[On Hiatus so I can finish some of my other projects. I still love this story, so I'll continue it!]
"Why can't I write a good story? I've got everything sorted out in my head, and my dreams are so detailed, I should be able to write whole novels from them! So why can't I get a proper story out on to paper using those dreams? Every single one just doesn't sound right. It's either too short, or too cheesy, or I just can't bring myself to show it to the world on parchment!"
Spike is trying to write a story involving him and his Lady Rarity, but his dreams just don't seem to work on paper. So, what do you do when you have a blank sheet of paper in front of you, and a pen standing at the ready? You brainstorm, and read!
This is just a short story, far from a one-shot, but mostly something for me to do. I'd call it 'experimental writing', as it may contain ideas I might use in the future, or one-off ideas that I don't consider good enough to make into stories, but still want to mention them. I guess you could call Spike, and this story, my creative vent.
Warning: may nod to popular fiction, non-fiction, and stories deemed by communities as 'vulgar', 'terrifying', 'perfect as kindling', or any combination of the three. Hopefully not that last one, but you never know.
What images work as covers on this site?!
Damn Google Images...
906901 Go to the story's main page, y'know where you can select chapters, click on the edit button, it should bring you back to the form you filled in for submitting it. Find an image you want to use as a cover and save it to your computer, then look for the upload image, click browse find the image on your hard drive and upload it simple.
Looking forward to seeing more of this, it certainly reminds me of the predicament I'm in at the moment.
Who knew writing fiction could be so difficult?
I can seriously sympathies with Spike here.
This is a very funny and easily relatable type of story here. I'm going to read it a few times.
Well, in season two, there has been an influx of stallions, and the only real reason there's so many mares is because of place holder flash animation... and Hasbro said more mares. Still a funny joke, though.
Nice shout out to some other fanfics on this site, too. I always think that's a funny idea.
Glad everyone's enjoying it! I'll try and bring you all new chapters from time to time, trying to find a job right now.
911943 I know, right? Suffering the same situation for Silent Ponyville.
912022 Spike'll fight through it eventually, just like every writer. I hope to have a fully written story by the end, no clue what it'll be about right now though.
911943 Got it, thanks. Now I have a cover image!
Never expected so many favorites...makes me wanna get Chapter 2 out to you all. I'll see if I can get it done soon.
Newwwwwwwwwwwww chapter! Which seems surprisingly longer than the first!
Can your Hot Shot turn into a fighting robot like this one?
images.wikia.com/transformers/de/images/5/52/Hot_Shot_%28Animated%29.jpg
914584 I seriously have NO IDEA how I make all these references! I swear!
The name just came to me!
All ideas come to me when I'm in my bed, trying to fall asleep. I have the ending, the main driving force, and how exactly things play out in the first three Chapters down for my story, but I don't have any effing writing time. (Chapters are multiple parts long, and each part is a "chapter" space. A part would be spending a day resting at the local inn, and the entire exploration of the Cave of Doom where a MacGuffin resides would be a chapter. So, at least fifteen of what is usually called chapters.)
Yeah, I have an imagination like that too. Just line everything up and watch how it plays out, then write it down. It helps if I have time to WRITE IT DOWN, though. I can simulate complete conversations in my head, but I don't have too much time to write it down on this website.
991292 That thought process is a lot like my own, but I play it out something like a Flash animation.
Helps describe the environments and fight scenes with painstaking detail.
Ol' Spike here is basically using a better version of my own thought process; he literally EXISTS in his own world, and everything that goes on isn't locked to any of the characters, it's him watching.
So a climactic battle between two soldiers could be happening right over his head, and he'd see every clash of the blades, all the sparks flying off, the sweat falling off their armor. Ok, getting a bit freaky now.
This story doesn't have the attention it deserves. This shiznit is good.
1066622 Very kind words, good sir. I hope I find my way to the Featured Box someday, but fans can help by spreading the word.
Tell your friends! Tell your family! Shamelessly advertise my writing by my request :V!
*Steel looks at the ground.*
...Not tremendously; comments like this just add fuel to the fire of my writing.
*He puts his chin on his hand as he stares at the computer screen, thinking.*
I need to give this story more attention...better get to work on the next chapter.
Yep. Better get to work then.
1068419 media-titanium.cursecdn.com/attachments/42/719/634798639221257881.jpg
1068477 Mmhmm.
Thanks...mighty kind words.
True. He's just writing a fictional story; nothing bad could ever come from that.
Well yeah, sure. Hopefully I don't trip over my own writing here and screw Spike over.
No one. No one at all.
