General Update · 6:20pm Aug 2nd, 2018
August comes, and as promised a couple months ago, I've been working on my anthro novel, though I've found the going much slower and harder than I would like. I'm stuck at one place in particular right now that's giving me fits. I'm finding it hard, unfortunately, to slip back into the mindset that writing this kind of anthro fiction requires and re-immerse myself in this world I created several years ago. I can only hope that will get better as I go.
Work on the novel will continue...
But unfortunately, it looks less and less likely I can get it done by Halloween, and that's not fair to readers here on fimfiction anyway. So... I'll be getting back to ponies before too long, starting with a new chapter of Into the Storm: The Flight of Firefly with the aim of getting at least one new chapter released in time for its one-year anniversary.
It bothers me a little that I've only gotten twelve chapters done of that story--not even through the first day of war--but it’s never been the only thing I’m writing and it's simply very hard to get to everything I want to in just a few chapters. But don’t worry. There will be time jumps in the story later on and you'll see the progress of the campaign through my various (and perhaps now infamous) maps, even when I'm not showing battles proper.
Story schedule: Firefly and Nightmare Night
I will work on Firefly through September, turning out 2-3 chapters, then October will be reserved for 2-3 chapters of Unleash the Magic - Nightmare Night. Quite properly, since it's a Halloween/Nightmare Night story. What to expect for both?
- Firefly will split time between events at Outpost Epsilon and the Gryphon Raptor Base, opening with a spoiling attack launched by the former and a surprise attack by the Gamma garrison on the latter in an attempt to wipe out the Imperial command. You'll be seeing Layan Kaval in action for the first time and even Prelate Gaius himself. Expect badasserry aplenty.
- In Nightmare Night, the curse will continue to spread by various illicit means (that holds very little sacred!) and spare few, with several distinct clusters of curse-infected ponies forming, sporting different attributes, shall we say. Starlight and Trixie will attempt to find a means to reverse the curse without succumbing to it themselves, and intent is for the Halloween chapter release to include a call for help going out across the portal. Who will answer it and what can they do? Well, the story tags may give you one clue.
Turnabout Storm update
Aside from this, I've made good headway on updating the individual chapters of Turnabout Storm. Everything through part 43 is completely revamped, cleaned up and alternately expanded/tightened and looking much better for it. The stuff I wrote four years ago makes me cringe in places, but that's a good thing because it maeans I've progressed as a writer. I also didn't have the prereading crew then I have now.
So bottom line--my two active stories will resume soon along with continuing work on my anthro novel and the occasional TAS chapter update. be watching this space for more information as new chapter releases get closer.
I wish you luck in channeling the Curse of the Author to drive you to write words in a different story on your 'list' instead of brand new works!