The story. The one that has somehow become a novel. · 5:45pm Jun 12th, 2013
If you're reading this, it's likely you've been reading Darkened Shores, my first real attempt at writing anything. If you are, I salute thee. It's a true labor of love, and I'm psyched that there are folks out there who are reading along. This blurb is simply to say that I've been on vacation for the last two weeks, and I haven't written a single word. Time spent with family out in the Seattle area trumped ponies for a little bit, since I live in central New York and I rarely get to see my wonderful family (although I did get to watch parts of an episode with a 5-year-old sister of mine (on a tablet, no less (no headphones for me, though (not that I needed them; Hearts and Hooves Day is fairly easy to follow (not that Zoey is -exactly- a sister, but. . . what would you call the grand-daughter of the woman who married my mother? Hmmm. . .(holy nested ellipses, Batman!)))))). But I only have the first two paragraphs of the next chapter written out, so the wait for the next chapter may be longer than is comfortable. Certainly longer than I would like. But I haven't stopped or given up, just so's y'alls knows.
Also, I'm writing this as a sneaky way of getting a few words in about this fandom with some people who might listen. I've seen and heard a great deal of negativity in the past several months, whether it's concerning the questionable quality of Equestria Girls or the somewhat dated Derpygate or attacking DHX and Hasbro, or mostly accusing the fandom of not adhering to the 'love and tolerate' mantra. From the outcries, it sounds like some fans have burned out, or given up on the purported positivity as part of the promised package of participating in poni poni proceedings (sorry). It's left a discouraging funk in some corners of the internet. Now, what I'd like to say isn't the last word on the subject, it's just my two cents. But it means a great deal to me, and you've read this far, so here goes.
This fandom has encouraged me to be a better person. Or to try, anyway. I've always tried to do the right thing through various stages of my life, and I've always been mostly upbeat and positive in a general sense. But my first foray into the MLP-verse really inspired me to become more active, to place more of my personal time and effort into helping others. I have passed along a number of gift cards I received as presents to total strangers. I have stopped to help folks on the road when the younger me might have kept driving. My girlfriend and I have made uncounted batches of chocolate truffles and sold them to raise money for the Seeds of Kindness charities (not uncounted, but still, over $150 bucks so far, which is a lot to poor-ish folk like us.) And I have donated more of my personal money this past year than I ever have in my life. I've become a more patient driver, and a more caring friend. And I've worked hard to bridge the gap between myself and my mother, after I thought I'd burned that bridge down. And yes, a collection of magical pastel-colored grass-chewers helped me to see my life a little more clearly.
Maybe parts of this fandom have no good conception of how to love the haters. Maybe there are bronies out there, lots of them, who can be unkind or hasty or cruel in certain situations. Maybe the 'love and tolerate' mantra isn't new, and it's been done before (SPOILERS: it has). But here's what I don't see anyone saying; love and tolerance is NOT easy. And NOBODY is perfect. This amazing show, and this entirely astonishing fandom, they aren't so much about love and tolerance as they are about -learning how- to love and tolerate. It's about being patient with ourselves and those who stand with us as much as with those who would tear us down. I've been trying to admit to myself that I still have more to learn. About being a good friend, and about being a good person. I think it's something we should try and remember when another fan reacts with venom and hate. It's about learning that there's still so much more to learn.
I, for one, am not 'giving up' on this fandom. Not even close. The brony fandom, like the world around us, is what we make of it. And if it isn't perfect, if it isn't the pure beacon of bavarian-creme-filled awesome it sometimes tries to be, so what? I'm not perfect, and I don't expect my fandom to be, either. I embrace this fandom, and all of you out there I may one day meet (Bronycon, anyone?) with love. And when I see things like this: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/06/seeds-of-kindness-reports-from-africa.html#more I get a little choked up knowing that I've been privileged to be a part of it. The light wont go out easily because charity, compassion, devotion, integrity, optimism and love are all bigger than we are, and will always be worth aspiring towards. Be good to one another, and that's all there is to it. Anyhow, thanks for listening.
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Or if you prefer, just pretend that every venomous and hate-filled brony you see is really just an undercover brony-hater trying to sow dissent. If you think about it, that actually explains quite a bit.
I think that is a very positive and reasonable position and I am glad that you are continuing with your story. I am in the process of reading through it and I am enjoying it immensely. I will hold my final judgement until it is completed. But from what I have read it has become one of my personal favorites. So far I have found its world and characters rich and its narrative quite enthralling. It really is an under appreciated gem.
1151620 Wow, thank you so much! I certainly hope that the ending of this story can live up to such high praise. You really made my week.