Fifty random thoughts for 50,000 page views. · 3:04am Apr 18th, 2014
(Brace yourselves: this is gonna be long. I was planning something like this for 50k or the one-year membership anniversary, whichever came first. As it turns out... slightly early. And for those who've been with me from the start or through the group, little gifts and clues lurk ahead...)
50. So what? There are individual stories on this site which have gone over 100k. I currently have twenty-eight in various degrees of completion and just barely hit fifty? Big deal. Besides, at least four hundred of those are probably my trying to catch those last invulnerable typos.
Still...
49. I honestly feel that more than anything else, Sonic Rainbigot was an accident of timing. The story went up right around the time Paula Deen was busy whaling on her own feet with every frying pan available. Rainbow said something which another pony could turn into a weapon during days when a number of people were thinking about the uses of language as offense and denial as rote. The right story at the right moment.
48. Has anyone else on this site ever had a reader tell them that their writing style made the reader's eyes bleed and then got that person as a follower?
...just me, then.
47. In a lot of ways, Luna's Lottery Lunacy is a very weird piece. The plot is Hollywood high-concept: Lottery introduced, ponies overreact. Four words and you're either in the door or kicked to the curb.
What surprises me most about it is how much of it is still echoing forward and backwards. There are little worldbuilding bits which have worked their way into other stories, plus things which turned out to be setup and weren't necessarily meant that way at the time. (Note Luna's metallics count during the Ponyville flyover.) It wound up setting up a lot, even if most of that was background... and it's where the idea of ponies and herd mentality really became part of the total picture.
It also says a lot about who Luna is in this setting, and pretty much all of it has held up throughout. One of the best compliments I've received is that a reader thought it just felt like how Luna would react. Given that she is, as with all our collective attempts at writing her, a divergence from the original, it was good to hear.
She's stronger than Celestia in some ways. On the best days, her sister knows it. The best days can be few and far between.
46. I briefly considered starting a group for Hanging Ponies Off Stuff. Since, you know, people seem to feel that's a thing.
45. The last two days have been spent desperately hoping Fluttershy Gets Replaced By A Sherman Tank would fall out of the Feature box before John Perry got to it.
At this writing, it had just been displaced.
I can exhale now.
44. I should go into the chat room more often than I do. It's been a while. Too long of one.
43. One of the problems I have with writing the CMC is that in many ways, they are characters who are canonically incapable of learning from their mistakes. Working with personalities who are in some ways determined to remain locked in a way which would send Discord into shiver fits... it grates somewhat, and it's why I avoided putting them in the spotlight for so long. The characters of this little divergence are changing in ways both small and writ large. And at least right now, that trio can't...
42. Personally, I don't feel that A Mark Of Appeal is riding anywhere close to the edge of the Teen rating. And I promise it's not going to abruptly turn into clop. To me, the cliff it keeps careening along is Dark. One offsite reaction to the latest chapter was a simple, sincere seeming "Oh @#$%" -- and it's pretty much what I was going for at the time.
I never said it was an easy problem.
And having someone try to add it to an Intellectuals story group was probably the best reception I could ask for.
41. At night, the Solar Courtyard operates under a midnight sun. The illusion has Sun frozen directly overhead, which disturbs some ponies a little: it's not a position or stasis which would be seen anywhere along the normal path. The light has gray tints to it, some of those who've been inside during that hour feel the temperature is a little off, and the whole place just comes across as slightly uncomfortable -- or worse, which is why off-hours use of the place is generally avoided. The Courtyard has some lingering resonance of its own which Celestia hasn't been able to get rid of after a thousand years of buildup, and the regrets haven't gone away.
40. There are times when I really do kind of write Rainbow as a ten-month old Chow puppy.
39. Of all the stories I've posted here, the only one I seriously thought was going to get into the Feature box when I submitted it? Pinkie Pie vs. The Soufflé.
*shrug*
So clearly my predictive abilities for what will and won't catch on are not exactly running at 100%.
You could make an argument that it's the quietest, smallest-scale of the stories, and my Neutral Setting (not fully ON, not fully OFF) take on Pinkie may have felt too odd for some: Pinkie on a normal day, trying to accomplish something, just being what I saw as herself. But those who got through it approved.
I suspect a lot of other people decided I had no idea what to do with her and ran for the hills.
38. Tricks. Techniques. There's a third word. And it stealth-slipped into an earlier blog post, so let's formally unite the set today: Tools.
So, Sereg... three for three?
37. Okay, for the record: the CDA does not castrate male human rapists as a matter of policy. (However, I will not deny that agents have been known to put kicks in, especially with offenders who got away the last time.) However, what they are doing might not be seen as much of an improvement. They're trying to find resonance-based ways of negation -- playing with human emotions. Early attempts at magic as behavior modification.
You can consider the victims. You can place very justified quotes around 'victims'. And they're not doing it to ponies -- but that's because ponies are citizens, and humans are not.
