXCITED to see what people have to say about the latest chapter... but they can't say anything until I publish it. And as long as I hold to this rule, they won't GET to say anything about it until the next chapter is ready... which motivates me to keep writing.
The problem is, because I'm excited to post the next chapter, it makes me hyperfocus on the single story. I want to post chapter 3! But I can't do that until chapter 4 is ready! But once I finish chapter 4 I'll want to post chapter 4, so I better get chapter 5 ready, and so on. It's sorta locking me into this single story
It's a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's making me far more productive than I've been in literal years. On the other hand, it's sorta keeping me from being as diverse with what I put out.
Currently I'm liking how productive it's making me, so I'm sticking with it, but I may have to switch strategies in the future if I ever want to get back to Applebloom or Smash.
Chapter 4 is a little over halfway done, so we'll be seeing chapter 3 be published soon enough.
Anyway, I'll try and get back to the ones I wanted to do really soon. Keeping that ball rolling.
Also, if anybody is interested in a personal life update I might post one of those relatively soon too. Almost a year ago now I posted a really depressing life update that got a lot of people worried. Suffice to say, I'm in a significantly better place now and things are piecing back together in my life. 2017 was a year of improvements in a lot of ways for me. Here's hoping things continue to improve in 2018.
Hope everybody has a great new year!
If you do want to shift things a bit on this strategy to make it viable, you might make it a rule to not post a chapter on a story until another chapter - on any of your stories - is ready to go. Don't limit the 'next chapter' restriction to being 'next chapter on this story'.
Just something to think about.
I was introduced to you through Applejack: Marvelous and since then I have read Miss Fluttershy's Draconequus Maid. While I would enjoy it if that story was updated, I'd be more than happy if you continued focusing on Applejack: Marvelous.
Personally, I think it is a good idea to focus on one story at a time. The reason is because it gives you more room to update faster, and therefore get more viewers and avoid the "forever incomplete" trap that so many stories fall into (whether actual or perceived by the audience).
I was introduced to you through Applejack: Marvelous, and I know that I'd prefer to see that story updated before you move on to others. I know that for me personally, writing more than one stories at the same time is a bad idea (not that I don't work on them—I just don't write the actual chapters). Of course, other authors may find working on multiple ones simultaneously as the better method, but doing that efficiently comes with experience.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
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If you decide to work on multiple stories Dusty, then this is the golden advice.
I've actually done a similar thing for the story/stories I'm working on. How about you stick with one story for now, until you successfully finish it, and then see if you can get 2 done at once.
Also, glad to hear you're doing better.
Is “Super Smash Brothers: Disharmony” still on tracks?