Zero Blogs: Break the Cutie · 2:34am Jun 2nd, 2015
Contrary to what some may think, making something dark, edgy, and depressing doesn't necessarily make it better. And a Downer Ending isn't automatically better than a Happy One.
For those of you who've been reading From a Sparkle to a Spark, you've probably noticed I've really put Twilight through the wringer. In Shine, she was kidnapped, tortured, brainwashed, and nearly killed by Adagio and ultimately ended up with a broken horn for her troubles. Sunset too went through quite the ordeal. Having the students all hate her, being initially helpless to stop the Sirens, nearly got her magic drained by Aria and Sonata, nearly got killed by a brainwashed Twilight, and took a bad beating from Adagio.
Why do I put my characters through such pain? Do I hate them?
Not at all. I write by a concept called Earn Your Happy Ending. Where if the protagonists will end up victorious, they have to go through hell and back first. Break them down. Cut off their retreat. Show us their darkest hour. It makes it all the more satisfying when they finally emerge triumphant.
That's what I did in Shine.
Adagio spent the whole story adapting against the Rainbooms to pull out ahead. Even Celestia's interference was only a brief setback. And indeed, even when her plan was ruined, she nearly took Twilight with her. But just when all hope was lost, Sunset took the bullet and ascended, bringing the Siren's scheme to an end.
A good story pushes the characters to their limits. Just like how I push myself to the limit in my writing to get better. And I might falter and break down from time to time (like with Cryosite), but I won't stop.
And I hope you guys won't stop either.
In all honesty from the sequel and how Twilight is being targetted... Eh... little cheesy? *shrug*
3116657 I don't follow you.
3117199 I can't put my finger around it but I think the way your Twilight gets targetted, and the way the villain acts... predictable. Try not to use tropes as rulesets.