Security Blanket · 1:02pm Aug 27th, 2014
Dear Loyal Watchers, Interested Visitors, and Confused Passersby:
Midnight Rambler has posted a blog in which he makes a metaphor of my body of work. It is, in fact, the first time that I can recall that anyone in this fandom has done a retrospective on my whole body of work and attempted to make a larger statement about it. He certainly has my thanks for taking the time to put his feelings on my portfolio into such a concise—even enjoyable—allegory.
Everything being equal, which nothing truly is, he draws a conclusion which was apt, well developed, and not entirely complimentary.
I'm very interested in seeing what you all feel about his observations. If you have some free time, please click the link above and peruse Ramb's blog. I'd especially like to know if his conclusion has any bearing on the lack of success of my last few works.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be huddled under my blanket.
Stay Awesome,
-T.D.
Hmmm. He was pretty on the money about your "wholesomeness". What he fails to mention is that it's fanfiction about a wholesome show. Your stuff might take on a more mature theme, but it still keeps the show's morals to heart. Not all horse fanfiction has to be about the cast murdering each other in grotesque ways, having wild unprotected sex, snorting lines of cocaine, and engaging in all manner of knock-down drag-out violence. Most of your stuff has very little to no cynicism about it, and I think that refreshing in a fandom with unreasonable amounts of the aforementioned sex, drugs, murder, and violence. If I wanted that, I'd just turn on the news.
I haven't read Highball or Empty Nest, and I wasn't overfond of As A Mother, but I didn't downvote it (though I didn't upvote it, either).
I liked Variables, and it is my favorite one of your stories. I upvoted and enjoyed Every Last Bit. Shine was solid, though it was based on Tiny Wings.
Uhm...
Gosh. I dunno.
I see what he's getting at, and I kind of agree with the idea that you have that blanket, but on the other hand, it is what makes your stories yours, I suppose. There's a place for them. I don't feel the same urges he does.
2405703
Okay, W&F, I appreciate that insight. If that's what I'm to be remembered for, then I'm good with that. Thanks for taking the time to point that out.
2405709
I suppose it is what makes my stories my own, Tita. I just hope that it doesn't dissuade more people from reading them as time goes on. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
2405703 Precisely. That's one of the things I love most about TD's works, they hit you right in the feels without the cynicism and immorality that seems to be prevalent thse days. I don't find that blanket stifling, but maybe if a reader is much younger and still trying to be "edgy" the wholesome wooliness of TD's writing may not sit too well.
I think being described as wholesome in a fanfiction site that's more about pony fucking and pony slaughter is pretty avant garde, the Descendant.
At the end of the day, your stories still carry an air of maturity. In these times when "Adult" almost always means gratuitous violence, sex, and drugs, to find a nice wholesome story with some sense of maturity is a blessing.
2405739
Well, part of "the problem" is that he files the edges off of the characters and makes them round and smooth. And edges are important, because they allow you to cut. Compare The Descendant's Spike to the Spike on the show, for instance; Spike on the show is probably the most cynical of the main characters save possibly Rainbow Dash.
Well, he's pretty much spot on the whole wholesomeness of your work thing. I've read about a third of all of your works so far, so I only have an opinion on a cross section of your writing, but pretty much all of it fits nicely into his categories.
As for his reaction though — I usually enjoy your style, mostly because I feel it largely retains the show's style, but takes a more mature spin on it, both through themes you handle, and the overall way the characters act. It's a nice bit of change of pace from the rest of stories here, much like MLP is from other stuff I watch.
As for the success of your stories, I think over two thousand upvotes on Every Little Bit counts as a success. There was a debate regarding the story itself, but I think its issues had little to do with style.
Highball is rather nichè — all-OC cast, is about trains, and the description reads like something pretty detached from Equestria in the show. I deserves way more views, but expecting many in this case was just a tad foolish, I think.
As a Mother is kind of a similar case: sure, it's about Celestia, but still, War of the Witches and obviously dialogue-heavy.
Empty Nest didn't even have a week to gather readers, so I think it's too early to really say anything.
And if we consider your past stories, they were largely successful, and I can't really say your style has changed significantly. So I think it's not really worth changing it.
I certainly don't want you to.
Wow, a reblog! Thanks a lot for this; I'm honoured!
