Diminishing Returns on Firefly · 2:57pm Jun 13th, 2022
I’ve noticed before that when I release multiple chapters of the same story in rapid succession, the later chapters tend to do more poorly than the initial ones in terms of views and comments. Such was the case here as the fifth Firefly chapter was released with very little apparent interest. There were only three comments on the content, and two of them were to complain about my choice of closing quote. 
I don’t want that quote to become the focus of the chapter, so I’ve changed it now to a simpler one by founding father Benjamin Franklin—not his supposed ‘beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy’ quote which it turns out that he never actually said, but an excerpt from a letter to a French friend where he harkened back to the biblical story of water into wine by saying that miracle actually happens constantly courtesy of grape plants and rainwater:
"Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy."
So that’s the new quote. Hopefully folks will find it more agreeable. In any event, I’m starting to think that Firefly is getting tapped out at this point, so this upcoming sixth pre-summer chapter will be the last for a while—probably until September, when I’ll try to release something for the story’s six-year anniversary (groan). As promised, it will end the third book of the Into the Storm magnum opus.
It will contain three sections, with the opener being a surprise confrontation between Blindside and Typhoon where the former may actually get the better of the latter, the middle section being a big show put on for the Nightborne showing the events at Epsilon in a way they can’t discount or ignore, and the trailing section showing the Lunar Council in session from Shady’s wardroom, debating and then casting their votes on whether to go to war. I’m pretty sure folks will find the outcome a foregone conclusion by then.
If nothing else, I hope folks appreciate the strong push I put on to get these chapters out and catch the story up after a year of relative neglect. I think I turned out some very good stuff, especially with regards to the Changelings and the Equestrian Army. But it’s now time to pause it and turn my talents back to other stories, most notably finishing off Harmonic Resonance followed by my currently-languishing Unleash the Magic series.
Thanks as always for your interest, and don’t worry—Firefly is going nowhere. In fact, you will be seeing its events and characters factor into both Feathered Hearts and even Unleash the Magic in due course.
To be fair, I usually wait a few weeks before reading Firefly. It deserves a certain level of attention and respect when reading it. You want instant reads and comments then stop writing a fic that demands respect, do a like of coke and write what everyone else is writing.
With my schedule it'll sometimes take a bit before I can read a chapter, and even then I'll usually only comment if something really catches my attention or in response to someone else. So just trust that a lot of us are like that and that we still do enjoy your work.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've had my fill oxygen for the day and must return to my lurking depths.
I read not long after it is released. If the chapters good I just might have anythign to say. it did it's job.
My last comments you haven't particulaly liked because I think it's bullcrap that Thunder is getting off scott free for break rules and causing two skilled fighters to fight eachother when that outcome was PREDICTABLE. YOu given your defenses and i don't agree with all of them. and the reason i comment like that is that you made me passionate about the story to raise a stink about it. I like the story jsut dislike weakpoints i see.
Again you release a chapter. if its good its good i just may not have a comment on the events of that chapter
I was rather surprised as well to see so little comments when I started reading it. I decided to read Firefly as the last of the 5 stories that had updated. It was a difficult choice since 4 of those stories had chapters close 10000 words and were good stories.
I read the new chapter last night due to having other stuff to do and had only then managed to get around to it.
Kindly don't judge interest based on initial stats and comments. Just because it takes us a while to read, and often have nothing meaningful to say after reading, that doesn't mean nobody is interested.
5664404
By which you mean they were more appealing for having near 10,000 words?
I remember thinking the ending quote was rather mean-spirited. Like I wasn't sinning hard enough for the writer's liking. Some of us snort lines off of hooker's ass cracks and some of us release the pressure in other ways, you know? And I doubt that guy ever had to worry about the sort of life-ruination that happens to people today.
Regardless of the feedback your story has been getting, I'm still glad it's out there getting updated. I really think one thing that would do you good is the occasional short story every now and then to get you through the dry spells associated with writing such a long-running story. We all love those dopamine hits associated with likes, favorites and follows.
