Princess of Shadows, Darkness, and Light:Update; New Chapter, other changes

I just finished writing the third chapter for this fic, and it is LONG. It's twice as long as the other two chapters, and contains a lot of world building. Now, I had originally intended to keep each chapter under 1,500 words or so, to make it a little easier to read. But, this one wouldn't let go. Every time I turned around, new ideas kept on adding on top of the others, until it went well past 4,000 words. So, I may end up splitting it into several smaller chunks; or not, depending on what my muse says.

That all said, I'm really happy with the way that it's going so far. This is the first time I've ever written something with the intention of letting others read it. As soon as I get word from my pre-reader, I'll put the chapter(s) up for you all to read.

Now, I know what you're all thinking; when is the lost kingdom gonna pop up? Well, the characters you'll meet in the next chapter are integral to finding this kingdom, so I kinda need to get their actions out before I can do anything else. You can expect to see the ponies from the Lost Kingdom appear within the next couple of chapters. It all depends on whether this next one gets published all at once, or in chunks. It will, however, be in parts, since it is all one chapter.

I'll be updating on this blog as I add new chapters. Also, I'm looking for other pre-readers, so feel free to PM me if you want to join. I will give credit to anyone who decides to help. Also, I'm still looking for cover art; if you can help with that, please let me know. I really can't afford to pay for it, but I will give you credit, as long as it fits with either the overall theme of the fic, or the PMV that inspired it.

Update: I ended up changing quite a few scenes in this chapter, but it's finally ready. Also, since there is a backstory, you may be all looking forward to that as well, which I'll be writing parallel to this one. I don't have a name for it as of yet, as it's still in the beginning stages. Expect more sometime this weekend, as I hope to have the first chapter done by then. Well, enjoy this chapter; I hope you all like it.

Update: As anyone that's already read the newest chapter can attest, Chapter 3 has been revised. On the apt suggestions of my pre-reader, I changed some of the earlier scenes, and redid some of the discussion that took place between Twilight, Rainbow, and Stalwart Beauty at the end of the chapter. I originally had no plan to change anything. but the original scene I had done was so totally OOC for Twilight that I had to change it. These new changes more reflect the current way that the story has progressed, and actually flow a little better. I haven't yet started working on chapter 4 as of yet; I'd like to get at least the first two chapters of the parallel story done first (as well as figure out a name for it), so it'll probably be another few days before I'll have the next chapter. Expect the new story sometime next week!!

Update: Okay, this is getting monotonous. Just when I thought I was done revising this chapter, my muse hits me upside the head with yet another scene. The good news is that this is the LAST scene that will be in this chapter. The next chapter will involve more Twidash, Cadance, and a BIG surprise. Don't know when it's coming; I really don't like releasing chapters without getting feedback from my pre-reader. Otherwise, I get something like what happened in the last chapter. To that end, I'm looking for more pre-readers, so that I can get more feedback as a writer, and get this story out as soon as possible. Expect to see the story returning to its roots within the next few chapters.

Story Name Change: Okay, so the name has changed. There's a reason for the change. The reason; I can't tell you. It's too much of a spoiler. I will say this much, though. It's only a couple of chapters away.

There's something else; that chapter is going to be in two parts. The reason is because it will be dealing with both the back story of the character, and moving towards the events that are occurring now. I don't know if I'll be releasing both parts at the same time, or wait awhile between each one. It all depends on how long it takes to finish the chapter I'm currently working on. That chapter takes precedence, and there's a lot of scenes that I have to get through before it will be done. Expect it sometime within the next few days.

Update: I'm almost done with the next chapter, and let me tell you; it's a BEAST. As it stands right now, this one chapter is more in word count than the ENTIRETY of the three preceding it. However, no matter how many times I even think of splitting it up, or sliding some of the scenes to another, I get knocked on the head....

*Whap*

Ow!!

Okay, I get it... yeesh, I'll tell them...The things I put up with....

Sorry about that, I was arguing with my muse. So, I should have the next chapter fully done by the end of the day, and will have submitted it to Kodeake for pre-reading. I hope to have it ready to publish. As the chapter description attests, I'm looking for more pre-readers. If you're interested, PM me and I'll send both a Gdoc link and my unpublished password. I also would like someone to help editing, if only to catch what I miss.

Whelp, back into the breach....

Update, New Chapter: I know I updated this by saying I was going to have the new chapter finished soon, but I got distracted reading other stories, as well as playing some games. I still have to finish the last scene, though I'm not sure if I can actually start the next chapters without it, since I'd like to be able to soon introduce the character this story is really about.

I have a few thoughts on where this story is going, and I often scratch my head when I see that, even though my top favorite pairing is Twiluna, the first major pairing I do is Twidash. They're both right up there, as I really like any kind of pairing involving Twilight (except for Pinkie Pie, though that's only because that pairing is odd, not because I don't think it works or anything like that). In any case, I would like to say that I'm not leaving Luna out of this at all, just that she's not going to be paired with a Mane Six member. At least, I don't think she will be; it's not really up to me. My muse is the one fully in charge of the first story I've ever written organically. I think she wants to start writing the new character in soon, which is going to require either a lot of flashbacks, a prequel of some kind, or a backtrack chapter. I'm not trying to take away from the Twidash at all, as her role as the newest Princess is an integral one. Not saying anything more here, as it'll give too much away.

