Reflections on Being Featured a Second Time · 5:17pm Feb 13th, 2014
♫ SOMEHOW I CANNOT HIDE
WHO I AM
THOUGH I'VE TRIED--♫
*Ahem*
So The Terrifying Prospect of Swans in Love has done pretty well for itself, having topped the featured box for about 24 hours and clung to second-place for another day-ish as I write this. I want to thank everyone for their support and appreciation of the fic--many of you have left thoughtful comments that were a joy to read, while others indulged my narcissism with lists of what you liked about the fic and favorable (though probably slightly unmerited) comparisons to other Twilestia stories on the site, and still others pointed out spelling errors/other typos that not a single eye out of the 10 or so that were on this fic prior to posting managed to catch. Some of you were even critical in a thoughtful way, and while that's less fun for me (and often a confirmation of my own sense of where the fic was weak), I'm glad that you saw enough in the work to take the time to criticize it where it fell down, in your view. It's led to some interesting conversations to read (and occasionally participate in). And of course, everyone who liked/faved the fic and kept it in the featured box so that more people would end up seeing it, you've all done great things for my ego.
It's funny comparing my reaction now to my reaction to when Lessons of Eternity got featured... I think I knew at the time that if this happened again my response would be much more measured, but I'm still truly grateful to have made whatever small impact on so many people. It's not the praise per se, but the knowing that people read my words and thought about them and saw good things in them that's so exciting. Though the praise is also nice. By all means, do not feel you have to stop the praise.
Also, welcome to all my new followers! I finally broke 200 (213 at time of writing)! I hope I can live up to your expectations with my future blogs and stories.
On which note, apparently the secret to success is to just write Twilestia all the time? Now I just need to think of ways to shoehorn it into all my other ideas...
In all seriousness, I think finishing my comedies is probably the next priority for me, and I do encourage anyone who found TerrorSwans funny to check out Twilight Sparkle vs The Equestrian Library Association and my poor, neglected baby In Search of Lost Friends (Who Aren't Actually Lost). They're both quite a bit zanier than this one, and there is relatively less making out (and zero swans, metaphorical or otherwise), but they have a lot of love put into them. Also a lot of jokes. Like, really a lot.
To return to this story: Nothing is ever written (least of all where I am concerned) by the efforts of a single person, and, as always, I owe a great debt to my real-life friends Lady Grey and Taslin, for their insights and patience, for good advice and for reading this fic several times as both fragments and in complete draft form. Especially considering that neither of them ship ponies, and doubly especially considering that they REALLY don't ship Twilestia. That's some above-and-beyond-the-call friending, you two. Thanks. It's no exaggeration to say that without your support and suggestions, this fic would probably still be a mess of half-linked scenes on my hard-drive. (Also an extra thank you to Taslin for deciding that the abbreviation I use for this fic should be TerrorSwans)
Pony writer friends Denim Blue and littlerobotbird also deserve thanks for their pre-reading and comments, for bolstering my ego and confirming my suspicions as needed.
I would also like to publicly apologize to every single person I regularly talk to on the internet for spending a solid day doing nothing but whining about what to title this fic. Seriously, the list of unused titles and variations-on-the-theme fills an entire page. It was a little insane.
That's all for now. This was possibly the quickest successive update I've managed on this site (ELA chapter 2 went up, what, 3, 4 weeks ago?), but it came at the expense of worrying about some real-life stuff that should take priority for the immediate future. Literally, my thought process was "I should finish my Twilestia fic. I do not have time to finish my Twilestia fic. Which means that it might actually get -done- if I work on it now!" So, though it may be a little less swift in coming, I hope you'll all stick with me for whatever the future may bring.
It'll probably be something to do with ponies.
I will now take any and all questions from the audience (pending approval).
Does this mean that you're going to continue "In Search of Lost Friends (who aren't actually lost)" soon? Because that would make this guy here very happy!
What's your favorite kind of cheese?
I said it before and I'll say it again: Congrats on getting featured! You're stories are good stuff, and they always put a smile on my face.
No making out? Booring. (Jk.)
1829926 Uh... well I think ELA is top priority to be honest. I've already got some momentum going for that one, plus a larger group of people waiting on it who haven't given up hope yet.
That, and ELA is "easier" in a way... or at least, so I thought before the agonizing process that was writing chapter 2 of ELA. But most of ELA's "serious" elements are sort of inherently ironic, so while it's a challenge to figure out how the character arcs play against the satire, it's not emotionally involving on the same level as "this is a comedy about what is very nearly a nervous breakdown." Though, actually, ELA is almost as personal as Lost Friends (they're both a kind of self-satire of my own emotional states at different points)... it's just pretending not to be.
But with TerrorSwans out of the way, Lost Friends is now able to occupy more of my "things I need to get back to" space, and I hope to make it next after ELA just so I can stop having things sitting around in half-completed states.
