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I have a serious dilemma I've been plagued with as of late. My most recent story, Season of the Witch, is finally winding itself down and I've really enjoyed writing it but suddenly noticed its actually taken me nearly six months to do so. This is by far the longest time its taken me to write a story.
I have ideas for more DRU stories but frankly I'm getting a bit bored with the idea now. I love the DarkRealms universe but I think---at least for me----its starting to run its course. I'm not closing the universe but I don't think I'm going to be an active participant in for a while. I am however debating what my next course of action should be. I was considering dropping universe writing altogether and going with a series of stand-alones. I have a few stories in the back of my mind that have been nagging to be told.
The only problem I now face is where to go next?
I think I might have another CRU story or two in me. I'm wondering if that's what people really want though. I stopped writing Retcon stories because I felt the universe was dying and I was the only one contributing to it. After some time off from it to reflect, I realized I was being an idiot. In truth I just got really bored with the universe. I've taken some time off from it though and I can honestly say I'm itching to get back.
So if I wrote another Retcon story, would you guys read it? Or how about some non-universe stories?
EOF
Comments
Don't confine your self.
Write what you want to write. Gosh, I started out with a kidnapped boy as a slave in the Middle East, then I went to a resurected corpse living as a woman right here in Portland, then I went to Afghanistan, then to some far reaches of the galaxy, and finally to UTAH! That's enough to make your head spin. But, I had fun doing it.
I'm just here for the fun.
Gwendolyn
EOF, I think you should write
EOF, I think you should write what you feel like writing. Let your muse dictate to you. I love your stories and would love to see what you come up with.
I agree...
Write, whatever you feel like writing.
I think you're well enough established in these parts that you could write just about anything and folks would read it.
Have delightfully devious day,
Well, let's face it...
... if it's by you, I'm going to read it, and I'm going to enjoy it. :-)
That said, there's a difference between dying and being over-exposed. CRU had a lot of activity, because (like DRU) it was a great idea that everyone wanted to jump into. There was a time when it seemed everything posted here was either a CRU story or Falling of a Bike, and I think CRU became an over-exposed victim of its own success.
Honestly, write where your muse takes you, because when your heart is in your writing your work is astounding.
(I just wish mine didn't take me places so dark I'm not comfortable posting most of what I write! :-( )
Writing Future
Have fun writing
May Your Light Forever Shine
CRU is picking back up. I
CRU is picking back up. I have another couple Catwoman stories, and I can always flesh out Dinah's story to more than just the one shot. I've not been writing because of time, not lack of topics. lol
You know I like your writing, and I'm starting to get into the DRU from an oblique angle, but still, as someone else said, if you write it, I'll read it.
If it's picking up again...
...that might give me a kick in the direction of finishing off Rena's intro tale :) I'd also like to do her POV during Lena's kidnap, but for both will need to schedule time when I purposely don't look at my numerous BCTS tabs and get carried away with several hours' worth of reading other people's stories!
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Variety is the Cumin of life
Ermmmmm ... I guess that's okay :)
I look forward to anything you care to write.
There is still a lot of fertile ground in both universes. IMHO, when you switched off, the universe was only starting to get on its legs. It is time for it to mature some and you know I am one of your more frequent commentators and I do not take stories likely.
Whatever that is worth to you I guess.
Kim
The important factor is your muse
Always go with your muse. If you have some story nagging at you, write that. If you have dozens of them and have to choose, take the one you think will be least likely to bore or block you before finished. Whether that will be from lack of ideas, writer's block or just boredom with the setting.
I for myself have a preference as a reader - I liked the DRU but find it hard to keep track of everything, and sometimes I can't read everything that is released and thus lose track entirely, and that makes it less fun. Likewise the CRU, or the Center universe, or any other storyverse except those that have regular but not overly frequent releases, like ToMU or Whateley Academy.
For instance I lost track of CRU way early, especially since I was never that interested in many of the comics that are involved, and actually disliked Marvel's X-Men and their general style.
Thus: Go with what you find most interesting and write that story. If you have many ideas and have to choose one, my personal preference is for stand alone serials or storyverse serials that are loosely enough interwoven that you don't have to read all the different storyverse storylines but can pick up only one and everything makes sense within it.
stories
I'd love to see the next Blue Beetle story and didn't you say you had a couple more chapter to finish 'Target Practice'?
stand alones would be good also.
keep the muse in good shape.
Target Practice
I'm going to finish up Target Practice as soon as I'm done with Season of the Witch :)
Of course
You could always try to write stories from other universes other people made up too. I know I've said I'd write a story or two from DRU, but I can see how it's become over saturated, and I tend to find it hard to write something everyone is writing in, just lacks variety. Or maybe I just root for the underdogs! I like seeing universes planted and grown. I'm like a gardener or something.
Whateley
maybe if wrote a Whateley story, you could inspire Maggie to finish the last one she was working on.
Write what you feel like writing
I do know the feeling about getting bored with it, and life happening and taking a while to finish stories (I have about three or four of those and waiting on the muse and the time to finish them).
Season of the Witch is one of my favorite stories on here. I found it one night when I didn't even know the DarkRealms universe (and now I'm a fan) existed. Looking forward to you finishing it.
There are three or four authors on this site that I'll read whatever they put out there. You're now in that group. It doesn't matter what universe, non-universe at all. You write it. I'll read it.
