Final Author's Notes: Where Do We Go?

Wow, okay, so I need a moment to breathe.

I can't believe I'm really here right now. The story I wanted to tell is over and done with and it's still hard to believe. Before today I've never written anything to completion, only drabbles and unfinished works. I've always liked writing but whenever I started something I've always felt the time was being wasted when it could be better used for drawing. (I'm aware of the irony.)

As I've mentioned in previous chapters I started writing again to plan outlines for comics for my NSFW commissions and future works in an effort to better support myself. When Zootopia was getting close to coming out, I saw some early Bellwether stuff and immediately knew she was going to get art. Best design and most adorable in the whole movie. Of course I also already mentioned that, and my disappointment when I found out she was the villain twist thanks to some scans of Zootopia books on Tumblr before the release.

So I started drawing, and even though it was pretty much rule 34 story ideas started to build and grow behind it as with every drawing I make. I have a habit of being A.) A hopeless romantic, and B.) The kind of person who can't just make characters go at it without there being a relationship behind it. I talked about the first drawing I did, where I later referenced the "Ewe Rock My World" Mug. But I didn't really talk about the second one, which is essentially the events from the uncensored version of Chapter 27. Vernon and Dawn in the throws of passion, it even has a similar story blurb in the description. By that point I had been tossing and re-writing ideas for a redeemed Dawn, and giving serious thought to writing more about how Dawn got to that point. And I had already been experimenting with character writing by doing a short Five Night's At Freddy's series (Which is still incomplete) so I thought I'd take a stab at something bigger.

There were times where I grew really tired. Probably most during the chapters between Dawn's house burning down, and the Bug-Burga attack. Mostly because I had several key points mapped out at that point and I was eager to get to them. But I also had general health concerns pulling me down. There were also times where I was certain I wouldn't finish it. That it was going to end up like everything else I tried writing.

But do you want to know why I was able to finish it? It's because of you. All of your support, kind words, and general eagerness spurred me onward toward making it all the way to the end of this. I can't even begin to properly thank you all for making this possible. If anything, aside from giving Dawn a good turn around story that I thought she deserved being my muse, you guys rapidly became my muse as well. So thank you, thank you, one thousand times thank you.

So...I've baited you long enough. Let's talk about where I'm going to go from here.

As you know, I do appreciate and value all of your opinions on my story. I take a look at the suggestions you guys make and I've even tried a few. So this is why I want to kind of throw these possibilities at you, and get an idea at what grabs you the most.

So let's start with the Dawn and Vernon content. A lot of you really went for that pairing despite my fears of bringing in some OC character. Considering the role the Vernon character ended up playing I was very worried about using him, and how much time he had in the foreground, and trying to keep him from being cringey or too perfect. I was afraid of people blowing off the story because they'd see this OC and think "Mary Sue, or Gary Stu" in this case. In my personal opinion, I think every character a writer creates is Mary Sue, because in a sense every character you create holds a little piece of you in them. Writing is, if anything, you having conversations with yourself. But that's neither here nor there, the point is you guys really enjoyed it, and are intrigued about how things will go for the pair in the future. How their families will take it, will they have kids through some magical gobble-dee-gook method? Welp...I'm not going to spoil all of my ideas, but I will field some premises I cooked up.

"A Lamb Among Wolves" - Set in the middle of the six month period between Chapter 27 and 28 of this story, Dawn is writing the book that will become 'Predator Seeking Prey' with the help of Vernon. While mostly done with her section of the book, Dawn is writing about the history of wolves, and doing what she can to learn more about them. During this time Vernon is eager to take Dawn back to his families ranch for the annual re-union, which falls under some big harvest moon festival. Dawn is nervous at the prospect of being the only prey among a clan of predators, but sees this as an opportunity to better learn about Vernon's family. On top of that Vernon promises his brother Wade is going to bring his new girlfriend, a giraffe, so she wouldn't be the only prey mammal there. However, upon arrival they soon find Wade's girlfriend had flaked. And what's more, each member of the family isn't going to be as accepting as Vernon hoped they would. How will they survive the four day holiday weekend?