I'm a little afraid that the next time I look at Lost Friends, though, I'm going to feel compelled to rewrite chunks of it because my sensibilities have changed a little. And that's one of those puzzling questions like "if I pick up from the way I had things, is it going to be an awkward, noticeable shift in style?" or "Is it acceptable to rewrite what you've already written and published because your attitude has changed, or does it belong to the internet already?" Probably be in my best interest to leave it as-is (although it's quite tempting to approach at least the changes EqD required in order to post it... it's a real dilemma because they wanted me to remove some of the references, which I can see the reason why they would say that, but I also had my reasons for having them. Maybe I could just do edits to make those reasons more obvious...).
I'm also a little afraid to finish ELA and Lost Friends, because... well... nearly all of my fic ideas were born in the rush of "OMG PONIES" after I first discovered the fandom, which was lateish Season 2 and into the start of Season 3. So I'd have to *gasp* come up with some new ideas. That might *gasp* have to actually take Twilicorn into account.
It's a daunting prospect.
1829933 Pick just one? What sort of monster do you think I am?
(I dunno, I go through phases, and different cheeses are good in different circumstances. I quite like smoked gouda, but only when it has other flavors to balance it out. And I'm a fan of fancy cheeses that have fruit blended into them, sometimes. And there's something nice about just a decently sharp cheddar.)
1830109
Well, I reread Lost Friends around the time you posted the second chapter of ELA and frankly it still looks fine to me (and personally, I would say that keeping the story around the season 2 area would be a good thing, given that I found Season 3 to be... less than good), so I don't think that there's any reason to go back and change anything.
There's nothing wrong with just picking up a story that has been left collecting dust for a long time. Heck, "On a Whisper of Wind" did it just the other day, and it hadn't been updated since September of 2012. Frankly I think most people would agree that it was better for not going back and changing things (ex, in the On a Cross and Arrow/Whisper of Wind continuity, the story was written before Shining Armor was revealed in the series, so the continuity it's written in has Twilight as an only child. It was generally agreed by the readers that it was better to leave it that way rather than go back and change it)
Most people see the concept of going back and changing things because a creator merely feels obligated to do it as a bad thing in general. In fact, it's often seen as one of THE cardinal sins of writing. For example, you won't find many people who agree with the decision to update Dante's design in Devil May Cry, simply so that it could "get with the times." It's seen as arbitrary and generally intrusive. Or, to make a more relevant, pony-related example, there's a lot of controversy over whether or not it was a good decision for Pen Stroke to go back and make massive changes to "Past Sins," though the majority of people would agree it was a bad decision.
I dunno. At the end of the day, I feel it's still a good story, on par with your other works, and I'd like to see it continue.
1830150 Well, I'm certainly going to continue it eventually. It's just that, having created a situation where people have already been waiting on it for ages, I'd rather do my best to keep updating something else consistently than alternate between the two. At least that's how I feel right now.
Regardless I'm not talking major changes to plot or character. It's just a matter of whether some of the references (mostly, possibly other jokes) are perhaps more over the top/dumb than actually funny. I'd have to look again on a case-by-case basis, heh. I mean, going back to your old work and thinking that you could have done better is a sign that you're improving--but does a published story always belong to the audience even if some of it becomes embarrassing for the creator? Probably the answer to that is yes--at least, I think I would say yes as regards making BIG changes. Art captures a moment in time for the artist, and you shouldn't try to paper over your past just because everyone thinks they used to be an idiot 5 years ago.
But still... some of those references... and the fact that they're keeping the story from going on EqD where it might actually get attention on par with my other stories... (In all seriousness, this is just something I'm going to think about when the time comes, it's not really a BIG deal. I'll probably whine to people about it for a few days on Skype and then just get it done)
Anyhoo, I do appreciate your support and patience. Bear with me for a bit longer. I promise to do my best not to disappoint.
1830149 Thanks Denim. I hope to be in more of a position to return the favor in the future. I mean you know whatever I write, you're going to end up hearing about it A TON, so... glad that you're on board.
Fist off, you deserve the attention. Lessons was great, ELA is wonderful, and Swans is just beautiful. "Princess'd" is my new favorite verb. Nervous, love-scared, flutter-hearted Celestia is always a bonus.
Second, if you have any scenes left on the cutting room floor, side stories, or epilogues, consider submitting to the current Twilestia contest. You've got a proven talent for it, twice over. And more is always better!
1830268 Heh, I kinda regret not finishing this fic in time to submit to the previous contest about power-imbalance, because I think it would have fit the bill, at least well enough to not be disqualified. I decided to focus on ELA at the time, though (I was still thoroughly stuck on how to resolve TerrorSwans, and ELA was burning a hole in my mind's pocket... or something).
I do have some cutting room floor scenes that would fit the premise of "teasing," but I don't know as I'd want to build a story just to support them. I mean, it would basically be a "let's have an awkward but quasi-candid conversation about sex" story. I'm not sure that's a thing I can really see myself writing, although it would certainly be an opportunity to do something I wouldn't normally do. And I'm not really big on epilogues/sequels, just because I try to hit everything I think is important to the story the first time around.
