Random Ramblings CCXXII · 10:30am Jan 13th, 2018
IN WHICH I PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER MAYBE
I'm a tad upset with myself. I've started my Mayor Mare short story -- its title is Non-Adventure in the Crystal Empire -- and I made some progress, but it's not ready yet. The reason I'm upset is because I had last year's Mayor story completed a week before deadline. This won't be. Sigh. Let me tell you about it.
The best stories, to me, are the ones where the idea suddenly germinates or pops into your head fully formed, whether via prompting (usually by Posh) or through simple everyday experiences. Even better is if you have enough of a handle on -- or understanding of -- your characters that they can basically write the story for you. I'll have more to say on that subject once The Rejected is finally ready to go up. It's also a feel I try to go for with my Mayor Mare stories.
As many of you know, the very first story I published on this site was a Mayor Mare story -- Ponyville Holds An Election -- a fairly normal piece of fiction. It was decently received, so I decided to upload more of my word-barf onto this site. The next story I wrote was Sunset Shimmer Buys A Burrito and, well, the rest is history. I thought the weird title might interest people. Even then, I never expected it to take off like it did -- the decision to create an entire series around this burrito joint is entirely my fault, but also y'all's for enjoying it.
Three years later, I'm still writing for Sunny and the Mayor. Both these characters are dear to me in different ways. I intend to keep writing both of them as long as I can. Even if no one reads them, as happened with my most recent experimental story a capital offense. But Estee enjoyed it -- she was the first to comment on both of my grammar-mauling fics, and that makes me happy somehow.
Do any of y'all remember the Batman:TAS episode "Almost Got Him"? (or something like that). It's several of the Rogue's Gallery all sitting around a table playing poker reminiscing about a time they almost got Batman. It's considered one of the best animated episodes of all time precisely because very little happens for most of the episode -- it's all dialogue-driven character interaction. I love that. And that's kind of what this Mayor story is turning into, whether I want it to or not. The principal characters explicitly absent from a capital offense are lounging around in a conservatory in the Crystal Palace just... talking about stuff. The driver of the story is Raven, the Mayor's secretary who has been mentioned in just about every MM story I've done and whose character I've wanted to explore further. Mayor Mare is drunk. Of course.
The main issue with a story like this is trying not to run afoul of "Show, don't tell". I'll do my best!
On the personal front, my friend from the Little Rock area came up today and took away a lot (but not all) of my ex's doll things she'd left behind. She was shocked at the sheer amount of stuff that I'd been saddled with. I did warn people quite publicly it was a LOT. Another trip to the donation bin for the now-empty plastic drawers and tubs I have no use for and other bits and bobs. The job isn't complete yet, but my room is a bit clearer. I'm keeping some of my ex's things because, regardless of how badly she's treated me, I'm insane and a glutton for punishment. Certainly wouldn't be the first time I've made an impromptu shrine to a girl who rejected me.
We found a complete doll (worth $200 or more) mostly clothed sitting unloved at the bottom of a storage bin. I didn't remember ever having her on our displays, meaning my ex probably forgot about her. No ball-jointed doll deserves that, so I decided to keep her. This brings my total up to four.
Anyway, that's all for now. I'm gonna try and go back to writing. Wish me luck.
Peace out!
