Please don't hate me! · 5:30pm Jul 11th, 2013
Okay, as I mentioned in some comments the next chapter of 'A Voice Among the Strangers' will have a title that might get me razed by an angry mob. The reason is a simple one, the story is soon to end. I will be wrapping up AVAtS in the next two weeks, there will be an update next week on time and maybe more. I wont give an exact number of chapters until it ends as I wish to leave a little mystery, but I am off this week so have been typing alot.
Now, first thing I will say after reading the forums is that most people seem to prefer seeing the meta notification pop up showing a favourite or watch being added. Myself? I couldn't care less about them... well that's not true I do still like seeing them, but what I love is the comments. I adore seeing people's take on what I have written and the feelings I have put into my work. As it is widely known, this is my first attempt at writing and it has been a bumpy journey so far but through it all it is the comments that keep me poking back onto the site to see. I always leave a page open to hear that notification beep while I am typing, it brings a little smile to my face to see it's a comment added. Even just a sentence, or the huge digestion and thoughtful views by someone... they both make writing worth it.
So that's why it pains me to be ending this first foray into writing which has become truly special to myself. The community here has been fantastic, even those who didn't like the story for whatever reason still gave me excellent comments on how to improve, or why they disliked it. I have also had several people help me with my appalling grammar and syntax, not to mention my obliviousness to spelling errors and phrasing within the story. Milo and Treilacl have been a huge help despite what I sometimes put them through with my air-headedness, as have other people who regularly leave comments for me to poke through.
Now, onto the matter at hand.
I love the world I have built with Jessica, Ebony, Minder, Mayari, Tala, Scar, Stoic, Dusk and the others... more than I ever thought I would. Jessica is a fantastic character to write about, she isn't strong, she isn't abnormally-intelligent, she isn't trained to defend herself... she is just a normal girl thrown into a very bad situation and has to cope with it. She then gets to grow as a person through it all and learn important lessons, and make new friends. Ultimately though she must make a choice where her home really is, and what she is willing to give up to realise this vision.
Ebony and the others are just fun creations given personality of their own and really took off in their own way. Scar and Stoic especially as they were never meant to have personality until the fateful scene that those have read will know of. Ebony as I have mentioned before, well... she is her own little deviant character that burst into life from a throw-away. Minder... well, Minder has her own part to play and the foalings? What can I say about them that hasn't already been said... they have even wormed into my heart and I find myself feeling things I never thought I would as I write about their situation. The balcony part was the hardest thing I have had to write so far, and I was flat out abusing Jessica at some point.
Stupid Karma...
So... this brings me to the next bit of news as those I have told about this have seemed rather upset this 'chapter' is coming to a close and to be honest, I am simply shocked. I had never thought so many would like this or take enjoyment out of it and I am honored and flattered that there are so many people who have read my writings. I push myself each week to get an update out on time for those that do, a little selfishly so I can see more comments and enjoy differing views on what I have done, but primarily because I want to keep letting people read these characters and their stories. I have tried earnestly to keep the existing characters as close to how they should be... and I am deeply apologetic if Rainbow Dash, Celestia or any others seem out of character.
Now, as I have made no secret of the fact, there will be a re-telling that will go back through the story from the equine view point to see just what exactly was occurring during it all. Was Jessica's assumptions right and what was happening outside her point of view.
But I have also made note of a sequel, the planned ending for AVAtS has been pushed along, moved to this to fit into the theme more. Someone pointed out this story was about Jessica and her involvement in Equestria and that's how I wish to keep this story. It's not about epic battles, it's not about good versus evil... and so I wished to keep those particular aspects out. The sequel will explore these to some extent and also involve Earth in some manner, but I will stay true to the themes I created in this story, and also explore further character development.
However something else I have toyed with in my mind has began to gnaw at me... There are stories I wish to tell about Jessica, Scar, Stoic, Ebony and the others before this. Side stories as it were...
I'm not sure, I have a lot on my plate at the moment with my shoulder, work and other things but I don't want to leave people hanging. There are the other proposed stories that others are aware of which will be posted once AVAtS is finished... I have been working on these in the background, the ponyfication one is around 4 - 5k words thus far and the others all have concrete ideas on how they will go...
I don't know, I feel I am biting off more than I can chew but there are so many things I wish to work on. I have been bitten by the writing bug and this community has helped fostered this love. I still squee when I see the TV Tropes page get updates, thank you to those who update and made it in the first place... it's a small thing but I am so immensely proud of it that it's silly. I don't know, as people who read my blog and comments tend to know I can ramble a bit.