In the interest of honesty and humility, though, I should temper the enthusiasm a bit. First of all, it's not about your whole body of work; I've read just over a third of your stories, at best. Second, my "analysis" is a pretty superficial one. I didn't comment any further on the second or third "categories" of your stories I identified, only on the first, and pretty briefly at that. I didn't make an effort to explain why, despite their similarities, I liked Highball, Tangled Up and As a Mother but not Father of My Children, Cup of Joe or Every Little Bit (well, okay, I am on record about that last one).
Third, my blog derails into personal soul-searching towards the end; a sizeable chunk of it is more or less entirely about me, not about your stories. Then again, I guess the fact that your works inspire that kind of soul-searching in the first place is a compliment to you as an author.
2405703 True, but that's not the point I'm trying to make. There are more sides to the metaphor: the blanket isn't just warm, it's heavy. The point isn't that TD's fics don't contain drugs or gore or whatever – the point is that their whole atmosphere is often drenched in feels and morality to a much greater extent than in other authors' work. 2405739 is onto something when he talks about "wooliness". For me, a story without the blanket wouldn't necessarily have to be a story full of murder and rape (although those can certainly be refreshing at times) but rather a story that just isn't as heavy-handed about morals and emotions. Flash Fog is a good example. It's completely decent – no sex, no drugs, no gore, nothing – but moral and emotional themes just get a lot less prominence in the story than in many of TD's fics.
Am I making any sense?
Hmm?
What lack of success? You've got an OC/Others story with over a hundred upvotes. The Celestia thing is approaching 400. And the Sad Cakes story is over a hundred too.
2405803
Honestly I think the biggest problem with Every Little Bit is that it disempowers Rainbow Dash and diminishes her as a person so that Spike can be a hero. It is a classic example of turning an action girl into a damsel in distress so that she can be saved.
Honestly, I think Titanium Dragon actually nailed it in the other post:
though it doesn't mention a very important note: you're one of the small few that write as you do. The gap your (hypothetical) absence would leave is a lot deeper than some might think.
I reckon that if I were depressed, if I had lost my job, or befell et cetera life crisis, your work would be somewhere on the remedy list. It's precisely because your stories are wholesome, and that I can expect this from it, that allows me to derive the most enjoyment. Consistency and your reputation is as much a part of your work as the work itself is, to me - which is probably a virtue of wholesomeness in itself, that it promises security of expectations.
The 21st century is a strange time, where the concepts of the anti-hero and gray morality are skipping closer to becoming cliches themselves, but people are still aware what they were the "revolution" from... I'll admit that I didn't like A Cup of Joe initially too much for its wholehearted praise for the troops - then I realized that I had no reason not to, aside from the conditioning of modern culture (especially regarding authority) that grey is the new black. Like, seriously. There are no good guys anymore. Just the villains. Maybe the cute and fluffy, but no one is good anymore in this world.
I won't try to understand how he has as visceral reaction as he says he does after reading your stuff. I do understand why people like gray stuff, but damn it, sometimes I don't want to make participatory decisions. Sometimes I just want to root for a good guy and rejoice that virtue still exists.
Don't worry TD, the adorable, fuzzy blanket is only bad to those who haven't realized that blankets were invented to keep people from freezing to death~
Though really, I like the way your write as a whole. Sure, your characters tend to be 'wholesome' most of the time, but that's because it's in their best interests to do and heck, that triumph over their worse natures makes me admire them more.
...Honestly, when people complain something isn't 'dark or edgy' enough despite the fact it's clearly very thought out, I can't help but think of them as incredibly naïve.
On that note, whenever I read your writing or the writing of the cynical Estee I always find myself wondering why things like friendship, fun and honour (aka, morality triumphing over difficulty) are so undervalued by all these 'cynical' types...
2405837
See, that's the great thing about being a dragon, we have fire in our hearts so we don't NEED blankets.
2405783 I'll have to disagree with you, and it's most likely an age and perspective difference. You don't need to be 'edgy' to be have a good story with good characters. TD is working closely within the framework from the show, and there isn't a lot of edges in the first place. Besides which, if you are always thinking about how to 'cut' those around you, I think you're looking at the wrong way to live.
