A Changeling fic in the making · 10:21pm Dec 4th, 2021
..for months. Almost a year, really, and I’m not any closer to finishing.
Usually (well, it’s one of the few stories in my drafts that aren’t one-shots, but the gist of it is understandable), I’d write the story and then submit it, but because of how long it's been in my drafts for, and the fact that I ended up hinting to it in This Is What It's Like with the initial intention not to, and that the fics would be two separate things, but I guess things changed.
The same as what it did with this fic. Originally going to be a short, slice-of-life multi-chapter piece with the 'Comedy' tag about Thorax speed-dating to ensure the future of his Hive, all the while thinking about Ember and ruing their respective roles as leaders (him to his pack and her to her pride), it steeply evolved into 'Adventure' - the romance elements not forgotten - with headcanon'd lore, and a little bit of gore and mystery... in my head, at least.
Well, I guess it could be considered a mystery; I've tagged it as such, but it's up to how one would view things.
The playlist I'm listening to while writing is here, and I'm constantly adding and removing songs (the former more than the latter), so definitely check it out if you're interested in the 'feel' I'm going for. As it is heavily inspired by The Lion King (first and second) and, admittedly but not as much as the previously mentioned, Bambi II, and parts of Centaurworld (S1), this fic is something I hope to portray as a joyride.
The story is called "A King's Brood". While I'm aware there's a significant number in the fandom that doesn't headcanon - let alone approve of - the idea of Changeling reproduction like that of an insect colony's, I swear it's just a plot device to get the story going and to introduce the C-Story. Then, it's only mentioned a couple of times and used as some form of ambition, while the B-Story rolls into the C-Story, with a finale that's (hopefully) satisfyingly Thorax-like.
Then, and epilogue to be infused with another draft of mine. I don't know why I feel the need to have all of my stories to be in the same universe as one another, but let's roll with it. I like the idea of adding callbacks or references.
Moreover, as mentioned/suggested in This Is What It's Like, the guy's a powerhouse. I feel obligated to add that into this story.
Anyway, seeing as I'm not entirely fond of how I introduced the A-Story (or started the first chapter in general), I'm rewriting it a little bit. More along the lines of adding some bits-and-bobs, really. At first, when I wrote it months ago, I was all for the technique of "Right, we're starting it off all fast-like, and then bam-bam-bam!, responsibility! And then... I've only written two words- but it's fine- I can just- I can just write! Now. Now I'm gonna write! I'm'a write this fast chapter to keep any readers I might have entertained", but after a few weeks of musing I've changed my technique to "Okay, chill, dude. Details, dude, CHILL", and it's getting better, and now I feel a lot more prepared.
I hope to get the first chapter out before the year ends - soon, I beg myself - with the 'On Hold' flair with the intent of "Here's a taste of what I want to do, add it to your Tracking List if interested", as opposed to doing the usual "This is all of my story. Submit!".
What I'm trying to say is - in a rather elongated matter - is I'd like for you guys to give some feedback on it once it's out (at an indefinite time, but hopefully before the new year) and check it out. Maybe add it to your 'Read Later's or 'Tracking's.
I'd love to hear some thoughts, especially.
TL;DR: I’ve got a fic that has been in my drafts for almost a complete year and I want to release the first chapter, which I’m rewriting, here because I’ve hinted at the story a little bit in This Is What It’s Like and tag it as ‘On Hold’/‘Hiatus’ as a “Hey, this is what I have planned, so add it to your ‘Tracking’s or ‘Read Later’s so when it’s ready, it’s ready for you” kinda thing.
I’d honestly like to check it out whenever it releases.
Either way, just take all the time you need.