So in a nutshell, cards on the table... I am finishing AVAtS in the next two weeks. It will be wrapped up nicely and for those that wish it to end there, it can. That can be the end of Jessica's & Ebony's story and so be it. However, it will also be able to lead into a sequel for those that wish for more but at the same time I wish to explore small short stories and kind of curious for the interest in such a thing. They would fluctate in length. depending on subject; some maybe 5k words, some to the 'normal' length of 12k - 16k words. Each would focus on a small neatly contained idea such as for example... first day at school or meeting Zecora or, well the sky is really the limit here.
There is still the retelling, 'A Stranger among the Voices' is the working title so-far, I know... a little silly but there it is. There is still the four ideas I am playing with, the guards and how they came to be who they are and perhaps beyond, the ponyfication story (Which apparently I am harsher on than even Jessica... urp, I think I am a bit mean to my protagonists), and the sequel to AVAtS for me to look at. The Pony on Earth one... I am now sidelining, for various reasons which may become apparent in time.
So this was ultimately long winded for such a simple topic but that's what happens when you write at 5:25am!
The short version: AVAtS ending in roughly two weeks, am very sad it is. Work in progresses still occurring, wish to see feedback on side story idea, hope people don't try to attack me in an angry mob for ending it so abruptly. ;.;
I can say I'm disappointed that you're ending this amazing story so soon.
...
...
...
Although, with the talk of sequels and side stories, how could I possibly stay disappointed for long?
Please tell me that you plan on making an sequel because this is an really good story!
while it is sad that its ending a sequel would be wonderful as well as seeing what the pony's point of view in this story, it would be also interesting if you do have sidestories to show what happened to characters like the flim flam brothers, chysaliss (is she dead, or just in hiding), and how the changling race as a whole see Jessica. I keep imagining them seeing Jessica as some sort of messiah figure, with how she gives love to all freely at their darkest hour, que impromt worship
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Oh ok, YEY!
I am sad that it will be ending as well. But at the same time it isn't fair to keep your wonderful characters going just for the sake of going. (looking at you LOST) It's clear that you have a passion for writing, and lucky for us, about ponies. I have thoroughly enjoyed your story and can't wait for more.
- Keep the compliments you receive and forget the insults.
Im glad that the writing bug has been with you, and though it is a shame to see one journey end, its another to see one begin and know it will be good. And I know it will.
Yay, it ending means I can print it and have it bound in book-form for me to read when I'm all snuggly and comfortable in my bed!
I hope the ending will be nice, and I'm immensely looking forward to the retelling, the short stories, the sequel and the ponification story. Knowing you are writing it means I have a lot of great stories to look forward to reading!
I'm actually torn about sequels. Sure it's nice to see them continuing on, but sometimes it's better to just end it there. But if the story is good enough, or there are unanswered plot points, then a sequel is necessary since it would just piss off a lot of people if you just left them hanging.
Now short, unconnected stories about their day-today life I like.
Back to watching movies.
Can't say I won't be saddened when this story ends, but it was an enjoyable ride while it lasted. And I still have the sequel and other stories to look forward to!
So, keep up the good work in whatever you end up choosing to do. But first and foremost... have fun!
Ending this would just mean more writing, according to what you said... So why would there be an angry mob? Also, this blog post is long enough to be a quick one-shot fanfic in its self
It's been fun, cant wait to see what you have in mind for sequels.
It's a lot better to end a story on a good note than to stretch it till it snaps. My personal top 10 is majority of one-shots in the 1k-10k word reach and even though I love the really long stories like Past Sins of FoE, they are not anywhere on my top 10. Infact, my #1 is a story that's just some 2.4k words and it's beautiful.
tdpri.com/forum/attachments/bad-dog-cafe/68660d1294400054t-anypony-else-having-problem-phones-homer-drool-jpg
TL:DR
The story don't have to be long to be good. Quite the opposite.
// Sphex
I must say I do not completely understand your desire to end the AVAtS if your going to continue the story regardless. However, I will undoubtedly wait with manic glee for the upcoming and possible stories.
As a side note, I really enjoyed your "My Sister" story, and something similarily short and sweet (even bittersweet as it was in "My SIster") would be very much appreciated. If it is set in the AVAtS universe, all the better!
All the same, I hope that you will pace yourself: too often I have seen an artist burn themself up in their creative tries to do everything, or to appease those who follow him/her. I know, I've seen it in the mirror enough times!
But as ever, we your little fans can only offer our advice and critic unto you, and it shall be you in the end who decides what to do. Just don't end up getting hurt on our account.
and BTW, absolutely brilliant move what you did with Ebony, I totally didn't see that coming!
