TSC - Updated and Re-evaluated progress update. · 5:17am Apr 13th, 2014
So...
I apologize for the second blog post in a row, but I think I should be more honest about things right now...
The Sweetie Chronicles hasn't been updated since the 14th of September 2013. That means that this Monday it would be 8 months to the day since its last update.
8 months. That's more than half a year without any chapters posted. And at 8k words so far... I don't think it's prudent to keep pushing it.
I've already talked it over with Shortskirtsandexplosions and we've agreed to let it rest for a while.
Now, I realize that a lot of you really want this chapter to happen—and believe me, I do to! Hell, I got art done for it—but I'll be honest, I concocted the perfect storm for this one. It relied heavily in a story I decided not to use earlier on (it would have made Sweetie severely over powered) and a lot of the themes I wanted it to cover were covered in a couple of other chapters—sometimes unexpectedly—so, not only the motivation for it was forced, but also the relevance of the chapter in this arc.
I'm not saying that I'm giving up completely on EoP... it's just that its place in the overall grand scheme of TSC has shifted... and believe me, it's not easy to swallow my pride and admit to this, but I will not have TSC in a state of permanent hiatus just because I can't get over my pride at not being able to pull through.
At one point, Tracy Hickman wrote an article which centered on when to realize you've hit that point in your story where there's really nothing to do. And it's not that the story is done, or that you wrote your character into a corner; it's just that when you get to a point where everything is laid out in front of your character and both you, and your character say: "What now?!" There's a problem.
...
That's the point where you go back and delete the problem.
This is not a novel in a hard copy, which makes the edit needed a bit easier, but it hits hard because I built so many expectations over it, for both the readers and myself. But if I can be perfectly blunt... I'm not going to even get close to finishing TSC at this rate.
So, I am sorry, but TSC: EoP will have to wait.
The next story will be: Backwards Through the Mirror (https://www.fimfiction.net/story/2323/backwards-through-the-mirror)
It's rated mature, and has a few intense moments, but there's no actual clop involved... it has to do more with themes. TSC will follow the spirit and feel of the world, but will remain Teen-rated.
~WD
So... what story will you do in it's place?
No worries, boss. You know what's best. I'll start looking over the next chapter soon.
As much as that sucks, it's TSC that's awesome, regardless of what it crosses over with.
2005667 My Little Dashie/Sweetie.
Waiting for anything EoP-related to update, more like:
samecity.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/skeleton-computer-guy.jpg
But in all seriousness, do what you gotta do, man. I'll be there, whatever the next chapter is.
K, I have full trust in all your decisions regarding the story.
Do whatever you have to do.
Do you have a link to the article, I think I like to understand better about this point "where there's really nothing to do"
~Leonzilla
2005671
... I'm ... I'm out. You, sir, ma'am, thing, whatever you are, you have made me quit this day.
2005680 Updated the blog
2005678 I'm looking for it, I'll let you know when I find it.
2005668 Ditto! As soon as you order us, anyway. Otherwise Super Big Mac and i shall continue talking about random subjects on Skype.
2005687 Okay, thank you, sir.
I have seen very few stories that the author was as invested in as TSC:F. It is a massive undertaking, and it is obvious to anyone who cares to look that you put a great deal of thought into this story. If you have decided that something need to change, there is no doubt that it was the right choice.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Well, I'm sure anything you choose to stick Sweetie into will turn out great. You know, provided you don't totally lose the plot and stick her in something ****ed like cupcakes, Silver Sky or 120 days of Blueblood.
And now I have to go clutch my brain in agony as I realize I can't un-think that.
Wow. I don't know what I was expecting, but this ... this is awesome. Can't get enough of stories about the Fae. I have high hopes for this.
(The twilight from Backwards Through the Mirror is my favourite version of twilight, hands-down. At least in the department of coolness and unique departures from the vanilla Twilight equation. You know, with the ascension and the immortality and the power-boost. She really has to go through some really rough sh** to get to where she is.)
