Yesterday, I tried to sit down and start reading Solar Flare, but I couldn't seem to get myself to focus. I don't want to half-ass a story that I review (and I assume you all don't want me to, either), so I got up and did a few chores to let my head get itself on straight. When I came back, I tried again, but still just didn't want to read it. So I went for a bike ride, tuckered myself out, and after coming home... I still couldn't get myself interested in starting this story. So, the obvious things having been attempted, I had me a good think and tried to figure out why I was feeling so apathetic.
Was I burned out on ponyfiction? No, that wasn't it--it was reading critically and reviewing that I didn't feel like doing, specifically. Was writing review after review becoming monotonous? Not really; I always seem to find at least one or two different (i.e. not what was in the review previous) things to talk about for every story. Then what?
Finally I realized: I wanted to do a little writing of my own.
Despite the fact that I haven't "published" any new fanfics in months, I do still write pony fiction from time to time. I just tend to place it behind these reviews on the list of pony-related things to do. And normally, that's fine; I like reading and reviewing stories (why else would I do it?), and frankly, I'm probably more skilled at that than I am as an author. But I like to write too, and I haven't been doing very much of it lately. In fact, I haven't done any creative writing at all since I got back from vacation.
Well, now's the time to fix that. I had an idea that I sketched out shortly before I left on vacation, and it's been niggling at me for more than a month now. So by cracky, I'm going to take a stab at writing it now, and not wait until some nebulous "later." I've got a few completely free days right now in which to pound out some words, and that's exactly what I intend to do. And once I've done that, then I think I'll be able to go get some reviewing done without wishing I was doing something else.
So. Review Monday. But for now, I write.
Hehe, sounds like a plan! I'm curious as to what your idea is, actually.
ReplyDeleteNow is always the best time to write.
ReplyDeleteAnd just think, you can share it with all of us when you're done! :D WON'T THAT BE FUN?
Go for it! I'm looking forward to see what this idea is.
ReplyDeleteUgh, fine, but I better see some 5-star (for this blog) quality writing! :p
ReplyDeleteOhh... maybe I shouldn't have mentioned I was working on a new story. Can you say "expectations?"
DeleteLook, all I can promise is that anything I submit will be my best effort. And if what I write isn't worth reading, I promise I won't subject anyone to it. That's the best I can do as an author. Well, that and promise that I won't be satisfied with my "best effort," and will continue to try and improve.
That said, it's kind of nice to know that I'm being expected to produce something mind-blowing (though given what I've written so far, I think "thought-provoking" is the best I can hope for). Good motivation, that. And if this ups my chances of getting people to critically read what I've written, so much the better!
Hehe, I was just kidding. Even if you don't produce the next Memories of Those Who've Gone Before Us - my favorite fic so far - I'm sure it'll be great.
DeleteI really should read more of your work sometime. If you could suggest just one of your fics, aside from The Purloined Pony, which would it be?
What would I recommend? The Fall of Discord , without a doubt! But unless you like alliterative poetry, it probably won't be your thing.
DeleteMy most popular stories past the CYOA are probably The Princess and the Rose and The Showmare's Tale. The former is a very short sketch interwoven with an Equestrian fairy tale, while the latter is a mid-length character study framed around a story of Equestria's history. Try one of them on for size, if you want to read something by me.
I love alliteration! Wrote a whole paper using it by accident back in high school (it was on Beowulf, so go figure)
DeleteIt's also possible that you have no enthusiasm for Solar Flare specifically... which is how I felt when I was reading it. I couldn't put my finger on why either. Maybe the worldbuilding didn't "click"? Maybe it was the prose...
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those "things happen but stuff doesn't happen" ficts. When you know how it's going to end and how it gets there isn't quite that great, you can be bored, while reading.
DeleteI feel your pain. Sometimes you just gotta write.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Chris. I also have to take time off to write sometimes. It's good to get your brain oriented on the other side of the story once in a while, and have your own ideas floating around instead of someone else's.
ReplyDelete