The first step in nearly every crime is treating people as things. This certainly includes rape. But is it in the way you go after the rapists?
More downvotes to come, I'm sure.
36. The cover picture for A Horse Called Sunbutt is not a random choice. And while that story is not on the main timeline, there is a detail there which is.
35. Some of the comments from Blood Brandy on Dragon-Dog Day Afternoon got me thinking about why dragons hang out in calderas to begin with, and it's turned into a couple of mentions regarding Twilight needing to take Spike into such a place once per year in order to keep him healthy. Lurking somewhere ahead on the horizon is a story about the first-ever trip, taken with Shining Armor at her side.
Twily Vs. The Volcano.
...yeah, I'm gonna pay for that one.
34. One of the reasons I postponed putting Cadance into anything for so long is because it took me a small forever to find a local handle I could use. Having her hiding in plain sight finally did the trick, along with giving her that deep core of dread based in discovery.
Also, much like so many others, I keep inadvertently putting in Cadence.
33. The Octavia midsize plushie is adorable.
32. I know I just joked about local vocabulary not catching on and it really was something I once distantly hoped would happen: that the terms I use related to magic and Equestria's environment would start popping up in other places. As-is, it's turned into more of a You Are Here element: something which distinguishes this setting, if only a little.
I do have to be careful not to let Fluttershy's ellipses take over, though. Her speech can be very hesitant and she has a hard time maintaining volume -- but not all the time.
31. Wondering about some of the other worlds represented in New Cynosure? Here's one: the alternate history of the Wild Cards consortorium. That's where Laurie came in from -- and for those familiar with that setting, you're probably seeing the pieces: Dodgers still in Brooklyn, the Bowery reference, Castro, the small distortions in her appearance, and the fact that she fell through one of Chalktalk's active portals.
(See? G.R.R.M quota already met.)
I've been giving serious thought to making Tess a Hoffmanite. But there's dangers there: I want most of the worlds to be solidly human-majority, and the Gallimaufry distinctly isn't. Anything alien to arrive in Equestria should at least be close enough to pass or be easily confused for the majority of incursions. Plus Winslow.
On the other hand, I'll give you four words: Luna Versus Law Machine.
Tempting, isn't it?
30. Some people see Chapter 11 in Triptych as an anti-shipping statement: a pony-by-pony list of why the Mane Cast remains single and relationships haven't worked out. I could make the argument that it's more of a I-can't-write-shipping statement (especially given timeline concerns)... but yeah, there's probably at least a gentle poke at some of the matchup insanity which every fandom is prone to.
Maybe more of a nudge.
And yet Pinkie saying directly that she's been in a pillow fight in 'Dashie's' bedroom got past everyone.
(No, it's not shipping. But consider how that chapter presents Pinkie's view of sex, and then you might start to wonder what she was originally doing up there...)
29. I've had Fluttershy say the one thing the Bearers all have in common is that they're all very bad at talking to other ponies about their problems. Here's a second uniting element: none of them had good school experiences all the way through their education. Twilight had increasing isolation. Rarity is a fifth-year dropout. Fluttershy may not have gotten that far before heading to ground. Rainbow leaving flight school is canon. Pinkie was initially home-schooled and some of the things she was taught were distortions. Applejack...
...I'm entitled to one vicious trail-off.
28. On a related note, one character I've been avoiding is Cheerilee. Because dealing with her means going into how she runs her class: how much she's aware of, the amount of control she actually has, if there's a parent out there with any clue whatsoever. The instant I even bring her in as background is also the moment when somepony gets to scream "Are you paying any attention to the brat?" And it will not go well from there.
27. I meant for Coordinator to be hated. I hoped he would be hated. I did not expect him to be hated that strongly, that fast. I threw him into Twilight's life, blamed something on him, and whatever there was of local wrath slammed in.
26. The character I most want to do something with and can't yet: Trixie.
25. The one I may not be quite done with yet: Snowflake.
24. I've deliberately avoided most of the fourth season -- in viewing and writing. I intend to catch up in both ways later: one completely, the other in limited fashion. The reason everything I work on tends to stop at a given point on the timeline is because that moment is when we really launch off into a private continuity. At the instant Triptych started, we started to leave the familiar behind forever. Once it concludes, this really turns into a 'verse of sorts, because things can't fully proceed into Season Four -- not with the things which will have been presented included. I have no doubt that I'll decide to include some events from those episodes, in time. But the end of S3 was when we went off the map.
Here There Be Dragons.
And not just little ones.
23. To the best of my knowledge (because I only found out about one on search engine), I have three readings out there: Sonic Rainbigot, Dear Friend, and Jury Duty. I make no secret that I like the last one best. (Music! Voice work! Production!) But all are appreciated, every time.
There's also a fourth coming for a certain Sherman Tank. I'm not sure why, but I'm flattered regardless.