I just finished Rise. I'm reading some other stories in my queue, so I will be reading Into as soon as I can. I had finally gotten to Rise in my queue and I love love loved it and wished I'd read it earlier, but I didn't comment much because it's an older story, but I liked it a lot. Also, I have been reluctant to read incomplete stories because sometimes I get burned because they're canceled even from authors that have good records of finishing stories. I haven't read Turnabout Storm yet and I want to get to that soon since it seems to be in the same universe, but I have to be in the mood for a courtroom drama, just like I have to be in the mood for a military one and a lot of times I'm just not, so sometimes things move down or up in my queue. Once I start reading and it catches my attention I read it through until there's no more chapters and if it's not finished the wait begins. I do not like the wait not just because I want to read the next chapter but because I don't know if there will ever be a new chapter. Sometimes there isn't and that is, well disappointing isn't a strong enough word.
I've read some stories where the author would post 6 or more chapters of 10,000 or more words each or more. That sometimes does get overwhelming, but not to read, but to comment on. Long chapters usually have a lot going on so there is a lot to digest and think about. If it's a really good story, though, you immediately want to go to the next chapter and the next. Firefly was like that. I didn't read a lot of the comments like I usually do because I wanted to read the next chapter, not comments, which is saying something because I like the comments. What is nice about reading a currently ongoing story is reading the comments and sometimes interacting with others reading and waiting for the next exciting installment. So unlike a story with one chapter at a time at regular intervals the comments might not be there. Also the update may fall when you're into another story. Firefly has done that to other stories I've been waiting for updates for. Read new update for a story I love OR continue reading Firefly chapters. Yeah, I chose Firefly not only because I liked it a lot, but because it was finished!
Anyway, most everything I've read of yours I've liked, so thank you for the entertainment.
5664412
No I just meant they were all good and therefore I had difficulty choosing in which sequence to read them.
5664512
Seems to be more and more tied to the Gentlemanverse as the story goes on, but this being true as of the early chapters of Into/Rise, and that not being intentionally Jossed so far, is the reason I'm still reading The Storm of Firefly despite it not tying as directly into Turnabout Storm and The Lawyer & The Unicorn as it initially did.
I am just Waiting a bit, so i can read a few chapters in a row.
I am reading like 5 inkomplete Storys At the moment.
I did breaky my streak of commenting last chapter, but I honestly just got tied up in a lot of things and forgot to comment. I did read it, I did enjoy it, and I will likely continue to enjoy all future chapters. I always appreciate the hard work you put into them. Feathered Hearts is not a story I'm very familiar with, though. I haven't read many new stories on this site in a while; been cooling off on this fandom for a while. I have one question about it: Knowledge of the original story isn't required since you're essentially writing your own take on it?
5664376
That’s fine, but the problem is that there are very, VERY few comments left on chapters outside of the initial release period, which I define as the first couple days after publishing. People may be reading it, but they generally do not comment past this point. The same holds true for older stories and chapters as well; you just don’t see comments on them for the most part unless they’re new. That’s why it bothers me when I don’t see any comments during the first couple days on a chapter I spent a long time on. That was the case here.
Who do I look like, Hunter Biden?
In all seriousness, yes, I do. I don’t do this for money, so that’s how I’m paid--in likes and feedback. When those aren’t there, I’m less motivated to write. That’s true for any author.
5664398
That’s fine, except for the simple that fact that when I don’t get feedback, I don’t know how a chapter was received or if there was something wrong with it, leaving me wondering if it was not liked and why. That was the case on this latest chapter. I accept that most readers are lurkers, and that’s what makes the comments I do receive so appreciated. Like I said in the previous comment, since I’m doing this for free, I’m only paid in feedback--likes and comments. If they’re lacking, my motivation to write a particular story (and sometimes write at all) takes a dive.
Fine, but do surface now and again to feed your author.
