A new commission piece has been posted today! It’s called The Divine Creamery. It runs at about ten thousand words, and it’s… a little different in a few new ways. I hope it’s enjoyed.
This commission piece was interesting to work with, chiefly because the commissioner (ZeRoBotz) not only gave me the characters and overall idea, but also a beat-by-beat rundown of the plot. If this story seems a little better-paced than my usual stories (an opinion I would share), take note – that’s why. He also gave me the details he would like to focus on and the things he could do without in the story. It was incredibly helpful, and made realizing the idea better.
At the same time, I recall feeling a little insecure as I began writing the story. I took note of the plot structure and began to feel it out – and saw glimmers of my style peeking into a plot made by someone else. I started to feel as though I had taken over or colonized another idea, and “painted over” it in my own style. I was worried that there was a little “too much Bashful Scribe” in this story, and that it became too tropey.
This is, in hindsight, silly for a few reasons – chief among them, the commissioner approached me when they wanted the story written. Of course it was going to be written in my style. If nothing else, my insecurity and worry existing at all was a bit more fascinating than what the insecurity was based on. This is coupled with the fact that the plot was meticulously laid out for me in a way I’d never really received for a commission before. Clearly, I felt more embarrassed of my style the more it was mixed with ideas that weren’t mine. It was if I was telling myself, “how dare I take these ideas and plots I didn’t come up with and dress them up in my style?”
You may notice that this piece is the first to credit the commissioner openly. Reading this blog, one could be forgiven for assuming my guilt made me want to credit the commissioner, but in actuality, this was the first commissioner that brought up crediting – as is his right. These were his characters, ideas, and plotlines, and they deserve credit when asked, even if my labor and words helped bring them to literary life. Even so, I will admit, there was an element of relief to know I was openly crediting someone else given how I felt. It’s likely important to highlight for my future self just how insecure I felt.
The last few blogs have taught me that I’m getting increasingly obsessed with tropes and how my writing comes across to others. I may need to take a step back from that line of thinking and allow myself some breathing space. I think I’m tricking myself into believing I have this kind of responsibility or reputation when I simply… don’t. It’s food for thought. I’ll talk to you all soon.
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Bashful Scribe 
Reading this blog, one is tempted – but only tempted – to cry ‘sell-out’, but that would be stupid.
I’ve commentedvery briefly on my reaction to the story in tht comments section but I was thinking about your explanation of the respective roles of commissioner and writer thaat you go into here. Like quite a number of people in ‘desk jobs’ I suppose, I spent quite a lot of my professional life writing to order. My ‘customers’ – bosses, colleagues and clients – didn’t usually specify their rerquirements in terms of ‘characers, ideas and plotlines’ but rather in scope – “I want a piece summarising the pros and cons of this set of policy options” – purpose – “we need to justify this new line of expenditure” – and audience – “we need to get this into the professional – or regional – press”.
I like to think I was fairly good at this but I’m pretty certain that my work was never (or very rarely) read with as much interest as your loyal readers await your next pieces. So my point is that there’s absolutely no reason to worry about accepting commissions (I don’t think you do) and such commissions are in a sense endorsement of the quality of your ‘original’ work.
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My take on commissions is that most people probably have this great idea for a story in their head that they would love to have put down on paper, but they lack the skills to actually do so themselves. If paying someone else to do it means these great story ideas can be brought to a readership that would enjoy them, then why on earth would anyone be against that? It’s a good example of supply and demand, and kudos to Bashful for being able to help those in need of a Scribe.
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Or perhaps people have the ideas but would enjoy seeing another put it into their own voice! I’m certainly not against it, it’s a fun challenge.
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Agreed! I love to write, but can never write erotica (I just don’t have the skillset). So it is frustrating to have these ideas and not be able to bring them to life. I’m grateful for Bashful Scribe (and everyone I’ve commissioned from) to open their talents to my ideas.
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I havent read the story, but hearing its from Zerobotz has me interested. As far as commissioning goes I would have to agree with the general sentiment of others and you yourself mentioned. When approached for commission its because that commissioner has looked at you and found your style, your voice to either be most closely aligned to whatever they might have penned or they simply believe your voice would do it the most justice. I wont lie, since finding you I’ve come up with a couple of “ideas” that I believe could only be brought to life properly by you. Another author, sure, could write it, but it wouldnt be what I would have envisioned. If I were a commissioner I think I’d almost be a little sad if you didnt throw yourself into it
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Bashful Scribe,
First off thank you not only for writing my commission, but also for all the stories you’ve created over the years. But your fans are right. I don’t commission people just on a whim, I do it because their style and approach is 1) interesting and good and 2) because I think it would fit well. “Where’s the Free Use?” is a favorite story of mine (not just from you, but from all the erotica I’ve read). I’ve wanted to capture parts of it in my story (which you did well with).
And it’s more than ok to apply your style and approach. I’ve had stories written by different writers not because one version was bad (although that has happened), but because each has their own style or approach that they bring to the outline making their version unique. One might be sweeter, one might be focus on the mechanics while another focuses on the feels, etc. etc. You even made changes which actually helped the flow of the story (which is rather important given the condensed story plot).
Basically, you shouldn’t be afraid to apply you style and vision. And if you’re ever concern just asked. Had you brought up major changes, I may have been receptive or intrigued as they weren’t ideas I would have thought of. Think of commissions more as collaborations rather than straight transactions. This is literature/art, not a business report lol. Writers (who take commissions) are paid to also be creative and infused their experience and ideas. Not everything may be agreed up, but it never hurts to ask/offer.
Also for anyone who got this far, I ask to be credited similar to those “inspired by” blurbs seen in books in movies. It’s not so much an ego thing, but to plant my little seeds of smut across the web. A legacy of my dirty mind if you will.
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