Accomplishments · 5:48am Aug 12th, 2013
I don't use this blog very often, mostly because I've got that other blog where I can post most things not directly relating to my stories on FIMFic. But I've got something tonight that this seems like an appropriate forum to talk about.
As of midnight, I officially have no more completed 6-star fics to review (except maybe Icarus--still haven't decided what I'm gonna do about it). That was a goal I set for myself nearly two years ago, back when it was still a moving target and I didn't really think I'd ever catch up. But... I did.
Feels kinda nice, actually. Once I finish writing this, I'm going to have a little scotch to celebrate. The Macallan 12 year, if you care--I do enjoy good scotch, but it's too expensive a hobby for me to really indulge in, most of the time. Still, this feels like an occasion worthy of enjoying a good drink before bed.
I admit, though, there's also an element of "that's it?" to go along with my feeling of satisfaction. It's odd, how once you get used to something, you take it for granted. A year and a half ago, I was thrilled if one of my blog posts over there got two or three comments; now, that same number makes me wonder why everyone finds my post so dull. A year ago, five hundred pageviews in a day was incredible, almost inconceivable; now, it's significantly below average.
Once, the thought of reading and commenting extensively on nearly 150 fanfics seemed overwhelming; now that I've done it... not so much. I suppose a mountain looks a lot more intimidating from the base than it does from the peak, but still: the way that exultation and anticlimax are mixing in my head right now is hard to describe.
There's one thing I'm definitely feeling right now, though: pride. I've done some poor reviews (though I like to think--to hope--that I've improved with practice), and I've missed some self-imposed deadlines along the way, but for the most part I think I've done a pretty good job of holding up my end of any blogger's bargain: to write something worth reading at regular intervals.
The blog's not stopping; I'll be rolling right into my next project, which is basically to keep reviewing stories, except now they're generic "well-liked stories" instead of six-stars. But for tonight, I'm going to take a moment to look back, try not to wince when I spot a typo left uncorrected or a salient point left unmade (or, more often, an irrelevant one expounded upon), and say to myself, "Chris, you did something. Maybe something good, maybe something completely pointless, maybe both. But you did it."
To look at something and say "I did it." That's a powerful thing.
Here's to goals accomplished, and to what's to come.
Your blog's popularity can only grow from here, since the Pony Fiction Vault is switching to read-only soon. That means before long, the big accomplishment for a ponyfic writer won't be to get in the vault, but to get a favorable review from the one and only Chris.
Remember, with great power, comes great responsibility.
Congratulations, and thanks, for all your work reviewing fics. It's been a wild ride. Even if I tend not to say much, I always look forward to reading your insights on some of the best work this crazy fandom has to offer. You've become one of my go to sources for a quick first opinion on stories.
Onwards! I look forward to following your next steps into the world of reviewing.
Well hey, congrats!
Congrats, Chris. You've done something great.
I look forward to your reviews of popular stories like these (for various reasons):
My Roommate is a Vampire (3895/105)
The Empty Room (1537/47)
Friendship is Optimal (1371/42)
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Also you personal triumph is my personal failure, as I had always been assured, CERTAIN, that I could finish Harpflank and Sweets by the time you caught up to the end. I am therefore PRECISELY ambivalent about this.
When I first heard that someone was trying to read and review all the 6-star fics, I'll admit, I had the same thought: "No way!"
But here we are, and it's done! Great job, man.
Sweet success!
Great job on sticking to a goal and making it. I'm now wondering what you will choose to review on your own, rather than going through a ready list.
Whatever it is you choose to read, I'm looking forward to it!
I need to try scotch sometime. :B I always hear about how great it is.
I know I said this back on the other blog, but congratulations. This was a heck of a project to undertake, and you saw it through to the end. I'm looking forward to whatever other tales of technicolor magical miniature horses you opt to review in the future.
Hear, hear. I expect I'll be feeling much the same way in a month or two's time.
As others have said, when I first ran across your project way back in the day, I was thoroughly impressed, though it was tinged with pity. Talk about a Sisyphean task; it's just one guy against tens of thousands of fic authors; there's no way he'll even approach 'keeping up'. My first thought after noticing EqD had discontinued the star rating system was happiness on your behalf, because it meant you could actually complete what you'd set out to do.
So -- congratulations on a job well done.
What you have done is invaluable to both authors and readers. A clear, consistent guide that intelligently explores what makes or breaks the well-known stories in this fandom is one of the greatest learning guides to new authors. I've learned a lot from that blog, both on my own stories and especially from reading what others have tried and succeeded with.
Every ending simply marks a new beginning. One of these days I really need to make a proper story so that I can get a dissection on your blog's table. It would certainly be easier than trying to do it to myself with a mirror in one hand and scalpel in the other.
Delayed reply is extremely delayed, but a hearty congratulations! This was no small endeavor and you really shined through here. Very happy to see that the six-star fics were "just the beginning" for your blog.