Unpublished Files – Part 2 · 2:52am May 13th, 2013
While I was working on Shadow of the Sun, I actually had two competing similar story ideas vying for attention. One, was sub-par enough (imo) that it’s not worth mentioning, ever. But the other actually got really far along. Of the planned 15 chapters I wrote ('wrote' loosely translates to having at least some text inside a word document) 13 of the chapters, including the ending. I would say it is around maybe 70% ish completed, without any editing.
So I have decided to share it with you guys today: "Twilight Sun" (alt: "In Our Time of Twilight")
Twilight is always busy. From sun-up to sunset. She never has enough time to do everything she wants. On one particularly busy day, Rainbow suggests she takes a break from rushing around and just enjoy life, right before Twilight promptly hurries off.
However Rainbow’s words stick and Twilight devises a spell that will let her slow things down and get more time. She decides to give it a try during the sunset and make the moment last just a little longer and she invites Rainbow, who inspired the idea, to share it with her.
Except, there is a tiny, itty, bitty, problem. The spell should only have made the sunset last an extra hour, however, it’s actually going to take a little longer… a thousand years longer.
This story pretty much follows the idea of two characters trapped in a world that is, for all intensive purposes, frozen in time. They cannot interact with anyone or anything (i.e. they can’t open doors and Twilight can’t read books (that aren’t already open)). They don’t get tired or hungry or age (because only a few minutes have actually passed). It is just the two of them trapped in a never ending sunset for a thousand years.
As I said at the start this story got really far along. Unlike other stories with a similar idea (time stopped around characters), I didn’t pick points in time to write about. Each chapter is written so that we follow (Twilight) from the start to the end over the course of her time, without suddenly cutting forward. As Twilight becomes more accustom to the unchanging world her perception of time beings to slip away. Each chapter covers a larger period of time than the one before it. The first chapter is the first day, the next one is two days, then a week, a month, and so on until the last chapter takes place over 500 years.
This one might still get published at some point (although it is really far down the list of things I want to complete). I really like the story and the idea, but, well, it had, has, some issues.
First, it’s another story about the sun stopping in the sky. Granted not for the same reasons, but I am already writing a story about that. Second, it is a very heavy Twilight and Rainbow story (although more Twilight than Rainbow), which I had just previously written. Third, it has ship in it. As some of you might know, I don’t like shipping characters unless it makes sense for the story. And it does. It is one of the chapter I didn't write.
And lastly, the biggest reason this one got shoved into the unpublished files folder, is that it is just too darn sad. Sad story, sad moment and sad ending. I just don’t need any more sad. While Shadow of the Sun certainly isn’t happy, it doesn’t make me want to cry after reading it (well, maybe after long hours of editing the same thing over and over, but that’s not the contents fault).
Anyhow, thanks for tuning in. I have a bunch more to share if people continue to show interest and plan to put them up on no particular schedule, just when I feel like writing something that isn't fanfiction... just about it... And who knows, if enough people like an unpub maybe I might give it another shot.
Relevant to my interests! Do it!
I like sad stories. Well, I like good sad stories. And that looks like, if done right, it could be a very good sad story.
Her perception of time slips? I don't recall seeing that idea before in a messing-with-time story. It is an interesting thought. As is the realization that I should go to sleep right now.
)
(I hate sleep. It eats up so much time I could be using for other activities. If Twilight isn't going to use that spell, can I have it?
This idea really intrigues me...maybe you should publish it!
By the way...if you want sad, read "Simply Rarity" over on EQD. Now that is sad.
1074267
Any idea I put up (because I don't know how you would get the ones in my head... and if you are... stop that!) is free game. Where ideas and concepts are concerned I would much rather see people create than be held back. So, go for it.
1074333
No, I really don't want sad... I have enough of that as it is. The main reason I enjoy the show is because it is not sad (and if it is, there is still usually a happy payout).
1075515
I can say there is no character death in it. In a section I wasn't sure to cut or keep (because it seems darker than I really want the tone of the story), Rainbow does try to 'escape' their 1000 year imprisonment by trying to kill herself, only to discover that she can't. Once again, because time is moving so slowly everything is reduced by a factor equivalent to the time dilation (ie if you want to cut yourself, which would take a little under a second in our time, the same thing would take 2 years of trying in their time, which Rainbow thankfully doesn't figure out).
This seems like an incredibly fascinating idea and your writing has always enraptured me. I would love to be able to read such a tale.
1075812 I shouldn't even try to do anything with it. There are way to many ideas in my own head already, picking up another one would leave me with even less time. When I asked if I could have that spell, I meant it quite literally.
you know that actually sounds like it can be a very good story! i say do it!!
Bit of a blast from the past but Twilight Sun sounds really intriguing.
3736940
It's one of the few stories I haven't completely let go of. I find that every now and again my mind drifts back to this story. It still isn't high on my list, but I do think about it. Being another medium length story its not impossible I might finish it one day, heck its almost done, just 200~300 more hours of editing needed...