Send Me the Second Year · 1:35am Apr 17th, 2020
Any of you who follow me may have gotten more notifications in the past week from me than you have all year. Sorry!
So.
Today marks my second anniversary publishing to Fimfic -- and, in light of the eventful after-party that was last year, this year was sleepover at an old friend's.
Last year was Whiplash, this year is La La Land. Same director, and you can feel that in the details, but different energy, different colours.
Anyway.
At first I was unsure what I'd log in this blog, because I didn't achieve nearly as much as compared to last year. But then, where I didn't get a spotlight, I got to learn.
That's important, I'd wager.
I entered two contests this year -- and didn't even place in either of them! But I learned that, while I can write spontaneously, I can plan even better. I can put everything that's buzzing in my head out there, but better than that I can put it on paper in its rawest form, and build a new emotion from it.
The last two stories I put out there added up to over 30,000 words -- and they're both complete pieces. That's key.
It's Always Sunny in Equestria I had bouncing in my mind for a few days, but didn't get to writing until the deadline for the competition -- I pumped out 13k words in the span of ~14ish hours, and the rush of it shows. But in that panic, I convinced myself to spend an hour sorting the idea on paper, and the message I aimed to convey. And then I spent another hour halfway through writing to resort my progress.
In writing Roaring Twenties, I did something similar, except with far more time. Had an idea, vomitted words onto a document, went to physically sort those ideas and plotlines and character themes -- yknow, the good stuff -- on paper, then continued writing in that vein.
At least to myself, it made a far more cohesive narrative that delivered closer to my minds eye.
TL;DR? Indulge my mind's wild narration; then, give it back to my mind unfold into a bigger picture.
With that in mind, I still want to try and reach the height I set for myself in my freshman year here. I want to climb that peak, take in the view, and climb higher.
That requires actually climbing -- or, non-metaphorically, writing.
I think a month is enough for a story, or a chapter, at the very least for myself. So I'm setting a goal for myself: one story or chapter a month, no exceptions. If I can get over 10k words in one day, I can get half as much done in a week.
But I will confess that not all of those will be MLP; I've seriously neglected my other fandoms. I at least hope to get something up here every other month.
Don't worry; its always been all in my head. I've just got to put pen to papier.
- Sam
I'm proud of you, dude. I'm sure that doesn't mean much, but I'm putting it out there. You're a great writer, and it's so cool to see passionate people share their talent with the world. It may have been a quiet year, but your craft is strong, and your drive seems stronger. I think you'll make some great things.
Here's to a third, man!