What I Learned from "Two Worlds; One Family"/Author's Afterthought · 5:19am Apr 21st, 2013
That people like happy endings!
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Just kidding. I knew that from the start. I'm not going to say that every one of my stories is going to have a happy ending, but I'll be a lot less reluctant to give them. You guys were right, after all the s*** Harry went through (that I put him through), they guy deserved a happy ending. Honestly, the biggest reason I didn't want to end the story happily is because I was having trouble coming up with a happy ending that wasn't forced. I understand that people like a happy ending, but what they like more is a satisfying ending. And that let me realize the previous ending was not satisfying in the slightest.
For those who don't know, this story was a rewrite. In the original, it ended at the portal with Harry going through it after Fluttershy encouraged him. Just like that. So many questions were left unanswered. From now on I won't always end a story happily, but I promise not to end a story ambiguously. You'll know what the final status of everything is, even if that status is "everypony's dead, Twilight." And even I like this ending better, mostly because I had a lot of fun writing it. You tell them Fluttershy.
So, what did I actually learn from "Two Worlds; One Family"? I really need to telegraph authorial intent better. Consistently, people were asking questions about things I thought I made blatant. The most obvious one was Harry's age. In most chapters before 13, Harry was a different age. In the first one he was an infant. In the second one he learned his first words. The third one jumped ahead a couple of months, and so on. I don't think too many people had a problem with this, but yeah I could have made it more clear. Just remember, sometimes I'm vague because I don't have all the details myself. When do babies start walking/talking in full sentences? Hell if I know. Being unclear is better than being wrong. But yeah, I get it, do the research.
Why were Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle mean to Harry? I tried to make it seem like they saw him as an annoying little brother. Apparently I made it seem like they were douchey teenagers. Maybe they were. I guess Applebloom specifically stating that she didn't want Harry to get hurt wasn't enough. Hey, like I said, learning experience. They sort-of learned their lesson in the end, and they did become friends.
Finally there's the whole Discord-twist. "Why did he make Harry an infant; it seems cruel to destroy his life so thoroughly." I never thought of Discord to be one to think out the long-term consequences of random pranking. "It seems evil to make Harry choose to leave his loved ones behind forever." My intention: he didn't think that Harry would actually do it. (I actually think this was made clear in a later chapter; the critic just jumped the gun on the criticism).
Other than that, I'm actually proud of this one. This is the one I'll leave on my account, unchanged (I'll still banish spelling/grammatical mistakes as I see them). Could I have done better? Yes. The answer is always yes. But for once I don't actually care. In other words: it's good enough. Anyway, better is what next time is for. I'm going to tell you right now, my next project won't be as heavy, so... I won't hit all the feels.
And a lot of people have been asking about a sequel. I have a few ideas in that direction, so I'm going to let them cook. If it comes, it comes. If it doesn't Nature Quill (http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Nature%20Quill) said he wanted to write one, and I gave him the go ahead. If I do write a sequel, it's not going to be the next thing I do. And for being so good to me, I'll give you a sneak peek on my next project:
Now that Pinkie had the pony's measurements, it was time to make her a dress. Pinkie got to work sifting through different colored fabrics. The blue looked really good, but that pink was just... um... divine. Yes, that was the word that Rarity would use, but that green was just irresistible. In fact all of the colors were irresistible, and they all looked good. It was only logical that they would all look even better together.
"Are you sure this doesn't look... hideous?" the pony asked as Pinkie held the finished product up in front of her.
"Darling, this is the best thing I've done in ages," Pinkie said with a smile. "Only the best for my customers."
"It looks like something a clown would wear."
"Well then, you'll be the life of the party and the center of attention."
"If you say so..."
"Just be sure to tell your friends where you got it. Thank you, come again!"
Can I ask you guys a question before I close out? Which would you prefer? I upload a chapter as soon as its written (edited, etc), or I wait until the whole project is done before I start uploading? If I go with the former then there's the risk that I actually don't finish the thing, but you guys get to see it sooner (chapter 1 is 2/3rds done, and the chapters are longer than Two Worlds; One Family).
And finally, dramatic readings. I wouldn't ask for help. In fact, I want to do this myself but ("Hey Steve, I need to kick me in the balls until I sound like Fluttershy")... it's not gonna happen.
Oh and if you truly did like the story, I would appreciate a like, comment, promotion, etc. They may seem small, but they really mean a lot to me.
I thought the Cutie Mark Crusaders were acting out of character.
It was rather awkward how Harry turned out to be a brony like that.
I liked it otherwise. Please continue with the sequel.