I Read The First Sentence of Past Sins · 7:58am Mar 10th, 2013
Amidst dim candlelight, a single unicorn sat with his head bent down, eyes shut.
If I can be perfectly straightforward, I came to a complete halt here. I read on a little further, but only after a little self-coaxing.
I really wish I were interested in going on, I really do. Look at all the people who read on and enjoyed themselves. I can't say the story is bad or it isn't up my alley because I haven't really read it. I read the dedication and the first sentence, and that is as far as I got with an open mind.
It's a shame, really. When you read, you want to read the greats. You want to have a fantastic, shared experience with tons of other people. That's what it is to read the greats. You know you're reading something worthwhile and you're going to be enriched for donating your time. Here I am, with this story I've heard so much about right in front of me. I open it up and what does the first sentence make me think? "No... I don't want to."
So, of course, I moved onto the next story that should have captured my attention...
"Background Pony"
"Anthropology"
"Fallout Equestria"
"My Roommate is a Vampire"
"The Unexpected Love Life of Dusk Shine"
I don't think not knowing how those stories end (for sure) will keep me up.
I don't get what's popular. Popular writers generally don't get me, on those few occasions I've spoken to them. I can't say they're bad writers who write bad stories because I haven't really read their stories. I don't want to read their stories. I tried to, but it didn't feel right. I might be able to enjoy them, but that would feel like sitting at a dinner table in a full lotus. Sure, you're sitting there enjoying your meal but you're just going to eat it very quickly all for the sake of your sitting position.
But my story is not a sad one.
I am happy how I am. I write, a little, and I get a little recognition from people who like what I've written. It is only a handful of people, but they are good people. I have been happy this way and I believe I will remain happy if I remain this way. This logic is sound enough for my tastes. Fame come if it may, but to fame I will not play. I don't think it's wise for such a niche writer like myself to aspire to be king of the pond.
I know someone like that, and he's completely depraved and insane. He's not a bad person, just an angry one. Passionate, I guess.
I don't want to be angry.
I am happy how I am.
I don't want to be angry.
Do you mean the description? Or just literally a dedication?
Well, Unexpected Love Life is really just silly.. Fallout Equestria, though, that's about as epic as it gets, so maybe try that one instead.
Anyways, you should do/read what makes you happy, no question there. I read about half of Past Sins, and it was good, but I'm not sure I'd really rank it as epic.
Apparently Pen Stroke doesn't know how to write children from what Regidar's said about Past Sins. I've never read it, but you should read something only if you want to read it. As long as it'll make you happy.
I understand completely. I've tried to read all of those fics you just listed. I only finished two. I dunno why. I mean, they are all well written and good by popular consensus. But still, I end up losing interest very quickly. They aren't particularly boring either, no, many are indeed intriguing and engaging. However, I see them update, and I respond by saying "meh" and moving on. So why is it that I have Anthropology, Past Sins, End Of Ponies, Hands, etc. on indefinite hold, yet I lose my shit whenever your fic (and others just as obscure and niche) gets updated?
Attention is a difficult beast to command, I suppose.
Hahahah... don't read Fallout: Equestria...
I did. I thought I would like it because I loved the game series. Turns out being a fan of Interplay/ Black isle's works made me hate the damn thing even more than if I were to read it without knowledge of what FO: E was crossing over.
We all have different opinions, sure. But if you've played fallout 3 you're pretty much going to get that in pony form, regardless of what other people will try and tell you. You'll get hyped up for nothing and then be disappointed, severely, like I was.
And hey, not all stories open with an incredibly riveting line:
This is the first sentence of 1984, a legendary piece of dystopian literature. The next bits after it aren't really all that interesting, but the story itself is wonderful. Once you get past the intro, the main story flourishes (obviously) in most cases... though looking at most of the stories on this site and in the fandom in general, I find that fact to be laughably irrelevant.