My 100+ Days · 9:28pm Apr 28th, 2015
Greetings and salutations tired travelers of the interwebs - or at least bored ones because why else would you be here? This is my first blog post, which I figure is a bit overdue, but I wanted to take my sweet time exploring the site a bit before unloading any sort of text wall that was not a piece of fiction. I've been a fan of the cartoon cathorses for quite some time - after my girlfriend very convincingly told me to watch the show. In reality, it wasn't very convincing at all. I'm a kid at heart so getting me to sit down to watch an animated series is far from a challenge. In the offline universe, I'm a doctor of particle physics who takes protons, throws them at things, and watches what happens. That, however, is a different tale altogether and has nothing to do with why I'm posting a blog today.
In January, I had decided for whatever reason to start a fiction based in the MLP universe. I felt motivated to write for the first time in years, and there was no stopping that imagination drive. My friends in the community - particularly those I met while hosting my weekly episode stream - were quite adamant about me joining fimfiction, so I ventured over and uploaded the first chapter of what has developed into a wonderful personal experience. Again, I could probably stop right here and devolve into a fit of self-promotion, but that's not the purpose of this posting.
When I joined the site, I did not have very high expectations. I have been running a writing contest elsewhere for nearly ten years, so I have seen what the universe has to offer when it comes to fanfiction - and indeed - some posted works are, in all honesty, not that very good. However, the quality of pieces offered here greatly exceeded my expectations, and some of them possess a caliber that you may as well slap a binding on and call up Barnes & Noble. Having spent three months on the site, I've acquired friends and read tales that have truly provoked my thoughts, and for that, I'd like to take the time to thank you all.
There is a collection of works in particular upon which I'd like to expand. Each of these has touched me in some way, for numerous different reasons, and I really believe they deserve an added bit of attention.
Memoirs of Royal Guard - Anzel: In my opinion, this one is the absolute benchmark of guard-related slice-of-life stories. Humor, romance, action, the power of friendship - it's all in here. But the best part about this whole setup, in my opinion, is Anzel's commitment to the brand. He runs character Q&A sessions, keeps to a fairly strict posting schedule, and has been an absolutely awesome individual to bounce around those crazy ideas. When it comes to Memoirs, the whole thing is more than just a read; it's an experience - one worthy of jumping into if you have not done so.
Crystal's Wishes - Crystal Wishes: Crystal... frankly just possesses the witchcraft. Her story sets romantic angles upon the struggles of being an aspiring writer, and the piece is such a pleasant read that I had might as well just tell my experience instead of trying to formulate some peripheral description. Romance is generally not my thing, but after having several conversations with Crystal about writing and story development, I felt a bit guilty not having read through my new friend's stuff. I started at 7 PM on a work night, and I did not finish until 5 AM. Her words are like butter: delicious, addicting, and amazing when melted. I have never gotten through 4000+ word chapters with such ease. She knows her skills. I highly recommend.
A Pony Displaced - Sober: My relationship with this story is a fun one. I don't think it's much to say that any piece that dares to step into an OCxCanon ship runs the risk of becoming utter fodder, but A Pony Displaced just has the magic - Magic Barrier that is. If you want a story that has a pony with attitude, this one has pretty much got you covered - on all fronts of kicking another pony's rump. There are some grittier elements to boot, but the striking core of the work is in its humor. Sober just put it all together - with the help of his great editing squad - in a way that made me keep reading. It also led to a friendship - as well as some collaboration, which underscores the origins of why the heck we're all here.
The Ties that Bind - TwistedPretzel: I love this story. I love it because it does something that few pull off. This one began as a mature piece, one in which rope was heavily involved - if you catch my drift, but it became much more than that. Again, we're in the risky business of shipping - or at least seeding a ship, but this one took Trixie-Twilight to a level that just felt unique. The characterizations dug into uncharted waters, and I really cannot give TwistedPretzel the props deserved for taking that path.
Rest in Chaos - DannyJ: I really don't have much to go into on this one. DannyJ just does a phenomenal job capturing the essence of Discord. Usually, when I read the manner in which others write for show characters, you can always pick up the subtle indicators of the author's hallmarks, but this!? Oh hell no, this just sounds like I might as well be listening to the voice of John de Lancie gracing my ears.
One Last Trick - Cloud Hop: Another work that needs a witchcraft stamp. I could not put this one down. I just kept reading, and reading, and reading until I had caught up. The way in which Cloud Hop keeps the investment into the lingering questions of the story is just absolutely captivating. I feel this shimmering sense of joy when I think about the promise of a new chapter.
That being said, I would like to thank you all for providing a bunch of tremendous reads. Keep up the fantastic work and write on!
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3026574 :P You're a busy person. I know how it goes. :P I'm sure you'll get to it when you're able. It doesn't change the fact that what I said is true. ;) Besides, C.W. and Wing can eventually babble endlessly about their special someponies. Dear Celestia, the land will be crushed with the feels.
I'm in the same boat as Crystal here - talking with you, whether it's about nonsensical things or our fanfics is just fun and I look forward to it daily. I appreciate your comments regarding APD, and am still waiting for your next installment of ASOD. ;) As much as you thank us we {or myself, at the very least} should be thanking you. Your literacy/vocabulary capabilities... fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/088/1/a/fluttershy_o_face_by_lucky43539-d4uccyq.png
Keep doing what you're doing Wing - you're as badass/awesome {arguably more, imho} as any of us.
3026594 D'awww. Your shenanigans are always appreciated. :P
Glad you're enjoying your time here Wing! If you're ever biting at the champ for something new to read, feel free to hit me up for some recommendations. I mostly read one-shots, but the few long-fics or expanded universes I track are some of the best out there as far as pony-fics go.
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3026624 Ooooo recommendations. :3
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You want some now? The two major long fic universes I follow are the Winningverse and the Irony of Applejack-verse. The latter's a much more contained universe and only has about three fics in it so far (the first being the Irony of Applejack by MisterFriendly, one of the best changeling fics out there by far), but the Winningverse is enormous. It even has its own group and everything. My personal favorite fics in it are The Life and Times of a Winning Pony and The Lunar Rebellion, but there's a ton of material there to choose from, and almost all of it good if not great.
Aha! You thought that you could just makes mentions of my work on your blog and that I wouldn't notice, but you underestimated my narcissism! I am like the Devil. Speak my name and I eventually appear.
But thank you for the compliments. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
3076208 Clearly witchcraft! But fitting, since the piece in question involved the Discord. Chaos and all that!
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Chaos indeed! Death to the Corpse Emperor, and all that jolly good stuff!
3076440 Clearly... although apparently all it takes to derail chaos now is a one-liner from a rock-loving mare.
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Yes, well, Discord is merely the Lord of Chaos. Going up against Maud, it's no surprise that he got rekt. Frankly, I'm surprised that he survived at all.
3076503 We can all rejoice in the unexpected. :P
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3076577 Could have used one more nod. lol