What's Next · 5:30am Feb 1st, 2020
The rewrite of Alternate Beginning: The First Year has (finally!) concluded. I hope you enjoyed it, because I sure enjoy reading comments and reactions to it!
Have to admit, I was getting a little burned out at the end. I'm not sure when I decided that writing/editing/publishing 2k words a day was a good target, but it kept me motivated, that's for sure. It's a target I want to keep, but I found it easier when I was writing with a goal in place. For AB:1-7, it was leading up to the start of the show and trying to keep everything intact. For Continuity Disrupted, it was taking episodes from the early seasons and having them happen (or at least start) but with many a twist. For Errant Finale, how the season openers and finales from seasons 1-5 would happen with said twists.
And then, with this rewrite, trying to retell the opening but better. Which often left me struggling; I dumped so much content into the early part, due to the timing of Doug's arrival and heat starting and trying to keep everything at least close to what happened in the original - that adding in side stories and other slice of life chapters merely bogged it down more. Did it detract from the overall story? Probably, and rehashing certain elements (such as knowing the fillies will suffer from low magic) didn't help. But leaving the audience wondering for 100k+ words didn't sit right with me either, leading to the later months being rushed through.
Am I happy with it? Mostly. Enough to leave alone and not need to revisit, at least for now.
There have been a couple questions as to whether or not I will rewrite Year Two (and possibly 3-7). At this time it's a possibility. More likely would be a series of side stories that tie into the main storyline but focus on different aspects. I welcome suggestions in addition to a few other things I'm working on:
First is Thirst for Knowledge. Midnight Sparkle escapes Sunset Shimmer and travels to Equestria, looking to learn more about this 'Friendship'. And what better place to study than at a School of Friendship? But when her plan to prove the power of Friendship plunges Equestria into an apathetic purgatory it's up to Rarity and Mayor Sunny Skies to save the day!
The prompt came from the bingo contest, using Midnight Sparkle, Rarity, School of Friendship, Mayor Sunny Skies, and - if I can slot it in - Court of Law. Likely E, some comedy, lots of MTG references.
Second is Growing Harmony. Set at the end of Errant Finale, it would be a collection of stories about what happens with as Equestria evolves with the introduction of new alicorns, changelings, and more. Likely T rated, much as the others in the series. Less of a priority, and I'm not sure where the story would go. Let my muse take me, or audience driving? Not sure!
Third is Garroted Harmony. A prequel (or side-quel) to Growing Harmony that shows what happened between Cadance, Shining Armor, Doug, and why the alicorns are 'harmony restricted'. Dark, sad, and M rated.
Fourth is HiE(G) - Horse in Equestria Girls (title might change). Doug goes through the mirror portal at the end of Continuity Disrupted, tasked to find Sunset Shimmer and persuade her to return. Much to his dismay, he finds himself transformed - into a horse. Armed Saddled with hooves and unable to speak the language, will he be able to return home - much less complete his mission - in three days?
Two others I have less work done would be a Daring Do / Dr. Caballeron adventure that triggers Doug's arrival in Equestria, and a continuation of the Prince Blueblood: Ambassador series. Pretty much anything else would be a higher priority than those, though.
Find one of them particularly exciting, or something else you want?
Third is Garroted harmony sounds intrsting
The one with Doug and Sunset Shimmer and just what led to Doug showing up sound awesome as does just what happened between Doug, Cadance, and Shining Armor. All three to be truthful I kinda want to know what happened and it would expand the lore so much.
I still need to read continuity disrupted and errant finale, but Growing Harmony continuing the series at least sounds most fun to me.
Burnout is understandable and I’ve gotta say, I’m really impressed how you managed to commit to the consistent update schedule. Well done!
The fics that I’m most interested in are Thirst for Knowledge and HiE(G), and because I’m a sucker for these kind of crossover stories
TfK certainly sounds like a great palette cleanser and a break from the world of Doug, if you need it.
Honestly though, all of the ideas here sound awesome, so I’ll be looking forward to whichever you go with
Would definitely like to see the rest of the Alternate Beginnings re-written as M-rated.
I just read the rewrite of AB first year and I really enjoyed how realistic the story was. It is a great story and I'm hoping to finish the series soon. I also wanted to say thanks for sharing your world with us, it's always nice to find a good story.