And if you happen to know of any others, tell me? Googling myself? Not a specialty.
22. It's still a dream to have a TVTropes page, but the sheer amount of work probably required is something I can't wish on anyone. Similarly, even if I reach the point of an ID graphic -- which I want to be a certain mark -- it's too complicated for a request. So I'll probably continue mostly-unlinked and generic. So it goes.
21. I had the sheer luck to be Noticed a couple of times. A lot of fanfic writers don't get that break. And dumb luck is a lot of what makes that chance up: someone looks at the New Stories column at just the right moment, and that's it. One blink, a second window open, a phone call, and I'm quietly sitting under 5k total views while figuring luck just wasn't there. I'm thankful for the luck I had and those who brought it with them.
I want to pay it forward and try to signal boost myself one day, even when I don't have that kind of referral power. But then, I might just have my Loyal Opposition crowd in to downvote the night away.
Tricky.
And offsite referrals mostly feel like luck.
20. There's a certain irony that with the jokes I recently made about the overflow of serial killers in this fandom, I had always planned for the CDA's first on-camera human agent to be one -- but without any need to perform the act beyond that of duty. A good Euthanatos is like a good doctor: their ideal world is one where they are forever out of a job.
Actually, now that I think about it, one of my stronger reactions to the anti-CDA story which 'borrowed' her was a basic violation of one of the most basic old WoD principles: when confronting mages, dear gawds, don't monologue. An Awakened who seems to be quietly standing there listening to your speech is building power for the final rebuttal...
19. Similarly, I now freely admit that the way a certain ghost views Ponyville has heavy influences from Shroudsight as seen in the original Wraith. But it's not the shadowlands of Equestria's afterlife... that's another subject I've been avoiding on purpose, and it's part of why I slapped the Alternate Universe tag on the story.
18. On The Application... just might be the actual anti-shipping story, or at least anti-speed-dating. It also sounded the starting gun on a few things: Rarity and hoofball, Flitter's characterization, and occasionally sneaking things into spell names. ('Maredrox' for a duplication working? And y'all let me get away with that?) And there are ways in which I think it's the funniest -- if you've ever been speed-dating, anyway. If so, it may also be the most painful.
17. I've been lucky enough to be gifted with two pieces of cover art: EquesTron on A Mark Of Appeal and GroaningGreyAgony for Triptych (along with the original CDA badge). I can't commission anyone and generally can't think about just asking... but the story I kept hoping to just find something for was Pony Up A Tree.
Seriously: Rarity stranded in a tree. You'd think that would almost be a group.
...extremely obscure sap-related fetish?
...Rule 128?
16. One Tenth-Bit... I never said it in the Comments, but yes, 'Cropski' was a West Side Story reference. It's a painful play to watch and this can be a painful story to read and if you think I'm comparing the two in any other way, no. Just that people have said they had trouble with this one. Being on the receiving end of power abuse, especially for the petty variety, is becoming a near-universal experience, and this one strummed along a few bad chords. If it got people thinking... good. But it also got some of them angry. And there's an old saying: that the truth will set you free -- but first, it's going to piss you off.
Mission apparently partially accomplished.
15. I do go through periods of cyclical insomnia: typically about one week in every ten or so where four a.m. becomes the last guest at the party who cannot be shoved out the door. And if I can't sleep, then Rainbow Dash can't sleep. Simplest story genesis out there.
Lucky pony. *mutter* Being able to nap whenever you want to...
14. I've considered the idea of trading work. 'You create X for me and I will write Y for you', with X being art, coding, and the like. The main issue is that I have a lurking dread of what might be suggested for Y.
I would need to put up a long list of exclusions on Y.
13. I honestly have no idea what the funniest line is in the group: difficulty guessing how others will see things again. But while it's not in the #1 position, I'm mildly surprised no one's ever brought up "Drop 'em.".
12. I still don't have the Mature box clicked off. There's a certain degree of irony in that.
11. The double-hyphens are not going away. I am now in the business of selling eye blood.
10. "Ah don't s'pose y'know anythin' 'bout The Great Nearly War?"
9. If I left FIMFic tomorrow, I think Five Hundred Little Murders is what I'd be remembered for. It doesn't match the page views for some of the others: not even a Royal Canterlot Library and EQD notice gave it that kind of bump. But it's the story which drew that level of attention. It's also the one with the most referral links, the only one to have been translated, and the piece which seems to have invoked the deepest resonance in its readers. And at the time...
I have a hard time telling what will make readers laugh. I know what I thought of as funny at the time, and that's all I have to go by until someone else sees the result. But the same problem applies to sadder topics -- and when I'm writing, the emotions don't hit. Looking over the results, yes. But not when things are coming out: that can be how it keeps moving at all.
I never thought it was going to be the stomach puncher. Not on the level it ultimately reached. I think it's common ground more than anything else: just about everyone who's had a companion at their side has gone through that feeling of vacuum at the end. And in part, the story was about what dealing with that over and over is like for Fluttershy, what it does to anypony who has to face it... but it was also working some things out. Things it seems a lot of people are still working out.