An interesting review; I agree with him about the wholesomeness, but I don't think it gets as oppressive in your fiction as he feels. Well, tastes differ, and so do authorial voices, and yours is consistent, distinct and - as Titanium Dragon put it very well - a valuable part of a balanced ponyfic diet. We need our Vitamin TD to go with the rest.
2405803 I have yet to find a single story on fimfic centered around rape and murder that was terribly enjoyable. To me, it is lowest common denominator trash that does not deserve my time.
But, my story preferences aren't really on topic, are they?
I get what you are saying about the blanket though. Admittedly, if you are not in the right mood or prepared for a "TD grade hit to the feels" as I like to call it, it can be a bit disconcerting, feeling more like an old school blanket party than something to be enjoyed.
2405900 99 out of 100 times, you're absolutely right. For me, the exception is Jericho, which I linked to as an example. It's filled to the brim with bloody murder, and though the act of rape doesn't really happen IIRC (and in fact Jericho will go full-on Knight Templar on anyone who dares to try that) the conversations are full of the most depraved and bizarre sex acts you can imagine. It's the most twisted pony story I enjoy.
Titanium Dragon hit the nail on the head when he said The Descendant's fics are part of a "balanced diet"; Jericho is what I balance them with.
I can't say I see much of value in that blog. Rambler's primary complaint seems to be that when he experiences something "wholesome", he wants to go scrub himself of that feeling.
Personally, I can see where he's coming from. Your create well written characters who have morals and act on them, and they are really easy to identify with. This will affect a lot of people in a lot of different ways. Some, like Rambler, will feel smothered as they are shown what kind of person they could be. Others, like me, feel uplifted as you show us the same. That some have an allergy to this feeling is more telling on their personality than your writing.
Rambler did bring up one good point, though it was in an aside. Your villains are sometimes a little two dimensional. While I feel that this is a weakness in your work, it is a small one.
"Come from under there, TD, the blog wasn't even bad. If anything, you should be happy for the attention!"
MR, is right. Your work is wholesome! And that great! In my opinion, that's MLP at its core, and there is no reason your should change or feel different about that in your story or the life's work that you do.
Like a said in, MR's, blog; if I want something different, I will go read and/or go it. I wanted wholesome, and that what I wanted to read from you and other authors.
I read to finish this up, get out from under 'my' blanket and get ready for work. Catch you later. Hope to see more, Zenith soon!
I think, at the end of the day, it comes down to "horses for courses."
Are your stories trapped under a blanket of wholesomeness? I do find your stories to be quite wholesome, but I would never claim them to be too wholesome.
I read your stories not because of their wholesomeness, but because you write interesting stories and do so very well. You also describe the world and the characters in it beautifully. Variables remains one of my all time favourite works here because it is a fascinating character study of Spike, and it is so beautifully written.
I can't comment on the lack of success you feel your later stories have achieved. Every Little Bit was another interesting look at Spike, and his dynamic amongst the Mane six. Highball, I loved every word of. Empty Nest was also a very enjoyable look at the Cakes.
I may not have enjoyed As a Mother as much as the above stories, but that is no fault of yours. It is an interesting story, a well written story, and contains some wonderful world building. It's nothing I can really put my finger on, it just didn't gel with me. But whatever issue I may be unable to articulate, "wholesomeness" plays no part.
This is a broad fandom, containing diverse viewpoints. I read, and enjoy a number of different styles of writing here. I don't read your work because they are wholesome. I don't read Estee's work because it is cynical. I read both of you because you write such good stories.
As one of the few still older ponies and as one who has actually swayed your writing in a riskier direction (an experiment that wasn't necessarily 'you'! but still, I think, worth having explored)…
I wouldn't worry about it, hon
Here is a little secret: I consider the six Trixieverse books 'wholesome'. This in spite of the fact that they are futa-themed adult content throughout, touching on an exhaustive laundry list of fetishism. My point being, this stuff was bait and never the end of the story: the story was always about characters working through their issues (particularly Rarity's story arc across multiple books) and getting down to the honest truth of who they were, what their needs were, how they wanted to be in life.
Some were pair-bondy monagamous by nature. Some were more poly and still managed to build strong family units on much the same values as the more traditional ones. No matter what the character, no matter how 'edgy' their situation, their solution was always more connectedness, more understanding, more tolerance, more responsibiity. And these things balance very awkwardly, but that's life.
