'Herd' Poll Results & Note · 5:30am Dec 14th, 2013
Apologies, all. I'm far too stressed out at the moment for there to be a proper update today. I've got a lot of things bothering me in real life, coupled with some less than stellar reviews, so I'm momentarily shutting down for this week. I'll be back next once I calm down. Sorry again, to all those looking forward to my updates. If I feel up to it, maybe next week's release will be a double one to make up for this. Anyways, here's the results of that very informative poll a few days ago.
A few notes of clarity for options three and four. Sweetie Belle is aged up in all examples contained herein, as are me writing full out romance with any filly or colt. By the time she's 'legal' for herds, she'll be the human equivalent of seventeen to eighteenish, and matured accordingly. I don't do foalcon. Further, all of these choices won't alter the main story, and are all considered EITHER 'what-if' scenarios or 'optional' canon to be written AFTER the story is done. Also, no, Keela and Redheart are not added to these lists, but can be assumed as part of option 1 and 2. I only included things solidly definite, or quite possible. Both of those are tentative, and feelings are unsure for one or more individuals.
Voting Results:
Vote 1 - 9.033333333
OOOOOOOOO
Vote 2 - 18.23333333
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vote 3 - 28.73333333
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vote 4 - 15.4
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vote 5 - 31.4
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vote 6 - 12.2
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Vote 7 - 2
OO
Personal Notes:
A surprising amount of individuals were 'okay' with options three and four, which is interesting. There are dynamics in the main story already that support both Rainbow and Applejack, and obviously newly introduced Sweetie Belle, but seeing reactions to them apart from the comments helped, despite five 'winning'.
Further, one and two got a surprising amount of votes as well, despite me tossing them in mostly as a joke. Maybe I'll consider adding them in after the story is done as a 'what-if' scenario. Heh.
Hmmm... I need to see the previous blog...
~Have a good one and hope you feel better soon
That's understandable. I hope you're in a better situation and feeling good soon, Kiroberos!
Alright, who voted 7
?
Doh! Saw the last poll blog on my phone and forgot to vote when i got home, My vote would of been for option 3. As a creative type myself (music) I understand when real life gets in the way. Shrug off the negative reviews and enjoy your week off. :)
Hope things get better for you soon. May the alpacas be with you. (Soon)
What about my hidden option 8?
...I can dream can't I?
1604821
Well all can dream Azu. We all can dream. *goes into a daydream*
It's always a high point of my Fridays to read the newest chapter of Forgiveness Pending, and it's sad there isn't one this week.
I hope whatever life is throwing at you isn't too serious, and look forward to more chapters whenever your feeling better.
That's a shame Kiro, especially about the reviews, although, if I'm honest, some of their critiques probably were not without merit.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore this fic, but it does have its missteps. Specifically, Arc Fatigue, and how the story seems to have been meandering around aimlessly for a while now. The last significant major plot point was Nirru's attack and the aftermath, the entirety of which was published over six months ago. Since then, it has taken a back seat in favour of the romance subplot and Mender's inner conflictions, which has been going on for a bit too long, and is still having more unnecessary additions, like Sweetie Belle and her problems, added to it. This is all well and good, but when it continues for over six months of 10,000 word weekly releases, it tends to be a bit tiring.
Don't get me wrong, I love the fic and hope you continue to deliver the same outstanding quality I've seen thus far, but I believe the main plot needs to kick itself into gear again.
Just my two cents. Either way, I hope you're doing okay Kiro, and I look forward to the next chapter.
Kind of curious why getting such reviews now. FP is far enough in that readers should have been used to the shifts from MP even at 10 chapters in. Maybe some speedread to the current point and are complaining as the slowdown and romance come, but find if hard to believe someone could make it that far if had such issues with the story.
I'm quite conflicted on Kiro's possible reaction. While staying entertaining to your audience and listening to their feedback is always good, there is a point where one must weigh personal wants with the story against what others want. Here, I think the former wins. Partly it is that I enjoy the story, but also that I think the "don't like the direction" when things are still progressing naturally and just as entertainingly as they always have been is an argument that should not hold much ground. The poll also might not have been the best way to figure where to go from here, so I just have to hope the scales tip towards no alteration to come.
It's also typical that the naysayers will be louder and more commonly outspoken than the enjoyers, so let me take a moment to balance this with
Kiro, your story is freaking amazing, I love it all, and I want to see what you want to write for yourself while we all enjoy alongside you. Feel as great as we know you to be.
I should make sure to reinforce that every now and then, can't let my favorite author forget his supports.