2005687 Alright, hopefully you will find it; but if it happens to be too difficult don't worry about it XD
2005700 Oh my Celestia, now you have made me think about Sweetie in 120 days of Blueblood too!
No, that is just NO! >_<*
~Leonzilla
The EoP curse strikes again!
I'm a bit disappointed to see that EoP will have to wait (in this story as well as EoP itself, which is bad enough on its own), but my excitement at discovering that TSC will update at all rather outweighs my disappointment.
Is Rusty still around? he hasn't been on in like, 7 weeks and his story hasn't updated in nearly a year, granted it might be par for the course for him to do so (and I love Backwards, really wanna see it completed.)
...I have so much sadface right now. I really do. It's bad enough that EoP will likely not update even 10 years from now, but not even something in homage of it? It's a curse, I swear.
*sigh*...Well, at least I've already read the story for the new upcoming chapter as well...
I wish you luck, though I dread to see what will happen to Sweetie in this dark world. Things aren't going well for everyone.
Ahhh, that's really unfortunate, but I can understand what you're saying. I was kinda curious what you'd do with End of Ponies, but sometimes that happens. Besides, maybe later down the road is a better place for it and she can learn something new, like how to bring hope to a friend who is trying to find some. Dunno!
Now, I've been anticipating Backwards Through the Mirror since it was alluded to in Blueblood's dream in This Platinum Crown, so I, for one, am perfectly fine with the 'replacement.' I am very much looking forward to it - but poor Sweetie.
I am unsurprised. I love Skirts's writing, and EoP will always remain one of my favorites, but I know better than to hope for anything EoP-related to be posted.
I am glad that this was done. TSC is another favorite story and it has led me to some of the most awesome stories around. I always look forward to more of Sweetie's adventures. And I'm looking forward to the next chapter, too.
EoP is End of Ponies?
2005700
Tarnished Silver and 120 Days mashup...
2005700
Those last two would just break her. The two ponies she most looks up to as horrible sadists who love to spread misery.
At Least your not deleting/canceling TSC, there is still hope this get a update eventually.
2005671
That would make an excellent April's Fools chapter.
Ah, backwards through the mirror, excellent fic, one of my favourites. Hasn't updated in a while unfortunately, but I digress. Looking forward to the next chapter, whenever it may come.
2005814
Not that hard, just read either and replace the words 'Circle' and 'Libertines' with each other.
Hell, I think the same canon ponies are high ranking in both as well.
2005852
Shit, you're right. Was Blueblood in Tarnished Silver?
Well, I got something out of the mess. I got to read a nice and long story about life abusing Scootaloo, which I loved. Thanks!
2005864 Very, very briefly, he popped up in one of the Circle meetings while Fancy was preoccupied. Word of god is that he was caught very quickly by Luna.
I don't remember what EoP means ._.OH NEVERMIND IT'S END OF PONIES OF COURSE FUCK SAKE I'M STUPID!!!
But yeah, I hope you'll update it at least this year, I'm gonna be here a long time so I have time...
How I know I'll be here? Because once I "fall in love" with something, in this case the show (and fanfics yeah), I can't get out of it, same happened with sports, gaming, drawing, pizza & Coke (lol), and music < (still developing).
I for one am perfectly fine with this. I read SBC for its own story, so no matter which and how many worlds Sweetie Belle encounters on the way and in what order, I'll be there.
EDIT: Ok, just saw what story is next... Just how nasty is it? A gore, dark, and sex tag? I think I'm giving up on trying to read every story that a SBC chapter is based on, this one just sounds like its a bit too awful for me.
Probably for the best, if you think about it.
~Skeeter The Lurker
One should never force creation becaus you will most likely not be happy with the results in the end anyway.
I'm sorry to hear this, but I'm glad that End of Ponies won't be the end of the Chronicles. I look forward to the next chapter.
To be honest, I'm glad for this. I did want to read End of Ponies, but I never got to it, however, I am a fan of bttm.