I didn't go in trying to make anyone cry. It still amazes me that it happened.
There's been a number of questions in that Comments section about why some people connect to Flitter, especially when her perspective is so alien when compared to most ponies. It might be because she still has one priority in the same place as everyone else. For this, it's enough.
Or it might be because in the end, it's all common ground, and we can feel for anyone who's found themselves standing in a place they never wanted to be, after coming there all too soon.
8. A pre-downvote line thrown at me on Triptych was that the only ponies who felt like characters from the show were the supposed villains of the piece. I understand that reader's issue, even if I don't agree with it. But at the same time, I think there's something in that statement. If a certain pair of ponies, being seen as the villains, feel like they could be part of Ponyville et. all... then it's not necessarily a sign of doing something wrong. And it makes me wonder how much longer that impression could have remained intact.
7. One of the problems I have with Rarity is that she's too easy to rely on. I have her as the second most intelligent in the group. Because she's more socially connected than Twilight, that intellect can be applied to things a certain librarian misses -- which can make her the go-to pony for explaining things and advancing the plot. Toss in how simple it feels to go into her speech patterns and she can come very close to taking over in other scenes where she simply shouldn't.
I have to remember the ways she doesn't see things: that even with this frequently more mature version of the character, she can veil herself with drama and the ways she wants things to work instead of how they actually are.
But there are times when she's still easy to write for, and it's part of why she has so many solo stories in the group.
Character connection and some degree of understanding? Or a very fashionable crutch?
6. Among the Mane Cast, the pony I have the most trouble writing is Pinkie. I try to keep her grounded to some degree, saving seeming randomness for crucial moments and eliminating fourth-wall breaking entirely. (The closest I came was one meta-joke about my own lack of semicolons. No one visibly got it.) As I see her, she has her own logic and way of looking at the world: it all makes sense to her and explaining it turns into the problem. What looks random from the outside isn't.
More than anypony else, she's the tightrope. Tip too far to either side without justifying the lean and plunge into the falls below.
5. The strangest thing about A Total Eclipse Of The Fun may be the juggling act. It's one-half comedy which tilts towards the silly side: ponies afraid of shadows, dealing with the press, jokes about math, noting why you never let Twilight write For Science! when it comes to the public, and if we don't get the world's stupidest conspiracy, it's at least in the top fifteen.
And the other half is worldbuilding. Relationships. Sisterhood. It's the first real look at who Celestia is here, and this princess isn't perfect. There are hints at the past, some of which got heavy-handed while others just plummeted through the floor from sheer density.
Towards the end, I planted a bomb.
It's still ticking.
4. If I had it to do all over again, I definitely would have reconsidered the order in which things went up. And then probably would have made the same mistake anyway.
3. If the story below is the foundation, then there's an argument to be made for 100% Move = 50% Fire as the core. Far too many entries back for anyone to still be reading, I claimed that the lottery story said something about who Luna was in this divergence. There's a similar debate here regarding Twilight.
Her speech towards the end, about not knowing how to be friends... one person basically quoted the whole thing and pretty much called it the review. I appreciated that -- especially because in many ways, that paragraph is one of the biggest support columns for the entire multi-story structure.
One of the biggest keys to Twilight here: she's more aware of her own problems while still being largely helpless to stop herself. It is not a kind position to be in. In some ways, it's like a doctor who treats lung cancer patients, lighting up behind the hospital -- who then manages to quit. And there's always that feeling that all you have to do is walk by the wrong store during a bad moment and all the recovery will vanish. Some readers connected to that. It's the story where the word 'feels' seemed to come up the most, and I hope those who moved on to the others kept the image and empathy they found there.
However, a number of people look at the title and think it's something to do with wargaming.
Also, it turned me into the site's resident Piano Murderer. Whee.
2. Triptych is the driving force. The foundation stone. The beacon. The albatross. I do wonder if I can live up to the visions, if I'll get there in the end, if the place I ultimately find is the one I originally intended to reach. I think I'm ready to go back in. But it's like Red said: I hope the Pacific is as blue as it was in my dreams. I hope. And that hope is a fearful power.
1. There are those who say every writer here is truly known and characterized by those who follow them.
*looks around*
I am truly honored by the presence of everyone here.
Also confused.
You're supposed to have taste.
Honestly, of all your stories (read about half), the one that stuck with me the most was One-Tenth Bit. I read it once, said huh, chewed over it in my mind, and read it again.
I also really liked Speed Dating and Rarity-in-a-tree. I think you characterize Rarity well.
Most importantly, I love that most of your stories leave me thinking afterwards
I had a line in Onto the Pony Planet that one of my pre-readers said warned me would be remarked upon . . . nobody's noticed it yet. LIkewise, I got away with Shining's new title being "Prince Mi Amore Cadenza" for months before anyone commented on it. It's funny what readers notice and what they don't.
