Fin · 10:43pm Sep 20th, 2013
As of today, I have decided to cease any and all work on any of my pony fics. Questions answered below:
Why?
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Several reasons. I'm back in nursing school, struggling to figure out what I want to do with my life, I'm on the verge of moving (which is just next week), and there's a few other things. The biggest one, however, is this fandom and this site. This fandom is filled with some of the most ungrateful, misogynistic, and self-centered people I have ever encountered, and the fact that it continues (and will do so for quite a while) is equal parts sickening and depressing. Moreso, writing for the pony fandom is no longer enjoyable -- I can work on something, post it here, and it is instead drowned out by a plethora of poorly-written ship fics and crossovers, none of which have even the slightest bit of originality to them. The userbase on this site is immensely frustrating, tends to have very poor tastes in literature, and few of them have any understanding of storytelling mechanics. Unless something is explicitly explained to them, they simply won't get it, and having to explain myself repeatedly is aggravating.
You don't really mean that, do you?
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I do. Every word of it. Don't get me wrong, I've made some amazing friends through the pony fandom, but by and large, it's filled with individuals I want nothing to do with. I'm done contributing when I'm not getting any satisfaction out of it. I'll still watch the show, still moderate the chatroom, and I'll still attend conventions (mostly because friends are vending and I'm there to support them), but no more writing. I have neither the time nor the energy for it.
But I really liked your stories! Will you ever finish some of them?
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Maybe. Maybe not. That's for me to decide, and constantly harassing and begging me to come back will very likely do the opposite. Please respect my decision.
Where will you be at?
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Around. I still mod the chatroom, and all my contact info is still in my bio.
None of my fics will be deleted, including those that are incomplete.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
-Vargras
You're not the first ont this fandom has this effect on. It's sad, because many fans do really amazing things, but humanity just isn't as great as it pretends to be.
So long, and may you have happiness and success in your future. Know that you will be missed.
Seems like a lot of good authors are leaving for these reasons...
You'll be missed. I sincerely hope that you have a good life.
I know how you feel. The feature holds less and less well written stories every day and someday in the not so distant future will likely become nothing but foalcon and badly written crossovers... It's gotten to the point for me where I'm only reading fics recommended by friends and members of the Jury.
I've got to say though, Var if you stop writing good stuff then that just makes the good to crap ratio worse.
Just fishing here, but is that part of the problem? It seems like every other day there's a section of the fandom that blows up. ponychan, conventions, etc. I understand that the fic community, although insulated from that, has undeniably suffered a crapification and eternal summerication. No single site or board or group has gotten bad or terrible as much as things have just gotten worse.
I would sincerely like to know where you see the misogyny and self-centeredness on this site. I don't doubt you for a second, I just seem to always be the last one to know about stuff (the four-score fics and banning of the bad-fic groups sitewide blog posts came completely out of the blue. That's the small price to pay for filtering out human and crossover fics). I do care about this site, and even though knowing about the bad parts won't really help, I would like to know.
I'm sorry to see you go, but you should be proud to look at your list of stories. Honestly, I don't think I've seen such a huge number of well-recieved fics marked "complete" on the site since shortskirtsandexplosions.
Also, consider giving up on real life and just focusing on pony. Just a suggestion.
I know the feeling, friend (well, I'd like to think of myself as one despite only having maybe one real conversation with you), and as much as I'd like to argue the point, you've put a lot of thought into your decision and I respect that.
However, just because others do it worse, don't let them influence you. No matter if it's in ponyfic or in life. Remember: "The reward for work well done is often more work."
Also, just now realized you have a Steam. We oughta game some time
I don't blame you one bit. I know of some really awesome people around here, yet I also remember hearing of some of the worst that this fandom has to offer. People that promote the ideas and ideals that the show proclaims (friendship, being better than we are), yet attack other fandoms, or attack things/people they don't like. It can get ugly, and when it gets to you, it can *really* get to you.
I understand why you're leaving, and I wish you all the luck with your studies and future life stuffs. I hope it's all good things ahead (fimfiction shenanigans aside).
And on the standpoint of stories, a huge, huge THANK YOU for not nuking your stories. I never understand why some people would delete their stories once they leave, as if they'd be ashamed that people could still enjoy them or something. I still need to read some of your stories (I'm so behind on fics), and you have my gratitude, my thanks, and my respect for allowing us to continue reading them.
Remember; don't let anyone hold you down, ungrateful fimfiction users/fanbase included. You do what you need to do, and I'll support pretty much whatever you decide to do.