*Steel casts dodgy looks around the room, avoiding Spike's gaze. He turns his chair as Spike starts walking around him, keeping his face out of the dragon's view.*
I'm really enjoying your story so far.
Its definately well-written and polished; I didn't come across anything that broke the flow of the story. I'm also enjoying the subtle humour; everyone can do slap-stick, but subtle humour takes skill. The story had me smiling throughout, with the occasional chuckle sprinkled inbetween. Though, I definately facehoofed myself with the 'Brown Note' reference. 
Not to mention, your characters have an authentic feel to them; in both their actions and words. I really enjoyed the little details regarding Twilight studying and interacting with Spike in the Library, from her frustration at trying to formulate a new spell to her comments regarding Spike's preoccupation with Rarity. You definately know your characters really well; though, this is not much of a surprise to me after having read and taken part in some of your mini-stories in the comment sections throughout this site. By the way, do you play D&D? The thought has occured to me that you would make an awesome DM given the quality of your script format of your mini-stories. Do you write them in real-time, or plan them out in advance?
I agree with a previous comment, that this story definately does not have the attention it deserves. You've definately earned a thumbs up and a fave from me. I'm definately keeping you on my watch list.
Keep up the great work! I look forward to seeing and reading what you come up next, both for this story and for the mini-stories throughout the site.
P.S. I am a bit jealous at the level of control Spike has over his imagination
No fair.
1088910 Answering in order...ahem.
I'm really glad you enjoyed yourself; I aimed to put smiles on people's faces with this story, and I'm glad to hear I succeeded!
*Steel chuckles.*
Oh, believe me Pinkie, it was that bad.
The personality makes the character; if you don't include the little quirks, then what've you got in the end? It's something I HAD to put in, and I don't regret doing it! Though that makes it sound like something a story can do without; that is so very very wrong.
You've gotta know the character to be capable of writing about them!
I don't actually play Dungeons & Dragons, but I'm flattered to be considered a good DM for one!
All my writing is spontaneous; when I get an idea, I act on it. Where does it go from there? Well, it's either a story like this, where I can see so many paths, a story like Silent Ponyville, where it's a single path with many ways of ending, or a story like my numerous other experiments, a dead-end scene that I just came up with once upon a time.
I'm glad you enjoy the story so much, and I will keep up the work! Third chapter is already in the works; Setting! What's it's name!?
I HAVE NO IDEA!
Danke.
As bad as this may sound, I'm glad to know that someone else out there, fictional or not, has the same problem as me. I really enjoy this and I can't wait for more! Keep up the good work!
1111610
Yep, and truth be told, I'm suffering from it as well.
Population: us!
1111643 Sounds great. Do I need to take anything on this trip?
1111654 Just paper, pen, and a good idea!
But you're riding a boat, how do you get an appetite?
*Steel rolls his eyes.*
Suuuuure.
You remind me of me around food.
*Steel grins, eyes drifting off as he strolls down Memory Lane.*
1111663 Will do.
And the next chapter's up! Feel free to comment on it!
cool
yes i did read it
1117325
Short, sweet, and to the point. Much obliged, sir.
I love the conversation between Spike and Twilight in this story. Makes me smile every time. Also, the book castle is amazing and I want one.
1118822
1119403 Excellent! I just hope I have enough books...
The image of Twilight in her castle with royal regalia is too adorable for words. Ironic that that's what the castle's made of. HA, see what I did there? ...
1148605
Sadly, we do.
*Steel rolls his eyes, smiling, as Twilight facehoofs.*
Thanks for the comment.
Once again another pleasant read, Steel. No major problems or issues stick out.
You had me grinning throughout, but Twilight's Castle and the different voices for Hot Shot had me laughing out loud. I would love to see an image of "Princess Twlight" in her book castle.
Out of curiosity, was the loud voice for Hot Shot suppose to be Luna, Beauty Brass or someone else?
1157670
I thought the 'GUARANTEE' would be a big hint as to who it was.
Also, the Trixie voice was great.
Spike, I think you have less to worry about Twilight's speech and letter, and more to worry about her ...
iambrony.steeph.tp-radio.de/mlp/gif/lecture.gif
1157758
I think that was me, actually.
Say what?
...That was you?
I do.
Nine hours. We were out in the spring sun for nine hours.
Cupcake ring? There is a black market for cupcakes in Equestria? ... Actually, I'm not very surprised.
Tied up ... in the square ... in the sun ... for nine hours! And I though that trying to survive a 1-1/2 hr university class at 8am with a professor possessing a monotone voice and prefering to do all his writing on an overhead project with the class room light's turned off was bad enough. Dear Celestia, man, is there any of the Mane 6 that have not tortured you in one form or another yet? I'd recommend staying in 'Fly's good books as I have heard her stare is soul-crushing.
