Omigoshomigoshomigoshomigosh... · 9:24pm May 3rd, 2014
What a day this has been. What a feathering wonderful day! Okay, everypony, let me start off at the beginning...
I woke up at three in the morning for work, same as always, and popped onto Fimfiction for a few, and there on my userpage was a note from dear Bassline and Melody, telling me that the wonderful Surry over at Bassie and Surry's Twidash Army had decided to make me a group contributor! What does that even mean? I don't know for sure, but I'm gonna do my damnedest to make him and Bassie proud! Not only that, but it seems a few of the ponies there are really coming to enjoy my presence, haha. To those of you of whom I'm speaking, know that the feeling is mutual! 
Anyway, when I got back from work I saw another message, this time from Specimen021, for whom I'd been editing a story over the last week. It seemed that this story, 'Left There', was ready to be posted! I cannot be more pleased with the result. I'm glowing with pride as I type this.
Then again, that might also be due to the third wonderful thing that happened today...
Most of you found me through a particular story, 'Miss Sparkle, Psychopath'. Well, do you remember that little note in the description about it being a contest entry? This is the contest I was talking about: Blundy's TwiDash Framed Challenge. I'm gonna be honest here, just like I was when I joined... I'd never been interested in Twidash, or any shipping for that matter. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I did it anyway! 
By the time it was finished - forty days later - my friends were getting pissy, my back and neck were stiffer than a very stiff thing, and I couldn't even look at a word processor without feeling trapped. Still, it was worth it. Why? Because I had so many wonderful readers along the way - I still don't know how that happened, haha. Whoever it was that added 'Miss Sparkle' to so many groups, please step forward! - who spoke to me at length about their thoughts on the story, their theories, any moments of ecstasy or disappointment. Hay, one of them - dear Tehmisiu - was moved enough to draw me not only cover art for 'Miss Sparkle', but my avatar too! I had so much fun chattering and even bickering in the comment section, and your tips and advice helped turn 'Miss Sparkle' into what it is today. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I couldn't have done it without you. You guys were everything to me by then. You were kind enough to reach out to me, and I was not going to fail you.
That was my reward. I've found friends here. I've made connections. I was introduced to so many kind and wonderful ponies. I couldn't ask for more...
Well, I didn't have to ask. The contest results were posted today. 
'Miss Sparkle' earned the gold.
I still can't imagine that somepony actually likes it that much! Before I joined this contest I had two followers and my most popular story had eight likes. Eight! Now look at me! I'm surrounded by smiles and banter and I'm liked and I'm respected, and I seriously cannot tell you how much I love you guys for it.
Yeah, I mean you guys, the followers I'm writing this blog post for. If you hadn't had my back I would've dropped out of the contest. If not for your support I would have fallen and I don't think I would have picked myself up for a long time. So I have to offer a very, very serious thank-you to everypony who ever left me even so much as an emoticon. Specimen021, who was there with me from the very beginning; Razzle Dazzle, who always made me smile with thoughtful and at times intense comments; Wolfcape, who reached out to me when I was feeling low and made me remember why I was writing; tehmisiu, the parasprite, Dark Avenger, and everypony else!
Thank you so feathering much. I love you all. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want! I may be friendly and kinda intense in the comments but I'm actually very shy... That doesn't mean I won't talk your ear off if you get me started! Who knows? Maybe we can be friends. All we have to do is try.
See you when I see you, everypony.
It's good to see you happy, Adda. Congratulations on winning the gold!
I'm still rooting for True Love Never Dies, too. There were many feels to be had there, and today I feel better for having read it. I will get around to Miss Sparkle at some point, I swear. I just need a moment. Or a month.
But I will get to it and I will read it.
2074321
I'd... I'd put that one off if I were you. It is pretty dark and there are plenty of tears, among other things; if you were hit that hard by a bittersweet story like 'True Love', I don't know what 'Miss Sparkle' would do to you.
2074364
I'll take that under advisement... I still want to give it a try, though. You obviously put a lot of effort into it, and I want to give it a chance at least.
