Heart to Heart (or something) · 9:44pm Dec 20th, 2013
I really didn't know what to title this blog, so that will have to do.
I've been thinking a lot, you know, about my story, the direction it's taken, my supporters (you guys) and your various comments and advice. The thing is, I'm not an expert on telling stories, and I'll be the first person to say I don't know the best way to handle certain plot elements, or the best way for characters to act. I'll admit I'm guilty of taking shortcuts and making assumptions for the sake of moving the story along sometimes... and I feel like I'm about to take a pretty big shortcut, even though I've had this story in its entirety planned out before I started writing.
I don't know if what I'm about to say is a big deal, but I feel like it's fair to give warning before I start writing the next chapter. If you thought the ponification in the latest chapter was sudden and dramatic, it's with a fair amount of hesitation that I say things are about to pick up, and quickly. It's gonna be abrupt, it's gonna seem out of the blue, but it's what's going to happen.
There are only two more chapters left, and an epilogue. Seeing as there are certain questions left up in the air, obviously some of you are going to take this and run with it.
I want you to understand I'm walking a fine line here. The thing is, I know it's bad practice to have stories move too fast, and I'm going to try my best to reflect this in the actual story. Yes, things will move fast and that's going to cause a great deal of confusion/frustration, rushed decision-making, (by both me, and the characters). Inevitably, this is going to piss off some people at least, dash some expectations, perhaps. But if in the end it feels like I'm rushing the climax, it's because that's simply the circumstances of the story.
I don't know if this is the right thing to be putting out there, but it feels better than just trucking along and dumping plot-bombs in the next chapter without warning. In any case, I don't know when I'll get around to writing again, as it's Christmas and all, and I'm trying to figure out this whole "real life" thing and getting an internship for spring.
So... thoughts?
Will there be a sequel?
1628864
If everything goes the way I'm planning, yes, there will be. (Even if it's just a one-shot.)
As long as the quality of story telling remains consistent, I'm OK with it. Like you said when you published your last chapter; this is your story and you decide what happens. It really ticks me off when someone down votes a fic simply because they don't like the direction the story is going. When I published my first fic, most of the down votes were simply because I ponified a human character. But hey, que sera, sera.
Note Alicorn OCs are an exception to the above rant.
1628934
Well, I hope it's not a oneshot. I'd much rather prefer a full fledged sequel
I'm glad to hear that there will be a sequel.
However, I'm also somewhat disappointed with the story.
I'm fine with the ponification, but I think that the aftermath of such a huge event ought to be summed up in more than two chapters and an epilogue.
That being said, this was still a great story, and I look forward to any future sequels, whether it be a one-shot or something more. (preferably something more).
Honestly I'm a little surprised at the "2 more chapters" bit...but I've learned to not judge a story/chapter until you've read it. 2 chapters sounds fast and rushed...however that doesn't mean that they really are going to be fast and rushed.
The chapters might be fast paced, but from what I've read of your work I don't think the chapters will be "rushed."
And if they really are rushed...well I'll point out where I think you should have expanded on to make it less rushed.
1629356 This guy has it right. I am enjoying the story so far and it seems pretty odd that you took so long building up to his ponyfication like multiple multiple chapters, but then your gonna rush what happens after that.
I say take your time and throw in some more chapters.
Plan it out, see what you can do with the experience, A rushed ending can ruin an otherwise good story. Even if you have to take a break and come back to the story I would seriously reconsider throwing out an ending so soon after a major event.
24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm8zf1G4BX1qii6tmo1_400.gif
Um, well I didn't see that coming. Although I guess I don't know where it's going to go sooooooooo, can't really judge if that's a good choice or a bad choice. Although since your just gonna do a sequel I guess it's cool?
You want rushed, read something of mine. The only reason I don't post so quickly these days is because after 13 stories, I have started to think about how I want them to go, as well as having an editor.
So what if there is only two + an epilogue? One of mine went from a break up > five months later with the mare being pregnant > wedding proposal > wedding > foal being born > epilogue four years later, all within 3 chapters. 11 months across that time is rushing thing... but it worked! That one has a like>dislike ratio of 91>6
Whilst some will not like this, it has taken 21 chapters to reach this point (Your story). All I am going to say is that if this is where you plan on ending it, there will be a massive outcry for a sequel.
More than likely from me.
TL:DR version. So what? It's a good story and I look forward to seeing the climax to it.
1628934 I loved how you took your time turning him into a pony and even the light shipping that has been hinted at(well as I see it at least) id say take as much time as you want when writing this your doing a great job the flow has been relatively smooth and your charters feel flushed and not rushed I could go on trying to fluff your ego but that's not my job ill just say this don't rush a story unless you feel you must any who like your work will understand the choses you make for it that's all I have to say...(well one more thing I don't write im no writer but I read a lot and not just here i own over 200 books and if I ever see something with your name on it you can bet ill buy it I'd like to think I know a good writer when I see one)
All I could really say is try throwing him into real life situations or something. Getting him settled and whatever.
I haven't read all the way through the story, I've only recently started getting into it.
But I'd like to help you if you want me too. From what I see so far (or the first few chapters) is your characters seem overexpressive to the point where it's cringe worthy. But that's about it, nothing that Celestia did to make me feel she's out of character. Honestly this is all I have since starting.
But I've done a lot with slice of life genre, and if you need council I can try to do my best. By the time you'd respond I'd probably know more about the story to really give better advice than "He panics a little too hard"...
But if I'm getting what I think I am from your blog, then he's got to accept his place as a pony if he's being turned into one. It's never a good idea to change the characters species late in a fic, however it doesn't mean it can't be done. I guarantee you this will blow over very smoothly if you do it correctly.
Define correctly though...
Well first of all, it needs to be a step that's easy to accept. If your character's been having trouble fitting in, or is just beginning to accept the fact he can't go home, then jumping into the "human to pony" chamber seems like a solemn but reasonable course of action. It's basically admitting that everyone you've met in the real world is either dead or unreachable for the rest of your life. And it's also comparable to accepting a contract that guarantees a new life, but also saying you'll never see your family again.
So this is a very big emotional thing that happens to you. You've just rejected your own reality, and submitted yourself to someone elses. It would feel like slavery or death, but in it's place a new life with the same memories.
Basically, a change that's both necessary and unwanted. Now given the fact that this is being done near the end of the story means the change won't be long lasting, and we'd see our favorite story end on a somber tone, but it would be a conclusion everyone could accept.
I also realize this comment might actually be late in the game considering you've uploaded a recent chapter. So the issue presented in this blog might be solved right now.