1157978
I've managed to stay on the good sides of Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash. Dash just thought it'd be funny to work with AJ...
I could hardly BREATHE!
We fixed that bridge, didn't we?
I, on the other hand, feel kinda bad...if only for all the pain it caused me. I do feel sorry for hurting you that way.
Yes ma'am.
The Twilight is angry! Everybody run!
*The group immediately runs for the door, only to be caught in Twilight's magic. Steel and Dash flail in the air like madmen; this can't happen again! NOT AGAIN!*
*The group of terrified foals turn their heads slowly to see Twilight surrounded by mounds of parchment. Dash and Steel start crying out of terror.*
Humm, you know, if she is going to torture you with a speech you can always get her back by being the peanut gallery; pointing out all her gramatical errors, misconstruing everything she says, asking a bunch of obvious questions, etc. Or you can make a bingo game using different words for each square and checking them off as Twi uses them in her speech (a group of us actually did that in one of our university lectures).
images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120323063640/mlp/images/thumb/e/e5/Twilight_about_to_give_a_speech_S1E04.png/640px-Twilight_about_to_give_a_speech_S1E04.png
1158047
Not quite possible for the bingo thing...we're all kinda paralyzed.
Oh God oh God oh God oh GOD!
"NO! NO! ANYTHING BUT THAT!"
"Why do Ah have t' listen?!"
"Let me down please...!"
"Wheeeee! I always wanted to be all floaty like this!"
This is gonna take her FOREVER!
*Pinkie flips over on her back and does a backstroke, grinning like it's the best thing in the world.*
...You know...
"That's actually pretty good."
*Steel starts swimming in the air.*
Well, it's something! Read away, Twilight!
*Everyone mimics his actions, Twilight included for a few moments with her own standing butterfly stroke before she shakes her head.*
Yeah, we are, and we're getting a work out in the process!
1158429
Yeah, she does! Why'd I ever doubt her?
*Twilight's muffled speech carries on in the background. Steel has switched to a leisurely kicking position on his back, his hands held behind his head.*
Well, there was that one time about Canterlot...
Still, the premise was solid. I think it was that new recipe you came up with that ultimately did the entire thing in.
Well, maybe it's because we got the 'hot sauce to sugar' ratio backwards...
I can still smell the after-effects...it sucks living downwind of Ponyville.
Wow, look at the time; its been three hours and Twilight is still going at it? Anything interesting happen while I had a nap?
I would ask Twilight, but I'm afraid I may cause her to lose her place and start from the beginning again: How does she manage to find time to squeeze in nine hours into her already over-scheduled schedule ... dear Celestia, she hasn't discovered a spell to stop time has she? We could be stuck here for all eternity ... or at least until her body collapsed due to dehyration, starvation, and/or sleep-deprevation.
Pinkie, two questions. If I hear this correctly, you tried setting up your own cupcake business in Ponyville and then Canterlot? Second, ... why do your cupcakes even have hot sauce in them? They might not be up there with your 'baked bads incident' but hot sauce in cupcakes is definately up there on my 'ick scale.'
1159619
Yeah, the Supreme Sugar & Spice Cupcakes recipe was the 'mistake' I referred to. Originally, it was ten parts sugar to one part hot sauce.
Well, it was an underground cupcake ring. It's the thing Twilight lectured me and Spike about, well, 'speeched' us about...
*Steel sighs, just kinda floating there in the cloud as he stares at the ceiling, fragments of the speech entering his head; those fragments were likely falling out the other side of his head just as easily.*
I've never seen Donut Joe go on such a pastry-based rampage...
1159655
Twilight never ceases to amaze me. She's not only giving her speech, holding all of us with her magical spell, but also listening into our conversation and providing commentary. That mare is truely fascinating.
I'm new to the concept of black-market cupcakes, so how exactly does one operate an underground cupcake ring. A hidden bakery in an abandoned factory in Canterlot? A secret code? The passing of bags full of cupcakes in dark corners of public parks at the dead of night? Pinkie soliciting orders while disguised as a ordinary garbage-bin/tree/cardboard box?
Well, I guess canterlot would be a lucrative market. So, is Donut Joe the Godfather of the pastry mafia in Canterlot? He looks so innocent at first glance.
1159744
You've only cracked the tip of the iceberg, my friend. Despite her looks, Pinkie knows her way around the bakery scene.
She doesn't go about her business normally though, she has frontmen; me and Spike.
I wanted to tap into my inner criminal, and the brown trenchcoat/fedora combo is a classic.
You bet, but only if you've got the right 'inspiration'...