Serendipity for the win! One of my stories got two readings; the only reason it was noticed by those particular people was because I forgot to hit the 'submit' button before I went to bed, and did it instead before I went to work the next morning. An hour later, my inbox was exploding. On the other hand, consistent quality gets noticed too, it just takes longer.
You can afford to be sanguine about style.
Apparently.
YES YES YES YES YES YES SWEET STARS WHY HAS THIS CROSSOVER NEVER BEEN DONE
ESTEE YOU ARE REDUCING ME TO INCOHERENCE AND MEMES
fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/188/d/2/shut_up_and_take_my_money_by_mcsadat-d56cn0o.jpg
That was really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
(Why does that sound so condescending?)
2020301
Spoilered, because once you read it you can't unread it:
Where is Lyra's
handhoof, exactly?Man, I don't often see Buck Godot references in the wild.
2020301 Well, Hoffmanites can be mistaken for humans by four-legged equines, I suppose. Really round, dense humans who have a certain penchant for violence as social interaction.
I'm actually pretty sure I've liked all of your stories. Yes, even Fluttertank. It was, um, interesting.
Ooh, I think I might know what this is about, if Triptych goes the way I think it might. Yeah, that's a big one.
Damn it, now I'm gonna have to go back and reread all of your stories, aren't I?
...
Who'm I kidding, it would've eventually happened anyways, one way or the other.
Huh.
I coould probably make lengthy comments on half of these points, you know.
However, it is now 8 am, and I find myself running around an airport -- barely aware of where I'm even headed -- and I kinda don't really feel like it.
Maybe later.
So, uh, what kind of "coding" are you in need of, anyways?
Game? Tool? Send me a message and we'll see.
Web programming? You're better off throwing a penny into a well.
In my opinion, one of the biggest "bombs" in your storyverse is this: who (or what) is Murdocks, where he comes, and is there more to his media empire than just total lack of scruples and the desire to exploit the lowest common denominator?
Ooh, a Buck Godot reference! Though, if we're going with the Foglios, I'd expect an intruder into Equestria to come from either Europa Wulfenbach, or from the pages of Xxxenophilia... or (gods forbid) both!
I wouldn't say that the CMCs are incapable of learning, so much as they always tend to learn the wrong thing.
I'd love to see you do more with Trixie. She's a fun character.
And finally, on the thought #1... you aren't, I think, the best fanfic author I follow. But you definitely are among those whose new work I await the most!
I never saw a double hyphen in your writings. Only typographical aberrations desperately trying to pass for em dashes.
I’m pretty sure that explains why my cheeks were wet by the end of Five Hundred Little Murders. It was blood!
No, seriously, it’s one of the best stories I’ve read on this site.
Thanks for all the stories so far, and for the stories yet to come. Here's to the next 50,000 page views.
Yes, yes, YES! It's so rare to see Pinkie written well. Most just seem to have her spout a bunch of nonsense, call it random, and that's the end of it. Or they do some variation of the "oatmeal" line. One throwaway line from season one, that has never been repeated in any form since, has become the entire basis of her character for some writers. Pinkie is deeper than that.
I really like #41.
For the record, "Five Hundred Little Murders" is in my opinion one of the better stories the fandom has produced, full stop.
After a second read through...
DO IT!
Hope you don't mind item-by-item reactions. Don't worry, I won't do all fifty. Just the ones where I feel I have something to say.
43. It's a peculiar paradox. They cause chaos like nopony's business, yet refuse to change themselves. And I do see it as a refusal, especially in your portrayal of them. There's enough denial there to inundate the pyramids.
41. I love tidbits like this. They really add to the feeling of a coherent world beyond the stories.
38. "Tools". I like that. I like that a lot. That says volumes about the earth pony attitude towards magic. Now if you would just explain why they feel the whole masquerade was necessary in the first place...
37. Hey, it's a lot nicer than X-COM. I know that's not saying much, but still.
35. I look forward to this for a number of reasons. Part of me hopes a virgin piano sacrifice is involved.
34. Eh, I always go with "Cadence." Of course, I made her part of a theme-named set of quintuplets before Season 3 started...
32. Your lexicon tends to be tied in very deeply with your headcanon, which deviates from canon in ways few others do. Mind you, that's one of the reasons I love your work so much, but it does explain why the terms haven't exactly spread like wildfire. Plus, at this point, it almost feels like stealing your thunder.
31. Pinkie Pie meets the Winslow. Someone needs to write this. That someone may have to be me.
22. Just for reference, would you want a page about the world in which these stories are set, or a page for a specific story?
14. Let Y = something starring Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves and we may have a deal, depending on what you want coded.
10. ...Well, that's cryptic. "Over a Barrel" reference, a teaser, both, neither, or insert equally cryptic response here?
