State of the Scribe: Moving into 2021 · 10:04pm Jan 2nd, 2021
This blog ended up being rambly enough that I've trashed and rewritten it more than once now. I said things were going to change this year, without going into detail about what things or why. So before I get into the details...
TLDR: I want to give greater value to the ones who support me on patreon going forward. That will probably manifest in lots of ways this year, but to start I'm starting a monthly survey to give one story more words, as well as posting my internal lore articles/notes from ongoing stories to patreon once or twice a month. Obligatory Link: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=3226653
I will also be writing 4 original works of fiction this year, novels that I can actually publish, but that will share many of the themes that I enjoy. I may post craft blogs/updates on these stories occasionally throughout the year.
Alright, so that's the summary of what's going to happen. I'm excited--I want to make this the best year for writing so far. If anyone cares to learn more, continue below. If not, thanks for stopping by. Everyone else, I'm going to try to do this in less than a novel this time.
Jumping right in: many of you know that writing is my sole source of income. Though I do take sporadic commissions, what you see here is basically what I'm doing full time. How did I write over a million words last year, including a novel's worth every month? Because this is what I do when I'm not at school.
So when I write those little blurbs at the end of my stories, thanking patrons for making them possible--I'm not just repeating some stupid mantra. Those who choose to support me are the reason I can live, and the reason I can devote myself completely to the thing I love.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I still can't even believe I had this opportunity, and that I still have it.
But as school ends, I've come to a crossroads. Beyond it lies the choice of whether to follow my passion and commit to writing full time, or relegate it to a hobby, put on a suit, and start looking for a 9-5. Anyone who has seen my calendar for this month knows what I've chosen.
This was always the job I dreamed of--not fanfiction obviously, but being an author. This is the year I burn the ships, and either conquer or die. I've had more practice than many published authors get into print in their whole careers. It's time to see if I can make it.
That commitment doesn't mean abandoning Fimfiction and Patreon, quite the opposite. My patrons are the one making this possible. Going forward, I want to do more for my patrons--increase the value of your support. To that end, I sent out a survey with some ideas for ways I could offer more. Here are the results, though you probably guessed them from the summary above:
I will be implementing both the top two results going forward, as they were clear winners over the others. That doesn't mean I won't also consider other ways throughout the year, but this is a start.
The survey one doesn't take much to explain. Patrons will see it show up on the 2nd of each month. I'll give whichever story gets the most votes at least one extra chapter in the following month. Time permitting, I might do more.
The winner of the poll was sharing worldbuilding lore and notes. For those who don't know, every story involves far more than what you read on the page. Since the stuff I write tends to be more complex, involving background technologies, magic systems, timelines, etc... I have to write all this stuff out for myself before I can write prose.
From now on, I'm going to share at least one of these worldbuilding articles with my patrons each month. I'm going to focus on ongoing stories, though I may also reach back to more popular stuff from the past if I get enough questions about it.
I write these things for myself, so they won't be edited like a story is. But they should give a portrait of the information that's "out of scope" for the more complex stories I write. I'll try to linger in the comments to answer any relevant questions too, assuming I have answers.
For the first few times, I'm going to post them to fimfiction as well, so potential readers get an idea for what I'll be sharing. After that, they'll be a patreon exclusive. A little way for me to give back to the ones who make my writing possible, without taking away words from Fimfiction.
That's one of the keys: I don't intend to change the way I do things on fimfiction. All my stories will go there when they're finished, or weekly if they update that often. I will not be taking things away, or writing "patreon exclusive" chapters or stories. That is not changing.
But ultimately, I must also face the fact that ponies are not immortal (well, except Twilight), and that if I'm going to survive doing this writing thing I need to muster the courage and publish some original fiction.
I won't say much about any of this now, except that I fully intend to embrace all the themes I've loved writing about so much here on fimfiction. Wonder, discovery, magic, transhumanism, technology--but with enough of the serial numbers filed off that I can start a career as an author.
I may post a blog when this happens, for those who are interested in those kinds of books. I plan on writing four novels this year outside of fanfiction, and publishing at least three of them. I've got some really awesome ideas for stories swirling around, and I think anyone who has enjoyed my work here on fimfiction will probably like these stories too.
Change is a frightening thing. It's scary, not knowing how things will work out for me, or where my career will take me. Thanks to all of you, I've been able to do this for three years so far. Thanks again for the support, as you make all this possible.
I don't know how much longer I'll be able to write fanfiction. But I can't imagine ever taking a road that ends with me not telling stories anymore. Nothing in the world gives me greater joy.
So thanks for coming along for the ride for another year. We're goin' places, baby.
-Starscribe
Whilst I am not one of your patreon supporters, I am very much in favour of increasing patreon rewards. As you yourself have said, patreon is the only reason you were able to continue doing this. So for that I am grateful to both you and your generous patrons. Time to see what the future holds.
Best of luck going forward! I didn't have the guts to go all-in on writing, but it's always neat to someone do so. Looking forward to what you create, both with and without ponies.
Popping in to say good luck! I’ve read your stuff since your Pokémon days and it always manages to fill me with that sense of wonder and exploration.
You can do it, Star. Of anyone I know, I'm sure you will succeed at your chosen life path. Go do it to it!
I'm with njits23. I fully endorse valuing your Patreon supporters. And don't be shy about occasionally advertising that they're getting more (e.g. an authors note that says "Patreon supporters got extra notes on world building this week. Wanna join? *link*"). I'm not currently one of your supporters, but those are the sorts of things that actually make me think about it.
I wish you the best of luck going professional!
Best of wishes and brightest futures to you ahead. :)
Come on! You are bound to succeed!
You so got this!
I can't wait to read your original fiction, I am sure it is going to be Great! 
Nice! I want to see where this goes! /)
Best wishes following your dream Starscribe