Honestly, even if I did do this, my options aren't actually on the list. If they were, I'd opt for adding Keela and RD, and maybe AJ.
Still, I keep my original vote of 5.
so no release this week? thats cool
but Do Not Release Two Chapters Next Week.
Use this chance to build up your chapter buffer, not lower it
Can't sleep, so have some replies.
1604693 - Hypersonic
http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/256984/poll-and-break
1604704 - NightCore
Thank you. I'll try...
1604714 - Oddponi
Thanks for being understanding. I was worried ponies would be angry with me.
1604782 - shirotora
Azu, who was just trolling, and myself.
1604800 - Arolli
Yeah. For a creative artist, I have a rather weak heart. I can't take too many hits.
1604815 - StrafejumpingIsMagic
Heh...
cdn.cutestpaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Baby-Alpaca-l.jpg
1604821 - Azu
Feel free to remind me again about it via Skype.
1604867 - Mystic Grove
It's serious but there's zero I can do about it. That and my own mind is my worst enemy.
1604955 - Gherkin
Thank you for reminding me of all of them without me even having to look at my story. Wonderful. Let me toss up a few 'missteps' with that. Your statement:
Bad:
Good:
Just stop for a second and go back to my Forgiveness Pending's main screen. Maybe read the introduction again, and definitely pay attention to those tags. The romance tag isn't there because it's a 'subplot'. The 'main plot' of this story is NOT the extra-dimensional crap or even the investigation into the fliers. They're part of it, but not the only part. The actual 'goal' of this story if I was required to state it as such, is to show Mender's adaptation into normal pony life while everything else seems to conspire against that. Whatever you think the plot is, is apparently not the same as what I think it is. This might not be the story you're hoping it is.
1605065 - QuietPonder
Thank you. Sometimes it is hard to see that it's only a select few with problems. I don't have a choice about deviating from my already written out script. The plot-holes that could potentially create would be disastrous. So, short answer, I'm not deviating at all. Although 'thankfully' for them, the 'main plot' shifts back in after the Estrus, a bit. Hope they know what they're wishing for...
Thank you again for being supportive though. It really does mean a lot, and you've been here for a LONG time. Thanks.
1605158 - Hawkflight
I know. I was merely posting the clarification due to a lot of the statements with the votes. Yours is very much recorded still.
1605188 - Biscuits
I suppose. Part of me just feels bad to everypony looking forward to my releases.
1605218 - LMessenger
Heh, thank you. Sometimes I have trouble remembering all those that support the story. It's probably just me, but negative reviews seem awfully 'loud'...
1605065
What they want:
dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7410519/ScreenS/My.Little.Pony.Friendship.Is.Magic.S01E14.Suited.for.Success.720p.WEB-DL.DD5.1.h.264-ETP.mkv_snapshot_14.12_%5B2013.12.14_19.48.20%5D.png
What they really need:
dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7410519/ScreenS/My.Little.Pony.Friendship.Is.Magic.S01E14.Suited.for.Success.720p.WEB-DL.DD5.1.h.264-ETP.mkv_snapshot_20.25_%5B2013.12.14_19.48.51%5D.png
Memory Pending has 1,885 likes. Those aren't just random internet points, man. That's 1,885 people who like what your doing. Forgiveness Pending has another 1,121 likes. That's 3,006 votes of approval. I wouldn't worry about a few bad reviews considering you have, at least, a small town's worth of people who like what your writing.
Feel better soon, man.
1605230
bro, id rather miss a week now than have to wait in uncertainty for a new chapter.
honestly, bumping up the releases to fortnightly might even it out a bit.
sure itll suck for us, but really if you get bad one week and miss a chapter, thats one less chapter for the buffer.
weeks when you dont write at least one chapter means theres always a drop in your buffer, and if youve got 20 chapters ahead, thats 20 chapters I know are written.
now im not saying release fortnightly because I don't want to have to defend myself against your fans, too devoted. But Id just rather have more written than less.
Sorry, I am very drunk right now so sorry if this makes no sense
Less than stellar reviews? Who in their right mind wouldn't love this story?
Though I understand about how troubling it is when people forget to love and tolerate. One reader even went so far as to call me a pervert due to a herd marriage.
For what its worth, I love your work and can't wait for more.
I hope whatever is giving you trouble IRL can be worked out for the best. I wish you luck and great success in what ever you do.
1605230
Like me and a few others have already said, Forgiveness Pending is the highlight of my week. I look forward to it far more than actual My Little Pony episodes.
