Thoughts on the Future · 12:23am Feb 3rd, 2022
Hey there. It's been a little bit. I think it's time we all had a good chat.
To start off with, thank you for the positive reception to my stories of late. I had fun writing these, and challenging myself to write stories in different ways helps keep things interesting. Seeing folks enjoy it is always encouraging. I want to keep making stories, so long as there's an audience for my kind of work. It's funny to try and put a label to it: from my perspective, I don't know if I'd call myself exactly the most interesting of writers. Maybe more like comfort food or an easy "go-to" option. Like the pizza parlor of Fimfiction.
On the note of writing stories, however, it does bring up a point that has been a growing stickler in my side for awhile. Ever since I started doing these works, way back in 2014, I've done every single one of them for free. No commissions, no charges, nothing but what I wanted to write. It was my way of giving back to a fandom and a show that did me a lot of good. I am grateful to have made the friends I have, and many I still keep to this day. And yet...times have changed a lot. The world we had 7, going on 8 years ago is not the world we're in now. Needs have changed. My family is different now, and I'm different too. Where we once were healthy, now it's only me in good health. It has affected some of my ability to write, trying to push through stress and anxiety-inducing events to try and create fun, fluffy, saucy stories for everyone.
A lot of folks have mentioned in the past about doing commissions. I've been asked about in comments, in PMs, and every time I've given a polite "no". The main reason for it being, I didn't know if I was really good enough at it to warrant such a thing. There's always a difference of opinions when money comes into play. But doing all this writing, the research, the editing, all for absolutely nothing, is...just not feasible any longer. If I'm going to move out and have my own home, to just even have some money for things I'd want myself, I have to consider the option.
What I worry for is that I'm too late to the show, so to speak. I know a lot of the fandom is still around, and some have left to move on. I've moved on, in a manner of speaking. I don't fixate on the show as much as I used to, and I've even worked on other things outside of MLP. For the past 3 years, I've attempted and completed NaNoWriMo, a challenge in itself. I've set up a Furaffinity account and even am in the works of setting up commission works for the characters I own on there. If you're curious for that, you can ask me about it and I'll add a link (I'm under the same name). I want to expand what I'm writing and move beyond just the show. But I can't just shut out the place that helped me find my writing footing, and has helped give me the drive to be a writer to begin with.
So, what I'm asking in much shorter words is...do you people want me to open commissions for writing stories? There would be rules, of course, and agreements to be made. I have a rough draft of a form already put together, and in all sincerity, I would probably start off small in terms of a work queue just to make sure I don't mess anything up for anyone. But I really can’t try to move forward, to try anything, unless I take that leap. I want to hear your thoughts; whether you’re someone wanting a commission, just someone who likes to read, whatever have you. Leave your thoughts below; it’ll help me solve some of this and maybe figure out a way forward.
Thank you,
Steel Quill
Well with commissions you would have another source of income I believe?
(Not sure how commissions works since I don't do them either)
It’s something to consider definitely! I wouldn’t mind applying for a commission c:
Bruh I can't express how much I feel like this lol.
In all honesty, it depends on you, really. If you want to, that's awesome, but also consider how it will affect your drive, if you care a lot about that. I tried my hand at commissions, did two of them--pretty damn well in my opinion--but I grew to hate every one that I worked on, not because they were bad topics or anything, but I just found out that I hate being put on someone else's schedule for something that I always considered first and foremost a 'hobby.'
However, not all of us write in a vacuum, so to speak. I'm fortunate enough to have a day job that provides for me to continue posting garbage for nothing but my own entertainment. I understand that not everyone has that luxury, nor do situations stay the same. That said, if this fall into that category, I'd say go for it: nothing like getting paid for something you enjoy. But be mindful of yourself, and make sure you don't burn out too quickly and come to hate something you adore. In the end, you may not have this problem, in which case, ignore everything I said lol.
Just my $0.02
I believe it would be a good idea. I don't know how much I could contribute to your commission list, but, I do think it would help.
I will gladly pay you to write a story catered to my taste with your skill. I'll throw you prices in a DM if you decide to take up my offer.
Also please send me your other account information. I should start branching out from MLP as well.
I think you should do commissions.
And you are an interesting author. Your stories are great.
For sure! I can definitely see people commissioning you for some stuff. I’d also be up to do that, though I’ve never commissioned a story. I have some ideas but I’m not sure how much stress that might put on someone, or how much it might hinder their usual creative style or process.
yes yes yes so much yes, I would pay for a story in a heartbeat!
I'd gladly pay for one but it's up to you. I can understand commissioning can be stressful. Either way still will be a fan of your stories and hope to one day work up the courage to write one myself.