Hi Guys, its Abstracto here.
Firstly the story has passed its 1st Anniversary a few weeks back but I hadn't noticed, so belated happy birthday to Ezra, Vasha and the rest of Star Wars: A Gray Tale's family and readers.
It has been an great journey since then and I have learned a lot of things during this experience.
I wanted to discuss a bit about the story, my own circumstances, and future of it all.
Before that, I would like to thank all the readers who have stayed in the story till now. Those who have been from the start as well as those who have rode up the pirate ship en route.
There have been many ups and downs And periods of difficulties but you guys had kept with me and story, and that means a lot.
To have someone who likes the story I created is a blessing honestly.
Now to be honest and to move on to the sadder part, I have been finding it quite hard to write this story as time goes on.
It has kind of created this weird weight in my mind which makes it hard to write.
Some of you might have noticed it. I haven't also been on much of a great update schedules etc to be honest.
I had been pushing myself since maybe I think Daiyu Arc because I didn't want to disappoint you guys who have been following the journey of Ezra (and many awaiting the eventual rescue of Vasha and their reunion, and trust me, I have been wanting that too), I cannot still keep denying it.
Maybe its temporary writer block, or maybe its disinterest, or Force knows what.
Words for the story don't come as they used to, characters become harder to write, and each dialogue feels heavier than before.
Maybe it's the foundation of this story that was not set properly or maybe it's my own skills which are lacking.
To be honest, I kind of regret the decision of Vasha getting kidnapped part. Originally story was not supposed to go like that. But when I posting at that time, I ditched the original flow because I thought it would be a great idea but didn't spend enough time pondering on the effect it would have on the story.
It kind of changed the whole pacing of the story, derailed the original wacky plot I had, and sent it on a much serious place. I do not consider myself a good serious writer to be honest. I liked wackyness. Some of you who might have read my previous Ditto fanfic might have an idea or two maybe.
The current state of my mind toward the story could maybe just because of these small things that have been accumulating since that derailment to be honest.
And to be fair, its not that I am fed up with the whole of story in itself, but rather its the current short term scene that is kinda making me slog. I had/have an lot of ideas and excitement about Ezra relation and interactions with sabine, vasha, hera and maybe ahsoka too but how the story is going on has kind of sapped the excitement.
Now I don't know till when will the story go, but my earnest desire is to atleast see the reunion of Ezra and Vasha. How long it would take, I cannot say. Not because I don't have the plotline in mind but rather just because of slow pacing is and irregular updates that are happening.
And I had also felt kind of guilty for patreon members who have been subbed each month while there is barely anything in the name of advanced chapter.
Now its possible that some readers are there mainly to support me or the writing rather than exclusively for advanced chapters, nonetheless there are many who have came in for the latter and it feels very scummy for me to keep taking your money while not giving the promised content back.
That's why I was shamelessly considering to remove the advanced chapter part from the membership kind of. (anyone feeling wronged would be refunded immediately, no questions asked)
That doesn't mean that I would not post advanced chapters but rather more like I wouldn't want to make promise of it. The patreon is simply only for support, nothing else.
Also about the updates, it could be irregular, or it might not happen for a week or two, or if i get inspiration, i might update faster too.
Again, I am extremely sorry that this happened but creative juice for things is really not something that can be forced.
This is not an hiatus notice, just an general situation update. I have seen many authors just suddenly abandon stories (myself also guilty) and I feel greately saddened by that. So that why I would prefer to take accountability rather than keep things hidden away.
Your thoughts would be really appreciated.
(Btw I did have thoughts occasionally of doing an rewrite based on the original plot where vasha isn't kidnapped, and on a tad less serious tone, reminisncient of earlier chapters. just leaving it here in case you guys have some opinion on it)
Trivia: There's a guy, reader of the ditto fanfic, who for some reason had been donating 3 powerstones everyday for last 6-9 months even through the story is dropped. The dedication was honestly just baffling so thought to mention him once. his name is God_of_Wind_200 btw.