What I especially love about your story is that it takes its time with things. I would not mind Mender staying in heat camp for all eternity if it meant keeping the pace of the story right. I feel that the pacing is one of the things that really makes this story special, and I could not be happier about it.
While I really love this story, I also would not mind if you released chapters less often to build up your buffer. Never let it become a burden. The same thing goes with comments, it is fine to not reply to everything.
1605374 I totally agree with you.
If there is anything I can do to help, even if just to have someone to talk to, let me know.
I don't know what is going on IRL for you but I hope it calms down, i know what stress is like and it's not fun. as to those "not so stellar reviews." you know what we say? BUCK THEM!
) and your stories are in my 3 favorite series. now you may be thinking that's not that great but in reality it is awesome. I read ALOT, I can clear a 1000 page book in a week, and thus i have a very high standard for books, this carries over into fanfics. because of this only 52 fanfics have made it into my favorites, that is 36 authors, and most of those stories are series which i usually count as a whole which brings the total down to 35. only 35 stories have caught my eye and actually been good enough that i didn't toss them out after the first chapter or 2. I am a very hard reader to please, BUT YOU DID IT. I absolutely LOVE this story, i love Mender and this entire world you have created. i am not sure what the reviews contained but don't you EVER let ANYONE tell you that you are not a good author. because this series is one of the THREE out of my entire favorites that i could see being published as actual novels (the other two being the Upheaval series by Visiden Visidane and of course Past Sins and it's mini stories by Penstroke).
Kiro this story is amazing, you are my second favorite writer on Fimfiction (Penstroke takes #1
So yea anyway I don't comment often unless I have some crazy conspiracy theory that I think the story might go, but i felt like this was important, because we your fans clearly need to do a better job of showing support so that you don't feel bogged down by the negative Nancys.
Now we wait for next week!
I'm not sure where these "less than stellar reviews" are coming from Kiro, but your story's awesome!
But don't feel bad about taking time off, if it feels right then just do it
Kiro,
I struggle with a lot of mental/behavioral issues myself so I can completely understand where you're coming from. Do whatever you feel is best for you, not what everyone else wants. Also, remember that 1,269 of us are following you for a reason. Negative reviews and strong criticism can sometimes have a larger impact than the positive, but that doesn't mean you have no support. We all love you, Kiro, and support whatever decision you make.
Until then,
PhantomChaser
sounds like Kiro needs a hug
27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmtyhwxGBz1qkm3xxo1_500.jpg
hope everything goes better. i get like that a lot also and it always seems like nothing will help. but remember that there are MANY of us here that support you and love your story and wish the better. Can't sugarcoat it and say everything will be better especially when we don't know exactly what all is going on IRL but do remember to keep your chin up and be as positive as you can. You are an excellent writer and sound like a great guy. i admire your ability to pump out such amazing and long chapters and still reply to our comments soo much.
some people might have started to get annoyed at what seems like such long chapters without much going on but that's their opinion. your the writer and you decide whats best for the story and majority of us will agree with you. theres always going to be someone who will disagree but nothing is perfect obviously and the more you try and make everyone happy, the more you will leave everyone unhappy. I for one think plenty happens in each chapter and love how much detail and though you put behind it all. the world wasn't built in a day and we cant have Mender being blown to bits and killed every chapter. Even the best movies have slow points in them that seem to drag on forever but there just as important as the action scenes. They seem to also forget that the title of the story is 'Forgiveness Pending' and has a Romance tag, not called 'Injures Pending'
keep up the good work. do what you need to do for you and not just for us. if you need to take a hiatus to get some stuff back in line, im sure we all would be fine with that. good luck and hope everything will get better
An optional epilogue to the optional epilogue?
Man, this is getting complicated
Thank you for blogging about the release lapse. If there had just been no new chapter with nothing said, I may very well have flipped out.
Feel better Bro. We'll wait for you.
1605230
Anytime.
Might even greenlist you for sidehugs if you needed. Major accomplishment to those who know me.
Though...
I've only been around since April 2013 for commenting to you it seems, Pending's been around since January 2012. Wish I had been with you guys for an actually long time (one of those things you hit yourself for not finding earlier but had no control over), but really only been here about a third of the time. Will, however, be here for all the time to come.
Unless execution or such, but let's not consider that yet.
The only reason I didn't vote on an option in the previous poll was I wanted you to follow your own muse; I suppose I should have posted to that effect. Here's hoping things improve for you soon!
*goes into update withdrawls*
Maybe another vote without one and two to see if three and four can win? idk, just saying that extending his herd further actually seems to be the popular opinion. But you are the the author so Its all really up to you. I love this story and you have done a good job so far.