I love Retcon
but any work will written by you make me happy.
Personal Preference
I'd like to see more Center stories. They are a lot less limiting, not being constrained by comic books. A new protagonist is literally around the next corner. But of course, that would be up to you.
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
The Center
I did actually consider writing a new story---I even have a new character in mind. It definitely might be fun going back there :)
Constraints
Actually, the CRU isn't as constraining as you may think. While the character names, appearance and powers are roughly those of their comic book counterparts, in many cases toned down a lot to make them fit into our world better; their age, personality, interactions, alignment, location etc. are completely up to you - not to mention the circumstances behind discovering they're metahumans. We've got chronological teens and chronological adults, plus physical teens and physical adults. We've got natural manifestation and experimental manifestation. We've got heroes, villains, vigilantes and even one character who appears baseline but may be a low-level meta, who's not interested in any of those routes... but does live with other metas...
In a way, the Center Universe is just as constrained - the nature of the powers, method of aquiring them, the sequence of Emergence, the groups interested in those Emerging, the eventual destination (either to one of The Center's sites or [if they're unlucky] one of Damien's sites)...
It's also significantly darker than either the CRU or DRU, with a significant number of Emergents being killed at or shortly after their Emergence, the experiments performed by certain organisations, and the Dominator power set.
The DRU is possibly the least constrained - if you've got an idea for a new type of Unseen that you're planning to put in a completely new location (Ravencrest's getting a bit crowded while Skogshaven's Elsbeth's playground) - and the type isn't listed on the Dead Ideas Page, pitch it to EOF... after all, as well as the traditional 'creatures of the night' we've got representations of Celtic and Japanese mythology - and it wouldn't surprise me if some authors are already considering bringing other mythologies into the universe...
-oOo-
As for EOF, write whatever you feel like writing. You should know by now that whatever you do write will get read by hundreds of people here, get dozens of kudos, and most chapters will attract a dozen or more comments :)
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Anything you like
Write anything that you like I wrote to you about a CENTER story and maybe you can exspand it to go on new missions like a second generation . I think Salrissa has the right idea that anything you write I will read and enjoy reading it. Stand alone stories sound real good , The Professor had a old universe called OVID that was alot of fun to read and another 1 about a hotel in Manhattan called Diety Arms.
Bottom line is just keep writing and most all of us at BCTS will read what you post . You are very talented KUDOS -- RICHIE2
Short answer - Yes!
Write it. I'll read it!
Wren
Write what you want.
EoF, you're a fanTAStic writer -- one of my favorites on the site at the moment. Your characters tend to be fun and interesting, and you always give plenty of detail to your worlds to make sure your readers really feel like a part of what they're reading.
The fact you tend to write the kinds of things I like doesn't hurt, either.
When I first saw the title of this blog, I was frankly worried because it sounded like you might be wanting to quit writing. After reading things, I'm soothed in knowing you'll keep at it.
As for universes? Write what you want, when you want. No story universe really "dies," they just go stagnant for a while, and all it takes is a great story using the setting to bring it back to the fore. So, if you want a break from DRU, take one. It'll still be here when you get back -- and richer both for what has been added, and what you'll bring to the table when you return. The same goes with CRU, and just about every other story setting out there.
As for ideas, well, if you're ever running short just hit me up, I've got a couple million I'd be willing to part with to see them written :P
Melanie E.
You write.
I will read it. You are an excellent writer and I enjoy what ever you have written. I have found that besides telling a good story you keep all the strings attached and well taken care of. I have liked all of the genera you have written.
Before leaving the DRU for a while if you could give us a reworked version of the DRU rules of operation including all of your tweaks and improvements. If G.ame O.perations D.irector of the universe is taking a vacation we need to know the thou shall and shall not's.
And please learn a lesson from the big guy don't get involved with any little virgin Jewish girls. Knock one up and they will talk about it for thousands of years.
The only bad question is the one not asked.
Get it Right, Not Fast
One of my stories took only 35 years to write and it had a time line mistake.
Six months - so short
If ever I complete a story within six months of starting, I regard it as pretty good going - many of my stories take years to gestate. Not that I'm writing continually - simply that I'll run out of steam and put it to one side and start something else. Months (or years) later, I'll come back to it and maybe finish it but more likely not.
As for continuing a theme for story after story, that is strictly a no-no - far too boring for my flighty mind. The challenge for me is to stick with one story until the end.
There are an infinite number of stories ahead - go where you fancy takes you.
Good luck
Charlotte
Writing future
6 months? Pft! I've been writing Half-Lilin for 4 years and it's still not ending. Too much story ideas, too little motivation, too few drive.
My suggestion is to do what you feel like doing. It doesn't matter if people don't read it. You can't satisfy everyone. Actually you can satisfy everyone, but that would end up with you giving something that disappoints everyone too.
If they're your fans though, they won't care.
People have told me my stories suck. Big deal. Like I care. You haters wait til I sell my books, then you'll be begging for my signed copies. Muhahahahahaha! Nobody has done that here though, all of the criticisms I've had before were very civilized and mostly constructive. But this is not the only place I posted my stories.
Again I stress, do what you want, when you want, however you want it. It's your ideas, your mind, your imagination. If people don't like it, they don't like it. Simple as that.
I do love your stories though. Perhaps it's best to lay off Season of the Witch until you can return with a bang? Of course, don't leave it hanging, I will be very pissed.