"Rise" Just Passed 1000 Views! Contest Time! (Now Updated; Deadline Extended!) · 2:10am Feb 27th, 2014
So, I was planning on talking about motivation ... and then this happened.
"The Dusk Guard: Rise" has passed 1000 views.
Whoa. You guys know what that means?
It's party time! Some of you asked about motivation? Well, hitting milestones like this is part of it! There's others, but watching others enjoy my work it is a great motivator.
So, in honor of this occasion, I'm doing another giveaway! After all, 1000 views is a big deal! But first, some stats!
As of writing this, "Rise" has:
1,001 Unique (aka first chapter) Views
18,778 Chapter Views 
104 Upvotes (That's a good ratio, not on par with some of the biggest stories on the site, but close!)
4 Downvotes (they really don't know what they're missing, do they?)
114 Favorites (You guys rock!)
588 Referrals
314 Comments (Including some essay-worthy theories and debates that went up while the story was first being posted)
A 33.4% completion rate (number of final chapter views compared to initial views). Given that most really well known stories on FimFic bounce between 10 and 25%, this number is a real ringer for "Rise" as far as how gripping it is.
Even better, "Rise" has see some serious follow through its several side stories, including "Carry On," "The Definition of Strength, and the upcoming "Old Habits" and "Emoticon."
Oh, and then there's that incoming secret project I can't talk much about yet. That's right, this one. Trust me, this one is going to garner a lot of attention, for reasons I can't disclose just yet (you are however, encouraged to guess). I will however tell you that there's going to be a pretty big impact on the site when it drops.
So anyway, that celebration, right? Well here's what we're doing.
You guys have until March 31st, 2014 to get in "The Dusk Guard 1000!" The contest will be a raffle, with three prizes! Better yet, you can earn multiple entries! How?
A) Fave (or have already faved) "The Dusk Guard: Rise" before March 31st 2014 or one of it's side stories ("Carry On" or 'Strength"). Each fave will earn you an entry into our raffle!
B) Comment on this post with you favorite moment or character of the entire series!
C) Create a fanwork of some kind! Fan art, story, whatever you want to show your love! These will count as three entries, because that's work!
On March 31st, all of your names will be entered into a massive bowl and three winners will be drawn. The prizes?
3rd Place—A digital copy of "One Drink," my first published work! Currently holding a 4.5 star rating on Amazon!
2nd Place—The Alan Wake franchise collection. Writing is terrifying! Includes "Alan Wake" and "Alan Wake: American Nightmare" as well as the official soundtrack!
1st Place—A digital copy of "Dead Silver," my newest novel, upon release (est. March-April 2014)! The sequel to "One Drink" that'll show you just how wrong a peaceful vacation to New Mexico can go!
So, get those entries coming! And while you guys do that, I'll get back to getting more Dusk Guard on the way!
UPDATE: Due to the amount of feedback from those who wanted to create a fanwork of some kind, I am officially expanding the deadline until the end of March 31st! So, if you were worried about time constraints ... worry no more!
*rushes off to brainstorm*
I'm pretty damn shocked at the number of referrals your story has gotten. I think mine has gotten all of about a 100 or so, all of 'em from Google searches or Fimfic (so all of them from Fimfic...)
Since I favorited your story a while ago, I imagine I'm already in the running. You can remove me from the list of participants. I already own One Drink, don't have much interest in Alan Wake, and I'll be buying Dead Silver when it releases, anyway—thanks for the heads up about that, by the way, though I must admit I'll probably focus on the book Brandon Sanderson's releasing in March, first.
Having said that, my favorite moment in Rise was probably when Nova curb-stomped the golem in the throne room with an entire goddamn pillar.
Well, either that, or when Steel finally pulled his head out of his ass (flanks?) about a certain mare.
My favorite moment was at the very start, when a guard assumed Tia and Luna were in chambers having a serious security discussion but instead were just making each other laugh.
And if there are going to be more stories from other writers ... you really should open up that group soon.
Mh? Favorite scene? Nah! Next you're going to ask my favorite book ... and I can.not.decide! No seriously, there were too many great scenes -- not even counting those I've probably forgotten
Well hey, I like Dusk Guard and I like free stuff, so why not get myself another entry by commenting!
Anyway, I can't pick a favorite moment, but Steel Song is probably my favorite character of the bunch. He edges out Sabra by just a little bit, mostly because Sabra still feels like the usual "wise zebra shaman" archetype this fandom uses heavily, although Sabra is a well-done example of it. But Steel is something you don't see very much at all, and that's an earth pony protagonist. On top of that, he's not just a stereotypical bruiser who can't think through problems beyond "punch it really, really hard". So yeah, he gets my #1 character award for the series.
Don't expect any fan work, though. I'm not that good.
I -think- I've favorited Rise, so that's one.
Two, my personal favorite moment was when Captain
DenialSteel finally came to his senses. A pony who's talent is white water rafting? She's built for shipping.As for the third option... does it count if it's not done before the 7th? >_>
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You know, I think I've going to extend the deadline. I didn't expect the level of response I got, and if I'm going to give you guys time to write, I'd best give you the time to do your best at it!
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Hearing you turn down an option at a freebie to buy it on your own made my day, coincidentally.
That's also one of my favorite moments too, especially the one liner at the end of it. That still makes me laugh. Nova's awesome (and so's the rest of the team)!
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Heh, you'll be seeing more of Celestia and Luna soon, I can guarantee it. Their part in this isn't just as stand-ins (that and I really enjoy the challenge of writing them).
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Yeah, I'm looking to get a cover banner done now. Once I get that, and get "Old Habits" out, the group will probably go up at the same time.
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Glad to see a solid fan of Steel Song, although now I'll really be wondering if Sabra will edge him over before the end of the series! I'm glad you enjoy these guys so much, and can't wait to see how you react to the upcoming side stories as well as the rest of the books!
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Like I said on Templar22's comment, I'm going to extend the deadline. I want to give everyone enough time to pull something together. Should this upcoming project count? Um... let's PM chat that one, and let everyone else here scratch their heads making all sorts of rumors about what's coming. It did start long before this contest ... we'll convene!
I really, really look forward to writing more interaction with Steel and Cappy, and I was so relieved that everyone enjoyed that relationship so well (I was sweating bullets when I was writing it).
1881208 Sweet.
But it will be the best whatever it is I can do! Characters such as yours deserve no less.
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Still need to come up with a solid idea.
Oh, since I neglected to do so before...
Favorite scene/character= .... There are a lot of grade A awesome sauce scenes and characters, but Sky Bolt and some of her scenes probably takes the cake. The character interaction between her and Sabra (well, all your character interactions really) is just outstanding. "Carry On" was just great to read, especially with Sabra...
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drekk, see this the same reason why I can never choose which of the mane six is my favorite! I can't decide! But for the purposes of this little contest I'd say Sky Bolt is my favorite character. (at this current moment in time)
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Though that scene with Dawn trying to give Nova a shot? Priceless
I did like the complete bewilderment of Steel at his insensitivity in matters of the heart. And then he got MARE-SLAPPED!
I seriously wish i could draw.... Really. All I can do is edit stuff (learning how to draw though.)
Anyway, I kinda liked the one-on-one battle with Blade and Steel...
Might give me ideas for my fic/ art