Role Reversal Q&A: Answers · 8:01am Jan 21st, 2013
I got a couple questions, so have a couple answers. If you have any more questions though, I'll reply to them in the comments. With that said, let's begin:
Merc the Jerk asked: What was your thought process when writing the story? How do you feel, now that it's done? Would you have done anything different in the story in hindsight?
-I knew from the beginning that this would be a sort of 'coming of age' story for Spike, so I always kept in mind what he was learning. As the story grew, I considered the mindsets of the other characters and how they would feel, with a particular focus on filly Twilight. Apart from that, I just kinda went with the flow and settled on what I thought was right.
-Now that it's done? I feel proud of myself really, being able to finish a sizable story that holds up on its own. There's also a certain level of freedom now, and I'll begin to write a new big story, or something.
-Pacing. My gosh, that's one of the few things I would definitely change about this story. I need to work on pacing because it's probably my biggest weakness as a author.
Ledomare asked: Due to the fact that wishes occur so frequently, and that Spike's wish was to have everything return to normal, it brings up the question: was "normal" subjective to what he believed, or did it revert all wishes to normal? What if Discord was really just some normal guy who wished for awesome chaotic powers, and is now all normal again? What if Blueblood became a street peddler once again, having wished so long ago to become a prince? I don't know where you're going with Wish Warriors/Squad/Team/Agents/Rangers at this point, but this is something they should be on top of.
And Genies! What about genies, man? I mean, Saddle Arabia just isn't Saddle Arabia without genies.
Whew! Big question! Anyway, wish magic works off the emotions of the wish maker, so 'normal' was subjective to what Spike believed. The power of wish magic can vary, depending on the wish. If a pony wished for, say, a new toy or something, they would get it without consequence. It's not world changing. But switching lives? That is, and the magic of the wish has to affect the whole world to accommodate. I doubt Discord would ever have a need for wish magic, considering he's powerful enough already and can just magic up anything he wants. As for Blueblood, I imagine he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to go on with the Wish Warrior project, as interesting the idea is. It's just very complicated (I'd have to explain what the squad was doing during Role Reversal) and I don't have the planning skills for such a thing. Maybe I'll get back to it though, but for now, I just need a break from all this wishing.
Black Ptera asked: Any thoughts for a sequel or something?
Sadly not because I can't think of anything that could be a sequel, without seeming contrived. I could have another character make a wish, but wouldn't that just be the same story? So at the moment, nope, sorry!
blawrg asked: Waffles?
So there we have it: I'm all done with Role Reversal. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my tale, I hope I made it worth it! While you wait for something new from me, might I recommend another story of mine, Buried Memories? 'Tis a story focused on Rarity and Sweetie Belle and probably closest fits the tone of Role Reversal. Although you don't have to check it out if you don't want to! It's up to you.
Finally, apparently I got over 150 watchers? That's pretty damned cool, if I do say so myself. Maybe I should do something?
...
I got nothing.
Well, that's all for now folks. 'Till next time.
-JJ
P.S.
ALL MY YES!
Well, I didn't expect an answer to my entire question, but I'm not complaining!
I still didn't get an answer about the genies
735649
Oops! Sorry, allow me to amend that.
Since genies don't pop up in Role Reversal (or the show for that matter), I can only speculate. I imagine genies can grant wishes...but they can't tap into the emotional input behind making the wish, which is probably why wishes genies grant aren't exactly...perfect. Alternatively, they could be just tricksters.
Really, it's up to you since they haven't appeared in the show (yet)!
735666
Huzzah!
To be honest, it wasn't a serious question to begin with, but thanks anyway!