. · 1:04am May 16th, 2016
I'd like to write more in Home is for the Weak, but the very nature of it makes that an issue. There is no plot. Home is for the Weak practically has no sense of progression for the most part. The whole entire story relies on Celestia and Scootaloo having interesting to read conversations. This is where it shines the best. In order for this story to be good, I must make those two constantly interesting.
I'm running out of ideas for them to talk about.
And that's fine, I don't hold it to a schedule for this reason. This is one story I will never force because that is the quickest way to ruin it. Still, I do wish an idea for it would pop up a bit more frequently. I don't want suggestions because I feel like that's cheating. This is my story, I want to write it, not others. Although I would squeal like a small child on Christmas morning if someone ever did make something related to it.
Might as well voice other random thoughts on the story.
While Celestia and Scootaloo obviously don't follow their characterization in the show to a T, I feel the biggest offender to this is the 'Why Scootaloo' chapter. Every other chapter follows a set personality to a degree. Scootaloo is a youth who looks at the world with fresh eyes, while Celestia has seen it all and grown very lethargic and relaxed (usually.) They both share in common that, hardships in life really don't faze them for long. In this situation they don't really have anything besides a box, but they don't care to obtain much of anything else. Celestia wants to relax, Scootaloo wants to live her life, (and fly.) Because of this, I kinda want to take the 'Why Scootaloo' chapter down, but it's a lot of people's favorite chapter, so I imagine doing so would upset many.
I have a bunch of rejected ideas written down here and there. Sometimes I question if they really wouldn't fit or not, some of them are cool. Scootaloo has a dream where Ponyville gets flooded and their box acts like a little boat. There's another one where Scootaloo finds a list Nopony wrote of all the things he likes and hates. Written on both the like and hate list, is 'Scootaloo bugging him for attention.'
My least favorite chapter so far is 'Home is for the weak, but you should really have one.' I just feel plot wise that went badly, and that frustrates me. The only thing going for it is the feels and while that's nice, I rather not have it slip by for those reasons. I sorta wish I could go back and redo it, but once again I feel that would upset people, and frankly I'm not sure what I would do anyway.
Writing about two clown colored miniature cat horses sitting in a cardboard box is fun~ Haha, AHHHHHHH-
My favorite chapter is 'Take a guess.' I love conveying things in as little words as possible when writing. This chapter I feel showcases this story well. It gives and idea on both character's personalities they are the most consistently, Scootaloo's inquisitive, Nopony's snarky. You get a good feel for what kinda humor to expect. It shows that sometimes characters talk in colors. It's only three lines of dialogue long, using the chapter title to complete the joke.
I would say that the Changeling Doll is probably my claim to fame on this site. It's a little bit sad and ironic. I've grown to dislike the Changeling Doll due to all the drama attached to it (I will finish it though, I refuse to leave any story I've posted incomplete.) where right as I made Home is for the Weak it became my favorite story before even posting it. I'm glad so many people enjoyed it honestly, I thought this story was going to get about 40 upvotes and then get forgotten about.
I was actually pretty amused by "you should have one" and it makes for a decent way to not have to deal with whines about Celestia being OC on top of that. I don't know what you were going for there other than feels, but it got laughs from me. I do hope you keep adding things, in the sense of "Scoots and Nopony talking about the absurdity of the world" there-- not just the absurdity of Equestria, but the absurdity of social life in general. Maybe that could be a source of inspiration-- when something strikes you as just being "effin' weird", talk it through with them?
I also liked "you should have one". I don't know how you envisaged the ending but as 'Home' is in the title, the end of Celestia going back home and Scootaloo gaining a home seems appropriate even if it didn't come out quite the way you wanted. I would argue that asking for ideas isn't cheating. It's like picking from a list of topics for an essay, the essay is still uniquely yours. In any case, every chapter you give us is a gift we appreciate.
I will also join the the praises of you really should have one. It was a sweet ending that showed how the past year had effected both ponies. As for ideas never be afraid of asking for basic ideas. They could help you get the creative juices flowing by giving you an idea you may not have considered.
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As far the 'you should have one' chapter goes, kinda didn't see this coming.
Huh.
I would recommend if ypundo feel likeaking a chapter for tjr story just picking an apsolutlu random topic and then see how the characters react to it and talk about it and such. Itnwouldnt force it as if nothing really happens then the idea is toast.
Aso for some of the scapped ideas. I like that idea of scoots dreaming of the town flooding and tjr box being a boat as I see that becoming very strange very fast and ripenfor a really strange twist ending.
Honestly icd loved all the chapters and they have gotten laughs out of me and such
Also with a story like this I don't think you should worry about the characters going OOC as the entire basis for the story is to be weird, random.and absurd and that means the reactions can be weird, random and absurd.
Anyways good luck sir and keep upntjengood work and I look forward to more great stories from you
Celestia just gifting Scootaloo a home as it were feels a little out of the blue, but I'd say it's loosely consistent with her seeming impulsiveness in canon. Following it with the 'amusement park' example doesn't make much sense though, funny as the latter is. I feel like 'Nopony' needs a different moniker for living in a house in ponyville and pseudo-adopting Scootaloo.
I'd like to see a chapter from somepony's else's view of Scoots and Nopony. What's the rest of the world see and think about all this. Could be just as short and just as hilarious.
Whoopity-doo, I agree with you on everything you said about your favourite and least favourite chapters!