Congratulations on winning! I look forward to your next stories, even the ones that aren't TwiDash.
2074388
Okay, but you might need the Smile Song on repeat and a warm cup of cocoa, especially when you reach the last quarter or so. I'm not trying to be sarcastic or patronizing, either. I just want you to be happy.
2074391
Thanks, Vertorm! I did notice your message and I swear I'm trying to get to it, but there's a lot going on at once, haha. I'll be on my way to check it out in a few minutes.
2074400
I know you're not. I appreciate the concern, very much.
But I'm a big *cough* and I know generally what my limits are. I got through the Dresden Files book Changes, and the followup Ghost Story, after all. I'm not sure if Miss Sparkle can beat a book about a man who orders a hit on himself after he kills the mother of his child to save the child and end a war.
The followup is him wandering through the broken wreckage of his life as a ghost, trying to help people that he loves but can't touch, talk to, or comfort. While they're being hunted by something that eats souls. Damn if that wasn't a hard one. I was at a different place in my life, though. And it was summer. I think maybe I'll wait until the stress of school is done and then give it a go. Just about to graduate!
2074415
I feel weird today. Flippant, a little like Rainbow Dash, actually.
I don't mean to make light of anything you're saying. I'm just in an odd mood today, I guess. I'm going to lay the blame on the fact that it's the first truly sunny day in probably 2 weeks. And warm! I can actually go outside to get my vitamin D.
Darn Midwestern Winters... Clinging on until May.
2074415
I'm waiting with bated breath to read the follow-up to Cold Days!
Oh, I know the Dresden Files.
Don't worry about sounding flippant or anything. Maybe it's because I'm also feeling weird at the moment, but I didn't even notice!
2074489
As am I! I adored the world building he did in that book. it was so rich, yet wasn't very long, and felt epic and right for the world. I am, if you hadn't noticed, a world building nut
2074513
In that case, have you read the Wheel of Time? That is the best series I've ever read, especially in terms of world-building.
Oh yeah?
2074522
Devoured every page. Have you read the Nightside series by Simon R. Green? It's comedic, dark, grim, and cheesy as all heck. There are also some genuine feel moments in there too.
2074527
Ohh! Or heck, the Mistborn Series by the current writer of The Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson? Ohh, the world building, the characterization, the absolutely unique magic system. Glorious!
2074527
Sadly I haven't even heard of it. I don't have as much time (or money) to read as much as I used to. I'll have to make note of that author, though!
Congratulations, both you and the fic are worth it!
Oh, and; the amount of happy in this blog is contagious, I was smiling myself as I reached the end, heh,
You earned that contest win with that awesome story. Congrats!
2074604
Aww, thanks, Matdat! You're too kind.
2074619
Speaking of contests, it looks like Bassie's working to wrap up the Army's contest too. Good luck to you, DJRD!
I was anticipating this journal announcing your win for the other TwiDash contest. I am so very confused.
Any idea when they're supposed to announce the winners for that? I don't even know if they have a schedule for it.
2074635
Haha! Yeah, it's a busy day for me. Um... Well, I know that Bassie posted his scoring guideline for the Army's contest about two hours ago. Aside from that, it's anypony's guess.
Aw, thanks.
you too.
2074635
That's what I was thinking too!
Best of luck with TLND, Adda.
Congrats again, Adda. In an effort to show as much neutrality as possible, I generally try and not comment on active entries in competitions I judge.
The contest's over now, though, and I 'm happy to tell you that yours was my favorite from the get-go. In fact, I was so impressed and excited by Miss Sparkle that I practically forced most of my friends in the TwiDash Skype Chat to trad it (when I still had a computer, that is.)
Seriously, good job. I look forward to seeing more from you.
P.S.
As far as the group-adding thing goes, I think that might have been me. When I'm impressed by a fic, I usually cram it into every group I can.
2075385
If I were to pretend to know what I'm talking about, I'd guess those results would be in sometime between today and Tuesday.
