For Christmas, I Aim To Write A Hearth's Warming Story · 12:23am Nov 25th, 2021
Blog Number 173: "No Time Like the Present" Edition
🎄 I'll give you the abridged version: much as I'm not participating in the Jinglemas 2021 event, I do want to write something for the occasion anyway.
🎄 Further details below!
🎄 Basically, the reason I'm not taking part in Jinglemas is that I wouldn't be well-suited for it. I am extremely picky about what I will and will not write regarding pony (because at this stage, I'm picky about pony anyway). Since that's against the spirit of the event, I have to admit I wouldn't be much fun in such an open collaboration, and that's not fair on other people. Hence I haven't signed up for it.
🎄 Although... I don't want to reach December 25th empty-handed. It's been a long time since I've published a story specifically for the season.
🎄 So I have a plan!
🎄 See, I've been sitting on an idea for a long time, which is usually a good sign as that means I'm committed to it (sorry, can't spoil any details just yet). Since one of my 2021 goals was to start tackling my long-standing (and frankly overlong) To Do List - and thus to start crossing items off it - I hope to rise to the occasion for this final month of the year and see my ambitions realized. Before the year is out, I want to grab a slice of success, reach for the stars, and go out on a high note. (If I can do it without mixing metaphors, all to the good!).
🎄 Basically, I want to write a story in time for Christmas, and I've had an idea in my head for ages. So for the record, that's what I will be focusing on now.
🎄 Gosh, I hope it works... 🤞 Wish me luck!
🎄 Also, I've done most of my Christmas shopping already, because I prefer not to fight through crowds to get stuff.
🎄 Also also, I found a Christmas tree emoticon! Here's a forest. Get festive! 
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
🎄 Well, that's it for now. Until next time: Impossible Numbers, out!
🎄
The other reason I'm cagey about revealing too much is that I don't want to raise too many expectations. Just in case this doesn't work, which sadly is a real possibility. I have failed before.
But I'll see if I can make it work this time. I've got techniques this year I didn't have in prior years. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky this time.
You can tell the organizers things you're willing/unwilling to write. If your list is really restrictive, it could put them in a bind, I guess, but most people only ask for characters, not situations, so it shouldn't be too hard to find someone whose request fits your restrictions. And if not, it's also fair to tell them that if they can't find you a match, then it's okay to drop you from the event.
Understandable. Part of the fun for me with Jingllemas is rolling the proverbial dice and seeing who I end up working with. I can see how that would lack appeal. Best of luck with your Jingle-adjacent story!
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That's the problem right there, unfortunately. There are lots of things I'm not interested in writing (to the point I have a very pick-and-mix approach to canon) which can't be summed up as, say, a couple of characters and "no romance please". I think it does run smack into being too specific, as per the FAQ thread (emphasis mine):
and
I realized I was going to be "that guy" if I joined, hence why I'm abstaining.
A little late to join now anyway: submissions are closed.
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Well, that's true: the randomization doesn't help, either. But I haven't been feeling hugely confident about my own projects in any case, to say nothing of other people's requests. That's why I've long since adopted a policy of refusing commissions.