My feelings are hurt.
Damn, well good luck.
That's a darn shame, but it's your decision and I'll respect that. I just hate that all the stupid people have to ruin everything for the rest of us...
Well, it's a damn shame, but most certainly understandable.
I wish you all the luck in the world. Stay safe.
This, yeah. I really understand where you are coming from. Hell, I am still pretty sickened with the how the whole DH thing. It sucks to see you go, but, I get it.
See you later, man. Been fun.
This
The Brony fandom is full of ass, and I totally agree. Cya man, and best of luck to you.
Shame to see you go, Varg. God damn idiots ruin everything, don't they.
See you around IRC, then.
I can respect that opinion. I don't agree with it mostly because I don't get into something that does involve people in general and expect greatness and enjoyable environments. But that's the great and worst thing about human beings, we are different, and sometimes it's good, or it sucks.
Best of luck.
May life go well for you. I respect your decision, and am glad that you gave us a heads-up on the current status. I'll cheer if/when you return, but until then I will leave you to your privacy.
To be fair, that first paragraph could as well go for the internet in general.
Fully understandable.
But there is a reason many published authors refuse to read fan reviews or commentary. I do not think you will find this site is significantly deviated from the norm.
Although it would be nice if standards for criticism and story quality and content were enforced. Would weed out a lot of the problem.
The loud idiots ruin it for everyone. Because they're loud, and they're idiots, it's all anyone sees of the fandom.
Word of advice.
Every fandom is susceptible to its fair share of jerks.
This one is especially no exception.
To expect so otherwise would be somewhat naive.
My advice for your next fandom?
Keep a large distance from your readers.
It might just save your hide.
Always expect the worst from the fandom, even if it seems all daisies and lollipops.
There will always be something around the corner to spoil it.
With that, I wish you good luck and Glauxspeed.
Farewell.
Good luck and Godspeed, sir.
I still love you, nursepone~
Welp... This makes me a tad depressed, but not that surprised, considering a few of your stories actually helped me get into this fandom in the first place, and a lot of those people seem to have or get fed up with the less than wonderful types. Oh well. Good luck and all that stuff.
Two down, one to go.
Stay breezy, V.
Do what you have to do, but I have to say, if it's trolls and piles of shit disguised as stories that big you, you will find that anywhere. The bigger the group, the more assholes you see, not because they are the majority, but because they are the loudest.
1363505
Welcome to society?
Man, you're going to be really disappointed as you get older and learn that the world is full of people you really don't want to have anything to do with.
As for the rest of it... well, frankly, again, see above comments about society.
Have fun!
Goddamnit, we lost another.
Thanks for the stories man, they were some of the best.
Wish you the best with the Nursing School.
This is why I only do and promote things I believe in and/or enjoy for my own benefit. If others happen to find it entertaining then that's a plus.
Enjoy life. It's what the ponies try and promote anyways, right? Find your place and focus on your talents. <3
Cya, Vargras.
I don't entirely understand where you're coming from, but if you think it's the right thing to do, then I say more power to you, and I hope it works out well. I'm sorry you feel that way, though. If you ever change your mind, just remember that at least a few of us will be ready to welcome you back and see what you write without pressuring you into anything.
I briefly met you at the dealers' hall at BronyCon, where I complimented you for your stories, some of which are among my favorites. It is sad to see you go, but thank you for your contributions, and good luck with your studies.
A feature box serves a useful role in highlighting new and interesting work, but I fear that it in its current incarnation does not quite fulfill that purpose, popularity not being an adequate proxy for quality.
Goodbye Vargras, it has been an immense pleasure reading your stories, they were some of the first and best I have read.
May fate treat you kindly in your future endeavors.
Best of luck, and I hope school goes well! We'll miss you.
It's too bad to see you go. To be honest, while there is a plethora of the kind of people you describe in this fandom, there are just as many of those in every fandom. I'd say to not let them get to you, but I respect and understand why you're doing this.
Best of luck to you; this site is a lot poorer without your writing!
Best of luck Vargras!! I really enjoyed Hiatus.
=y
I have seen your attitude since long, longer before this profile was created and I can say without a doubt that you'll be a horrible nurse/health professional. Your clinical thinking might be in order, but you're an all-round asshole to people, unwilling to wait, see and understand them completely. Then again, you'll be a nurse, not a medical doctor, so as long as you don't fuck anyone up, we're good.
Regardless, I wish the best of luck to you. I really, honestly do.