Bueno.
1605230 Wait, no. Mender/Redheart OTP.
1605674 - Sylthsaber
Makes me have hope that my future as a published author might not just be a pipe dream. So thank you.
It involves problems with my school and the oh so lovely things they keep doing to ensure my not returning, but eh. That's another story entirely.
Heee. I'm glad I meet with your approval. It's nice to have my story compare to the larger, extremely popular ones. It's not... quite the popularity that draws me so much to that as the sheer number of ponies that have read them. I'd love to be able to entertain that many! I'm glad that I'm a step closer to that, and you think this could actually be published if I wouldn't be destroyed by copyright infringement. Heh.
1605773 - Decibel
Thank you. I definitely needed to recharge my batteries a bit.
1605875 - PhantomChaser
Thank you very much. I've fought with things like that for... a long time now. I thought I could deal with them properly but the stress of how many ponies look forward to this kinda got to me more than I thought. I'm glad for all the support everypony is giving. It helps me to remember that I already have a lot of ponies who approve...
1606105 - Buckin Bronco
I have this lovely tendency to feel like I'm letting ponies down if I don't reply to every single comment on my story, and that's unlikely to change. Hopefully things in real life will clear up, but I'm going to try to keep remembering that everypony here really is supporting me, despite a few that say nay. I guess I let the stress get to me, and I apologize.
A hug would indeed be awesome, and that picture is adorable.
Yeah, you're right. I'm just going to continue on with what I have planned in the story and accept the fact that I can't please everypony. I've already pleased quite a few it would seem, so I'll push down the urges to try to make them all happy. Maybe a few side stories after this will help satisfy curiosities and whatnot. Heh. But thank you for being supportive of me, even though I can get a little crazy sometimes.
1606165 - Sergiovan
HA! Well, no. They're optionally canon because I'm sure they're not to everypony's tastes. But I say optionally canon because unlike 'what if' based stories, they don't replace anything. They perfectly well could happen normally. They're just outside the bounds of what the story 'needs'.
1606972 - Trent Roogna
Yeah, I was going to anyway and then I got delayed in the actual writing of the blog. At least I got it up the day of no release. Some explanation was needed...
1607583 - QuietPonder
This story has been a long ride so far... Oooh, you also started commenting around the time of my birthday. 
I'm very pleased to have your ongoing support, though! Heeeee.
Hey, that's still a ways back.
1607683 - Caliaponia
Oh, the vote isn't changing anything about the story. I'm still following the script I have written up regardless. I was curious about personal opinions however, and considering doing a few after-story shorts based on some of the ideas tossed around.
1607949 - Bridgebrain
I'm sorry. At least you have your fix this week.
1608006 - Gareth1125
Heh, the vote won't change the story directly. They affect the stuff after the story's completed more than anything.
1608100 - Rune Heart
1617458 - Hawkflight
Troll.
Oops. These got cut off...
1605238 - VcSaJen
Thank you, though.
Heh, that's a nice comparison, but I'm not sure if I'm as talented as Rarity.
1605257 - Farnham
Yeah. I really should just stick with my original plans for the story. I can't make everypony happy, that much is obvious. My urges to make sure I entertain as many as possible are blinding me to the ones already happy with the work. I'm sorry.
1605287 - Biscuits
Now that I got through the difficult parts of 61, I'll be working to speed up my buffer increases.
Heee. It makes sense. And thank you, drunk or not.
1605314 - drnkntst
They expect this story to be similar to the first one, when it's actually quite different, and then get mad at me for writing it wrong. I'm not sure what to do about that. But I'm very happy that you like my work, and thank everypony for showing so much support.
Sometimes ponies forget about that.
1605374 - JockeTF
It... surprises me that you look forward to this more than the episodes, but I'm honored. It's sometimes... hard to see everypony really liking my story when I have such an urge to ensure that EVERY reader likes it. Then the ones that don't seem so much, well, more than the rest. It's obviously just me and I can't please everypony, but... Well, thank you. I mean that. Thank you.
Thank you, Best Alpaca.
1605397 - 1995olafur
1605399 - tigerphoenix
Thanks. I'll try to get back with all my PMs this weekend. I fell behind again due to the funk.
1628878 That's me!
1628878 You are very welcome. Happy to see that you are feeling better
now i'm off to read new chapter
1628882
Don't worry my friend, I've been guilty of that myself. They key thing here is that you have an avenue to possibly feel better. My door is always open, whether here, Steam, dA or wherever.