For the last couple of years, I've been working on an ongoing story featuring the character I play in Final Fantasy XIV, and that of a good friend of mine. The purpose of these stories have been twofold: to translate my role playing experiences into a cohesive story, and to practice my general writing skills to prepare for more serious writing endeavors I always dreamed of. Over time, I've gathered a small group of readers who have regularly stopped by to check for the latest chapters of my current story arch. It is to this wonderfully dedicated group for which I write this post.
I regret to inform you all, that after much difficult thought, I will not be finishing my Everheart storyline. I am genuinely sorry if this disappoint you.
There are many reasons for this decision, but I'll address the primary two:
The first thing to understand is, for quite some time I've been trying and failing to contend with a near-crippling depression. As far as my writing is concerned, this has contributed to a gradually decreased quality in my prose, making it harder to deliver a truly engaging narrative. The last few chapters of Everheart, for example, have not been among my best sections. Until I'm able to work my way out of this state, my writing will only suffer more and more.
The second thing I need to explain, is that the version of Ginal and Selah I write in the current stories, no longer properly represent who and what the characters have evolved into over time. You see, over the course of many role playing encounters and brain-storming sessions, Ginal and Selah both have grown and evolved well beyond what they are when you read about them. Unfortunately, the stories I've written have locked those versions of the characters into a certain path with certain details, and I am unable to properly alter them without making drastic leaps and disconnects within my established writing.
So what does this mean for my stories and my blog? Am I going to just fade away and let everything here die?
Not at all.
For the immediate time, I'm trying to take steps to alleviate my general state of being. Things like trying to get more rest and more exercise, and do better with how I use my time. Once I get to place where I actually feel, more or less, good about my life again, then I have every intention of returning to my writing.
Once I do get back to my writing, I will be starting over from the beginning, using more definitive versions of the characters and more properly thought out story archs. I've spent a lot of time revisiting the themes, subject matter, characterization and direction of these stories, and I'm confident that a restart would offer what you could call the "true" version of the stories of Ginal and Selah.
Thanks so much for reading this, and all other stories on this blog. As always, I welcome any and all of your feedback, be it comments or emails, and feel free to find me on FFXIV, server Malaboro.
--Ginal
