Update on ATQH

Word Count as of today, 18/10/2016 : 122, 709

I suppose that's what happens when you're stuck in because the bloody builders are in the house putting the bathroom in. Great fun I don't think.

Now, I don't know if you guys are mane six fans, but Twi and A.J feature in a decent chunk of this story and it does cross over with Fairlight a little too. If you've read Fairlight, you'll remember Twi had some dealings with the main character at one point and some rather (I thought) amusing interference from Pinkie to boot. My intention is to have this story as the lead in to the final Fairlight one which I have in the pipeline, but it will also be readable as a standalone. A background in the Fairlight series will of course help, but isn't essential.

I did read a review of one of my stories recently too which had me scratching my head a little at first. Unfortunately it quickly became clear that people who haven't read the Fairlight series may have wondered what happened to Colonel Fulminata and Major Thorn. If they'd read Fairlight of course, they'd know, but I will take responsibility for that as I don't think it's particularly clear. This has really been a side effect of the way the story has evolved over time. Basically, Fairlight came first, then the spin off When the Snow Melts. Following a request for a follow on, I wrote Ice Fall, Where the Sunflowers Grow and Tea for Two. All the Queen's Horses is NOT a direct follow on from the others, but rather a story that is based in the Fairlight timeline. Celestia does make a very brief appearance, and Luna too, but the story's focus is Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Silver's father and one other, but you will need to read the story to find out about who that is as it is a bit of a spoiler. Oh, and Cheerilee and Nurse Redheart appear too - even Big Mac.

In regards to the review though, as much as I appreciate the time taken to read and then write a critique, I don't agree with everything that was said. I'm sure you'll understand that as the writer I retain the right to disagree! Some of it I think is fair, and i'll just have to take it on the chin. It isn't the first time i've been told my fan base is small though and the story is 'too long' to hold someone's interest. Perhaps, as they suggest, I really should write more 'one shots' to expand my readership, but I have to ask myself, 'Is that why i'm really here?'. Personally, I prefer to write the stories I want to read, and I hope that you as a reader do too. The fact of the matter is that I write these because I enjoy writing them, and I love reading the feedback. You may think that's sad, but there you go. In any case the stories are all free to read so it's not like i'm gaining or losing any revenue from ratings going in either direction. Positive reviews and ratings are nice of course, but I won't lose any sleep from the now expected 'thumb down barrage' I get everytime I post a story! Sure it bugs me, but seriously, I wish I had so little to do with my time I could get my kicks from simply trolling stories.

Anyway, time for bed. It's 11:59, i've been writing most of the day and I need my beauty sleep. Not sure it's working though - maybe the beds faulty...