6. I've allowed Pinkie to run rampant in my stories, and at times, I regret it. On the other hand, she is to me as Rarity is to you. I find her both easy and enjoyable to write, especially as a sort of Discord light (All the chaos with none of the
caloriesevil!) I basically just hook up my stream of consciousness to a waterwheel and out come pink party pony pronouncements.1. Pfft. Taste is overrated. Besides, ninety percent of it is smell, anyway.
Seriously though, you have one of the best, most wonderfully realized Equestrias on the site. Thank you for sharing it with us. I look forward to more.
OK. Time to go throvgh this.
On mobile, so I can't be bothered to quote the text. Feel free to have a seperate window open with your original thoughts.
50. You've been on a rise lately. I wouldn't be suprised if you reached 100 000 much sooner.
49. You're probably right about this one. I only read the long after it was posted, so I wouldn't be sure. But Rainbigot is one of your better stories, so it certainly deserves it.
48. Let me get around to publishing a story, and I'll answer...
Ask again in one eternity from now.
47. I should really get around to reading Luna's Lottery Lunacy soon...
It's next on my list, I promise.
46. It could become a thing...
On the other hand, I think you've caused enough disruption for a week now.
45. Aw bugger. He always barely misses the good stuff. =P
44. You and me both, buddy. I was a "regular" for about three days at some point.
Then again, it might end up sucking up eve more of my "productivity".
43. I must admit, I'm not as fond of your CMC stories. Maybe you'll figure something out with time.
42. A Mark Of Appeal is probably my favorite incomplete story at the time, and of your stories I've read, it is the best ( possibly bar 500LM)
I don't think it's particularly mature nor dark, though I can't know what the future holds.
41. The only comment I have here is tbat "wow. Responding to all of tbese takes way more time than I expected"
40. And you're doing a damn good job of it.
39. Another story I should get around to resding at some point...
38. I believe I am missing the context here.
37. CDA! The one set of stories of yours that I couldn't give less of a damn about!
Let's keep it that way for now.
37. Uh... did you cheat here somewhere? something is wrong.
Anyways, that story.
Don't make me read a story tagged "human", Estee. I'm afraid I'm going to like it.
36. Do read the Twilight&Shining friends forever comic.
It's far from great, but there is one scene there that is way worth it.
35. Cadence, as with Shining, is just so damn bland. Either way, you've done a good job of it so far.
34. I bet it is (can't be bothered to search for it now :v)
33. I might use some of the words when I get around to writing, an eternity from now.
Either way, do know that a good portion of your words only work well when using your voice, which a lot of users are(understandably) reluctant to.
32. Nope, still not giving a damn!
31. I can't even remember that chqpter anymore...
Sigh, I'll probably have to reread the damn thing before the next chapter.
30. This reminds me, you sometimes have this annoyi g habit of pushing your headcanon pretty hard, sometimes to the detriment of the narrative.
I am not sure if this was one of those. It just somehow reminded me of that.
29. I wish I had more to write about this one. Diamond Tiara's (and Silver Spoon's) prrsonality in the fandom is something I'm fairly vocal about.
Either way, keep these things in mind for the time being:
A) There is more to cheerilee than "being a teacher"
B) you don't need to put focus on that part of her job.
28. I hated Coordinator. that much.
27. Dooooo eeeeeet
26. Doooooooooo eeeeeeeeeet
25. So have I!
Well, the last 4/5 episodes, anyways. I just kinda lost the drive or something.
Still read the comics though. Those are damn great.
Hurray! Halfway there!
24. Not really one for dramatic readings. I prefer reading myself.
Still, that's pretty damn cool.
Damn, I use the word "damn" a lot, don't I?
Sigh.
23. These kinda thi gs have to e done by a group of people, not one.
22. Is there anyo e who deserves being seen more then you? Probably.
Still, you're very much worth it too ;)
21. I love these CDA notes. It gives me a break in the thinking!
20. I still don't think that story should have the AU tag (oh, I never voiced that anywhere?
damnoh poop)19. Flitter! Write more Flitter damnit!(or don't. Whatever you do is fine, yes)
Also, I'm sorry for un-favoriting application(though you probably never noticed).
After reading 500LM, and seing just how great that one was, I couldn't keep application there with good consience.
18. It could become a thing...
Wait, we already went through this once.
17. /me shrugs
16. I consider that story to be one of your weaker ones. Then again, I guess the plot just isn't for me.
15. I should really read that one some time...
14. My offer still stands. (Haven't checked for a response yet. Sorry if you've already answered)
13. No clue. Too many to count.
12. Wait. Ticked off or ticked off?
11. Contrary to what my posts might indicate, I am not fond of your double hyphens. I am only using them because I can't e bothered to google for an en-dash.
10. Another context I don't get?
9. It is only fair. 500LM is you best work, as far as I'm concerned.
8. Triptych may have a ton of faws, but the villains is not one of them.
7. Another point I want to write a lot on(especially Pinkie Pie), but I still don't have the time (honestly, I probably didn't have the time for any of this...)