5664403
Thanks for reading it quickly. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you don’t tell me that you liked a chapter, then I have no way of knowing. I promise that there’s not a single author out there who says “oh, there was no feedback, so that means everybody liked it.”
You have made your feelings on the matter quite clear, and I have made mine known in response.
On this matter, we simply have to agree to disagree. That said, you may like what’s going to happen in the next chapter.
With respect, if you tend to only comment when there’s something you don’t like, then you’re not helping me or the story. That makes me react negatively, and I end up being much more likely not to listen to your feedback.
5664404
Then I’m glad you chose to read Firefly and took time to leave a comment, as you always do. I enjoy seeing your feedback on my stories, so thank you.
5664412
I accept that not everybody reads stuff right away, especially for long chapters and stories like these. But the thing is, there tends to be very little feedback after the initial release period. If people don’t comment on a newly published chapter in the first couple days, then they tend not to comment at all even if they do read it later. That’s the issue I have. There are exceptions, but they’re just that--exceptions. For whatever reason, folks generally don’t comment on an older story or chapter even if they’re reading them for the first time..
What you have to understand is, those stats and comments are all I have. Since I don’t get paid to write this, that means that reads, likes and comments are my only forms of payment. The last of that list is valued most of all, and if I don’t get it, it leaves me wondering what I did wrong—whether there was something wrong with the chapter or the story has gotten too long. Regardless of the answer, it demotivates me to continue writing it.
That may be true, but if I don’t see any feedback, then I have no way of knowing what readers thought of it. I can’t just assume from lack of comments that people liked it. Always remember that authors crave feedback, especially the positive kind. It’s our literal food for thought.
5664440
We already discussed this over Skype, but please tell me next time when you don’t like the closing comment (or anything else) on a chapter. You know me; I’ll listen to you.
Thanks. And your point is taken. I’m wondering if these commissions I’ve started doing might be the key to that, given I seem to have interest from others for my writing services now.
Honestly, I think the biggest thing that would help me would being able to stamp some of these stories I’m working on complete, like Harmonic Resonance or Midnight Rising. I admit I’m half-thinking of doing that for Into the Storm following the next (which is the concluding) chapter of the magnum opus so I can get reviews and readers who have been holding out for the story’s completion, starting a new one.
5664910
I usually just reply to some comment, but fiiiine. I'll comment from now on, just for you 💋
5664512
Welcome to the Firefly story series, then! Hope you enjoy Into The Storm when you get to it.
And that, right there, is what I've been saying on previous replies: people generally don't comment on older stories or chapters. I'm very glad you liked it, but if you don't comment, I have no way of knowing.
That does happen, unfortunately.
I'm currently working on re-writing someone else's abandoned story (Feathered Hearts).
Actually, it's not.
It's a separate verse, but the Firefly series is canon to it. Actually, Firefly sprung from Turnabout Storm if you could believe that. If and when you read it, you'll see what I mean near the story's end.
I know the feeling, believe me. The reason I picked up Feathered Hearts was I had greatly enjoyed it and wanted to see it finished. And given I was both a Gentlemanverse and warfic author, I was the perfect man for the job.
I understand, and that certainly speaks well for the story, but I'd urge you to at least leave a comment when you're caught up saying you've enjoyed it and want to see more. Not just for me, but for all authors. We love seeing that and it motivates us to do more.
Which is why I'm considering marking Into the Storm complete after the upcoming chapter and starting a new story entirely for the continuation.
Thanks for checking in and letting me know, then. This is the kind of feedback I crave. I look forward to hearing what you think of Into the Storm and Turnabout Storm in turn.
5664564
Actually, Turnabout Storm and The Lawyer and The Unicorn are in their own verse, which is unofficially named the “Phoenixverse.” The Firefly series is canon to both it and the Gentlemanverse, and it actually had its start from TAS/TLaTU. Firefly was first seen in the closing chapters of Turnabout Storm (full disclosure—she was Leo Archon’s brainchild, not mine). Before the Storm was originally just supposed to be a five-chapter side story where Firefly described her basic training and graduation after she was channeled by Maya Fey the night they watched Lord of the Rings, but turned into something far bigger and grander. And I don’t regret it at all.