Aw, that's disappointing. At least I was motivated to read EoP, which I probably never would've gotten to otherwise.
Well, at least you made me read End of Ponies.
I would like to see this story cross over with the Stories in Stone universe by TDR, or either of the two good universes by Defender2222. I don't know how either going to either universe would help Sweetie in her quest, I just want to see what happens. I can only think of, in the former, Sweetie training with star metal, and even getting a dagger made of it, or even learning the spell that cancels the powers of gods. That would make her too overpowered too fast. In the latter, we see this nice father/daughter relationship between older and younger siblings (Tydal with Celestia and Luna) that would make Sweetie once again think a bit about Rarity.
2005887
Backwards Through the Mirror has some dark themes, and there are a couple scenes where the characters confront some horrific stuff, but I don't think it's any worse than, say, Fallout:Equestria, it is rare, and it's not gore for gore's sake but to give motivation to the characters.
It's been a while, I'll need to re-read it, but I also think most of the gore parts can be skimmed or skipped without losing the plot.
The End of Ponies is cursed!
Cursed, I tell ya!
A pony's gotta do what a pony's gotta do, and the same applies to pony fanfic authors! Go for it, I'm interested in seeing your take on BTtM.
I didn't even remember what EoP stands for until reading the comments.
But, okay, so that's that fine. However, I'm confused about exactly what was deleted. It was unposted material?
I still think she should just go back to "On a Cross and Arrow" soon.
But that's just me not knowing what you have/had planned.
I'm fine with any sort of story order changes. Do what you can to make the story work, and I'll be a happy Background Person.
Just make sure Sweetie gets her time with Queen Whiskey.
You know how I feel about excessively dark, cloppy, or shippy FiMfics but so far you have visited places I would not on my own and done so without ruining my enjoyment. I have no reason to believe you will drastically shift the story away from the expectations you have engendered in your readers.
I would highly recommend not rating your story Mature, however. Many readers choose to keep mature turned off, myself included, and while I already follow this story, it would be a shame for newbs to miss the updates in the bottom of the feature box.
I have recently watched a movie which was, to me, an amazing feat of storytelling. The ballances of show and tell, stylization and realism, recollection and imagination, and themes, events, and content astounded me. The way darkness, evil, violence and death were portrayed without graphic detail except where absolutely necessary to drive home a point. The way love, sex, romance and struggle were apparent yet private; not detailed, yet entirely obvious.
It is probably the most complete example of the concept of storytelling I have seen in any medium. Especially in the sense of remaining true to the motivations of a character.
The name of this movie is The Grand Budapest Hotel and I consider it an example to anyone as to how to incorporate intense and profound themes without becoming graphic in nature. Even if you would prefer to engage in far less surrealism.
2005917
There is one sex scene, it is short.
The gore becomes less as the story progresses, so how much will be in the SBC chapter kind of depends upon where it the timeline it occurs. (as far as I recall, the gore basically disappears after act 2)
Consider reading the first two chapter, there is no gore or sex in them (nor is there till it reaches the Hedge)
Oh piss. If it's 8 months since TSC updated, then that means I'm 9 months overdue! Fuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
2007467
Can you give me some kind of ballpark? Is it like Fallout Equestria where mostly bad guys and the occasional OC pony die, or is it more the kind of fic that you probably shouldn't read if you don't like to see (really) bad stuff happen to beloved canon characters?
2007783
Only OCs have died so far.
And all the unnamed changelings in Chrysalis's hive (towards the end of the story so far). Trixie is almost killed in a painful manner at one point. Celestia has been in a coma to three years at the start and is dying, but Twilight brings her out of it.
2007926
Aight, thanks for the info. I think I'll stay clear of it for now... I just read a really, really vile fanfic and I really regret doing so, its gonna be a while before I can tackle dark fics again I think :P (And just in case, I won't say which one).
I eagerly await the next chapter. We have faith in you :)