For now, know that you write a damn good Rarity.
6. See previous point. I actually first thought these where the same point. ..
5. Another one to read...
4. I think it's fine the way it is...
3. Damn, I'm lacking in a lot of your stories...
This one will be read after LLL
2. Tryptich might be the one stem that all the branches... eh... branch off of, but it also by far your most flawed work(though not the least tgood)
It's the kind of thing that comes with time and practice; You can't expect your first story to be your best.
1. I am honoured to e your follower... or something.
I'm not good with these...
Well, anyways, here's for another 50 000!
Pre-post edit:
damn. Maybe I shouldn't have done all5051.Also, sorry for all the typo's. I'm on mobile, and Can't be bothered :v
2020291
"Ninety percent of life is just showing up."
Pity no one's ever defined the other ten.
2020299
*smashes with a hammah*
2020301
2020413
2020495
2020862
So apparently there's at least a little early support for the Gallimaufry. (Again: we have a weirdly diverse readership around here.)
Tess ("...brown curly hair? A lot taller than me? With the -- oh.") was deliberately planted just in case I decided to go with the idea. She can easily be the only one from that world, and the default cause is a major X-Tel screwup. And all things considered, she would have had a much easier time if she'd landed in Mazein.
(Incidentally, try to find a picture of a female Hoffmanite. But they're close enough to what a pony would think of as human variance range that they'll pass.)
Europa... there are too many dangers in bringing the song in, and I'm not going to define it before the Foglios do. For the other... um... human-pony relations beyond friendship is not an area I'm going to explore and so far, no pony has been physically attracted to a human to begin with.
And as for the Law Machine... let's put that a long way off, at the very least. But much shouting would ensue.
Murdocks... we might get around to him. But he's not going to be the focus for a while.
2020332
Natural talent?
2020765
Save the lengthy comments for when you're fully awake, which will pretty much always put you ahead of me.
Right now, coding would mostly be for that theoretical and bloody nuisance Tropes page. I can screw up basic HTML on my own. Really basic. As in 'sometimes I remember to close the italics'.
And (keeping your Notifications down) as far as the User Page comment goes, I've never seen an animated avatar image here, but didn't think they were banned. A static one would work, though. Or, in this case, also not appear just as easily.
...oh, it's up. Okay, that reply I'm going to divorce from the main, just to keep the single-post length down.
2020698
I won't ask you to openly discuss your theory and with a lot of luck, in time, we'll reach that section. But it's something else where I'm mildly surprised no one who's gone through the set openly reacted.
Of course, you could be the only one.
2021001
But there's as many Pinkies as there are writers -- which includes the ones for the show itself.
We are the mirror pool.
(And now I'm wondering if that whole episode was a comment on fanfic.)
As for The Volcano... I can see it happening, but not without at least moving some other things along first.
2021031
The embarrassing thing is how long it took me to come up with the Solar Courtyard's night state. One of those blindingly obvious things -- once you actually think of it and then stand frozen with the 'Oh, duh' firmly in place.
2021260
Which almost feels like a challenge: Things Less Nice Than X-COM.
Short list, that.
The once-per-year heat protection amulet does not recharge via piano sacrifice. It's accordions. Four of them. Plus a set of bagpipes. Which does nothing for the magic, but any time you have an excuse which would lead to destroying bagpipes, it must be done.
On #32... I really did think that at the very least, 'field' and 'feel' might spread out a bit. The first was a word other than just 'magic' and at least offered other options: the second implied a sense (or three) exclusive to ponies and how they related to their world.
All yours. I already know I'm not going to do it. Fear, mostly.
Right now, I think it makes the most sense as a single continuum page with story subsections.
While Derpy has been mentioned twice, she hasn't gotten on-camera yet. I'm honestly not sure what to do with her...
The answer to #10 will be in the next reply post.
And when you're finished writing Pinkie, you blink, see the jail cell bars, and realize you are now in your very own personal Hangover script...
I'd advise you to lasso her, but I've seen how fast she moves.
2021292
Yes, I messed up initially: late hour, wasn't looking closely enough -- and so there were two #37 entries. I've edited.
I feel it's solidly within the Teen rating, but opinions on where Mature has to start vary. 'Time alone' seems to have passed.
As for Dark... the base idea of a mark which is out of control isn't a gentle concept. One of the things I did with the fourth CDA story was show the more common side of that: ponies who become obsessed with their marks, defining their entire being by them. But that's something where the pony can be pulled back, because it's just the pony. For the magic itself to be out of rein... Celestia's nightmare shows something of how ponies reacted to the idea.
The Sunbutt #37:
Put it this way. In the mainline, the camera always seems to tilt a little away when a given event happens. For this one, it didn't go anywhere.
On #33: I feel other writers might also feel a certain reluctance to make people's eyes bleed.
