Getting through the backlog with a new story

I did something weird last year -- I wrote more stories than I published.

The extra three just kind of sat in my Google Drive. Good stories, all of them. Written as part of the Writeoff competition, and taking two gold medals and a bronze between them. But then the contests ended and instead of doing the usual with them – publishing them on FimFiction – they just went back in my files.

I've gotten a bit fearful with my stories, I think. All three were good, yes, but they could have been better. And I didn't have time to make them better. Until I started working harder at my writing and found the time.

I just hit the publish button on the second of those three stories, Twilight Sparkle at the Gate of Heavenly Peace. It's an odd story for me, a fast-paced, action fic with the elements of a heist. That was new for me, and when it came together I was happy with how all the pieces fit together. The version I just published is almost 4k words longer, incorporating a lot of feedback from the Writeoff judges, and I think it's all the better for it.

If you're looking for something to read on a slow Tuesday, I hope you'll give it a chance.

Twilight Sparkle at the Gate of Heavenly Peace

Twilight Sparkle is returning to the Crystal Empire for the one-year anniversary of Sombra's defeat. The whole kingdom is preparing to celebrate.

But four crystal ponies are preparing a different celebration. The pieces are moving, and their plot is almost complete – Lord Sombra's last, most faithful servants will have their revenge. Twilight Sparkle and all her filthy kin will die.

Now, in the last hours of their plan, something has gone terribly wrong. One of the four is a traitor. Everything is in jeopardy. And once again, the fate of an empire will be decided at the Gate of Heavenly Peace.

There's one more story in the backlog, and I'm going to hold onto it for a while longer. I think it's the best short story I've ever written, and I'm not going to let this one slip out into the world until I can make it the best it can be.

Comments

[Bloody_Tofu]

Ohh will start on it tonight.

[RBDash47]

the best short story I've ever written

i.imgur.com/zhjsfLO.png

[PresentPerfect]

Holding onto the stories you write without publishing them? I have no idea what that's like. :V

[Catalysts Cradle]

I just hit the publish button on the second of those three stories

There's one more story in the backlog

What was the first of the three stories? Severe Weather Appreciation Week?

[Ice Star]

I've gotten a bit fearful with my stories, I think. All three were good, yes, but they could have beenbetter. And I didn't have time to make them better. Until I started working harder at my writing and found the time.

sometimes i feel this terrible feeling

just write on!

[resonance]

I've always wondered if authors have stories squirreled away on some storage medium out there... its not like we'll find them in a shoebox during an estate sale.

[horizon]

I did something weird last year -- I wrote more stories than I published. The extra three just kind of sat in my Google Drive. Good stories, all of them. Written as part of the Writeoff competition, and taking two gold medals and a bronze between them. ... I've gotten a bit fearful with my stories, I think. All three were good, yes, but they could have been better.

Welcome to my life. :(

Glad you're getting through the backlog, though. I've gotta push into mine.