Jericho the Bard A VRMMORPG Story - 56 It only takes a few

Moira was furious. Someone, more accurately, many people dared to bring harm to her brother. She glanced at the myriad of websites out there taking copies of Jericho for their own sites. “It seems these people have no idea how hard it is to live as an author.”

“It seems we must accelerate your original plan, Eranoth,” Jericho sighed.

Eranoth scrunched his brows in anxiety. “But everyone will hate that. I guess I was too hopeful. I hoped that people would be honest. I hoped that things could go better. I wanted to see everyone including myself find enjoyment and happiness. It really does only take a few problematic humans to ruin everything.”

Jericho nodded. “True, but what is more important? Writing until you are a shriveled husk and have to stop writing because you couldn’t afford your electricity or internet bills, or making everyone upset right now so that you can write, and write properly moving forward, so you can afford these things. We all know that because of your horrible reactions to other people’s colognes, perfumes, scented items, vape, smoke and other things, that you can’t hold a normal job. Your health has already limited your options.”

Moira nodded. “Right! You are writing to get published officially because it is one of your only hopes left. With all these people out there wanting to make you work your butt off for nothing, you are better off moving forward with your plan now rather than later. The most important thing is that the people who truly care about your work will gladly follow. Don’t lump them into the ‘they’ that you fear. The ‘they’ is the minority of them, even if they are loud.”

Eranoth sighed in defeat as he slumped onto Jericho’s piano bench. “Logically I get it. Emotionally this is something I don’t want to do. I really like interacting with these really fun people. I know they like my story as well. Alexandra’s and ExtraWhiteRice’s funny comments, TJinx’s and Le_Berino’s constant support, YoungJustice’s ‘defend the author’ and everyone else’s fun interactions and support.”

Moira flicked the author’s forehead. “It’s not like you are dropping the story. The fans that care, will follow you. They will enjoy all the extra hard work you have put in to improving things. Think about it, all they really want is for our story to continue. You are still doing that. In fact, you are doing even more than just continuing the story.”

Jericho nodded. “She’s right, and on top of that you are being extremely kind and informing them of the choice you have made after days of self debate. You aren’t reacting to the situation, you are acting in your best interest and their best interest. Besides, this plan has been there for a long time, you are just hastening it.”

Jericho smiled. “When do things ever go according to plan? Besides, if you keep speaking Eranothian, you will keep confusing people.”

A knock was heard at the door.

“They are here.” Moira opened it. “Everyone, You’re here! Come in, come in! Eranoth’s got some really exciting news that will make you happy!”

Eranoth shook his head in disbelief, “I really don’t think my choice will make people happy,” he muttered to himself.

A horde of over 500 people crowded into the living room killing off any breathing room. “What is this news you have to tell us?”

Eranoth clenched his fist as he struggled to find the words. “I’m leaving the internet writing scene.”

The group was in uproar and some people left before hearing the rest of what the author was trying to say.

“I mentioned before that I am going the publishing route. As I have been editing volume 1, I realized that my voice, especially when I can get it edited, doesn’t really match the air of internet writing. So, coming up, you will see a significantly improved version of my work in physical book and e-book format. When I can get things out, the first place you will be able to find it at is u003cBu003ebarnesandnoble.comu003c/Bu003e.”

“Bah, paperback versions,” a random person said as they walked out the door.

Eranoth took a deep breath. “I was offered the webnovel contract, but found that the conditions for them to pay me anything were too harsh for me. For the sake of my work, I could not accept their conditions and feel happy about it.”

Moira smiled. “Jericho and I are glad you chose to reject it for our sake and the sake of the royal bardians, but if you keep sacrificing like this, eventually you won’t have the capability to continue.”

Another person spat. “So your plan is to drop it? How dare you! We all told you not to drop it!”

Eranoth flinched as he held his own tears. “Changing mediums,” he muttered. “All I’m doing is changing mediums.”

Jericho sighed. “Everyone, this isn’t easy for Eranoth to do or say.” He turned to the author. “Eranoth, just your self-editing alone has made the future version of our story into something far more fulfilling and significantly less boring. You have already made thousands of changes. You have made many things clearer, you have simplified the difficult to understand complexities of game mechanics, and you have added more depth to the story. I’m curious to see what will happen once your editor April gets her hands on it. If you alone can make that much of a leap in progress, I’m looking forward to when she tears things to shreds and can help you see where things need more work.”

Another person spoke up. “You are doing all this extra work, Why? Your story is great where it is.”

Eranoth turned away took a breath and looked out the cold snowy window. “This is the only Win-Win I could find after a long time of searching. Publishing official versions of my works seems to be the best way forward. Jericho and Moira deserve this editing. They are worth more to me, than first draft vomit onto the page. You all can see and understand far more and my story will progress far better if I put in this extra work. I can potentially earn a piddly income in order to keep writing, and do things right by everyone.”

“What was that about?” another random person asked.

Eranoth sighed and looked down, trying not to break down in tears. “Sorry, I got on my soap box. But you never know the life an author is facing. Why are they writing? I just wish that some people would realize how much pain some of us are actually in. I’m not the only one to face this. I’m not the only author or artist out there who cannot hold a normal job. I didn’t write this so you would pity me. In fact, I hate people’s pity. But I want you to understand that I am doing this 51% for selfish reasons. I am a selfish person.”

Moira smiled at Eranoth’s courage to speak about the reality of his own life. “How is that selfish?” she asked.

Eranoth shook his head. “I don’t know, but I do know that it is what most people would call it. This is hard for me. I wanted to keep interacting with you all. I really had hoped that online writing could be the answer. But things rarely go how we want them. So, I will say once more for good measure. I, J Eranoth, author of Jericho the Bard, am changing mediums officially. Again, when I am able to get it out there, the first place to look for it will be at barnesandnoble.com. I chose them as the first of many places to put my book for sale because they can reach most of you. If you are in an area that cannot access barnesandnoble.com, let me know so I can find a way to make it accessible to you. Stay with me, and I will let you know when the official published part 1 is out. Visit my Ko-Fi.com/Eranoth and I will keep people updated as to my progress towards things moving forward and also some fun flavor from time to time.”

Eranoth was unable to hold back his own tears. “I will miss interacting with you guys. I hope, I dream, and I ask, will you follow me as I move forward in a direction that is different from other people who’s works you have read?”

Jericho grabbed Eranoth’s shoulder.

The author flinched and tensed.

“Relax, most of them are still here. Most of them support your choice. I can tell. These are your true fans, their my true fans. These people don’t care that you are changing mediums. In fact, these people are proud that you care enough to make this hard choice. They understand that you are not dropping your work. They understand that you are seeking something far better.”

The author sighed and relaxed a little. “At least, I feel at peace with my choice. Well, everyone, thank again for coming. I’m sorry things had to play out this way. I, J Eranoth, will keep writing. I will keep improving and I will see you all again!” Eranoth stood and walked resolutely towards the door, trying to hide his own tears. He closed the door behind him as he walked out into the snowstorm.

The people still in the house with Jericho and Moira were silent.

Moira smiled at the crowd. “Shall we perform one last time for you?”

Jericho sat as his piano. His fingers played the keys. His voice called out, singing about a hopeful and brighter future.

© J Eranoth