But the deadline being as far in the future as it is, it's possible I'll be struck by inspiration between now and then--my current pressing issues will have passed, anyway.
Still, thanks for the kind words. Maybe I'll enter one of those contests someday, if not this time around.
> titles
Just don't, man. Just let it lie.
1830414 I would love to have you write for one of the contests, and am sad this one didn't get a chance to hit the Contest Winners box (which it potentially could have taken). It's also nice to have big, intimidating names writing next to some of our less well known writers, because usually our judges have trouble picking between the big names and the little ones as far as story quality, and it tends to help less well known or confident writers find their stride.
As for Twilestia being the secret to the featured box, dear sir, I am surprised you are only learning this now. Of the Twilestia contest stories that have been written thus far, two of them have not hit the featured box.
Oh, and lastly, I for one would not feel it is appropriate to be thanked for accepting a wonderfully constructed and deeply enjoyable gift with grace. The thanks are all on you.
I'm not reading any of that. If it can't be said in two paragraphs or less, its not worth it. The story was worth it, but i'm not interested in you rambling about your internet 'fame'. You got two stories featured on a broken feature system, whoop-dee-damn-doo.
1830980 So all your stories are two paragraphs or less then?
I get how easy it is to be jealous of somebody successful, (do I ever) but stomping on them for it is not going to make anybody follow you instead.
1831022 I'm not jealous. You can share an opinion without being jealous. I don't want followers, I mainly have an account so I can keep track of the stories I like and comment when I feel like it. Internet fame means nothing to me, especially on this sites broken ass rating system and all the crap that gets thrown up into the feature box. Now don't get me wrong, I liked the story that this blog was attached to. Its a great take on the situation. Bit overdone, but good none the less.
Also, don't try to white knight me. I'm pretty sure that if the author feels the need, he can defend him/herself.
1830980
I guess I just don't really understand what the purpose of this comment is. If you aren't going to read the journal entry then don't read it. That's fine. You are not obliged to experience the behind the scenes look in order to enjoy the movie. But why go out of your way to make a comment on a blog you aren't going to read complaining about it? It really just seems like a lot of effort for no real reason.
That said, on the article: Thanks Fed, a lot. I am glad to feel appreciated. I'll let you know when I am in need some some neurotic hand holding.
1831546 I read it, I just thought it was too long. I'm sorry if that was such a hard concept to understand.
1831582 Er, you said you refused to read it, so you really cannot fault anyone who comes away with the impression you didn't.
As for my part, sorry if the post provided insufficient thrills per minute for your taste, but uh, everything Lady Grey said pretty much stands: what's the point in making a stink? To teach me a valuable lesson in humility and perspective as regards this blog post where I spend most of my time thanking other people, and the rest of it talking about future projects, which may be of interest to people who follow me? To run down a system which I am fully aware celebrates crap as often as not? I don't really understand.
And I don't really have any desire to have you explain it to me. I'd rather you didn't mock me in the comments on my own blog and I'd really rather you didn't try to pass yourself off as the reasonable one for doing so, especially if you're going to be rude to my other readers. So chill, or I shall exercise my blog-modly powers in the name of keeping the peace.
And last, but not least--
I'm afraid you and I are not going to get along great. See: pretty near every post and comment I've ever made.
1830980 wompwomp
1831582 Also "I'm not going to read any of that" > "I read it"
=(
Wow, that's a very touching... post... Fedora... hang on. Sorry, let me just... Hrrm.
1830980
> 8 stories 60 followers
1831513
If you're not jealous you're pathetic.
Is not 'just' an opinion. It is a thinly veiled insult on a personal blog entry that is far, far too dismissive of this author's hard-won accomplishments. You have as much right to share that as we do to lambast you for it, people like me, who enjoy sitting down and reading monstrosities like this. You know, the target audience.
Unless someone has physically forced you to sit down and read this you don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to complaining about its length. You can:
A) Complain about the parts that were unnecessarily long or padded
B) The quality of the words involved.
C) Sit down and shut up.
Complaining "TL;DR" on something like this (which you'd know if you'd bothered to skim it) is frankly disgusting behaviour.
If you're going to continue to be a complete jackarse, which I highly suspect you are, at least don't be so pathetic - you inconsiderate, insubstantial, inconsequential little ball of slime mould unfit to pre-read my slam poetry - to not understand what the hell you're trying to say or do.
1836707 Wow, its been a few days and I'm still hearing about this? Go... do whatever it is you do.
1836715 1836707 All right. That's enough. Both of you.
I will continue to delete any future antagonistic comments on this matter.
Numbers, not that I don't appreciate the defense, but the matter was settled, and you bringing it back up didn't help anything. So I'll say again: It's over. Let it drop.
1837314
Yeah, I know, I know, and I am sorry.
I was, uh... yes. Cider'd up.
Sorry.
*Coughs awkwardly*.