Status update on ADB chapter 4: · 1:41am Aug 26th, 2012
Okay, so chapter four might be done in a few days. I say might because there are two ways I might go. There are a few specific events I had planned to include in this chapter. As of now, it includes roughly 2 of them, and at ~5000 words, it's enough for a full chapter. So here are the two options I have:
1. Follow the original plan and include all the material in this chapter that I had originally intended. This will probably make the current chapter as long as the previous one, if not longer, and might also delay it by another week or so.
2. Split it into two chapters. Once I finish up the scene I'm currently working on, I think the story will be at a place where I could logically insert a chapter break without messing up the flow. The chapter would be complete, it would just not contain everything I originally had in mind because I thought of some more scenes I needed to add. The good news is that it will finally bring Fluttershy into the mix, so we have the whole cast involved. On the other hand, it won't have nearly as much Applejack as I had originally envisioned, which irks me a bit given that she's kinda important. But still, if I do split things here, the next chapter will have much more AJ, so I think it still evens out.
I'm currently leaning towards the second option, because it gives you guys more updates. Not to mention that I'm starting classes up this Monday, and as of now I don't know how much that's going to affect my writing schedule and I'd rather make sure I get something posted. To clarify, if I do split the chapter, I think the halves can stand alone, even if I originally envisioned them as both being one chapter.
Thoughts?
Classes are important, and while some may prefer one big update instead of two moderately sized ones, having it split into two chapters will arguably give you more time to write the next one when you find the time. I'd got with the second option.
Personally I'd go for the integrity route. It shouldn't be about update quantity, but quality. There aren't many stories I've started and continued to follow, but this is one simply because it retains quality.
What matters is that you submit what you're proud of, and what you want the story to be.
I don't have a good 'Donne gag' for this comment. I'm getting soft...
311872 If I do go the split route, I'm definitely going to make sure it's up to snuff (although this is literally the first time I've written a good chunk of dialogue for Fluttershy, so we'll see). It's just a question of whether I want to focus on what I have done at the moment and have two smaller chapters (although knowing how this goes, the next chapter will probably be uber-long anyway) or just have one longer one. In all honesty, splitting it might make the quality control easier because I won't have as much stuff to go over, which is probably a good thing because I think what I have at the moment still needs some tweaking. I think I'll just finish up this scene, tweak it, and see if I think it's good enough to stand on it's own.
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Either way, can't wait to see how it turns out. And very intrigued by the upcoming Fluttershy appearance. Long overdue IMO, but I'm a sucker for the yellow pegasus
Splitting is always risky because it's a matter of where does splitting occur, and does the point where you break it make a good ending. Personally, I begin writing with only the knowledge of what is going to happen at the end of a chapter (unprofessional I know, but still...), so to break things up becomes difficult. I've done it once, and as a result the first half didn't have as strong a point to end on as I would have liked, but the second half took such a different tone that I feel the split was necessary.
Do what feels right
312088Yeah in this case, there were basically two distinct sections to the chapter, and the first section ended up being long enough that it can stand on it's own. I'll have my proofreaders look it over and if they think it works as is, I'll split it. My only regret would be that it only has one AJ scene, although the next chapter would more than make up for that.
As for Fluttershy, at first I was kinda at a loss for how to include her given that she wouldn't be quite the fount of advice that the other ponies would be. I think I found a good niche for her to fill, though; it's a slightly different role from the rest of the mane cast, but I think it'll result in some interesting dynamics.
Also, I'm finding that I probably find Fluttershy more difficult to write than the rest of the cast because she's so demure it's hard to have her get a word in edgewise, especially when the ponies she's talking to are more enthusiastic. Hopefully I'll be able to pull it off. 
I personally have no problem at all with a week delay; I have plenty of stuff to read at the moment as it is.
That said, it's your story. Do whatever works best for you.