Story updates, issues, and ideas · 12:53pm Aug 20th, 2013
Well, I just posted Chapter 11 of Past, Present, and Future. What took so long you ask? Well there are a few reasons for that, some of which may affect future updates.
1) I've actually had this chapter planned out since a couple days after the last one, but I wasn't sure about it. I feel like ever since about chapter 7, the story has been getting more and more... meh. Like, my pacing is too wonky or I just don't have a suitable piece of inspiration for me to write. The only part I actually like is the last half of this chapter. I have a lot planned out already, like the primary conflict, some insightful Luna dialogue, a few quips from Smith, and a suitable conclusion for the story. My issue is just getting there. I'm just experiencing a bit of a block at the moment.
2) Real life has started catching up with me. Over the last week, I've been very busy, so I had less time to finish the chapter and edit it. But things are settling down again, so I plan to catch back up in story updates.
3) Procrastination. We've all got it, some more than others, me more than that. I procrastinate on things that don't catch my interest and as you might have guessed from #1, my interest in this has fallen a bit. But! I have a plan for that!
I would like your opinions on this idea. I want to create a separate story from this one, comprised of one-shots of Sapphire Knight's adventures in the few months he was there, similar to the flashbacks in chapters 10 and 11. I plan on using said one-shots to expand on the things Knight accomplished that Celestia listed in chapter 11, and a few more he has since that point, as well as explain his fears of "getting involved" with Celestia and why he's afraid to be in Equestria's history books. I know I said previously that I hadn't planned on doing a prequel, but Knight has done so much, that I don't think I could cover it all in flashbacks. If I can get some kind of support behind this idea, I'll post the first chapter/one-shot, which would be about Knight's second day in Equestria. I believe this side project could rekindle my interest in writing.
Also, if you have any questions, please, feel free to ask in the comment section here or PM me. I will respond almost immediately!
Flashbacks are always great. At least in my opinion. Block's a bitch, ain't it.
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Yeah it is.
Anyways, there will still be flashbacks, just the occasional thing to build a character or give some foreshadowing. I just want all of Knight's big adventures to be fully written out separately, though.
1297238 Separate story is good sounds good too, and if you feel like doing it, go for it. At least that'd be richer in content and would give you more space, rather than condensing them into flashbacks. Even better if you think it would help you with your block. ^^
I'd definitely be into a separate story of Knight's (mis)adventures.
Great idea as it gives an insight into how knight delt with living in the past of a show he watched
conclusion for the story
WWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY
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Haha. Don't worry. I may plan to conclude this story around the time of The Crystal Empire episodes, but there will definately be (a) sequel(s).
I mean, Blast plans to teach Twilight transformation magic, right? Who do you think gave her the idea to turn apples to oranges in Too Many Pinkie Pies?
1298135 rainbow dash gave her the idea
5 days after she learns the spell
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Don't question my logic!
1298380 what logic
also who taught her to turn mice into horses?
and Twilight is very bad at transformation magic SHE TURNED A LIVING THING INTO A HALF BIRD HALF ORANGE HYBRID
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1298388 yes but she shouldnt have gotten distracted during a spell she could have hit something living
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mlpchan.net/pony/src/1375309081009.png
1298396 she better turn the apple form into a orange farm
Yeah, why not have a prequel? I'm for it. Plus, it'll be interestin to laugh at his mishaps. Especially learning to walk! ;)
Do you have a place to go with the story? It's slice-of-life and all but without a goal, stories can get ... bogged down. If you have a goal, ignore me, but if you don't - make one. It doesn't even have to be 'hero of Equestria' or anything, it can be as simple as 'getting Zack and Tia to the wedding' or something (I mean, building their relationship to that point, of course). I saw some hints at deeper things with the strange figure and the question about the how's-why's but only hints and no follow up just yet.
Again, if you have a plan, ignore me - I just know that for me, getting the beginning is rough but it works out fine until I need to actually have a place to go with the story. Then it can kinda bog down and I usually end up scrapping the entire thing because of lack of interest.
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Thanks for the suggestion! Love your story, btw.
Believe it or not, this story will have a villain. Who it is will be revealed by the end of the next chapter (chapter 13).
The reasons for the long wait and seemingly slow progress are 1, it's my first story. I'm still getting into writing, and plots, and character dev, etc. 2, most of the hints I gave since chapter... 3, I think, were a bit too inconspicuous or subtle. I may do a rewrite one day when this story is done to highlight some things.
And 3, In my eyes, this story has only hit the halfway point, if even that! I mentioned in a previous comment that I know I have issues with pacing, so it's hard to tell what's going on for how long.
Anyways, back to your suggestion, Yes there is a goal: defeat this upcoming villain. Cliché, I know, but I guess we'll all just have to wait and see what happens!