Anyway, thank you very much for following both sets of stories. I do appreciate it, and thanks for the feedback you’ve left both here and on the chapters directly.
5664719
The next chapter will be the last one I release for a while, so I suggest reading them then.
Then I’m glad Firefly is on your reading list. Thanks.
5664823
Thanks. I always like hearing that.
It is not. I encourage people to read the original in order to pay homage to both it and the original author. But no, it isn’t necessary.
5664915
not all my comments are negative..i just don't want to write good chapter everytime
5664963
This.
To the point that seeing nothing but generic words of praise genuinely feels empty to me, even though it's far more likely that the commenter is sincere and wants to share that they think so.
It just feels so vacuous to me.
5664936
Wanted to ask, will there be more Phoenixverse stories, maybe a take on Elements Of Justice?
5664963
With respect, I checked back through ten pages of comments on Into the Storm, and all your replies were either negative or some random remark about a character. Not once did you ever say what you liked, or that you enjoyed something.
Then elaborate. If you can make those remarks or write long comments about what you didn’t enjoy, then you can certainly say what you did enjoy now and again. That’s far more meaningful than simply saying good job or remaining silent.
5665121
Okay. Then what’s stopping you from making them non-generic? From mentioning something specific you appreciated or enjoyed about the chapter? I love hearing about what people liked, and even a brief comment doesn’t have to be cheap or vacuous, you know.
5665124
There are multiple story ideas I have, but they unfortunately remain far down the priority list right now. I just have too many other writing projects active right now to take on another potentially enormous story like that. As for Elements of Justice, I believe someone else has already taken up the mantle of writing a novelization. I’m not sure folks would want me to do one anyway given how controversial the last one I did was.
>5665272
I dunno, man. I'd read it.
5665272
Alright here is a summary.
Love the detailed lore you have put into this. Creating such an intering world. Curious as to what led Chrysalis to ruin what looks to be good relations with ponies. Overall like the characters. You have them very fleshed out. Pacing is a mix bag. The letters to each character is interesting and do like but it does hurt pacing a tad. Like i said mix.
While some of my comments have been negative ots becausd you made me invested into the story. This is a wonderful story overall.
5664922
Thank you, sir. I look forward to your feedback.
5665286
I appreciate the vote of interest and confidence, believe me. But I still can’t really consider a large new project like that until I get this other stuff cleared off my plate.
5665315
Appreciated.
Thanks. I like to think that good worldbuilding is one of the hallmarks off my writing. And a story like this allows me to really cut loose on that front.
Different hive, different outlook. In the show, there was only one Changeling hive. In my canon, there’s many, and most are not on good terms with each other, seeing them as rivals for gathering the available love. Best story I’ve seen in that regard would be Demon Eyes Laharl’s Gentlemanverse-based Changeling Roun. Sadly, that was another story he departed the site before finishing.
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Thanks again. I know their personalities quite well by now, so it’s easy enough for me to put myself in their mindsets and know how they’d act in a given situation.
It’s another case where I’m telling a story within a story, much as I did in Five Star Service. Some like it, some don’t.
Thank you for saying so.
I don’t expect folks to enjoy every aspect of every story I write; I learned a long time ago it’s impossible for me to please everyone in my writing, and if I try, I end up pleasing nobody--least of all me. All I ask is that you take the good with the bad and don’t lose sight of the forest for a few trees.
Which is not to say I don’t want to hear about the bad along with the good. I do listen to feedback and take it under advisement. More than once I’ve made both minor and major changes to my works based on it. An example of the former is when I changed the closing quote to this last chapter when folks reacted negatively to it. An example of the latter is when I completely rewrote two released chapters of Five Star Service when their initial versions went over with some readers like a lead balloon.
5665967
Of course! I wasn't gonna say to do it now, I know you're already swamped.