General Update | September 2020 + Some Ramblings · 5:00am Sep 17th, 2020
Hey y'all.
I'll jump right into what I've got on my plate to try and push out in the not-too-distant future:
My Best Friend, Stella.
The FINAL chapter. This will definitely be a long one... and I think I may just include the epilogue with it. It's already getting surreal as I'm plodding along with the writing, but fuckin' hell... this'll be it! I'll have to find something else to occupy my free writing time when it's all done. Which is why I've also got...
Metroid: Ghosts of Harmony.
I'm HOPING to have the first chapter of this ready to go not long after the final chapter of Stella gets published. This will be the long story that I'll be working on until its complete, but in the meantime, I'll also be finishing up some side projects like...
Regenfall.
Definitely more is coming for this one. This is a weird story because based on the Flower Mare series, those who are initiated kinda know how this story ends... or will end. Dramatic irony.
There will also be more random shitposts and one-shots that I'll try to NOT publish with 16K word chapters so it gets more than just passing glances and reactions of "Bruh you expect me to READ ALL THAT SHIT?" *Looks at Midnight Rain*
And now for some meaningless tired ramblings.
Part of me thinks, after eight years of being on this site... my 'golden time of greatness' has passed. What do I mean by this? Well... allow me to meander like hell.
I remember seeing some new writers gain prominence a couple years ago... hell, I see new ones every day. But from some stories that get into the feature box, I just KNEW that that particular author would be one of the newer greats. And a lot of times I was right! People found their niche and their stride, much like I had in the days of Equis and My Best Friend, Luna.
I remember vividly being told in a comment one day... back when I had my first stories on the site (a la Lighten Up and Equestrian Politics... which are no longer available for EVERYONE'S sake). This was like, back in 2012 I think? Maybe early 2013. But I remember this comment. I had just gotten started. I had like... 50 followers or something idk. I was green as shit. Still posting on my stories' summary page each time something got featured lel. This comment said (paraphrasing):
"You're going to be one of the greats on this site. I can just read it already."
Hyper flattering, yo. Didn't really know how to respond, but clearly someone validated my garbage at the time, and essentially stated that I had potential. Hell, I REALLY don't know how y'all stayed with me during the first iterations of Metroid Equis. I nearly puked going back to read updated chapters NOW. Do I think I've achieved being one of these 'site greats?' I don't know. I'm inclined to say 'no' for various reasons--you may agree or disagree with that assessment of myself. If we measure 'great' by number of followers or follower rank on the site? Maybe. I think I'm in the top 50 or something? Haven't checked.
Maybe 'greatness' is having that ONE or TWO stories that instantly defines you? Notable characters that are prominently known? Like... people can sometimes know the story more than your name! Classics like MLD, Past Sins, Hard Reset, FO:E, Enchanted Library, LWTSIW, Cupcakes (heh). "Classics." Do I have one of these? Maybe... I remember yet another comment saying that, had MBF,L been released like, a year or two earlier, it likely would've been deemed one of the "classics."
But, in the end, 'great' is sorta subjective, innit? I guarantee you there's a lot of people who don't like my work, writing style, or just me in general. So obviously I'm shit to them. Some of you have told me plainly that I have "the best" characters and character development style, so to them I'm great!
But, I think that's just it though... After MBF,S I don't really have any... grand new story idea anymore. Ghosts of Harmony is essentially gonna be based on a topic that I've written about extensively already! I don't have a new scottish batpone who gets drunk and verbally assaults people... or another wounded war veteran to create.
Is this a long-winded way of saying I'm running out of ideas? Perhaps. I wish I could come up with outlandish scenarios as well as some of our best shitposters on this site... or the salivating clopfics that everyone is CLAMORING to read upon every release (heh, release). Or the start of grand new adventures that are destined to be hundreds of thousands of words that no one can get enough of.
Barring Ghosts of Harmony (and I don't even know how many people will even be interested in that story if I'm being honest), I don't have any major plans anymore.
Am I retiring? Nah. I'm still here. Remember, y'all are stuck with me. And maybe I'm being overdramatic, as I'm sure some creativity will strike me at some point, but I just don't feel I have the creative spark I once had. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE writing still... but I just wish I had a hell of a lot more active imagination.
Ergo, I think my time for that 'greatness' has already passed, or is about to. And if that were the case... I think I did alright. In the past, I've talked about writing for myself and no one else... but I don't think we truly just write for ourselves. We like to get some notoriety, we like to get some recognition or validation, of course. Hell, maybe we want to elicit that revolting reaction from our readers who will then proceed to question our mental health. Despite what I've said in the past, I don't think I've 100% ever written SOLELY for myself. Maybe like 80% for myself. Maybe 90%. But not fully.
Maybe it's time I do that.
Thanks for reading my drivel as always!
--Flamm
Metroid Equis I think was among the earliest stories I read on this site. Don't quite remember when I read it, but it was before I made my account here and it was after it was already completed I believe. The first time, anyway. You may cringe at it, but I've always enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to Ghosts of Harmony. The Flower Mare series was also fantastic. Not really sure what it was about it, but that first story really hit hard, and so kept me interested for the subsequent stories.
Metroid Equis was one of the first crossover style stories that I loved and it struck a cord with me. Even it's sequel was a fine piece of work in my humble opinion. I assure you that those that loved either if those stories will come running as soon as they hear that Ghosts of Harmony is out. Granted when they hear it might be the kicker.
Wow best friend stella almost finished that's awesome I can't wait for the conclusion, and to see what else ya got instore for us
im just gonna say one thing .you and me were both in this for the long run .you've been writing since 2012 .ive been a brony since 2012 .i might have only found you in 2015 but i know this for a fact .your a great author one of my top 5 favorite on this site .as long as your here ill be here with you you can count on that .
I'm sure you'll be a-mused and still delight us all with your stories going forward. I know I plan on being around to read them.
youve done Luna and Stella. is my best friend celestia next?
You could take a swing at some fics for a few of the rare-to-see characters. Like Zecora or Tempest maybe?
But anyways, thanks for all the time and effort you have given us.
Trust me man, you’re definitely one of the more unique and special writers in this site.
And I actually dig long chapters as long as they’re not always consistent.
You're one of my favorites here
I really enjoyed In Stella's Shadow but it hasn't been mentioned in years :(
ooh snap, here it comes
also, my brother (who isnt a brony) actually read equis years ago, i think when u were still writing it, and he liked it enough to not even mind it was an mlp crossover. hell he was asking me questions about some of the pony related stuff (this was pretty soon after i became a brony). then i got into it after making an account and it was instant love from me.
Honestly, between the Luna and Stella, fuggin luv Stella and her whole gaggle o broads, but yer definitely someone I'm gonna keep an eye on regardless wether or not you think your a great writer so keep doing what you do bruv