Reflections on Five Star Service

Five Star Service, my first story on site, has finally passed the 300 like mark! I'd like to thank all the longtime readers of it, and everyone who ever commented on and contributed to it. It was my first and remains my most daring and unusual story in many ways, as well as sporting one of my biggest screw-ups that required a complete rewrite of two chapters to fix (The Attorney ones).

Speaking of which, after a year-plus, I made the decision to delete the old versions of those chapters. They're not accessible any longer; only the new ones are, and there's now no mention of them in the author's notes. The new versions are far better and more fitting to the scene and characters; they worked well for simply NOT having any sex involved and for allowing me to bring Luna into the story and let her shine. Best Princess is always a good thing! What that entire kerfuffle taught me is that even clopfics don't always need sex. In fact, sometimes it's far better without it.

As for future plans? Sadly, with Demon Eyes Laharl (peace be upon him) departed from the site, the Gentlemanverse is pretty much dead now, with only one author that I know of still writing in it. I wish DEL would transfer Feathered Heart to me so I could finish it, as it needs and deserves to be (as I have a knack for war stories myself--see my Firefly series), but I can certainly understand the desire to move on. He gave us an entire verse and several classic stories, even unfinished, and inspired a great deal of other works in the process. I'm still batting around the idea of a Five Stars sequel detailing where she goes and who she sees after finishing the articles, but I don't know how much interest there would be in it at this point.

I've also considered the possibility of a little bonus content to mark the 300 likes, where The Attorney visits Las Pegasus to challenge Aces Up and Double Down to a poker game. I'll have to let that one simmer for a bit considering my other works. I have two active stories (Into the Storm and Nightmare Night) and the second book of my novel still to finish, and they keep me busy. So for those of you who remain, thanks once again for following and indulging me as I used this story as a vehicle for breaking onto the site and even expressing some political opinions. No apologies for the latter, and thanks again go to DEL for allowing me to use his character and flesh her out like this. It was an honor to contribute to this verse.

Comments

[DreamKitsune]

I wish we could have seen DEL finish Changeling Roun.

I'm still batting around the idea of a Five Stars sequel detailing where she goes and who she sees after finishing the articles, but I don't know how much interest there would be in it at this point.

Me! I'm interested! Me! RIght here!

[RoboRed]

I miss DEL...

[AJ Aficionado]

I wish DEL would transfer Feathered Heart to me so I could finish it,

This. A thousand times this.

[AJ Aficionado]

5072109
Glad to hear it. I may have more work for you soon my friend.

Do you like thestrals?

Do you like Roseluck?

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[Firesight]

5071863

I wish we could have seen DEL finish Changeling Roun.

That and Feathered Heart, yeah. The latter was an inspiration for Firefly.

I'm still batting around the idea of a Five Stars sequel detailing where she goes and who she sees after finishing the articles, but I don't know how much interest there would be in it at this point.

Me! I'm interested! Me! RIght here!

So noted!

5072079

I miss DEL...

As do we all.

5072109

That’s often the case with fan fiction communities; folks come and go. DEL left a mark, but also a few unfinished pieces. Both Feathered Heart and Changeling Roun were/are enjoyable, despite being unfinished.

Finished or no, they were inspiration for many of our own stories and characters, whether in Firefly or AGT. You can ultimately leave no greater a mark on a creative community than that.

For what it’s worth, I’m on a much more tolerable 8 hours-a-day, five days a week, schedule now. Still adjusting a bit after years of only 10-12 hours on irregular schedule patterns, but coming home from work not completely drained of will to write things will hopefully allow me to get back on the wagon for my story in due time.

That's very good to hear! I know what those kind of schedules can do to you. Me? I'm just a 9-5 (actually more like 10-6) working stiff who sometimes sneaks work on his writing while in the office!

I guess that’s worth something, at least, heh. Either way, A Gentleman in Training deserves to be finished, and it’s in the last bits of what I had planned already. Goodness knows I owe at least you and the guys one finished story after all of your help, ha!

It does indeed! We're here whenever you need us. And from this end, be looking for a new Nightmare Night chapter in a couple days, featuring the lovely Nightmarity in her grand debut!

[Firesight]

5072178

I wish DEL would transfer Feathered Heart to me so I could finish it,

This. A thousand times this.

Appreciate the vote of confidence! Unfortunately, I have no way to get in touch with him to ask.

5072181

Do you like thestrals? Do you like Roseluck?

Are these trick questions?

derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/7/31/687900.jpeg

Just as soon as she's finished gluing flowers on a stick, that is...

[Neverborn]

5073051

Unfortunately, I have no way to get in touch with him to ask.

Is there a site rule against unofficial continuations of stories, as long as they are clearly labeled as such?

[Firesight]

5075838

In all honesty, I'm not sure. I think I'd have to get a ruling on that.

[Neverborn]

5077281
Please ask. I am sure that if DEL was here today he would tell you yes, but since he isn't i think an unofficial continuation is called for.

Again, clearly labeled.

I am sure I have seen these elsewhere on the site, i don't think its a problem.