Arguably, but for pretty much every writer, it's all we have.
On #19: I watch upvote and downvote totals more than favorites. One of the things which still throws me is when a downvote vanishes. This happened to Luna's Lottery Lunacy, without explanation. Reader changed their mind? Someone gets banned and all their votes are thrown out? Code hiccup?
But it's your right to change your opinion, period.
#14 is one reply up/down.
#12: Ticked off as in 'I can't see Mature stories at all'.
I have no problem with sex as part of a story. I just can't quite bring myself to behold The Wonderful World Of Clop.
#10... is the first storyboard. Moment #1. The dated marble cornerstone. Without that, this 'verse doesn't exist. And as such, consider it a small peek into the future.
On #5 and #3: read if you wish. Some things will make more sense, #2 will be enhanced a bit -- and a lot of A Mark Of Appeal may jump out at you. But if you're doing those two, add Luna's Lottery Lunacy to the list. There are ways where the stories for the sisters are a set.
While I feel Triptych works to the degree the others do (somewhat), I know it has flaws -- because they've all got flaws. However, it's the one I might do edit tweaks on after it's finished. Not rewrites -- just polishes of terminology here and there.
It's a strange bird. Let's see if it can fly.
2021372
Vanishing downvotes, I'm pretty sure, are the results of ban/scrubs. It's pretty clear from the way votes accumulate on certain types of front page stories (and the fact that I have gotten a downvote before on an unpublished story with zero words) that there's a lot of voting designed to make statements and/or game the system; even a single downvote can have an outsized effect on where a story goes on the sitewide Popular Stories list, and if you're not aware of how heat works you would probably assume that it would have an effect on the Featurebox too. So I can't imagine there aren't accounts set up for vote fraud, and if they're banned the reasonable thing is to undo their effects.
2021317
Ouch
Oh hell, you remember that? I was trying to give constructive criticism at three in the morning (bad idea) while trying to be funny (double bad idea) and what it turned out as was hyperbole edging into just plain mean. I honestly thought you'd just forgotten about it when you never said anything.
Sorry?
2021924
If one of your own readers told you a story had produced ocular stigmata, I'm guessing you'd find it pretty memorable.
Apology accepted, but the line is going to live on.
2021372
Replying late, because apparently there exists hotels without free wifi in this world...
Did I somehow also travel back in time?
I still want to post in detail about the Cheerilee/Diamond and Pinkie Pie points, but I currently find myself at a wedding(that I only vaguely care about, but still), so it will have to wait till I'm back from Germany.
For information, my current "Estee, to read" list is as follows:
Luna's Lottery Lunacy
100% move = 50% fire
Total eclipse of the fun
Pinkie Pie vs. The Soufflé
I admit, I'm putting off the Pinkie Pie ones...
Now, before I go on, I'm gonna go ahead and be that guy.
You know, the kinda guy who says things like "that's not coding, that's markup"
So yeah... thats not really coding. It's markup.
What language does tvtropes even use? Wikitext?
Probably.
Not sure how much of help I would be there.
Now, with that out of the way, I must say, "The Wonderful World Of Clop" sounds like a great title for... something. Not quite sure what.
Maybe something satirical?
Well, it's certainly not going to be my foray into pony writings, that's for sure.
As for Subutt, I believe you comment only raised more questions...
Aw buck it. Let's add that to my to-read list as well.
Also, don't think I changed my mind on Applications, or anything. I just raised the bar for my favorites list. I kinda take that thing serously =P
Speaking of which, I guess I should go comb over my favorites again sometime soon...
As for Triptych... guess you'll just have to shove it off the nest. We'll see how the promised chapter holds.
~Sind
PS: her mark probably wouldn't bee too hard to draw; it's mostly just geometrical shapes.
E: what chapter was it described in anyways?
2021372
2024699
Never mind; apparently I misremembered her mark.
guess it's just that wrong of a cutie mark, huh =P
instead, have this color-rotated version of the default avatar, that I put together in half a minute :v
i.imgur.com/wWWntKj.png
(Yes, I changed the blue to orange. It's either gonna bring balance or double the chaos. And let's be honest, either of those is a good scenario)
2032360
The first direct look at the mark is in the very active Chapter 11.
It's not that horribly complicated in shape, although representing Mobius strips on that scale might be difficult. (They're fairly narrow loops: oval, not circle) It's the rotation... and the fizzle... and y'know, I just tried to start a TVTropes page and no one here is eating at Milliways tonight (that I know of), so how about we keep it down to one impossibility per day?
*looks at reworked default image*
Subtle, that.
2032391
Yeah... For some reason I thought they were like yin-yang halves, rather than möbius strips
Möbius strips are generally a pain to visualize in 2d, and even more so if you follow rules for a good cutie mark(no gradients, guys!)
Also. Feel free to use that Avatar.
Or just wait for someone with actual talent to make something proper :V