I’ve gotten far enough in my MLP rationalist fanfic that I’m pretty sure it will see the light of day. I have a very edit-heavy writing style, though- I’d much rather have the entire thing be complete and then release it than go chapter by chapter- which is highly atypical for successful online writers, which worries me. (As far as I can tell, it’s standard for normal writers). I think I’m also at the point where having people reading my drafts will be interesting for them and motivating for me- so if you’re interested in being an alpha reader, send me a PM.
(Why? Because ponies are fun, it’s something to do at night before falling asleep, and I’d like to add to the growing rationalist fiction genre. And, who knows, maybe more bronies will end up at LessWrong.)
In general, I agree with iterative releases, and the position of editor exists for good reason. The two problems I see with the typical online writer release schedule are that the first iteration of a story is generally not the first chapter, but the skeleton, and that feedback about released chapters can only impact unreleased chapters. For example, the first chapter includes a letter whose wording may be significant- and so it’d be nice to have the significance of the wording nailed down before I nail down the wording itself. I’m also considering having the braided story structure common in some fiction, which looks much easier when you write the strands separately and then braid them.
The compromise that I’m currently attempting is basically writing the skeleton of the whole story, adjusting that until I’m happy with it, and then fleshing it out from the start to the finish, releasing chapters as they’re fleshed out. We will see what I actually end up doing.
I’ve gotten far enough in my MLP rationalist fanfic that I’m pretty sure it will see the light of day. I have a very edit-heavy writing style, though- I’d much rather have the entire thing be complete and then release it than go chapter by chapter- which is highly atypical for successful online writers, which worries me. (As far as I can tell, it’s standard for normal writers). I think I’m also at the point where having people reading my drafts will be interesting for them and motivating for me- so if you’re interested in being an alpha reader, send me a PM.
(Why? Because ponies are fun, it’s something to do at night before falling asleep, and I’d like to add to the growing rationalist fiction genre. And, who knows, maybe more bronies will end up at LessWrong.)
Your process is crazy. You need to learn from feedback. Edit the first chapter a bunch and post it, and learn.
In general, I agree with iterative releases, and the position of editor exists for good reason. The two problems I see with the typical online writer release schedule are that the first iteration of a story is generally not the first chapter, but the skeleton, and that feedback about released chapters can only impact unreleased chapters. For example, the first chapter includes a letter whose wording may be significant- and so it’d be nice to have the significance of the wording nailed down before I nail down the wording itself. I’m also considering having the braided story structure common in some fiction, which looks much easier when you write the strands separately and then braid them.
The compromise that I’m currently attempting is basically writing the skeleton of the whole story, adjusting that until I’m happy with it, and then fleshing it out from the start to the finish, releasing chapters as they’re fleshed out. We will see what I actually end up doing.
Pony rationalist fiction? Taken as seriously as is evident from your tone? MUST READ!
Please tell me somehow when you’re done.
Yay!