2075410
There's no sense in repeating myself, but know that I mean it even more now. If not for your contest, your interest, and your help, I would never have become the author I am today. 
Aww, thank you, Blundy! I hope to join you in that group someday, but for now I have to pass. I don't have speakers or a mic, and I don't know if I could run Skype even for messaging with this laptop running in safe mode.
If that was you who added my story to those groups and spread it around, then I owe you even more than I thought!
2076545
I'm deeply moved
Theres something in that post, I can't help but smile as I read it...very suspicious, no?
I'm ecstatic at the fact I was a help to you, Adda
And an epic congratulations, truly well deserved to say the least!
Best wishes for now, and the future!
P.S: Managed to un-stiff your back & neck yet?
You deserve every single last thumb ._. (Savor them, it's free finger food!)
2076860
But you guys were worth it!
Not entirely, haha. My neck still pops two or three times whenever I tilt it to the left too quickly and my back sounds like a percussion section if I twist my it past one hundred degrees.
2076911
Thanks for your support, mochi!
static.tumblr.com/426a8cd60b9d4bfdeff4209aa1734570/scbuswp/rqNmjjqxk/tumblr_static_rarity_gif.gif
I savor each and every one.
2077227 D'aww no problemo!
congraqts dude, congrats. do you have any plans for another story?
We're happy to have you, Adda.
Sorry for being so late on this,
2078708
I listed a good few in a blog post back in January, and that's not including the prompts I've come up with since, not to mention the random one-shot prompts I come up with on the spot! Half of them will probably turn into stories someday.
Hordes of them.
I hope to finish 'That Which I Hold Dear' at some point in the near future, but my well of inspiration has run dry for that one. 'Stellar' has been keeping my interest of late; how do you feel about dark adventures starring a dozen or more OCs and a tyrannical Princess Celestia?
2078996
The pleasure is mine.
2077227
Oh my, your back practising for a symphony? Must be a hidden passion for music.
Get well soon though
2079099
I'm interested in Stellar, really (the 'really' is added for emphasis since I'm actually very interested in almost everything posted there)!
What is the timeframe for this one, before or after Twilight's Ascension?
I'm one of your fans!!!!!
2080028
Same with my back's, haha.
My passion for music is far from hidden.
The time frame for 'Stellar'? Mmm... after her ascension... I'd say about fifteen years after.
2081866
I just stopped by your userpage and I want to let you know that you don't suck. 
And I'm one of yours.
2082309 Well I love music, but my bones agree silently...but not any less painfully hehe.
I look forward to Stellar or anything else coming (You mentioned a prequel?). 15 years after Twilight goes alicorn, Celestia hits evil...that itself is very intriguing, and its not even an official description ^^
2085784
A prequel to 'Stellar'? I have three. 
And they're all very important, but the one I've already finished is the most important of them all! If you meant the prequel to 'Folksong' I mentioned in that blog post, well, that's gonna be quite an undertaking. I won't have the time to write both 'Stellar' and a through-the-mirror slice-of-life romantic drama.
Um... which prequel would that be? I have too many stories with too many prequels, sequels, and side stories, so you'll have to be more specific.
2085818
Oh, I meant to Stellar...3 important prequels...? Sounds like the next Star Wars. Quite a challenge I believe...good luck haha.
Was I imagining things or there might be a sequel to "Miss Sparkle"? What could it be...?
2085834
Actually, I plan to release the prequels to 'Stellar' piece by piece in concurrence with the main story!
Yes, I am planning a sequel to 'Miss Sparkle'. There are a lot of loose ends left at the end of that one. Twilight's relationship with Rarity is a mess that they'll need to work through if the Elements of Harmony are needed to defend Equestria. Hay, her relationship with Rainbow Dash started off on the worst possible hoof. On top of that, we have a villain to explore in Cappuccino. I can't say when and I can't even say if, but I hope to begin work on the sequel within a few months, probably while I'm writing 'Stellar'.
2086000 Omigoshomigoshomigoshomigosh! I'm so pumped! Good luck with everything
2086003
Thanks, Wolfcape! I'll do my best.