"The Bellwether Legacy" - Set twenty some odd years after the 'Zootopia's Last Night' terrorist plot we follow the lives of Allison Hunter Bellwether, Edison Hunter Bellwether and Paige Hunter Bellwether as their parents piece-meal recount the events leading up to the older two children's adoption, as well as the freak miracle that was Paige's birth. I have some key events in mind, but it's less fleshed out than the previous entry.

"Disastrous Dinner Date" Working Title - A short four chapter story series set right after the events of "The Rehabilitation of Dawn Bellwether." We basically pick up right where we left our titular characters, and watch and awkward and uncomfortable double date unfold. Haven't really thought too much about this one, but the length I'm planning would allow me to figure it out fairly quickly.

Now we have some of the other ideas that kind of vector out from Dawn. Still set in the same universe mind you.

"The Fox and The Gazelle" Working Title - Yeah, that won't be the final name. Anyway, this one will partially through Dawn interviewing the Gazelle and Finnick for their sections of her new book, as well as basic flashback sequences. Two years after the events of Zootopia, the sand colored fennec becomes the second fox to join the ZPD, and probably it's smallest officer. Despite not many officers at Precinct Two taking him very seriously, the fox quickly earns his stripes as a special agent and eventually gets put on special assignment to protect the famous pop-star Gazelle. A deranged stalker has been sending the gazelle death threats and explosives, and it's up to the cunning and tough Finnick to find the culprit and save the diva. But it grows more complicated when he starts to develop feelings for the pop idol, and what's worse is that she feels the same. This is of course, all re-told to Dawn for her sequel book 'The Predator and Prey Diaries: Volume I".

"The Life and Times of Valerie Vulpes" Working Title - This is one that's way on the back burner, mostly because I don't think an all OC story really has a place on this site. Set after the events of "The Rehabilitation of Dawn Bellwether" The story follows the peculiar and standoffish teenage vixen "Val". Now working at Gus' hobby shop, the mammal has remained her usual snarky, blunt self for some time. But when a curious and weird little otter joins Gus' B&B group, she can't help but become somewhat enamored with the little mammal. They quickly become unlikely friends, and a strange romantic relationship begins to foster between them. But can Val really deal with allowing herself to be vulnerable enough to pursue such a relationship? Something inside of her starts pushing her away from the little otter she's grown so fond of, a burning desire to flee from feeling real love. Will she do anything to avoid ending up like her Father, even possibly throw it all away to protect herself from ending up being left in the state he is in? Who knows?

Then there's also finishing that FNAF thing I started months back. It only had two chapters left after all.

So that's all the ideas I have floating around, and I'm really curious to see what you guys are most interested in at this time. You can leave reviews here expressing your thoughts and ideas, but I've also opened a SFW tumblr now called Wasted Time's Talk Box. There I can take questions and post previews and snippets and also share SFW art stuff. It will also keep you guys in the loop while I'm working on the new stories before I have any sort of Author's Notes to post. Here's the link...hopefully.

Wastedtimestalkbox (Deet) tumblr (Deet)Com

I may as well throw up the other Tumblr and Furaffintiy for those who are interested and are fine with r34.

Wastedtimeeroexp (Deet) tumblr (Deet)Com

Furaffinity (Deet)Net(Fslash) user (Fslash) wastedtimeee

Last things to talk about. I keep my eyes on the ZNN Tumblr which seems to be fastly becoming the Equestria Daily of the Zootopia fandom and I've been wondering whether or not I should submit this story there. I'm really not sure because A.) I'm not sure how they feel about erotica and B.) It seems like the don't much care for OC stories, so I'm hesitant to even bother. Again I'll put that to you guys. Anyone more in the know than me please let me know exactly how the ZNN blog works.

Welp...I guess that's really and truly it. Once again, thank you all so much for your love and support, for without you this wouldn't have been possible. It fills me with warmth to not only know how much you all liked this story, but also how many people really want to see Bellwether get redeemed. Thank you so much for the encouragement, and for showing me that I wasn't' alone. Thank you for reading! I'll be keeping in touch!

-WT