The Infamous Chapter 13... · 11:55pm Mar 17th, 2014
Alexander- Thanks for the tip about the preface –I hadn’t thought about it –
And you sparked a whole new Blog entry – “The Infamous Chapter 13”
I went over this chapter again and again trying to see how it worked. I had the same reaction as you (Alexander) – it actually does work, which I still can’t get used to. To just suggest that they had sex would be like saying “oh, and yes they had really cute great sex, take my word for it.”
As the author I feel that all the little things that happen during their first lovemaking session provide a critical insight into the nature of their relationship. It’s cute and playful and funny and loving, and giving, and underscoring all that is trust. At any point either of the ponies could have stopped and said something cruel and full of ridicule to the other, but of course they didn’t, they went off into this fun “Stepmother/Princess” game fully trusting that the other would embrace it, which they did. But it is also steamy and messy and wet.
Is it clop?
If clop is a piece that is written primarily to arouse the reader to the point where they are driven to an act of self-gratification then this is not clop, as that is not its primary purpose.
If clop is a piece of writing where it could reasonably be expected that the reader might easily find themselves engaging in self-gratification because of what they read, then I would say this is clop (and I would take it as a compliment – however not too much – it’s very easy - these ponies come to the party loaded with sex appeal - to me they’re late teens/early 20's, very cute, very smart, and kind and sassy without being mean. I won’t go on about their sexual virtues, I think they’re self-evident, but that’s just me.)
What about me, do I find it arousing? Uhhhhh….
Of course I do. If I didn’t I couldn’t have written it. Having edited it as many times as I have, I’ve become more aware of how very sweet and funny these two are during this chapter. How did I write it? I started with a very typical romantic candle lit scene. (There are still more love scene cliché’s than I would have liked, but sometimes that’s just how it is.) Then I watched a couple of episodes featuring these two.
Then I’d think about my scene,
then I’d revise it.
Wash-rinse-repeat.
Each time I did it, (watch/revise it!) more and more of their personalities came through until it felt like they were doing the writing, telling me how it went that first time. BTW - It’s very easy to fall in love with these ponies, they really are wonderful.
I believe that with respect to this topic there are 4 kinds of fans-
1. Group 1 - Those who don’t see any sexual aspect to these characters whatsoever, other than their obvious gender. I believe the majority of them tend to view those that do see a sexual aspect to the characters as perhaps a bit strange, but with a “whatever floats their boat” attitude. (Though I’m sure there are a fair number of them that feel anyone who sees a sexual aspect in them or in any animated character for that matter, to be a disturbed social/sexual deviant. After all, animated characters are all children’s characters. It’s obvious where I’m going with this – Jessica Rabbit, Ariel, (as she sat bottomless on that beach, the water providing cover) etc. Most anything by Miazaki.)
2. Group 2 - Those who see a sexual aspect to these characters but completely deny it and berate others who admit to seeing it. Your basic hypocrisy. – We’re all guilty of it in one form or another. It’s my belief that those in this category are the most vociferous in their condemnation of those in group #3. Do they lack the courage to confront their ambivalence about their feelings? I should say not everyone in this group condemns those who are in group 3. I spent many many months in this group. I walked around convinced that I was some sort of depraved deviant for seeing these characters as having any kind of sexual aspect at all and it was causing me no small amount of angst. To this day I’m not sure. Maybe all this writing is what this is about, - pony therapy, I don’t know. But now I find myself in…
3. Group 3. Those who see a sexual aspect to these characters and are cool with it. For some, seeing it, they find completes their view of the character. It allows for a viewpoint that can get tested against the episodes and behaviors of the characters. Since I admitted to myself that I do in fact see a sexual aspect to the characters, I applied and it worked. (About now you’re saying WTF??!! What I’m saying is that during the writing process I have to make sure I don’t stray from the characters voices and that I’m there with them. After spending awhile with them and putting their words down, you’re pretty sure they’re still AJ and Twi.
The test is to watch an episode. It can be a bucket of ice water when you find that the two ponies you’re working with and have taken to new areas, are not the two ponies on the show. When you’re on target, however, there is nothing like it, you hear them express themselves in any scene at all on the show and it sounds like you wrote it. I have to say, when Twilight and Applejack show up at Fluttershy’s during the Breezie episode I was in heaven. I’ve watched that part several times, convinced that they stepped right out of my story. I’m smiling just thinking about it.
4. Group 4. They see a sexual aspect in everything from a carpet to a retaining wall.
I should probably mention that I wrote an entire interview with Twilight for “Playboy” magazine in an effort to understand my crossover from Group 2 to Group 3. It’s pretty funny. If anyone is interested in it, let me know…
By the way, if any of you know who Clara Oswald is from Doctor Who - She'd be my first pick to play Twilight if (heaven forbid) they made EG into live action movie.
I think i'm part of group 3... well i'm quite sure of that actually lol
I would say that Ch13 was indeed not clop, like you said!
I am sad that it took me this long to finally read this....
I love your method of writing them, watch the show then edit, watch some more then edit some more!
and "Interview with Twilight Sparkle a (Playpony?) edition" looks like it may be interesting!
If you post it ill read it!
Clara would make a great Twi!
oh random strange thing I see people say about TwiJack -"They work too well together and are so down to earth that nothing drives them to go on any adventures, and thus making them boring!" to what I say- they do work well together but no not too well and Adventure? that's why you get a brain an make an Adventure! its always fun to force characters into a situation that they would normally not do and see how they would come out of it, like bringing 2 characters together or to help strengthen whats already there, and to just have fun! people now day's have little to no imagination... And that would be one reason that I like this story so much, it may not be the adventure that people think one would be, but its still an adventure that has brought 2 pony's together AND has already strengthened what they already have! not to mention fun! and to that is why I must say thank you! it wont be the last time I say that too
I'll let you know... damn! I'd like to share what's coming, but as far as Adventure with this story? We haven't gotten started yet! Still setting up the groundwork...
Also - in the next chapter I finally get to ask a character a question that nopony has asked them. I know they can't ask it on the show but I've often wished they would... You'll know it when you see it. It's funny...
2085147 Thanks Alexander! I just saw this or I would have responded earlier! As far as adventure, all I can say is to hang on, (click, click, click) we are almost at the top of one hell of a roller coaster. The first drop will be kind of scary, but then things will really start to fly...
Please understand and hang on for it. PM me with any issues.