From the Depths: A Small Review · 12:03pm Feb 9th, 2014
I know I have already done a recommendation for this story after I ended up becoming an editor for it, but after continually reading this story, I have have fallen more and more in love with it. I am also saddened by its lack of views.
So, what compelled me to do this again? Well, it's simple: Pen Stroke is actually a pretty damn good writer. Say what you will and what you might about the story that marks his fame, or how you all feel he portrays himself, he is a skilled artisan of his craft. What specifically has drawn me to make this recommendation is how he writes his characters. From the story of From the Depths, quite a few things happened, and I noticed quite a few things. First, he writes them rather believably. They are all well within their characters, and everything melds together into a mosaic called the story. Another thing is that he creates characters with flaws and fears, and he does it to all characters.
Something that really, really drew me into the story was how he made Cadance afraid of spiders. Initially, I was able to sympathize with Cadance's arachnophobia, but on a story and writing perspective, it created depth to a character that really doesn't have as much as some people try to hold her out to have. He also gave a very nice and vibrant character to Luna, which made it a joy to read anything by her.
The next thing is his continuity phobia for Twilight, and then her general fears. Twilight has gained claustrophobia due to the events that preceded From the Depths, and using it (and simply having it) makes me love Twilight even more than I already do. The next thing he does is show that Twilight is actually afraid, no matter if her quest is important or not. She may have drive, but drive cannot smother fear. The fact that he constantly uses each and every possible non-factious instance to show this fear is exemplary and enlightening.
So, really, take the chance to at least give Pen Stroke a chance in a story that isn't Past Sins. He isn't perfect (otherwise, I wouldn't be editing for him), but he does good where it counts.