I feel the real criticism you're being presented with is that your stories don't acknowledge darkness bravely enough: some readers clearly want all their stories to reach knowingly for all those levels of darkness, evilness and flawedness, to really accept and internalize it…
But to do so means you are no longer telling stories about and by the idealistic.
Tell your stories. If you'd like to talk more intelligently about darkness so be it, but don't you dare abandon your point of view to do so. The trouble with introducing a 'real+edgy' character or element into that is, you have to either work out a solution or work out how you can idealistically accept the lack of a solution. If the 'edgy' element causes your idealism to act like it's invalidated then you're doing it wrong.
You don't require the permission of evil+edgy, to be yourself. And it sure as hell neither needs nor seeks your permission to be itself!
You are FINE.
So I've read through both blogs, and the associated comments, and all I can think is "So what?"
So you write works that are wholesome, and encourage people to try and do good things, have standards, be decent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Don't ever mistakenly think that there is something wrong with that. You're not being heavy-handed, you just wear your morals on your sleeve and aren't afraid to point them out.
The "problem" isn't with you or your work. You're a believer (rightfully so, IMO) in certain moral behaviors. The "problem" is that some of the readers out there are not, or at least, not openly. I'm probably going to invite all kinds of fire down on myself for saying this (or at least, most likely a lot of down votes), but did you ever have a time as a kid where you were proven wrong, you knew on some level that you were wrong, and yet you stubbornly resisted anyway and ignored that feeling because you wanted to be right? And you'd seek out (or fall back) on whatever supported your opinion, futilely resisting something that deep down, you knew was right, but your own pride wanted to be right rather than wrong so bad that you refused to listen?
In other words, we try to justify something we know to be wrong and assuage our own guilt.
People do this every day. Crud, Fimfic is full of it. Look at the number of fics that take a show that is wholesome and that is full of morals, and try to twist it into something that isn't. How many fics try to drag MLP:FiM down from its higher standards and rub it in the mud so that those who love the show but at the same time are feeling distinctly less comfortable by it's ultimate message feel somehow justified? Crud, even the "Love and Tolerate" "motto" that so many fans claim as the message of the show isn't actually an accurate one at all (and would in fact be deconstructed if it were on the show itself) but constantly upheld as a way to excuse all sorts of behavior.
There's nothing wrong with being wholesome, Descendant. I, for one, support it. We need more people willing to stand for something that means something, that concern themselves with the ultimate meaning and resulting inspiration of something they've written. You're making some people uncomfortable with moral characters who hold as valuable and work for ideals, integrity, and beliefs. There's nothing wrong with that. You've made people think, perhaps even question some of their own behaviors and attitudes in relation to what you've presented. Uncomfortable as they may be (after all, like said in the example above, many are loath to admit that they're wrong, it takes a massive amount of maturity, honor, and respect that quite honestly most people these days do not have), they'll have to live with their own choices.
So, keep writing moral characters and wholesome stories and keep standing up for what you believe in. Let those who read decide where they stand, but don't let your standing be dragged somewhere you would see as lower because of a few who want you to step down to where they're standing.
Honestly? I think he's way over-thinking it all. He needs to maybe take a step back, go out, and watch a sunset from the shore of a large body of water.
That was an interesting blog. I see what he means about "wholesomeness" in your work, and while I agree that it's common to the primary characters in all of your stories, I don't consider that a negative, particularly. His comments about the virtuous in-group standing guard against the villainous out-group rang very true to me. In your more military-themed stories, that works fine (A Cup of Joe, for example), but it's also at the core of all of my problems with Every Little Bit.
Incidentally, reading this reminded me that Every Little Bit is one of the very few stories I've ever downvoted without commenting on. I hope you'll forgive me that; I actually started typing up a comment after I read it, but I was pretty peeved, and it (the comment) was sounding really angry, so I deleted it half-finished and kind of let it slide. I'll go try again, now that I've had a year or so to cool off.
Incidentally, I think the other TD hit the nail on the head with his comment on Midnight Rambler's blog: your stories fill an important gap in the pony-literary landscape, and one that we'd all be poorer without. That said, they're a part of a well-balanced diet, not biblical manna to be solely consumed without any need for other foods.
