More input about The Chase · 7:51pm Jun 4th, 2014
If I were to write something like "A Reader's Guide to Reading and Surviving The Chase" what sort of helpful advice would it contain and why?
At this point, I am sure it might be a little daunting for new readers to join in and start reading, if some of feedback I've had is any indicator. I'm biased. I've written the story and I know what is going on, so it makes sense to me.
And no matter how much I want to, or how hard I try, I can't see it from another perspective. It is what it is.
And on a side note, I've thought about doing a CMC based sidestory for The Chase, seeing events in the story from the eyes of the CMC. I don't know if it will happen, but I do have a fair amount of notes dedicated to it, I just don't know if I can take on more The Chase related workload right now.
1) Grab a lot of supplies.
2) Grab some nappies. (Diapers for our colonial cousins) You're not going to move until you catch up.
3) Leave your jimmies at the door, they will be rustled.
4) Don't start moaning about the fic. Look at the word length. We're not even a tenth of the way there.
5)???
6) Profit.
7) Read the damn fic.
no idea, sorry I can't help, I have fallen behind, haven't read anything since last chapter of wedding arc
I think you should mention your Pansexuality, It seems to color all your writing. Im also a bit surprised when none of your characters seems to differ from at least general acceptance of this philosophy.
2174831
The jimmies that will be rustled when Bucky has to consummate the marriage with Thistle is not something I am looking forward to.
Seeing the perspective of what's happening through the CMC would be an interesting twist. I'm sure that they would be asking several questions. I can already hear Rarity trying desperately to come up with an answer for Sweetie that would keep the entire thing in context.
Applejack however would fill Applebloom in what she figured her younger sister needed to know.
Rainbow Dash... Scootaloo would be tramatized forever, FOREVER!!!!!!
2174839
Bonnie and Lyra - exclusively lesbian.
Bucky - straight.
There is a little variation.
2174840 After the foal, right? Even though I don't agree with this, it won't make me leave. For now. Do not disappoint me.
2174844
What is all that moaning coming from Derpy's house?
2174853
Before they can leave the Isles.
2174847
Yes but no one is opposed to the idea, and those who have reservations often bloom into at least acceptance. For sake of diversity there should be those who are opposed to Homosexuality at least philosophically, and even more common would be those opposed to extra species relationships. But your work reflects your own values and beliefs so that can be a bit alien to those with more single minded preferences.
2174860 Dunno why he just doesn't teleport them away. I'd like to see Keg Smasher stop him doing that!
2174869
And go where? Back to Equestria? He can't teleport that far.
And if he got there, then what? Face the Princesses?
Better to be honourable.
Bucky is going to rip that kelpie in half.
2174874 I must ask, what is Thistle's age?
2174875
Four Rules to Reading The Chase
#1: Points of view WILL be challenged, and then explained.
#2: Everything makes sense, you just need the proper perspective. Leave yours behind.
#3: If you still wish to complain, write down the complaint and then keep reading. After ten chapters if your complaint is not taken care of, go ahead and post it.
#4: Morality is not universal, so don't push yours on here.
2174882 My response precisely. Feel bad for her, honestly.
2174876
Don't make me do that. I never give hard ages.
It weirds people out. I could say she's eight and a pony and adult would be 12.
And people would bitch about that too.
2174893 You could send it in a pm, if you do have an answer. I guarantee I won't tell anyone else.
But you have a point.
2174893 Then is Thistle of an equivalent age, like 16, that would weird people out, but not really pedophilia?
2174893
So.... sometime after puberty.... but not before voting age
2174875
Or leave her incoherently bliss'd out for a day or six. So much practice making two mares happy at the same time? Thistle won't be able to speak or even walk straight for at least two hours after she wakes up.
2174906
you need experience to build up sexual pleasure. She has no Pleasurable experience. So metaphorically hes going to have to break her in.
2174906 Not what I meant. Bucky is thick, Thistle is small.
Please refer to this illustration stream1.gifsoup.com/view3/3989315/the-gay-train-o.gif
Thistle is of age to conceive already. that means she'd be a target of ephebophiliia, not pedophilia. A much more morally gray area. Make sure something along those lines is brought up in the story and you should be fine.
