Question about Unexpected Inclination · 3:13pm Feb 27th, 2014
While the reception could have been worse (hey only 5 dislikes is a record low for me, so that's certainly something 
), the response was not quite what I'd hoped for so I'm forced to concede that maybe it really should have been one plot or the other like a fair few of the comments have said. I could make a case that the Pinkie clone was somewhat setup earlier and thus doesn't come entirely out of nowhere, but really I could have had Applejack say breaking the news about the pony behind the voice to Cheerilee and had it work just as well.
So given that I don't want to sacrifice the existing versions entirely to the great delete button, how would this sound as an option? I'm thinking I could create a new reworked first chapter which removes the Pinkie clone entirely, and then move the existing chapters lower down with changed titles and a note explaining that they are the old versions. I don't think that's too much playing silly buggers, but I could be wrong of course.
Or I can stop fiddling with this one shot, forget about it, and get my arse back onto working on the next chapter of All for You again.
What do you guys reckon?
I'd say don't beat yourself up about it.
I stand by my opinion that Pinkie deserves the right to have natural, already established flaws such as the occasional insensitivity, because it makes her feel more complete to me. Others disagree. I still love you guys.
The clone scene felt a touch heavy-handed, yes. On the other hand, it was clearly funny in a funny story. And frankly, a more sensible, rational, everypony-sits-down-and-talks-about-their-issues scene wouldn't have fit the theme. It could work without the scene. It works with it. Either way is fine.
I really don't think you should feel pressured into rewriting the story just because readers disagree with you. It's your story, we're just the readers. I'm not overhauling Role Reversal just because it's rocking eleven downvotes. I'd rather focus my efforts on writing other stories.
I write stories because I enjoy it immensely. I'm assuming that you do it for a similar reason. If you think that An Unexpected Inclination would work better with less ficfixing, go ahead. But don't do it just for peer pressure, 'kay?
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write a story where Trixie murders eleven ponies who booed her show.
Unexpected Inclination had a few issues but I'm not sure it's worth overhauling it. If you did, I might add that the Cherilee/Fluttershy stuff needed a little work as well but like I said, it's flawed but not ruined so it might be more productive to just move along on your other works.
And never mind, I just noticed you updated and revised already.
1879356
Considering how big a jerk she was in the Cranky Doodle episode, it's not like it's unprecedented. But the clone explanation almost works anyway because something about her characterization has felt slightly different most of season four, not just this episode. She's been shriller and less smooth.
1879356
Have I mentioned that you're awesome recently? Cause I should do it more often
1879356 If you write that, please PM me the link to it.[/dead_serious]
1879701
1879940 I'll keep that in mind. I'm not too fond of gore, but it could be a neat writing exercise, if nothing else. Right up there with other stuff I'm bad at, like fight scenes, sex scenes, and Zecora's rhyming.
1879985 Ugh, Zecora's rhyming. I loathe having to write those.
She's a cool character otherwise, but those rhymes...
1879985
I'm not usually a fan of psychotic Trixie but I will say that take is done incredibly well in Banishment Decree to the point where you end up cheering along as her and Gilda carry out surprisingly good natured atrocities.
1880072 Interesting. I think that one is on my 'read later' list.
There's also Trixie Gets Slandered For The Last Time, where she goes all Dexter on a news photographer, a writer, and an editor for humiliating her in the papers... except they're complete scumbags who fabricate libelous stories about everypony, including the princesses and the EoH, so is surprisingly easy to side with Trixie.
I am sorry for the late reply; time seems to have passed me by. :zecoraemote:
I think this one-shot is worth one more fiddle, as long as you're doing it for the same reasons you wrote it, i.e. to have fun and share something cool. Not to try to please everybody. I can almost guarantee the altered version will also get downvotes; even Ditzy Doo's Dismally Derpy Day somehow has downvotes. The Pinkie part of the story is definitely within your oeuvre of random comedy antics. I didn't feel it worked so well in this instance, but if you can cut it out and still have fun with the rest of the story, go for it.
Basically, while I like the Fluttershy/Cheerilee part of the fic more, I don't want to see you compromise your artistic integrity to try to please the dislikers. And yes, I do mean the phrase "artistic integrity" seriously. It can apply just as well to wacky comedies as grim dramas.
I think doing it the way you described would make the most sense too, from a technical standpoint; releasing it as a separate story would look a little shady.