So happy... · 6:55pm Feb 23rd, 2012
I can't tell you all how much it makes me smile that I have so many trackers for my very first story. I've always loved to write, but other than essays for school and whatnot, I've never actually let any of my stories "into the wild" so to speak. I've been too paranoid about idea theft or perhaps ridiculously accurate and harsh scolding that I barely even tell my closest friends what I'm up to in my writing. I thought that a good place to start coming out of this shell would be with fanfictions, as suggested by a friend of mine, and it made sense... I didn't invent Fluttershy (though that would've been awesome). I appreciate all the readers and critiques I've received, and am working on sanding all the rough edges on the first chapter, and will submit more chapters whenever it feels right. Whew, I rambled, didn't I? The point is, thank you everypony! :3
"I've never actually let any of my stories "into the wild" so to speak. I've been too paranoid about idea theft or perhaps ridiculously accurate and harsh scolding that I barely even tell my closest friends what I'm up to in my writing."
That right there? Me a few weeks ago. I had always enjoyed writing, but never bothered to really let anyone see it because I always thought it was so horrible, finally I began a story for no reason other then fun, figured id post it, and surprise! People liked it.
Its a really GOOD feeling.
Makes me think of how my fan fic got started. I had brewed it in my head for a few weeks, then one night suffering of insomnia I really began to assemble it into something more than general guidelines. The next morning I began to write the story down. 10 hours later I had a little tale that I considered to be just a little fantasy fic with a twist. Soon I realized that I couldn't just leave unresolved right when things were starting to form into something special, so I wrote a second chapter, then a third and then, well... now I'm quite committed to take it to its conclusion, no matter how long it will take. I'm glad I threw that dramatic twist though, even if it and the first person narration occasionally makes me feel like I'm roleplaying as the character instead of writing it.
Anyway, I was basically pouring a fantasy into written format first and publishing it second; however, I knew that the moment I started to write it that it would be gazed by more eyes than mine. The worst I've received about the story were questions on my sexuality derived from the main character and the story's inseparable relation to My Little Pony. I think I'll spare you a rant on gender roles being archaic, since I think you by default know enough about that subject.
This seems to turn more into a tale on myself than an encouraging speech, so let me try to switch tracks here . . .
Yes, indeed do keep writing. Writing is fun. It's very creative. and fun and-and... and... creative! (hehheh)
(I hope that didn't come off as too personal...)
You can construct worlds you fear or wish to were true and characters you hate and/or love. Envision dreams and nightmares. Really, it's primarily a fantasy for yourself, secondary a story for others. Just remember to not to turn your character into a Mary-Sue though. If you don't know what that is, it's an insufferably impeccable, preposteriously powerful and unashamedly unique character. To give you a quick example: a Mary-Sue (or if male Gary-Stu) can be an angsty yet "cool" orphaned, garishly colored alicorn who can do everything the mane cast can do but ten times better, is the only character able to save the world from evil and is desined to mates with the mane cast. Oh and (s)he is totally going to be Celestia's successor once she completely willfully resigns from her duties and becomes a maid.
That was not a criticism of your story, but a hyperbole of what a Mary-Stu is. One good idea is to introduce conflict. Not bloodshed and violence, mind you, but small differences that can lead to less than perfectly amicable relations. Fluttershy going stiff and supine at her introduction to your character is a rather funny version of conflict. Rainbow Dash's appearance is a less peaceful one, so I think you got a good grasp of the whole conflict aspect.
Anyway, keep on writing, sister!
25718 Not at all! :D