Tuesday Tabenings
So! I've done no work on 'Pierced'. None at all! Ha! I'm not gonna return to it until I can come up with something that Vanderbilt won't frown at.
Actually, I know what I'm gonna write, but I need to rebuild my confidence to do it. This weekend was a bad one for "okay, the story's out there... no one is saying anything... still no feedback... argh, why do I do this, I suck, who am I writing for... this ending sucks anyway..."
Which is not fair, of course, Uzobono made a wonderful render based on the most recent update - how does she read me so well? - and I got, let me count, one, two... two pieces of email from people saying they liked it, and there were a couple of kind forum posts. But I built it up too much in my mind and need a while to bounce back from the comedown.
I dunno what it is, people seem to like, or at least comment on, the plot and dialoguey installments much more than the naughty smut bits, even when it's the naughty smut bits that bring us all here. I don't quite understand, it just, it... *waves hands around*
Anyway no 'Pierced', certainly not this weekend. Though I really should finish it before Uzobono returns and can chide me for not finishing it - and she is right to do so - which does mean June at any rate.
But no 'Pierced' does not mean no writing! That's right, bitches - I've just put in 12k on 'Seed' part twelve.
That's right! 'Seed'! Remember that? I have to say, I'm really rather fond of that story, and I never did finish it, and I am doing so now. Part twelve is an epilogue, basically, taking place many years after the events of part 1-11 - oh, sorry, (spoilers) I guess - that's the risk you take in the Secret Files! - but Eyna will be making an appearance. No, she didn't die in the giant "everyone gets absorbed by the Wicker-Man-like vine-Goddess-thing". It just seemed that way because I didn't finish the story.
If I were a good author - and I mean 'good' in the sense of being kind to my readers, I write purty enough - I would have wrapped the story up back in 2014 when it came out. But you get what you pay for, I guess; yet now the story will finally be complete! Unless I get hit by a bus.
Not that anyone is asking for more 'Seed', but ehh what the fuck. 'Not getting paid' and all that.
If I am really with it, 'Seed' 12 will be out this weekend, otherwise first weekend in June, but I expect I'll already be at work on the last bit of Pierced next week.
This is good news, Mostly.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSuits me, I always wondered what happened with that story so I'll be happy to find out! I was talking with thrall over the weekend and we were discussing how helpful it is sometimes to be creative with something other than the project you're stalled on.
ReplyDeleteHey Tabico
ReplyDeleteYou definitely don’t not suck at writing! I think Pierced is one of your best stories so far, and I like all of your previous stories! So don’t question yourself, please, please write more :)
As for this last chapter, I liked it, there had to be a chapter that wrapped a few threads before the ending and this was it. If you like my completely uneducated opinion, the final conversions seemed a little rushed and not as free flowing if that makes any sense, maybe some of the characters trying to resist or a bit more detail on their conversion, and as a long time fan, lots more “smut bits” :)
“people seem to like, or at least comment on, the plot and dialoguey installments much more than the naughty smut bits,” I would have to agree as well, it’s a really exciting scifi story on its own, with a few remaining survivors pitted against an alien species trying to convert them into obedient drones, even before the smut bits, which I enjoy as well! For stories like these I would happily pay the price of an Ebook, you could (should) make some money from all you hard work!!
Uzobono pic was brilliant, I wonder if she would make a make a few more for the story?
Revisiting Seed, interesting, would you consider some of your other stories, some were left fairly open at the end, be interesting to see how the characters would be fairing 1 or 2 years later?
Anyway, enough of my crap, thank you for all your hard work Tabico!!
It surprises me that feedback on your work has not been forthcoming; though aside from a brief correspondence, it isn't like I've been a font of feedback. I suppose that is true of many - enjoy the work, without it occurring to the reader that everything needs fuel, and for writers that is feedback.
ReplyDeleteSo here is some: In general I will say that you are far and away my favourite writer on the archive. Trilby Else and Limerick are distant second/third. You blend plot and character together in equal measure, while being terrific at developing both. Your 'naughty bits' are electric. The highest compliment I can give them? that no matter how many times I revisit them, they *ahem* never disappoint.
Plot-wise, I'd expect to see some of your stuff - 'Blue' and 'Pierced' among them - on shelves at my local bookstore (though my local bookstore might disagree, depending on their level of prude-ism). Tabico, I find you immensely readable; not just for the usual 'satisfy-my-secret-kink' appeal of anyone visiting the archive. But as a good story to curl up with on a rainy day. I LIKE the people you write about, I'm interested in their lives, their choices, their flaws. this isn't porn, its prose, (well, its' both) and seeing your name on anything is an absolute delight.
Specific to 'Pierced', I enjoy the momentum of the story, the driving impetus behind it; I'm almost disappointed that they appear to have arrived at the final destination, as I was enjoying who and what they met along the journey. I'm curious as to what happens to Stone and Margo (and also, tangentially the General's daughter). Pretty sure I know what's going to happen to the others, AND I will enjoy reading about their fates. It was fascinating to read about how Helen experienced her...conversion... and it follows your tendency/pattern to never have any transformation be the same thing twice. You have me curious/interested/panting to see what's next.
Things I'd like to see/predict coming:
- the return of Margot's lover. Surely this is the punch in the gut to bring her around to the Brood? It doesn't seem your style to abandon her storyline after the chapters at the resort.
- the greedy part of me wants to experience the 'turning' of the soldiers who were gradually brought under the Brood's sway. a chapter with Cora and the Dr. working on them would be...uh....well, I'd enjoy it.
- I keep thinking of those cows, and how they were being used, and then I think of 'Herd Instinct', and then I wanna ask your permission to write a whole seperate story with the Brood using humans AS cows...
Okay, enough. I have to make a note to provide more feedback (hell, if you wanted, I'd be happy to give you feedback on each of your stories in the archive, what I liked about them, what I didn't like, how often I ...read...them). Trust this provides a couple of minutes of inspirational kerosene, to drive the creative engine.
Saint Germain
To be honest, until you started this blog, it was really hard to give you a feedback. Writing you an email or PM you on the dA or Collective always seemed too intrusive to me.
ReplyDeleteAnd anyway, it wouldn't be a proper feedback, anyway. More like a praise and stupid fanboying. :x
But you're awesome! Keep going! :D
I highly enjoyed the 'sexy bits' on your latest part...but it just leaves me wanting even more! That slow delicious build up that you do so well, the incredibly descriptive prose. It's just all so good!
ReplyDeleteAnd I gotta say, I'm totally interested to see where you end up with 'Seed.' I was a bit bummed that we never saw a proper ending to that tale. :)
Also, there's that problem where I love getting feedback on the feedback I send to authors, but I don't want to slow down their writing! It's bad, though, I need to send more feedback in general.
ReplyDeleteI love your stories--all the bits. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment of Pierced. You're one of the few really good writers active on the archive; well worth the wait. But I don't comment, really, as I don't like leaving my fingerprints; it would be extremely expensive for me personally to be traced back to the archive, or any of the associated blogs/sites. I'm glad to see you, Callidus, Uzobono, and others have made a creator community of it!
ReplyDelete-Oz