...ehem I think you mean "a lot"
Anyways, it has been a joy and honor to work with you on this story. I look forward to working on whatever you throw at me! I am super excited about your plans for the future! I am convinced that it'll be awesome! (Also, just a side note, but you have NOOOO idea how many times in the ponyfication story I had to rewrite the character's name... because I've just gotten so used to "Jessica" as the main character that my fingers, by default, would move to that J-E-S-S)
...also now I'm tempted to run through your work with comments to send your notification bonkers to force you to get excited and smile... why? Because this:
Is how I am!
Ehehem... so anyways, asides from breaking out into special song and dance... this has been a long and awesome journey. It's a blast working with you and I look forward to your messages... yes even when it's "Hey... ignore that last one. Use this version of the story instead!"
It's so awesome to see someone get so engaged with their work and how hard you work. I know some people who just shrug and go, "eh it's good enough." But you really work to make sure it's not "good enough" but beyond that. You work hard, and I think that hard work pays off.
As I mentioned in my last message I'm a sentimental sap and I am also sad to see this story end... but a true story never does really end now does it? We just stop telling it, but the stories go on.
Thank you for letting me work with you, thank you for making me work hard, and thank you for making this fun.
I knew the story had to end eventually, but there is no need to feel sad because there is a retelling and sequel planned. thank you again for putting such care and effort in youre story
Well I knew this moment had to come eventually.
But hey, every good story has to end somewhere. Still though, been one heck of a journey. I've been reading your story since it first posted back in April, and I've been eagerly waiting for each new chapter since. You've gone and made yourself a literary masterpiece with this one. It's so popular in fact, that you literally can't see any red on the thumbs up/down bar.
Also, I just wanted to inform - I guess that's as good a word as any - you that if you ever need any help with anything for your upcoming stories, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to help in any way I can.
fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/295/c/e/luna_salute__recolor_by_bc_programming-d4dlg3v.png
I enjoy reading.
This story is one I enjoy reading.
I am not sad it is "ending" though I would of course like to read more.
So any side stories or sequels you decide to write will be greatly appreciated.
I also do not find you ending in a couple weeks to be abrupt. Pretty much all the challenges and barriers Jessica faced have been overcome, and only further development and adjustment seems to be available, barring new plotlines.
There are specific things I, personally, would like closure on whether in this story or the other material. And do hope I will get them but in the mean time I am just enjoying reading what you are writing.
If there's sequels and side stories, it isn't really ending. And it's far better to conclude a story than to leave it hanging. The important part is that you keep having fun (so we keep getting to read something you've written).
And "A Stranger among the Voices" is an awesome title.
love the idea of sequels and sidestories
hate the idea of ending an awesome story
BUT IT'S ALL GOOD! THERE'S SEQUELS AND SIDESTORIES! (hopefully)
I've also got to say, it's pretty cool that you like talking to us in the comments, it's always fun to interact with the creator(s) of cool stuff like this, you're practically a mini-celebrity.
Also, you worry too much.
http://twily-daily.tumblr.com/image/54775709310
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I'm glad no-one is coming at me with pitch forks, I didn't want to disappoint anyone by ending the story but I felt it needed to be done. I don't want it to linger and just get... same-y, and without the inclusion of the sequel themes and characters, it would do so.
I tried to group up replies where I could, sorry if they don't fit properly, I kind of lost track of who was who at some point. I can be a little ditzy at times myself. ^-^;
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There is a planned Sequel, but will see how we go!
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How some of them see Jessica will be shown in the next chapter. A big hint is that Celestia/Luna/Ebony's idea is rather revolutionary with passive feeding, changelings as a whole with few exceptions have lived off active for... well, ages in this story.
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Thank you very much!
I take the good and bad, even someone saying why they hate it constructively is infinitely useful for future writing. ^-^
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We shall see how my shoulder plays out! I do intend to write a lot, unsure of how the schedule will be though or length of chapters.
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I consider it 'ending' AVAtS as I don't know what will happen. I might lose steam, I might injure myself further (I have a good track record of thus,) or... I don't know. I might just lose interest. Things can happen, so I wish for this to be tied up and finished. That way the story is done apart from some badly needed fine tuning throughout and I can call it complete.
The sequel can then be ignored by those who prefer how it ended, or if I don't finish it for some reason at least the primary story exists and can stay. I guess I am just weird like that, I feel sad it's finishing despite their prospects of side stories and a sequel to continue the story on to new grounds.
I'm weird. ^-^;
I'm also really glad you liked 'My Sister' Bringer, it was something I enjoyed writing... a change of pace from AVAtS and I wish to explore such things further.
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I agree with the story needing to finish before it continues onwards and becomes stale. In some parts of AVAtS I knew this was happening, and I regret it so tried to combine chapters together. Several are longer than normal due to this, otherwise it would be lingering in the castle too long. If I were to continue now it would veer greatly off the path I have set myself, and would have a massive time skip in the middle... which I don't want.