Also, if she's pregnant, she ain't a virgin. He can't exactly corrupt her poor innocence.
2174915
I think I can I think I can woo woo!
2174929 livememe.com/594j8pt.jpg
Some final advice for Bucky and Thistle.
2174916
Good points.
I am wholly in favor of a Crusader story. Especially since they seem to have formed a healthy, interdependent herd by happenstance. All they need now is time and a stallion. In that order, of course.
As for advice on reading The Chase, there's really just two pieces of it that everyone should bear in mind:
1. Everything will be explained.
2. The situation will get better.
2174916
Also, she is considered an adult in her society. Which is important I suppose.
2174942
Actually... about the stallion issue... in my notes, there are a group of concerned individuals, parents, siblings, and loved ones that gently try to encourage a budding relationship between one certain pegasus foal and the CMC.
I mean, group effort downright manipulative let's see if we can get them together while Twilight Sparkle runs around madly trying to preserve the integrity of Celestia's Crusader project from outside influence.
2174943 Honestly that don't mean a damn thing. If folks are that far in and don't realize that those kinds of differences are possible in this fic then saying it to them won't change a thing. They need to understand it on points of morality they'll accept.
Since so many have asked for it.
Not one negative word though...
2174962 Hey, that's actually not that bad. I've done worse in my fics, or will do worse, as the case may be. 14 ain't too bad.
2174955
Oh, right, the Crusader project. I'd forgotten that was a thing. So much for happenstance.
In any case, I'm sure it will work out well if/when the experiment is concluded and the subjects can be safely contaminated.
...I think that came out wrong.
Oh, and one more bit of advice that might be helpful:
3. No moral code is absolute. Including yours.
I think you should give new readers fair earning. This starts as a really cute slice of life romance fic, but very rapidly evolves into something completely different. I think that change is where alot of people get frustrated. Personally I have nothing against it, but one of my friends said, and I quote, "it just became too much". I think you should make it clearer what is exactly in this story as the people expecting a cute, fluffy romance fic are in for a surprise.
2175110
Sort of mirrors the surprise foisted on poor Bucky.
Edit. By now, with 150k words, it should be obvious that something happens.
2175115
I completely understand, I'm just saying that the shift throws some people off. And obviously BUcky can handle the surprise better than they can.
2174869
Oh yeah, and then live with the guilt that he'd just let a war happen when he had the ability to stop it... (At least on Keg Smasher's end).
2174962
Huh, I would have guessed they were around 16 or older myself, with all the talk of university for Sparkler.
Regardless of what other content you place in said guide, there should be a large printed sign. Containing bright red blocky letters. Probably with an air raid siren. It should read thusly:
May also include this, if you wish:
Naturally, this should all be modified depending on message to be sent and/or entertainment value you wish to use.
2175620
Preparation for university. You'll notice I said secondary school, not high school. Very different school system. In a few more years, she'll go to university when she's ready.
Secondary school is completely optional. You can stop after primary school if you don't mind being a doofus.
2175635
All of THIS! OMGoddess, I laughed my ass off.
I really like the ideas that people are putting forward regarding updates to the description. Right after the "Pegasi really are brutes" line, I would put in some of the warnings that were provided.
Next, I'd suggest putting in some parenthetical markers in the chapter titles. For example, "Chapter X (end of the X arc)". Or maybe changing the chapter titles to something like "The Shetland Isles, Part X".
The last thing I could suggest is to put chapter-specific warnings into the authors notes at the start of each chapter. For example, a warning like "Ponies are not humans. Do not ascribe human behaviors to ponies." On the other hand, saying something like that at the start of a chapter could be thought of as a spoiler.
A readers guide maintained by readers is an idea I really like, but I'd have to think more about it first.
2175973
That is a brilliant idea. Free from author's bias.
2174915
Nah, kelpies are natural, if minor, shapeshifters. I'm sure she's elastic enough to manage.
I don't know that sex with thistle has to be an immediate problem. Yes Bucky is wide and she is young..... but she is with foal. Waiting on the 'rutting' until after the birth will give her time to mature a little..... and stretch her out a bit. In the meanwhile, if things get sexy, there are lots of ways to give pleasure without stuffing it in. Lol. Besides that gives her time to discover things don't have to hurt.