I've been busy the last few weeks trying to isolate the problem and fix it on a fairly tight budget.An Unsettling Read... · 11:45pm Oct 15th, 2014
So, just today I found myself reading a fic on here, one that went to some dark places and I can admit very much unsettled me. I won't be giving the name of the story here, as this isn't meant in anyway as an attack on the author's story. It was technically well done and he/she can certainly write whatever they choose. But, in very broad terms, it was a fic about Cadence and Shining Armor taking vengeance upon Chrysalis...it was rated M, had the 'Dark' tag and was a clopfic, so, I'll leave it at that...
Yeah, kinda had some morbid curiosity going into this.
Now, I imagine a fair number of the people that follow me are familiar with my version of Chrysalis, who I aim to portray as morally conflicted and sympathetic, while still cutting close to what we've seen of her personality. In her one appearance, thus far, in the show. I don't think my portrayal of her is by any means the 'best' or the 'correct' one, and I like to read other portrayals of our favorite Changeling Queen, even when they strongly differ from my own. Others can come upon insights in their own writing that have eluded me or sometimes raise questions about my own version of Chrysalis that I demand I come up with an answer for. This helps me greatly in rounding her out and making her more...complete, in my own stories.
This fic didn't take any especially large liberties with Chrysalis' character.
The author certainly picked a...thought provoking direction for Cadence and Shining Armor, however.
And, I do mean thought provoking. That is not a term I use to be polite, as the story certainly provoked some thoughts.
When I'm exposed to stories, I almost can't help but start breaking them down, pulling them apart, examining and then extrapolating ideas about them. Even more so when it's a good story. It's what makes fanfiction so appealing to me. This fanfic I read got quite dark and while I don't think my writing will take me to places that this story chose to go, I do believe I took something useful away from it. While short, it provided the fuel for me to consider things like Good and Evil, and where the lines are drawn between them, the nature of vengeance, the warping of ideas of mercy and cruelty, and the sanctity of the mind. It made me think about what kind of world such a story could take place in. Made me think of how other characters might react to the events that transpired. And down a long train of thought, that was almost entirely detached from the story, I think it provided me certain insights on Princess Celestia, despite the complete lack of any involvement of her in the story.
This post isn't so much about what insights this story provided me, but rather a core belief of mine.
I believe in challenging my views and perceptions. Not just when writing, but in my day-to-day life.
There were points where I cringed a bit, and I'm not particularly sensitive, but I read through it's entirety. The fact that it made me uncomfortable was, oddly, a mark in this story's favor. And, I don't mean to suggest anyone should go about exposing themselves to terrible things for the sake of doing so. But, if under the current of discomfort it actually makes you think, it might be worthwhile to not turn away. To let these thoughts run their course, and examine them.
Again, I'm not suggesting anyone go about reading anything they can't handle on my say so. If something goes too far, then certainly you should close that browser tab. There's a balance to be found.
But, I don't think it's a bad thing to have your inner world shaken up a bit.
And not just by the horrifying or revolting things. One should also expose themselves to opposing ideas, and listen to the rational individuals on the other side of an issue, whatever that issue may be. We should look for differing perspectives, not just for the sake of respecting others, but for the sake of addressing deficiencies in our own views.
Holding on tightly to an idea or principle that you cannot truly defend, is not a mark of wisdom...
Well, anyway, I'm rambling at this point and I've kind of come a long way from "So that was an unsettling story". But as I said, I do place a lot of importance on exposing myself to differing ideas. Here, on Fimfiction, it let's me grow as a writer. In life, it let's me grow as a person.
And I was never going to get the next story chapter done, until I got these thoughts out of my head. :P
In any event, the next chapter of "Intermediate Lessons" should be out before the end of this week. That story should be getting close to done at this point, and probably will only need one more short chapter after that, wrapping up loose ends. Afterwards, I intend on working "Diamond Tiara goes to Boot Camp" and maybe a one-shot, as well. Trying to set a goal to get an update on all my incomplete stories before the end of the month.
Wish me luck, and I hope I didn't bore anyone with these thoughts.
EDIT: For those that don't mind such things, here is a link to the story in question (Warning: Again, Mature and Dark and a Clopfic): Cadence's present
Heh. I know the story to which you are referring I think. I had a similar experience with a different story. Morbid curiosity as well. And once I started, I had to find out how it ended. But it was dark, so dark. I started reading in the evening and once I was finished I could not sleep. I spend the entire night awake, mulling over the story. I couldn't get it out of my head for about a week, it unsettled me that much.
In the end, I decided it wasn't even that good a pony story. Once I could get past how disturbing it was, as far as I could see none of the characters were true to the show and they were all interchangeable. But yeah, I know the feeling.
Huh, interesting. Given your reaction, that sounds like it was a very good story so I see no reason not to post a link here. Granted it is not really sounding like the kind of thing I usually enjoy reading so I will probably not read it myself, but that does not mean I will go spread hate and/or rage on what is obviously a high quality piece of writing.
2535400 I wouldn't precisely call it good. Technically well-written, yes.
I still find myself having difficulty in pinning down my thoughts on the story itself. I can't say that I continued reading it because I enjoyed it, but rather I couldn't really tear my eyes away from it. And after a certain point, I wasn't going to not finish it.
2535427 What you describe sounds like it fits the requirements for a good story to me. Good is more about quality of writing and the effect it has on the reader than anything else which sounds like it was rock solid to me, and many people do find that kind of story enjoyable even if we do not.
It might help to think of it like a horror movie. There are plenty of absolutely fantastic horror movies out there that many people enjoy, but many more people simply do not enjoy the feelings of fear that they get from a really good horror movie. It sounds to me like this was like a good horror movie, but you were one of the people who does not like the feelings they produce so you did not enjoy the experience.
2535465 True enough, I suppose. As I mentioned earlier, I don't take exception to the story itself, despite the content. If there's anybody that thinks they can handle it, I suppose that is their decision to make.
I'll edit a link in, at the bottom of the original post.
Hm. Personally I don't tend to go far outside my comfort zone.
Nowadays, that basically equates to filtering away "dark", "human" and "anthro" whenever i browse for new stories.
Then again, I mostly read to be entertained, anyways.