I do plan to have fun writing, I never knew it could be such an enjoyment! I enjoy having the feelings as I write things and putting them into the story, several times I have had tears beading in my eyes at a particular scene or when I have had an idea and just had to put it in and do it justice.
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I do mean a lot, but hee, I do get things mixed up a bit.
Thanks heaps for all the effort you've done to help me too by the way! I kept writing the girl's name in the pegasus pony story Jessika as well, due to well... I got over it eventually!
Hope to enjoy working with you into the other stories too. ^-^;
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I have a few ideas planned for side stories. Also thank you for reading it all the way through. ^-^
1204731
I know you have, and I thank you greatly for it! I don't think it's anywhere close to a masterpiece and I feel it's poorly written in several areas which I really, really want to fix when I am done... but, thank you anyhow. ^-^
If you feel like adding to Treilacl's woes by having me bounce ideas off you as well you're welcome too. But be warned, I can be scatterbrained at times and after I send something I generally have another 3 - 4k word revision following shortly after, and then another.. and another...
Until I send a complete story without realising. o.o
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I would be intrigued to find out which loose ends you would like to see solved, but I guess that takes away some of the mystery! I agree with Jessica's trials and tribulations coming to a close with the next few chapters, it all depends on how she copes with things now. Until a new force is introduced the story is told for now, whether she ends back on Earth by the end or remaining in Equestria.
I believe it was you yourself that put the idea of side stories into my head with your comment of Zecora and the like, so I feel I have you to blame for it. ^-^
And to thank you. :)
1205535
I hate not replying to comments, if someone has taken the effort to leave one, I feel it's rude of me not to reply! I don't think I am a mini-celebrity by any means, I think I am pretty much an unknown on this site, which I guess is a good thing. Afterall, I only joined 3 months or so ago!
Thank you for your kind words though and I hope you enjoy the ending as much as I will enjoy writing it!
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Yay! \o/
Hopefully I included everyone in that reply, sorry if I missed someone... there was so many to reply to when I woke up after... sleeping for once, it was a novel experience to sleep for 8 hours. o.o
Also, a huge thank you to those who have followed this meagre lil story from the get go. I believe there's a few replying here who have and it means so much to see you still reading, it means I did something right.
So, thank you. So very, very much.
1205648Believe me when I say that is perfectly fine. I'd be more than happy to help.
1205648 You will always have my support!
1205648 Yay Sequel!!!
The story is good and one of the better language barrier ones that I've read!
A good story ends when it must. (Though with five bonus chapters across three stories, maybe I don't have a lot of room to talk on the subject, myself.
) Do what feels right and natural for the story- you've proven you can do that so far. 
It will be sad to see this story end, but all good things must end eventually. However, you have built a very nice universe with loveable characters. You could easily write captivating side stories and sequels that many of use will happily read.
A few ideas that I would like to see:
* Story of those changlings from the cave.
* Story of Stoic and Scar.
* Story of Starswirl while he spent his life on Earth.
* The sequel (I really want to read this)
* The current story from the ponies point of view (Also really want to read)
* Story of the foalings (would be pretty awesome in little one shots or something covering the fun parts of their foalhood)
There is a reason that, out of the few hundred stories I've had the pleasure to read on this site thus far, you've made it to my number one favorite author and story. Whatever you write, I will read.
Okey I basicly just signed up so I could comment on this.
So um yeah here we go!
The fact that your first story is ending. It makes me sad. Becouse I just love it! I check in daily to see if there has been an update. Even after you just published a chapter.
I love reading about Jessica and Ebony and the foalings and everyone else! And I keep wondering whats gonna happen next! But all good things must come to an end.
I am very curious about how everything has been seen from the ponys perspective. I'm curious about the sequal. I'm curious about whats going to happen after the sequal, any side storys and just... Well pretty much anything else that you might just make in AVATS universe. And I personaly hope you wont stop writing becouse I just love the read the stuff you write. So um yeah. Keep up the good work. And I'll be watching... From my lurker den!
I would like to see a sequel. Especially if that means more of the foalings
I actually like the working title you have so far.
It isn't silly at all, and it gives more meaning than you give it credit for.
So I'm guessing the sequel will have a time gap in it? If there is, will Jess be more fluent in Equestrian when it starts?
Sounds good to me. I'll be looking forward to reading it all.
Need moar, am happy to get moar in the future, even if i'm sad that this part of the story will be coming to an end soon.
Boo endings!
Yay sequels!
Yay sidestories!
Yay different point-of-views!
Yay abusing protagonists for comedy/Boo abusing protagonists for character development! (but keep doing it, cuz, you know, character development)
Hm, I can see it ending soon. Actually I wouldn't have been very surprised if the latest chapter turned out to be the last one, it seemed like a great place to end it.