!.. I guess, I also watched MLP... Boy did that stabilise my mental state 
!.. This time I pushed past season 4 and
... Like, a lot...
!..TTOTS: a look back and a look ahead · 1:14am Jun 6th, 2023
It has been... wild. The path would not be easy. I've spent a year -- and now I have a job and some money! I can buy things now! Yay 
!
I feel, as though I need to overview the events past.
I believe, I should start with the latest two chapters.
I outlined the latest chapter. I could imagine what at least the first scene would be like...
The Spy, however, had some unresolved issues... Thus 4 additional scenes were born!
After some analysis I decided, it was a good place to end the chapter -- even though I had things planned. Now I can see the ending. I wonder: can I tell the entirety of "The tale of the Spy" in 13 chapters? 'Cause that would make it look like a cartoon show! I say!
In the latest chapter I've quoted a lot (it is named "Recollections and reflections"), and it forced me to reread what I had written thus far...
I discovered, that despite my having talent... I had relied on telling... Telling readers things they could understand, picture, imagine 
... That was not the way. This is not the way to write page-turners!
The very first chapter used to be much longer! I followed an advice given to me and cut about one'na-half thousands words! I was satisfied -- until chapter ten. I cut 300 more words, which did actually not add anything new -- nor did they serve plot-advancement! Darn it! -- I thought to myself. -- Shame on me!..
Now chapter 1 is better... I think.
Chapter 2?.. Well, I did think of improving it too. I realised I had dumped a lot in that chapter! And I had no way of cutting it down! The character had been established! Later chapters relied on the information dumped! Even now I have no idea, how I can improve it without ruining the established narrative 
!.. I am sure there is something I can do... But for now the story goes the way it does. Sorry for those lengthy ruminations I relayed ... The Spy was an interesting character to explore. I had never planned for any of what had happened to him!
No, I do not think that true... I did plan the Spy's infiltration and meeting Fluttershy... I think, Pinkie was there too... I stopped everything and started writing. I wrote all of the chapters beforehand -- all 5 of them! I lost every sense of direction and prepared to publish... And I did.
(Actually I think, I had prepared only 3 chapters beforehand...)
In any case. All the way till the tenth chapter I had no idea of where the Spy was going to end up! I think, that was good: I cannot imagine great tales planned out beforehand!
The Spy's tale, though, has now reached a point, where I can't do without an outline. Every bit of events has been recorded, and relevant information -- encyclopaedia'd! I do now know my own tale, my own universe I've created, my own characters!.. It does feel amazing! And now I can see the path.
Outlining is a great tool. Do not hesitate to use it! You as a writer need recaps the most!
I feel, as though I've overviewed enough. It is now time to think of what's ahead.
"The tale of the Spy" has found its ending and is coming toward it. I can't say, whether I spend three more chapters, less or more... I suppose, I'll see. Even with an outline -- do not follow it word for word! Despite its showing you the way through all those stops in a story -- feel free to wander in the general direction of said stops! That's how you create interesting stories. That's how I create interesting stories. And with all that wandering -- do stay on the path, please. Keep your promises you made to the readers.
Well, I have now the freedom... to watch episodes! For the first time in a long while!..
I can also not help myself: there MUST be a "Powerpuff girls" crossover! Equestria does so need the Powerpuff girls!