I haven't found a manna-writer yet, but I'll keep looking. In the meantime, I may have an idea of what I'm getting into when I read a TD story, both in terms of writing style and moral tone, but I keep coming back to them because I like both of those to be part of my reading oeuvre. So, as long as you're comfy in the blanket, I'll keep coming and visiting you under the covers.
I swear I didn't mean to make that sound dirty, but I'm not gonna un-type it. You understand me, I'm sure.
I don't think "wholesomeness" has anything whatsoever to do with your lack of recent "success" (and I put success in quotes because those stories are still doing far better than most stories on this site.) For example, I can tell you exactly why "Empty Nest" isn't rocketing up to the feature box. It's a story that centers entirely around the problems of age, on a site where the average age is about sixteen. You don't need to come up with weird theories to explain why readers aren't relating to it.
I'd agree with his point on your characters being wholesome, but I wouldn't say that limits story telling at all. Characters are going to interact with the world they are in and (in the case of many of your stories) the characters live in a wholesome world. Acting otherwise would seem out of place and throw things off.
Also, if your stories are like a blanket at all it's that the world seems kinda cold afterwards and I kinda like staying in it.
I think it was while reading his blog I realized I really am not capable of critique on that sort of level. While I have always tried to provide a visceral reaction in my comments (by writing them immediately, based on notes taken during the story), I have never noticed the points Midnight Rambler has made (apart from Spike being a Paragon, but I think that comes a surprise to no one that knows T.D.). I say this only to qualify my following statements.
This may in fact be a continuation of the Purple conversation we had a while ago. You do have a particular style in your writing that you rarely stray from, though you do occasionally stray (See "The Somewhere Cycle), but I agree that MR's points in that regard are true.
I suppose I would also agree about your blanket of wholesomeness. Though I have never found it oppressive as he has, I have felt occasionally that you sometimes write stories you want to be quoted in bible school about opposing sin. Though it has only been this strong once or twice, I have not seen it as a problem. You want to write essentially good characters doing essentially good things and that is perfectly fine. If anything, I have always taken it as you staying true to the canon characters.
In all, I suppose I agree with pretty much the entirety MR's blog, aside from it's affect on me. Where your ponies drive him to drink, I generally just become contemplative after reading your stories. I like your work, and I would like you to keep it up.
P.S. I have not yet gotten to your recent stories and so I cannot comment on whether or not his points have anything to do with their 'lack of success'. I will keep this blog in mind when I do inevitably comment on them.
The world today is too much "doom and gloom". Your stories are the bright patches of wholesome sunshine that remind us of better times.
Moral fiber is food for the soul.
Now come out from under that blanket, you inspiring individual
I have too much free time... So I decided to read both blogs and all the comments so far on each blog.
I don't believe that I can give a fresh opinion here, but while I agree that your work can very well be wholesome, I'm of the opinion that many of us were drawn into this fandom in the first place because we were searching for something wholesome and sweet to escape from some of the grittiness of reality. In other words (and this is just a paraphrased rehash of what a few others said) we enjoy the having this blanket to protect us from the cold.
p.s. I can't think of any reason why that conclusion would have any bearing on what you consider to be a lack of success on your last few works...
Hmmm... okay, first off, thoughts on the post: It's... kinda true. I agree about the wholesomeness aspect, although, as many others have said, that's not a bad thing, and the optimism is something I really enjoy.
However, I don't hold truck at all with the blanket metaphor - that it covers you up and prevents you from seeing outside it. It smack of a belief I haven't thought of a name for, but is prevalent enough to need one - the idea that happiness, innocence and/or, yes, wholesomeness can only be a product of naivete. That the only way to be wholesome is either not know about or acknowledge the bad stuff in the world. That innocence means not knowing, as he puts it, that "there's more to this world." It's complete bunk of course, but a disturbingly common belief, if often a subconscious one.
Not saying that even factors into Rambler's philosophy, just that the post gave me that feeling. He seem to take issue with your being "heavy-handed" with morality and emotions, but... well, I'm not going to say that definitely isn't there, but I don't see it that much, and it doesn't look like many other people do either. There's morality, certainly, and it's often fairly clearly defined, but it's not like we're being preached to or anything. The characters will usually do "what's right", but, in the cross-section of your work I've read, it's framed not as what's objectively right, but as what's right for them. (one of the reasons I love Variables so much is how it explores that). It honestly seems like a large part of Rambler's problem is personal discomfort with that sort of thing. But hey, that's just the feeling I get from it.
