Reflection on the Last Two Years · 9:42pm Jan 21st, 2014
Two years ago to today, on January 21st, 2012, my very first fanfiction was published on this website. What started as a way to add depth to a single character tumbled into a long journey filled with my twists and turns that effected both my internet life and myself as a person. This blog post will be a detailed look back on all of my work and things that happened to me personally in chronological order within the past two years. So, if you're not the sentimental type, you heartless bastard, I recommend skipping over this.
It all started with The Mark of Blue Breeze, the oneshot turned into the beginning of a chronicle of stories. After having read many other stories following OC's and their adventures in Equestria, as well as have Blue Breeze appear in others' work as a side character, I decided to make this story to give insight into my own character and how he came to be who he is. Like many authors, I never thought the story would go anywhere and it would be the only one I'd ever do. Boy, was I wrong. I had gotten some good feedback at the time, and even requests to do a sequel. I was against the idea at first, but then the creative juices flowed to create the story would go on to be known for.
The next day I immediately began work on Continuing the Dream, the title coincidentally similar to a big inspiration of mine called Living the Dream. The story was originally meant to follow Blue and only Blue and I never expected it to go beyond 20 chapters. Again, I was quite wrong. In an attempt to add new breath to the story, I added in familiar OC's from users on the sight that were known for appearing in stories. The fic was meant to be heavily adventure based, but had a stronger focus on comedy in the characters' day to day lives. The story did go on to have long arcs filled with action and multiple perspectives for the characters involved, as well as have different settings and themes, but maybe a bit too different in some areas. I also can't ignore the two, very short and mediocre clop scenes I wrote for two of the couples in the story, which had gone against my original oath to never write NSFW. God, those were terrible. Five months later, the story came to a close, but was not the last we'd see of Blue Breeze.
In between writing of CtD, I wrote a midquel of my two stories known as Those Awkward Teen Years, following a teenage Blue as he we went through high school with new friends, enemies, and psychotic teachers. The story was planned to show off a full year, if not more, of school, but stopped after the first real day, as I felt it did its job in filling in gapes from CtD and provided something a bit different. But come on, this site already has enough high school dramas. And I ain't talkin' 'bout stories.
After TATY, I tried my hand at both self-insertion and alternate universe fics with Cooking with the Author and OC. It was a parody on human in Equestria stories and cooking shows, having myself, Tim, and Blue Breeze host their own cooking show where things would continually go wrong for the bickering duo. Despite the silliness, the story gave people many laughs, which was always my main intention as an author. It was around this time of year when I met Rhino, who would o on to be a good friend and help in writing. It's an honor knowing my work inspired him to go on to become even bigger than I ever was, and to create new and interesting stories.
Shortly after CtD ended, its sequel, Life Goes On, was released. It would have the same overall feel of CtD, but would no longer be bogged down with Blue continuously going to the Everfree Forest due to his dream. But unfortunately, after so many months of nonstop writing, the writer's anxiety began to hit me and chapters began coming out less polished and with less confidence than I used to have. It was put on hiatus for a long time. Bonus chapters had been planned, but never happened. Only two more chapters were released the remainder of the year before the story was finally cancelled for good.
But that doesn't mean I was quite done with 2012. In late summer, I had released Captain Colt Stallion, a silly little superhero parody that, while it never went anywhere, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. The funny part was how it came about from a joke conversation with my friend Gutter Cat, a long time viewer and friend of mine. In that same length of time, I tried to do a more realistic HiE story: From Life to New Life. The story stopped after only a few chapters and never reached the parts I truly wanted to, and is now what I consider to be my worst work because of it(aside from those God-awful clops).
As the final note on 2012, in July I had began to read stories by one of the most infamous authors on the site, Bronystories. The two of us began to talk and he hired me as his dedicated prereader, which I still do to this day. While the stories were wretched, disgusting, vile, immoral, and just overall icky, I thank Bronystories for helping me learn more about writing, its uses, and how it effects people, as well as for this job keeping my writing skills honed(even if still shotty).
Now, as we reach 2013, I'll be talking less about my work and more about myself personally. In late January, I was hit with depression, depression so big I carried it throughout the year and still hold some of it. My intrigue in MLP began to go down with season 3, having to force myself to finish watching season 3 long after it had ended. I was still not impressed with it. Not much happened within the year worth noting other than some troubles I had with both family and friends alike, neither of which I care to publicly go into. I did have my first real job as an intern at Game Stop, but it was standard fair. Stacking games, helping customers, and just talking with fellow workers. It was fun, but not worth talking about.
In June I graduated from high school, and like most 17 year olds, and no idea where my life was going, and I still don't. But shortly after graduation, I did my next and most well received fic to this day: Some Berry Big Steps. The idea had come from sitting in class out of boredom from wanting to try something new. I thought about placing a character in something they'd never do, and voila, Berry Punch in Alcoholics anonymous. The story became instantly popular due to a lack of Berry Punch centered stories and was my only story to ever get featured. Yeah, that was kinda a kick in the teeth for me.
I came very close to starting a new story that was meant to follow Blue Breeze and Rainbow Dash as they moved to Cloudsdale, but due to stress and loss of drive, it never came to be. Definitely makes me feel bad that I had artwork done for it and everything. For the remainder of the year, things were very quiet amongst everyone I knew. People wanted to write, but no one had the drive. Even when season 4 started, no one I knew seemed to care, and I personally never watched a single episode. Things were just different from how they were. Many of the people I knew on the site disappeared and never came back, and many people I talked with frequently went silent.
Now that brings us to here. Things have not always been so great for bronies, people I know, and myself, especially in recent times, but I've stuck with the choices I've made and wouldn't change any of it. I try to go through life without regrets and try to focus on the future. These past two years have lead to with making friends that will last a lifetime, experiences to look back on, and a better understanding of my own being. Bronies have shown me emotions, skills, and thoughts I didn't know I had, and have made me a better individual in the end. So, this is a thank you to all my viewers, friends, and associates I've met along the way. I couldn't have made it without you guys.
This is Tim Thissen saying to brony on and keep being you. I'll see you all next time.
And what a two years it has been!
i want to point out in the last 3 months i've gotten notified by at least 10 people STILL asking for oc use requests because of this story. apparently people still like the characters @~@
1743643 Oh yeah, CyberAgent. He told me he contacted you and you went as far as to even give him permission to use Vine in clop.
Sounds like someone's become a bit jaded in the last 2 years.
Tally ho, a most impressive retelling of events, good show boy, more stereotypical British phrases.
That was a joy to read! Thanks for all your help!
1743666
I've moved onto other projects and other oc's. I've pretty much thrown the pony known as "vinetion" up for grabs for whatever any wants to do with it. Vinetion is and always has been an alias of mant forms so really go hog wild. (I'm actually thinking of switching to the new Oc's name.)
1745205 After Birthday Blowjob, I don't blame you.