Bought notebooks, rerolls to do lists. Reroll writing guideline. Rants, etc. · 8:15am Jan 8th, 2016
So, wrote a bit of rants in my first notebook. Gonna transcribe some. (2 blog posts atleast?)
Now now. I don't really care for presentation exactly, but whatev. It's years too early for that. I just spent too much time thinking of things about the prelude era to my personal fanfic verse-thing. Gods. Too much reading and watching and not writing and drawing does that. Cause I need to daydream or day-sketch stuff when my dream time is shortened. Because I enjoy it. And enjoyment is my hobby.
So. This is going to be so ridiculuously useless. But I guess I might as well if I intend to put short blogs for special days when I feel so kind. (Heh)
Also, nice that fimfiction is still going good, not that I had not been around, just no logging on. I'm not lazed to updating my to read list.
After these transcriptions, I'll again slap my foreleg, touch the ceiling, hum a tune and think a rythme, a motive, or a song. For I was getting low on motive, and I'll be again, and what I do is random motivation. Russian kick-style. Can't see target? More dakka.
Then I fine tune till I get me a new mood rollin'. Works everytime. Yes, I am fine, Yes, I am crazy.
More on big lower half of this unpresentable rant I don't really care about.
The first thing was, I thought I'd continue writing the thing I was when notebook space went out, about two days ago. I'm more comfortable writing whilst I think freely and roam around. But then, thought I might as well establish management of notebook usage. Then thought, maybe write it down on here, mock-blog post. Whatev. I'll rewrite it on seperate sheets when I get to those. Like I will the prelude character OCs when I get to them. These are very first draft story arc sketches. But there will be OCs, because I write of a prelude to a world setting era. And while I decided to just think of how the main cannon characters went through its start, centuries before, I got interested in fleshing it out. Oh boy. It's no save the world, it's do your best when equestria is falling apart. Except they don't know it, and it might not truly fall apart while in their lifetimes (save those who, for some reason, live till the next era, willingly or not) Starts with attempt to solve an event, which I will not transcribe here, but is it's own short story. Continues with,.. whatev. Anyhow, after the prelude's starting event and two main prelude stories happen. Celestia is gone, Twilight's attempt at repair seems unfruitful, but their priority ain't to know. And equestria starts to fall apart. No dystopia yet. But magic is slowly dissapearing in a global, proportionate, and unexplained way. Twilight had tried to stop the weird bad magic/mind-control stuff, (invasion?) by short-circuiting all magic, known or otherwise, around the area where Celestia dissapeared, the source. So they even wonder if they caused the new problem, and the old one, invasion (?) from the ocean, odd possesions, did not entirely stop. Whoa, no paragraph seperations: it's a don't for things you want to finalise, I just realised. But this is a rant. I didn't even bother with punctuation, there is a reason I don't: my rants aren't part of what I would ever reread.
Cut to the transcribing and rewriting as I copy. I disdain writing two identical things.
So. Notebook writing management draft.
Spirit of the art. (Spiritual guideline.)
The final should be by scenes.
Make a solid scaffolding. Don't nerf the bad, keep the scaffold simple to it's essence. An incomplete song. Add riff-raff later.
The result, the essence, and the flesh must be perfect. An endless evolution. A shadow. Trial of light. Alluring and understood. Then coherent and beautiful. A patient and practised art.
Did I mention I love art? I do. I care more of being good at art then showing it. This site is a potential field test site. If I decide to post stuff in a public area. It's neato, but I'm not sure if it's my sort to be public without a ghost writer.
Arc: series of related events. If there is a spin-off of interest, make it a joint arc or side-story. Do not interupt mid-arc.
Note to self: Get more terminology as needed later. Make it possible to insert with ease my second written version of this. The non-prelude is already organised chaos. Ah, why not demonstrate.
It has a dystopian setting of great nations, isolated and distrusting. All their own ways of insuring the well-being of those who rule, all their way of treating those who do not.
An example is The West, mostly earth ponies. Undefined territory. Council made mostly of cursed.
All sentients welcome, weapons are controlled. They use earth pony magic. (Mechas, electronics, mms targeting, artillery.)
They have desertic hilly regions, well secured mines. Prosper plant farms. Their lands are protected by artillery cannon installations, strong enough to outgun, out-last and out-range the heaviest battleclouds. And their specialized anti-magic ordinance served well against a major central crusade, an exploratory legion, a long time ago.
Because there is virtually no trade through the wastelands, and that their tech doesn't permit long range army supplying, The west never had real contact with Central. But are building simple-use long-range ballistic missiles.
Eh. It take long to mention all that fluff. Anyways. Briefing.
The Council speaks little, but offers protection most absolute. Few orders, but those who do not obey eschew the council's ressources and protection. Rumors say they predict the future: no natural disaster harms those who obey. And stray monsters do little to the armored militia and sentries.
Everypony is welcome, but everypony may be asked to contribute, eventually. Everything is predictable and orderly. Everypony is free to travel the grassless steppes and the sands. But everypony has a life span, a set time after which the council is allowed to send a message.
