Anyone there? If so, here's a question

I address this to my theoretical Reader.

I know a few of you are out there, of course. You're the guys I keep up with on a semi-regular basis, who I email and I occasionally IM. You guys are basically a given.

I'm talking to the other Reader. (Or can I be brave and assume a plural Readers?) The silent majority.

I need to hear from you.

Not entirely to stroke my own ego (although yes, I'll admit that's part of it.) I actually want to get your opinion.

Y'see, right now, in another window, I have the beginning of Betty's latest issue in the works. Issue 23, if you're counting. And it's easy stuff. It's familiar, it's comfortable. It's not hard. Sure, the plotting can be an absolute bitch sometimes (as I'm pretty sure I've said before, trying to write a coherent narrative while also trying to ensure you get in as much disguise material as possible is basically like trying to write porno that makes sense) but I'm used to that now.

The point is, I have done this before. A lot. I have something like almost 250K words written that chronicle the adventures of Betty and her friends, and while I'm happy to write a lot more, I'll be honest with you... I think I'm almost done. Not so much with Betty, but with mask fiction in general.

I know, I know. Those of you who've been 'with me' a while know I say this periodically. I think this time it might be true.

Why? Well, it's a lot of different things. I'm probably going to be a father in the next few years, God willing, and I hear kids take up some time! My career is also in pretty good shape, but demands a lot of time. And also - and frankly, I see this as the big one - I'm getting older. Believe it or not! And I know now, unlike when I was a callow youth of 25 or so (when I really, seriously started writing mask fiction with Beneath the Veil) that I've only got a limited number of years left in me.

Do I really want to spend them writing this fiction, with no reward, little recognition, and no way I can even share it with close (real life) friends?

I've been writing in other areas recently, thinking about other projects and getting some stuff done. It's enticing. It's appealing. So I'm thinking I might walk away from this for a bit, and see what happens when I do.

However. (Here comes the good news.) I don't want to walk away unfinished.

I have a number of large, major projects 'in the works'. (It's a terrible habit, but then so's writing erotica - oh, wait....) And here's The Question:

What do you want me to finish... first?

As usual, there's no guarantee I'll actually do what you suggest. But I'd love to hear opinions.

So in the spirit of a new(ish) decade, and transparency and new journalism and all that bollocks, here's what's on the block. No cute codenames, just what I've got here and how near-complete it is. In no particular order:

Option 1: BBSSG

... is of course the continuing adventures of Betty, Spider-Girl. Issues 21 and 22 are done. 23 is started. The current arc would possibly end in that issue, maybe 24. These issues involve Mysterio, a Spider-Girl impersonator, lots of identity switching and even Batgirl.

I have loads of other ideas for the series. Honestly, I'd say another 15 to 25 issues is possible. How long would that take? Possibly forever. I leave this as an option, though, because for some it might be what you want.

For those who aren't up to date with the series, it features a lot of F2F masking and disguise, with a little M2F (so far: there's a LOT more to come) and even the occasional F2M outing. It's heavy on the superheroines, costumes, that sort of thing. Oh, and it's pretty much PG-13 rated; sex is suggested more than shown. If you don't like comic-based stuff you won't like this, but then you can read what it's been like up until now and make up your own mind.

Option 2: The Babysitter

This is your typical boy-meets-girl, boy discovers girl has a secret, boy and girl decide to do naughty things together story. In other words it's a heavy M2F story from another (male) perspective. So far, disguises in this have mostly been 'off-stage', as the perspective doesn't allow for that. Even so, I think it's pretty strong, I can see some fun stuff coming before the end.

It's got a definite 'strong woman' vibe, although don't think 'bondage', more just... well, a strong woman. (Albeit a woman who's a man. You know what I mean.) If the idea of an English schoolteacher looking over her glasses at you with a glint in her eye appeals, then you'll probably like this. Oh, and it's definitely X-rated.

25K words written on this; I would say it's maybe a third finished. I know the plot just about all the way to the end, though.

Option 3: Teya

This one's been in the works for quite a long time - in fact, it's a bit distressing to note that I've pretty much not made any progress on it for over two years. That said, what I have works for me, and I'm sure I could get back into it.

It's another M2F story (in fact it uses PJ Wright's Nu-Gen tech idea) where the main protagonist is observing the actual disguises happening. Unlike the Babysitter though, this is much more about two friends discovering... interesting things together. I think the main character is very relatable, as is the situation. Essentially it's a story that answers the question "What would you do if your best friend could be a woman at will?" The Babysitter is more of a thriller... assuming your 'thrills' are very specific!

49K words down on this, and I think it's actually about two-thirds, maybe three-quarters finished... again, I know the plot to the end. Also, X-rated.

Option 4: Housesitting

This is a real oldie, to be honest. The original version of this was started God-knows-when, and really, it was never supposed to be much more than a little romp.

However, I include it here because I did re-plot it a couple of years ago, and if I pursue that plot, it'll have a lot more interesting twists and turns. Also, frankly it'd probably be shorter than the others... and also it's M2F, but with the protagonist being very much at the centre of the action. In other words, if you want to imagine you're 'M' becoming the 'F', then this is your choice.

Now, frankly, I know that many of you will just pick this because of that... so I have to caution you. While this thing is plotted out, I have less interest in telling this story than any of the other three options. SG is easy, albeit it's a bit repetitive; Babysitter has, well, two of the most interesting characters I've written; Teya is a really good, intimate look at two people. This one... well, it started as a simple fantasy and it grew from there.

But, there are 15K words done on it, it could probably be done in 40K, so honestly it could get done quick. And yes, X-rated.

That's it. Let me know what you want. We'll see what happens.