A couple of specific points I want to comment on: first with the villains being "two-dimensional". A bit, yeah, that I think it's more that they're out of focus - for instance, the pegasus seductress (which is a great phrase, despite the character) could have had reasons for what she was doing and the story could have gone more in depth with her... but that wasn't really what the story was about - it was about Carrot and Cup's reaction to what she does. Sure, some depth could work and it might improve the stories slightly, but I wouldn't call it a flaw.
And secondly, 2405783 I wouldn't Spike on the show is that cynical. He's snarky, sure, snarky as heck, but I think that's mostly due to the fact that he's out of focus a lot of the time, so his snark is what we most often see. But if you look at things like his excitement at announcing in Fall Weather Friends, his surprise and gratitude at his party in iSecret of my Excess and his attempts to fit in in Dragon Quest. Not only are his reactions pretty optimistic and free of cynicism, but they're also very childlike. Yeah, he does have some cynicism in him, but he also has cheerfulness, naivete and, yes, nobility. Does TD focus mostly on his nobler aspects? Sure! Could he show a bit more of his snarky side? Maybe. But does that make his Spike different from the shows. Not really. It just shows him at his best.
... Okay, I'm kind of tired, and I have no idea how much of the above post makes sense, so feel free to ignore it if you want.
Well your characters do not grow. They have their virtues and all of the conflict comes from interacting with outsiders who do not share those values. The only exception is when Spike threatened to kill Discord, but I am not so sure:
In variables, Spike threatened to kill Discord, but I suspect that the threat was to teach Discord a lesson. I suspect that Spike never intended to kill Discord.
I took you to task in the comments of the Father of my Children:
An unnamed PegasusMare attempts to seduce Mister CarrotCake. He flat out says no. As a stallion who has had sex with the same mare for over a decade, he should have found the offer to be tempting and shown internal conflict before refusing her offer. It makes him look 1-dimensional. Luckily, Mrs. CupCake carries the story with her multidimensional character, although it also gives the impression that Mrs. CupCake decided that 2 foals is enough, so gelded Mister CarrotCake so that she would not have any more foals, which as a side-effect robbed Mister CarrotCake of his libido so that he could not be attempted by hot willing PegaSisters, which explains his lack of temptation by the offer.
2405879
static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Friends.+Those+are+the+best+kind+of+friends.+Hypno-toad+commands+you_543047_4155318.jpg
Also, I'm 29. I don't think it has much to do with age, it has to do with perspective and world view.
I dunno about there not being many "edges" in the show; all of the characters can act thoughtlessly or abrasively. Rainbow Dash accused Twilight of being a spy in the premier and has the most of this in her, but really they've all had their "sharp" moments. Spike and Twilight's interactions not infrequently involve sarcasm, but you know they love each other.
2405770
Thank you, Vis. It's nice to hear that people can find my stories "mature" without also needing blood, guts, and sperm.
2405800
Thank you for helping me wrap my head around that, Damer.
Most of what I've said has been said already. Yeah, your stuff's wholesome. That's a GOOD thing. I don't read wholesome all the time, but I haven't been disappointed in what you write so far from what I've read.
Your writing overall is exemplary, and something this fandom sorely needs. So keep writing! Excelsior!
2405803
The honor is all mine... the half-dozen new Watchers you've gotten in the last twenty-four hours are all yours.
2405837
Incidentally, the reason why "darker and edgier" is so common is both because of trends in popular entertainment as well as because it is easier to make something which is darker and edgier engaging; I haven't read a lot of The Descendant's stories not because I doubt that they're written but because I'm not sure if I would enjoy them.
Empty nest may be a good story, but I don't feel driven to read it.
And sometimes it can cause issues with the story; Every Last Bit, for instance, suffers from, as I noted previously, the disempowerment of Rainbow Dash, and she doesn't act particularly in character there and is abused because she is softened; likewise, he made up an invisible father for Spike to yell at, which, frankly, felt very out of character for him. (Full disclosure: I actually liked Every Last Bit a lot less when I reread it today than I did the first time, because while I saw the cutesy wholesomeness the first time, the second time I saw a lot of sexist subtext which I didn't like at all).