Forfeit thy life and offer thyself for stability. To power the machines. They have a set time to chose, wether to accept thy offer, or refuse. They are free to leave. And join those who live in uncertainty. Few refuse, almost all die.
All are free in The west.
Ah... not recaping notes on all I have written. A year's a long time. And really, the west has pretty much no background but general stuff, seeing as I didn't focus on their political intrigue yet. It's a very complex thing with two main allied groups. The council and it's loyal forces, and those whom oppose the council's hold.
In that, the cursed are welcome, but have a lesser base lifespan. So they need to get an important job faster if they wish to stay with their families for long. Other ponies sometimes exclude them from the word 'pony'. The uncolored are no part of the rainbow.
Also mention, the cursed are a different kind. Most ponies have more or less magic depending on environmental exposure. Some profit from exposure to the sun. But the cursed are like an inversion of the mythical crystal ponies; they take more magic than they give back.
And the cursed have no cuties marks, or pigmented colors. Mostly. (?)
In any case. The very rare birth of a black-born cursed, generally from an earth pony mare, is prized. They start fully black, or almost. Their magic ability starts stronger than that of other cursed. Which is why they are the most suited pilots. They endure the M.M.S. much longer and better than the other candidates. Better performance, superior learning and service time, potential of limitless life span if their base ability is trained. Quite splendid. These rare few are chosen. Seperated from their families, destined since birth.
They are the only agents chosen by birth, in The west, were all ponies are free.
Heh. I feel that the overarc are so cheeky with destiny stuff that it's really just, not curable by good writing. Ahh. A major reason why public display of this verse's final forms seems too much. It's too niche. I feel very embarassed at the pretense that I wouldn't annoy someone.
Anyhow. 27 ain't one of the unique powered characters. He's one of a rare breed. One of hundreds, but, his friends and backstory are personified. Mostly by flash-back references, though. And a major secondary character that kicks in the final overarc. And in his own side stories. The titulary admiral of the artillery. Eh, man do I so want to write the next draft for the conucil's internal intrigue. But it's a complex time-loop story that require more workspace to work comfortably. Relationship diagrams and stuff, in a time loop that affects different characters differently. It's just sorta mad. But I love some of that councilmare's personal sidekicks. Loyal till death and beyond, so many times... (well particularly Morning Breeze, but her other two closest really do count.)
It would also be a sequel addendum to the main storyline, as she's the one who sends 27 off to find Celestia's crown. To fulfill the prophecy: The pony that finds the crown of olden days will bring back the peace of ages past.
Nevermind how pathetic that last sentence was. I'm not digging up the poem or re-inventing it now. But current draft has it a flashback / word exchange between 27 and the admiral that's visiting Central for some odd reason. That's when the admiral is introduced in the flesh, and yea...
But whatever. I'll definetely have written scraps of world building that won't be mentioned. Seeing as my main story, that ends the era without magic, is going to be made as a contrived fairy tale. My greatest absolute problem is whether I make it go through the whole roller coaster, or make it very. Taleish. I'll likely make it brief, and well punctuated, (by both meanings.) ideally. But it might be more interesting to just write on forever than show, so hmm. I'm still uneased at how, impressible people are to mere to mere rough drafts. I mean, ugh. I wish I could just draw beautiful things in public. But the idea someone might notice is most difficult to manage. Same with writing. There are interesting drawing styles I don't intuitively grasp on my own. And it's such a bother I can't just pratice them on a moment of whim.
I am too socially isolated and inconvenienced by my fears. I have a calm, passionate desire to go through that fear. Dash-ing spear style. So whatever, back to schedule. By one/two in the morning, this section. Done.
Overarc: big arc made of smaller ones. Like the whole main story of the verse. So many times the sorta main protag. (of 3 + 2 + 1)
Umm. 27. Ember. Cresce. Slicer. Grace? Lilly Leaf? Serra.
Serra is not main protag, but a recurrent guest protag in events around the battles of central city. The Central Empire descends from the unicorns that raise the sun and moon. Minor religions: The dark mistress. The unvocal atheists who worship the sun. (not important, just saying, she's mostly a myth in central.) And the worshippers of sanctuary. A crystal magic network powered by the souls of heroes past, and gate to the heavens. Where only unicorns and special earth ponies go, once they have passed. (BB and Trixie have destinies in the prelude because of this, although BB changed rather alot, the poor soul.)
Lots of intrigue. The feuding families of Central hide secrets from each other as they vie for influence over the masses. In the past, the demon-pegasi once tricked the lesser masses during a ploy for lasting peace. Sowing doubt and discord.
Young unicorns rebelled against their sovereigns. Misguided servants fought for reasons unknown. Foals blinded by knowledge they lacked the wisdom to understand. Books were burnt, traitors were hunted, and the inquisition was formed, to hunt the users of forbidden magic.
Since then, the sanctuary is the oldest repository of true knowledge. The production and distribution of writing is controlled. And the surviving families continue to diminish in numbers, as they continue to fight. Although the inquisition is united through their pledge to sanctuary, each region has a division of it's own. They struggle silently.
It is amongst such fights that Serra was born to an influent, yet modest family. After she married, her family was lost to the strife of civil war, and since then, she survived, planning, cutting trims off the edges during peaceful times.