That unicorn strikes a hard bargain, too! Really hard! But I snagged a good six hundred bits for a batch of your 'private' cupcakes.
No one's saying we can't try again. As for Donut Joe, we call him 'Father' for a reason...
I'm not surprised. If she can find her way around the fourth wall, I'm quite sure she can penetrate any scene within this world.
Friends in high places? Pinkie ... your the Element of Harmony and helped to save all of Equestria, twice. I'm not sure there are any higher places besides Princesses Luna/Celestia, and the Creator Faust Herself ... err ... you didn't get one of the princesses involved in this scheme of yours did you? Though, I wouldn't put it past Trollestia to try shaking up things in the pastry market within Canterlot.
Brown trenchcoat/fedora combo? Nice and classy. Two questions though, were did you manage to find a trenchcoat in Equestria and don't you think that combo is a bit ... umm ... conspicuous.
And here I thought everyone called him Father because everything he makes is holy.
What do you mean "private" cupcakes? Where those the ones with the hot sauce?
Why couldn't you simply restart the underground business? Or did Donut Joe catch on to your game?
1159918
Gotta be conspicuous in this business. Anonymity is your best friend; it's why Pinkie never did the deals herself.
Funnily enough, the names alone attracted a lot of attention. Deals by night, we'd always be out, either looking for new customers or making deals with regulars. 'Joker' had a way of getting cupcakes into our hands in Canterlot, and the rest was just getting the money out of our pockets and into her coffers.
I know, really smart, right? It's the perfect black market product! Besides, Donut Joe and his gang have such a choke-hold on the market, we had to bend the rules a bit in order to make a buck! You get all your cash from the royal coffers, don't try putting us down for the way we run things!
Hey, all we did was give the nobles what they wanted. No harm done.
*Steel makes a throwaway gesture as he speaks.*
Also, the point on speeches being effective motivational pieces is a bit flawed; the words have to be concise and inspiring, not hours long.
*Spike and Steel stroke their chins, thinking.*
We could try expanding out towards the big cities...
"We did a lot of research on Canterlot before even starting, though. What about Las Pegasus?"
I dunno about them, do they offer a lot of sweets out that way?
"It's certainly way out of Father Joe's influence."
True, and every ring's gotta start small...alright, we'll ship out tomorrow, head out on a research trip.
"YOU'RE WHAT?!"
Me and Spike are gonna head out to Las Pegasus. Pinkie, wanna tag along?
"Miss a trip to the City of Sin!? Are you kidding? Of course I'm in!"
"THE LAST THING I'M LETTING YOU DO IS TAKE A BABY DRAGON TO THAT...THAT...DUMP!"
Now that's just cruel. Despite the Strip being a location of much gambling and drinking, the city itself is kept quite clean. There...is the occasional prostitute, but law enforcement is keeping that under wraps. Dunno why they're cracking down on prostitution and not the crime lords running the casinos though...
1159969
'Private' cupcakes, meaning non-publicized recipes. The Cakes do have their unique spin-offs on recipes, but Pinkie designs her own from scratch. A lot of em are failures, but there's some real gold in there. The cupcakes using the hot sauce were just one of her ideas.
*AJ sniffs, rubbing her eyes.*
Were you sleeping?
Well, we didn't say anything.
*Sencing something had subtely changed*
Wait ... Twilight is not speeching anymore. Did she finish? I totally missed the que for the polite clap that comes after every speech. Humm, only six hours it could have been wors, I guess.
*Turning towards Twi and speaking in a helpful manner*
Twi, you need to better emphasize and announciate phrases like "finally" or "in conclusion," especially near the end of your speech, otherwise your audience won't know when to applaud.
*Turning back to the group*
Draco and Wraith? Any reason you chose the code name Wraith for yourself Steel? Though I do like the ominous sound of it.
Twi, what was there so criminal in it ... Besides being technically illegal. You make it sound as if they were laundering money for nefarious purposes. Princess Luna was in on it, so it couldn't have been that bad. Just wait ... Twilight! You depraved Princess Luna from having Pinkie's cupcakes? Don't you think that mare has suffered enough in her life?
Los Pegusus? Oh sounds exciting. Though it does not come across to me as cupcake gold mine and you wouldn't want to get tangled up with criminal gangs running the casinos.
*Notices AJ waking up*
Itsgettinglatehadagoodtimegottogobye....
By the way I havent seen Dash for a bit; she was here at the beginning of the speech.
*suddenly the window on the second floor is shoved open and Dash flies out as as fast as plausible after having snuck up to the window*
Huh, I guess that speech really got to her. Twi, you should be more considerate around Dash; she doesn't have the same level of egg-head tolerance as the rest of us.