An explanation for why I've been a bit slow recently · 2:53am Jun 26th, 2012
In case you haven't read any of my more recent blogs, I'm pretty dedicated to this horror story I'm writing called "Don't Go To Sleep." So dedicated that there has literally not been a single day to go by where I don't think about the story at least a bit. Why? Well to put things simply, I want it to be my greatest story yet.
I know that must sound a bit odd considering I've wrote nothing but Comedy thus far, and horror is on the opposite end of the spectrum, but that's how it is. Really, I just love the story idea I thought of for it. I mean, I love all the story ideas I write about, I wouldn't write about anything that I wouldn't enjoy writing, but something about this horror story seems extra special. I want it to have the potential to give the easily scared bronies nightmares, more so than mindless gore fests like Sweet Apple Massacre, because I want my story to be about the psychological aspects before any gorey one. I want to tell a story that entices the readers and keeps them guessing about what is the truth all the way up to the ending. And yes, I want this to be the story that finally achieves either Featured status, or the status of making it on to Equestria Daily.
And honestly, I probably have all the tools to truly make something really good. I have a pretty solid story planned out in my mind, a great story picture courtesy of Brony_Fife, and plenty of elements planned that could be great nightmare fuel for readers, especially those more easily scared. But the thing about it all is now that I'm almost done with the first chapter.....I'm really starting to doubt myself. I felt a little nervous about people not liking A Pimp Named Spikeback and This Can't Be Happening when I was preparing to submit them, but because I want this to be my best work yet and hopefully make it on EqD or the featured box, I think it would be much more disappointing for me if this story were to fail.
So now I'm in a bit of a rut. I know what I want to do for the rest of the chapter, but I just can't bring myself to do the writing for some reason, as if something inside me wants to delay the potential disappointment. Add on the fact that it has once again been a while since I updated This Can't Be Happening, and thus I feel guilty making the readers wait on the story, especially when I already know how I want the next chapter to go already. But I don't want to get out of the horror vibe I have given myself to write Don't Go To Sleep, and I fear that switching to Comedy mode again to write This Can't Be Happening would make coming back to, and finishing the first chapter of Don't Go To Sleep even more difficult for me than it is right now.
Tl;dr: I'm in a rut due to having doubts about the horror story that I'm writing that I have high hopes for, and it is also making me delay writing the next TCBH chapter as well.
Interesting dilemma you have. I say write and submit without fear, for you are writing a story I'm sure you enjoy and a bunch of us will too. Think positive, have fun, and most importantly, don't doubt yourself, because having doubts clogs your writing ability greatly.
I shall leave off with a cute picture
chzbronies.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-brony-dont-keep-her-waiting.png
SOMS, think of it this way.
No one should ever write a story hoping for it to become a smash hit. That's what sets up anyone for disappointment.
When George Lucas was producing Star Wars Episode I, he became rather discouraged when he learned that John Cameron's Titanic had broken nearly every box office record ever. This was coming from one of the leading minds behind Star Wars--a series of movies that have spawned a legacy that Titanic will never achieve. So why did the original trilogy become as popular as they did?
By complete happy accident. The same reason anything becomes super-popular.
When George and his team produced the first three Star Wars movies, they were doing it because they loved the story and characters and elements of their favorite movies--tying it all together was a ton of fun. But when George Lucas decided to make another three movies, he did it specifically because he wanted the Star Wars brand to keep selling.
My point is, do it because you love doing it. That's what people notice about good works: how much fun its creators had in making it. That's what draws people to the best works. Sure, your story might end up not ever breaking into the Top 5 or EqD, but that shouldn't be your primary concern. you should be more concerned about giving your readers something awesome and producing something you enjoyed making.