Friday, December 31, 2010

Rethinking Cataclysm

I know I've been waffling on whether or not to cover the Cataclysm zones, and I am sorry for this. The more I think about it though, writing about it just doesn't seem like a good idea. While I initially figured that grad school would be a good reason to continue work on the travelogue (since it's less taxing than creating stories out of whole cloth), that's starting to seem like too much of an excuse. That attitude perhaps stemmed from October when I tried (and failed) to write a good original story. In December of 2010, however, I wrote a story that I consider good enough to at least attempt to publish. This has made me a lot more confident.

I'm going to finish Icecrown and then put the travelogue aside. I need to work on original fiction. It's possible that I may write about some of the new zones when I'm going through a dry spell, but this will be mostly for my own sake. I am not sure if I will even add them to the blog. If I end up writing enough of these (and hopefully I won't), I may make them available via email request.

Cataclysm also represents a natural stopping point. As a friend pointed out to me, it's pretty much WoW 2 in the guise of an expansion. I'm not likely to find such a good stopping point in the near future.

Thank you all very much for your comments, support, and (especially) proofreading and criticism. I have immeasurably improved as a writer during this process, but I do not think I can expand any further unless I go on to new things. I apologize to those who have been expecting the Cataclysm updates.

If you want to discuss this in more detail, go here.

10 comments:

  1. It's Way-OK Deston. It's actually refreshing to see someone know when to say "This Is Good Enough".

    As much as I like World Of Warcraft, it already has a bad reputation for "Consuming The Lives" of those who endlessly obsess over it. (I'm not implying that you do, of course.) I'd hate to see that reputation get any worse because you neglected the real world for the sake of the blog.

    Trust me, the best way to enrich Warcraft lore is to provide an example of how one can enjoy the grandeur of Azeroth while still maintaining an active lifestyle.

    Good luck, and thank you for writing as much as you did! ;)

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  2. Thanks for being understanding. But don't worry; I haven't been neglecting the real world (I just got a 3.75 GPA on my first semester of graduate school). I have, however, been neglecting my original writings, as well as reading fiction. I spend so much time reading nonfiction that it's almost impossible to fit in room for a novel, and the travelogue makes it even harder.

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  3. While I understand ending the blog, might I recommend writing some sort of epilogue after Icecrown?

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  4. GO YOU, with whatever you do! :D

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  5. Nooooo!!

    Seriously, I completely understand your reasons for leaving off the travelogue at this time, though I will miss it. You are an excellent writer, Destron, and I wish you all the best as you continue your work.

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  6. I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all the awesome stories and I wish you well in your other adventures.

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  7. I'm going to miss reading about the adventures of Destron, but you're probably making the right choice by ending it here. I agree that a little epilogue might be nice to bring it to a natural stopping-point, but I'm sure that's all been planned out. At the very least, though, please make us aware of where your other writings are being published!

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  8. Oh, and yes, allow me to add my voice to the requests for an epilogue. I have enjoyed these stories so much, and would love a good closure. Thank you!

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  9. Ditto on an epilogue, your work deserves your closing comments, as no other would do it near justice. Thank you for the enormous amount of relaxation, escape and pure fun you have provided through your work. May your endeavors be fruitful and I look forward to seeing more work by you, as you are an excellent storyteller.

    Dax

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  10. I support your decision 100%, but I'm so saddened by it also. I have literally seen Azeroth with new eyes since first reading your travelogue, months ago. Destron's wisdom and compassion, and his endless curiosity and openness to new experience has been inspirational to my own playing experience.

    Thank you, Destron, and good luck in the future.

    Ps I would love to see the collected blog posts of Destron's travels in book form.

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