Update: New chapter, as of 11:15 PM EST is up. This will be the last chapter that will involve either Twilight or Rainbow Dash for awhile, as the next chapter will be about the other pairing, and will tie more directly into the inspiration for this fic. Normally, I would wait until my pre-reader got back to me; unfortunately, my muse won't let me wait any more. Nor will she let me wait until I get the first two chapters done in the parallel prequel fic before releasing this chapter. I'm getting close to hitting a personal milestone, as the word count on this chapter is the same as the word count for all of the preceding chapters. Not that matters; my muse still won't let condense chapters 1 & 2 no matter how much I bitch.

In any case, I'd like to point out a few things. I know that the end of this chapter has that surprise I promised you dealing with Shining Armor and Cadance. I will say this much here, while giving you all a chance to read it before going into details. I know that both ideas have been done before; however, there are many reasons why I chose the route I did. I really can't go into to many details here, as that will give away too much of the story. There is a method to my madness though, and if you'll bear with me in the next couple of chapters, you will see it.

I'm looking back at my past updates on this blog, and I realize I promised the next story. As it stands now, I have hardly even started it, as my muse won't let me focus on it until I get where I really want to be with this one. I'm fixing to have something to submit here soon though, as I'm not even sure where I'm going with the next few chapters on this one. It's all up in the air at this point, as there's a lot of world building I have to do, and I'm torn as to how I want to do it. I've seen it done with flashbacks, or a backtrack chapter; and I realize I kinda went right into the Twidash with no real plan. Of course, it's Twidash; you really can't go wrong in that way. There's still going to be plenty, just that the next chapter or two will have to deviate from it for awhile.

Oh, one more thing. Since this world building will involve past events, there's going to be a significant number of OC's to deal with. Also, when the main character gets introduced, I know that I'm going to get accused of her being a Mary Sue, as she will seem really OP at that point. If what I have in mind works out, however, you will find it only seems that way, as a lot has gone on in her world, outside of what the other kingdoms of Equus have had to deal with over the years. I really can't say any more here though, but I hope to be able to satisfy you all.

By the way, you can all post comments. Feedback and constructive criticism is appreciated, as those are needed to improve what I've written. All I really don't care for is trolls, or those that post negative comments because this is a lesbian romance fic. I know there's no way to keep them (or those that post MOAR) from posting, though I won't dignify those with a reply. I'm really just writing this fic because it's begging me to, and not because I'm desiring popularity.

Once more, into the breach!!

Clarification Update: I know I said that this will be the last chapter where you will see any cute Twidash; however, my muse says that there's more to come, and that I shouldn't tease by having them leave the Crystal Empire and enter Ponyville without you all getting to see. So, you will. Not telling what will happen; you'll just have to wait until the chapter gets written. Also, I won't be releasing any more chapters after this one (once its written), as a great deal of what will be coming in later chapters will involve a lot of exposition without the companion fic. My muse is finally taking an interest, and realizes that Kodeake was right. The other fic should have been written first. Oh well, you learn something new about life every day.

Once more, into the breach!!

Update: Minor Changes

For those of you that have read this fic, as well as the prequel/parallel fic, you'll likely notice I made a few minor changes. I added some key phrases to fix some minor plot holes, as well as made corrections to pony names (I'm going to post minor updates to LRSF here where applicable).

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the use of number words in the chapter titles. Not really a plot change; more like a style change, since number words make more sense in story format.

Some of the other changes I made were in reflection to the writing guide (shameless hook here; this guide is a big help) that you can find on this site. One of the things I've started to do is use em dashes in place of parentheses in narration.

As far as it goes, most of the changes I made were all minor. Quite a few were punctuation errors; wrong spelling of words; extra spaces; no space between sentences; things of that nature. One glaring issue was a big no-no though; I spotted a paragraph in the first chapter of LRSF that had two people talking in the same chapter. That's something I try to avoid, even before I read the guide.

For perspective authors; read the guide. Seriously, it'll help, and it's even funny at times.

For older authors; you should read it too, as there are things there that are always good to bone up on.

Sorry for the shameless promo there, but I really think people overlook that guide. I know I did...

*Ahem*

Well, anyway, that's it for this update. I hope to have the last part of my first two-part sequence of chapters of LRSF done within the next couple of days. After that, I wanna start writing on back log for both, as I feel that the next chapters will flow out faster than I can update them.

Once more, into the breach!!

Update : Writing next Chapter

I finally got where I needed to be in LRSF, so I've started on the next chapter to PSDAL. I haven't a clue as to when it's going to be done, though. I'd like to have it up within the next day or two; when I really get going, it only takes me around four or five hours or so in total to finish a chapter. I don't usually write straight through though, so it seems longer.

This is all I have to say for now. I really hope this is up to expectations, though as I've said before, I really don't have very many. I'll do my best to try to allign this story with its inspiration. If I fall short, it's only because I'm still learning the nuances of writing.

I'm not trying to please everypony with it; that's impossible. Frankly, the number of total views I've gotten were a bit more than I expected. They'll likely go up as I post more. Lots of bronies love Twidash, and there's more of that on the way.

No clop though; I can't write clop quite yet...

Well, I'm going to read some more, and get back to writing. Hopefully, I'll have it ready to post tomorrow.

Once more, into the breach!