Author's Notes on GUTOSS · 1:01am Oct 3rd, 2018
IN WHICH WE HIT THE HOME STRETCH
Hi, and thanks for reading my latest Sunset Shimmer story! I truly appreciate every view and comment and green tickbox I receive (as well as constructive criticism for when I've made a dumb error. Anyway, I want to believe I've packed a fair amount into these 1,250 words, so follow me!
In a previous blogpost, I stated that I decided to write a Sunset Shimmer story out of frustration that only my stories with her tend to ever catch any good-heat. So, this fic began its life as something I didn't want to write, but turned into an interesting experiment, as many of my works do, especially where Sunset's involved. But I'll get to that in a minute. Suffice to say, I'm glad I wrote GUTOSS. Now then…
I hadn't originally intended to write extended notes for this story, but a comment from loyal reader Darkstarling made me realize I should. Here is his(?) quote in full:
And Rarity thinks SHE'S going crazy... ironically, this is Sunset improving.
I find the fact that they both dreamed that a bit worrying. Darn multiversal omens making it hard to tell what's real...
And darn it Sunset, denial will not make reality go away no matter how much you try for it. Now go get a burrito and then listen to Flash for Harmony's sake!
Let me break this down point by point, because it touches on nearly everything I was going for. This means that I actually accomplished what I set out to do. Yay.
This IS in fact Sunset improving. That was part of the purpose of this story. Readers were getting frustrated by Sunset's utter obliviousness to Rarity's affections. Honestly, so was I. Thus, I tried my best to show Sunset is NOT that dense. She gets it, but she simply doesn't believe it because, even with her mind recovered to the point that she can leave her apartment most days, she still doesn't see herself as worthy of anyone's affection. This is also the reason why she cried happy tears in the very final line of Recovery.
In terms of story plotting, GUTOSS is a necessary step for Sunset to actually accept Rarity's affections. Of course I could make Sunset realize everything and have her feelings turn on a dime. But after three years, that would just be a cop-out for easy payoff. Even if my readers would be fine with that, I wouldn't. Besides, more plot and more world-building equals more I can put into the final story when I rewrite it.
BOY does the final story need an overhaul at this point.
Anyway, DS's comment also mentions that it's getting difficult to tell what's real due to One Does Not Deny A Lady now officially being a horrific nightmare not only for Rarity but also for Sunset. I can't tell you whether or not they dreamt it on the same night because I don't know. To me, it'd be kind of cliche if they did. Although, y'know, mirror universe being intruded upon by outside forces ("magic") beyond the laws of physics or any hard Science for that matter… that can paper over a multitude of writing sins.
For this story, I acted out some of Sunset's physical movements during the writing process so that I could better get into her head and describe the subtle movements she makes.
The feeling that this story has a sort of dreamlike or ethereal quality where reality is questionable is also 90% purposeful on my end. Of course the fourth-wall breaks are VERY intentional. For all any of us know, Sunset may be dreaming.
Hey, the fact she's at least acknowledging that Rarity very likely has a crush on her is a step in the right direction. As to Sunset listening to Flash, her ex? Well, that's kind of a tall order.
Okay, so… What the hell is up with the name? Honestly? I'm not sure. It just popped into my mind and I thought it worked for what I had done. After all, it's Sunset delving into herself. But this time it's not to dredge up self-hatred (although she brings that up), rather she is trying to understand herself and her situation. Like most of us, she hasn't found an answer yet.
Obvious Hitchhiker's reference for the chapter number. Also intentional showing of uncertainty by placing oppositional punctuation after "Answer" and "Question".
This probably won't shock many of my longtime followers, but very little of what I write (at least once I've gotten into it) happens by accident even if the story kernels themselves do. Every single time so far, I've been able to work a new but midpoint story idea into a way to better explain what already comes or will come later in the timeline.
Sunset has a new friend! "Happy" the smiley-face plush! It's about a foot (that's ~30cm for y'all Eurofreaks 
) in diameter, about 4"-5" thick (102-127mm), yellow with black stitching. Isn't Pinkie a sweetheart? I think she gave that to Sunset during that "Welcome Back To The World!!" party mentioned in Spider Queen. Once again, this showcases Sunset's long-established habit of naming inanimate objects.
Seriously, where the fuck IS that dog that always barks somewhere off in the distance?
With this story, I think I've finally got enough ammunition to truly get Sunset and Rarity together. I may ship it like a Maersk barge (look it up), but Sunset had other ideas. Now I've managed to plant the seed in her brain that she might actually be worthy even if she doesn't think so just yet.
I want to go on record to say I'm not good at writing the mushy or the sexy, so I hope the finale of this mini-arc won't let you down. Aside from Halloween where I have another bit of "fun" lined up like last year, I'm going to take a break from Sunset for awhile to work some more on my Albatross. Wish me luck on it all!
Peace out!
Hey, an albatross is only bad luck when some fool kills it. Otherwise their considered good luck.
Best of luck with the albatross!
I'm gunning for a few of my own here in the next couple of months.
Glad I got mentioned and the story is going as intended
I'm not very good with romance either, but find I get my best results when I write for such unbearable awkwardness it makes me squee
But you do you. Hopefully Sunset says something before Rarity physically explodes and/or melts from sheer frustration.
I don't know where the Distance Dog is, but I've lived in several places that confirm it's omnipresence. By the way, that dog barking somewhere in the distance in the remote village? It sounds EXACTLY like the video games advertised.
Absent any evidence and until contradicted, I'm blaming the Tantabus. Dreams transcend dimensional boundaries, and it's trying to help. It's not it's fault it's best at nightmares...
Love your work. You're doing a great job with this and don't let people get you down.
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Thanks for the compliment! and for putting up with me for so long.
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I can neither confirm nor deny.
Yes, I already know what's going to happen and most of how it will happen.