And that, is a general description of why, she's sorta a main protag. I did end up fleshing her out a bit when writing a draft side story. Her adopted daughter is a family project gone wrong. The only pegasi inquisitor. The only pony with both the power of sanctuary and natural flight.
A failed weapon. A traitor. She couldn't bear killing her kin. Not for Serra, that couldn't be a mother 'til her task was done. Not for Central, that cared not of who she was. And not for sanctuary, where she would never be welcome.
Etc, etc. One problem is, it takes so much time to actually write out the more slice of life stuff. Lilly leaf is an assistant and friend of the pegasi inquisitor, influent ruler of an important tribe. Right north-east of the crystal mines.
Main story story passes through those mines. Two side stories. One short for the cursed blacksmith that kills an unwanted master with a weapon. A weapon forged in secret with the last pieces of dying hearts. Bound with the seething hatred of creatures sacrificed and betrayed. (Ah, pardon to myself, but that too I cannot replicate well in my current mood.) Suffice to say, blood weapons are a reason the cursed are openly loathed by the Central families, yet secretly accepted by all. Because those blades are useful against the unkillable.
The other side story is for the inquisitors that beseige the area because of that same maniac traitor. Sanctuary is made from crystal magic, but there are other reasons all knowledge of crystal magic is forbidden.
So many dark magic intrigues. That Central families still use religion and promises to conscript the ignorant at the time of story is just icing on the cake.
Anyhow. Just to name the other major groups of Central.
The Moon Blades. Serving the goddess of many names. Killing the Evil and Dark. Including heretics that used magic-absorbing alloys in direct contact with their skin. Empowering, but bad for mental sanity. They have strict policies against killing those not yet gone, however, because their Moonblades cut through souls just like anything else. Effortlessly.
The Blinded are another group. Blind ponies, both born and voluntary. Priests, civilians, and warriors who chose to fight in darkness, against darkness. They are the most influent opponents to lawless exploitation of the less fortunate.
The cloaked. A pariah group. Leaders in all things shady or discreet. There's an important character amongst them, who happens to be a Manablind. Got some side-stories where they play part. But none starring them yet.
Well, gods. That's. So much to add and explore. Hmm. Too bad I'm so, myself. Standoffish. Never let down a friend, never make a demanding one. Heh. I'm not someone who wants to lead a crowd.
--Anyhow. Unnecessary chatter. Many people who speak wish to be heard. But, I, appreciate things most differently. I'll cut off the rest, cept the actual guideline bit. Just a comment of these hours. I read some text amongst fimfic groups. Many speak of expectations. But I, enjoy nature. When people speak, the words and voices express so much I don't find new. A shooting star is rare. Finding a completly new object or device rarer still. But too many people tell nothing new to inspire me. Even entertainment shows are often. Meh. I think I'll just write small stories, surely not on fimfic, cause they won't be MLP related. But merely stories detached from all my verses. Maybe something from my dream series. Had weird ones lately. Atleast good mood and cheer is easy, if you don't got rough problems.
Exposition notes.
-On the overarcs: All general world building. (historical, tech, era)
-Prelude/setting. (culture and philosophy, local architecture, geography, all messy stuff)
-Details that define the arc.
If these change, arc must possibly be revised/rewritten.
Characters involved.
-Global characters/groups. (General Info)
-Do seperate character pages if necessary. (with their organisation method if need be.)
-Mention unusual character states (physical states, character moods and goals) and attachs (gear, special arrangements, authority)
-Anything else?
Quips: Important details that may affect events or the story.
-Including world building in presentation. Chekov's Guns/Chekov's skills.
Foreshadowing.
-obvious/semi-obvious stuff that promises future possibilities.
Examples include: Sombra's horn. Luna's first appereance. Nightmare Moon's first appearence.
(Knowing the patterns of a story telling tends to reveal these.)
Ah. I'll close at that. Foreshadowing is quite the potential appeal to a more personal involvement in a work of art. They are a way of sharing anticipation between the writer and the reader. One of those things that can add a particular, yet potentially unique taste.
Quite ubiquituous in many long works. And part of why I disdain being liked. It's part of my lazyness.
Welp. Atleast I know how I feel today. 12 years ta go. Will post that other rant some year if I care. But seriously. I've survived everyday day till know. All I knew and know from that. And so much didn't matter, and likely won't. I don't see why I'd want to be liked, usually. It hardly does anything. A cheer can be enjoyable sometimes, but rarely is useful. And similarly good enjoyment and utility isn't that hard to get. Besides, even if people showered me with gifts, if they were common stuff, that'd just be more to sell for food. But I'm not lacking. Love hasn't ever been what I lacked. Freedom to move, yeah, but being liked by randoms hardly affects that.
Admittingly. Some people want affection or consideration for ease of business. When they feel down or stressed. But I learned to be at ease without anyone's help. Even when physically crippled.
Life is granted free: no refunds. Might as well see what better you can do with your limited power, regardless of whether you are stuck. Eternity and dealines do not matter. I survived everyday till now. And most of all I know is but memories, with no more power on me than I care to pay attention to them. I laugh at despair, for it is useless to me.
