Cypress Zero, a sneak peek at my next labor of love · 8:47am Jul 29th, 2022
And why I haven't been around.
I'll keep it short: I've got a new job, long hours, and long days. Been excited to show this off, and it's pretty much at a standstill because of said personal issues. November 2022: After a promotion, I am now in a much better place. Expect Cypress Zero by 2023.
Anyways, onto the pony (kirin).
On January 11th, I started hammering away at this story:
The kirins are a quiet folk. They tread lightly in their place among the stars, so lightly that they may well be silent, but they're there. Some consider their presence in the cosmic game a blessing. To others, an annoyance at most. What is certain is that they are peacemakers to all.
Searing Cold is a different kind of kirin, but he is still a peacemaker.
Even for a war machine on the run.
For 5 months, I worked on it daily. Broke my streak somewhere between the 6 month mark. As it stands, it's a little over halfway done (to spoil the wordcount: 60,000 words are packaged to go. I've been privately deliberating what to do with regards to publishing, as I've lost a lot of my optimal hours for writing. Unfortunately, I'm pretty stubbornly sunk into my desire to completely write this fic before I put all of it out.
So sell me on this. What is CZ?
It's a pony-centric (we'll get to what I mean) world-building fic, with my current style of adventure and action. The world-building takes a lot of inspiration from all kinds of stuff from the sci-fi compendium. Action is quick and concise, and more a way of giving depth to the characters; it's a vessel for development, like highlights in photography.
Pony-centric?
This story is all about meeting ponies and seeing the sights of a universe that's familiar, yet so different. Equestria, and ponies, have gone to space. This story explores this future and its consequences. And one consequence stands above all else: ponies are still ponies!
But one thing I really want to make clear is that I love staying as true-to-character for ponies in general. Like everything else on my shelves, this is another E-rated fic, but this sci-fi future for Equestria and its ponies (and kirins, as you may be able to tell) is still full of that traditional gritty, grungy, gung ho setting you see in sci-fi. I've done as well as I can to blend my style of ponies into this. In essence: this is one of my dreamfics come true. As someone who usually struggles with viewing my writing positively (which is something I'm sure you're likely to relate to), I am really, really damn proud of how this story's come along. I don't lay on thick with my sincerity often, but this is one of those cases where I totally believe in my fic (depressive troughs not withstanding).
But it's about OCs. What if I hate OC-focused stories like this?
If you're unfamiliar with my writing, you might not be aware that I absolutely am always thinking about canon, I just like writing to fill in the gaps around it, rather than what's in it. And this is one of those few moments where I actually get to integrate canon characters without it feeling forced. These OCs are living in a world touched by the Elements of Harmony and the princesses, and I do all I can to make sure that it shows. Think of it like this: this is less a story about what these ponies are doing, and more about what the world they're walking through is like, and how the actions of the show's Equestria have settled in the future.
In essence, if you like the thought of exploring the world of ponies and their culture, this is going to be the fic for you: the characters are very much by your side, learning as well as you do.
If this story sounds like it interests you, leave a comment. Ask some questions to see if it's really your speed: I've got plenty of influences under my belt for this one. Maybe even try and change my mind about the whole publishing situationâI've considered releasing one chapter a month, whichâat 3-8k wordsâis a pretty good dose, and what should be plenty of time to finish the story.
I'm curious
Iâm definitely intrigued! I would concur with your suggestion on releasing a chapter a month, perhaps two if they are shorter. I hope I see this out soon!