2405815
My fear is that I've exhausted the enthusiasm my Watchers have for my work, and that my writing style has no appeal for new readers. That's pretty much why I asked about Ramb's observation... is it directly related to this lack of movement on these stories, or have I done something else, or failed to do something, to make my works appealing?
2406528
pff.
I have been married, sir. Carrot Cake in 'Father of my Children' is completely legit. It's not about dimensionality, it's about values. And the fact that it's me telling you this should give you pause!
If I can find that characterization totally plausible, it's sheer silliness to think The Descendant wouldn't.
2406676 Ah, but age and world view are very much linked. I'm roughly a decade older and that added experience has no doubt colored my world view. I believe there is a difference between edgy and the fairly soft jabs that come out between the mane six and Spike.
2406528 Allow me to introduce to you the concept of fidelity. It is a form of virtue where one makes a promise, in particular to be loyal to another with whom you decide to share your life. Fidelity is being able to turn down offers like that flat out and without internal conflict because you are loyal to your mate. TD decided that Carrot fought too hard and too long for Cupcake to even entertain the notion of infidelity (see A Sweet Taste of Cake). That does not make him gelded, one dimensional, or less than a stallion; rather it elevates him above those that would entertain that offer because of his loyalty. As for his libido, he demonstrates rather well just a few paragraphs later that it functions quite well... for his wife and only his wife.
Just because you or a male figure in your life would and/or did entertain that notion does not mean that others would even consider it.
As for growth, take a little gander at On Pins and Needles, or maybe Children of a Lesser Dragon God Boy Whelp Thingy Guy. Better yet, look at A Cup of Joe, So Being What We Sow When We Sew or Tangled up in Blues. There's character growth in every one, and those are just the cream of the crop. Not always huge leaps and bounds of profundity, but it is there.
2406772
I never said that he should give into temptation. I only said that he should feel tempted and conflicted before he steels his resolve and says no. I expect characters to have complex internal states.
2406762 Don't go inventing trouble. There are two very good reasons these stories have lower view/upvote counts than your other stories.
OC Tag
Sad Tag
Those are both tags that require more advertisement/time/word of mouth for attention to happen. And they may never get the same level of attention as you other stories.
People shy away from OC stories and Sad stories. Check out the ridiculously popular OC stories ("Whom the Princesses...", for instance) and see how LONG it took them to get their upvotes.
2406806
I understand the concept. I just expect characters to be complex enough to feel several things at once, so he should have internal conflict for a minute or so before he puts his hoof down and refuses the offer.
2406842 And I expect characters that went through a lot of struggle just to get that relationship in the first place to not even hesitate in casting aside temptation. Since the story was from Cupcakes' point of view, you may not of noticed Carrot saying "whew" about 5 times after the temptress left. This was a subtle way of showing that he did recognize the temptation, and while he did not hesitate to cast it aside he felt the effects.
That's the key point there, the story was from Cupcakes' point of view, so we never got to see just what was running around in Carrot's head and how he dealt with the temptation internally. We just got to see the end result of his resolve and fidelity.
2405830
Thank you, Cas. I found your description of 21st Century moral ambiguity especially apt. I hope that I can continue to rise up to the "security of expectations" that I've set for myself.
2406806
I think it has more to do with culture than anything else; people often think that people get more conservative as they get older, but on the other hand, if you look at the real world data, you see a liberalization of social views across all age categories, with young people being the most liberal. The most likely cause of this is that society drifts to the left over time and young people are especially liberal. So while old people seem more conservative, it is really just because they started out more conservative to begin with.
You aren't from the same culture as I am. The Descendant isn't either.
2406940 Is this where I chase you off my lawn with a cane?
2406966
I don't think canes are appropriate weapons for confronting dragons.
As I commented (at greater length) on the linked blog, I think perhaps a blanket is not an unapt metaphor for your work as it pertains to me... Though I thin in my case, it rather functions not as a security blanket, but a fire blanket - for a little while, smothering the seething fires that now burn omnipresently inside my mind.
2405837
I've always found that the biggest enemies we can ever face are those that dwell within. I appreciate you finding that aspect of my works. I'm glad that my work keeps you from freezing to death, Fais.