Life and Times of the Author · 9:22am Dec 30th, 2020
Hey gang.
Okay, so this past 6 weeks have been absolute hell. Family was, as predicted, an absolute bloody fucking nightmare. I did NOT get as much writing done as I really wanted to--though I have written about 20K words this month, though I also spent time hashing out with the creative team on a number of plot threads I was unsure about, so I've got that nailed down. However, I have to admit I'm quickly running out of buffer chapters and I'm not comfortable editing a chapter at a time because part of the thing that makes the cohesive narrative is the bulk arc editing process where we go back and work in little references and things to tie into later events, as well as fleshing out or adding chapters that need to happen to set up for the follow through. (there's a reason the first arc went from 115K words to 190K after my editor and I were done.) I honestly expect to run out of buffer before I finish writing arc 2.
As of right now, I've got 26 chapters+interludes written for the second arc, and the outlines for at least 20-30 more, plus a number of notes in my timeline like "Sunset Helps Fluttershy Clean Up the Park, Meets Treehugger," and "Flash and Sunset Hang out." Now that the holidays are winding down, I'll have time and space, and if it turns out that my spouse has covid (Thank you Assholes Who Shop At WalMart), I'll be on an enforced 2-3 week quarantine ordering groceries online and that should help me have time to write. I just didn't want you guys to think I've stopped writing or whatever on the story. Its coming, its just life has been hellish and I've been dealing with reality cutting into my time by a lot. Old people suck. Especially when they live with you. I will still post the last of the buffer chapters until I run out, but then things will be paused until I finish the arc. What I might do is write a few of the short one-shots/short stories I've in mind for the Rubicon universe and post those in between working on chapters...would you guys like that? To tide you over until I'm done.
I'll be throwing up the next chapter for Rubicon on January 7th/8th. I realized looking at the remaining few buffer chapters I've got that my editor and I forgot to go over them--such a scrub, I know.
However! I did promise a Rarijack One-Shot/Short-story, and that one is actually almost done, so it should be up this week. I think yall will enjoy it. Especially those of you who are big Rarijack fans.
Anyhow, I need to call it a night, so I'll see yall soon.
Sincerely,
The Exhausted Author
As I've said before and I'll say it to all who need to hear it. This is for fun, you, yes you, make sure you are having fun and not getting mad at yourself and your story because it's become a chore. The story will come out at your pace and the readers will be waiting to read.
Rarejack, yes please. My second favorite pair who play so we'll off each other.
I fully echo Revel's comment, well except the part about Rarijack, that's not nearly as high on my list as it is theirs.
First, I hope you and your spouse come out of your exposure without complications.
Second, I'm going to echo the others: if you need time, take time. I enjoy Rubicon, but I can wait if it means you're not burning yourself out.
5424753
There are about 5 chapters left in my buffer, and that will bring us to the end of the "Bridge" between the first arc and the second arc. I might be able to squeak out as many as 6, if I include a "Correspondence" "Chapter" on the end, but unless I can suddenly write 5-10k in a day, yeah, the story will probably have to go on a hiatus until I finish writing the second arc.
5424781
Oh, believe me, the story is not a chore! I love writing and telling stories, and I'm in no way burned out at all! If the rest of my life wasn't such a pain in the ass, I'd have way more done. Its more that EVERYTHING ELSE in my life is interfering with me finding time to write. Murphy's Law strikes, ya know? Shit, between Rubicon and the campaign I'm planning for some online D&D with a few discord friends, I'm bursting with story ideas, lol.
And yes, Rarijack. Its a short, like Mirrors--not sure how long the finished project will be. Once again, I took a prompt for this little Writing-Club thing Krickis has going on in their Discord and used it to write a Rubicon Universe based side story. This one will be rather cheekily titled "The Best Part of Makin' Up..."
5424789
So noted. I do hope you enjoy the side-story anyways. :} It is set in the same universe.
5424801
Yeah, we're pretty...bleh about it. With my spouse working in such a high-risk location, in an area filled with inconsiderate idiots, we've made the assumption all year that it was a matter of WHEN not IF and done what we can to mitigate contact and exposure, you know, because we're responsible human beings who are trying to be considerate to other people. At this point its a "one day at a time" until we get his test results. I do appreciate your positive thoughts and will pass them along when he's awake! :}
Lol, what I need is a 36 hour day and less need for sleep so I can get everything done and still have time to eat, drink, sleep, and write. Preferably without interruptions. I'm fairly certain that I exist on a constant series of power naps, and I cannot remember the last time I got an uninterrupted sleep, because people seem to miss the fact that when you're someone who habitually worked night shift for years that 10 am for them is 2 AM for you, and they have no qualms about calling or yelling for you when they get a damned hangnail.