State of affairs - June first, 2014 · 3:56pm Jun 1st, 2014
Howdy everyone. It's that time (again?), when I give you guys a run-down of what's going to happen in the coming months. There is a lot to cover to, so bear with me.
-In regards to “The Fifth”-
After much deliberation from my part, and a few hard knocks from a few editors who I have come to trust, I've decided to put the story "The Fifth" on temporary hiatus while I get ready to rework some of its elements.
The reason I am doing this, despite the story being considered good by a few readers, is that the tale has started to veer down a road that was originally not intended to. As a result, it has become a rather large mess to try and right going into the newer chapters, let alone future plans. While it is possible to do the simple thing and just rework some of its elements to better fit what is to come, I have instead decided to take the more complete route and rework the entire story from the ground up. What this means is that I’ll be scraping the current draft, re-draft this from the very beginning, and then updating the story once the process is complete.
Of course, this means that the story will see the chapters that have already been rewritten reworked. However, this does not mean the story is going to get canned. Rather, I’ll make whatever strives I can to maintain the context of the already existing chapters, all the while updating the narrative to better fit the plans this story once possessed. I am confident I can achieve this, and in doing so, hopefully make the story the more accessible to all readers.
-In Regards to “Guests of Equestria”-
Guests of Equestria stands in a rather unique position. It isn’t really popular due to its still short length (two chapters) and the fact that the character of Shining Armor is presented in a fashion that some viewers would find controversial. Keep in mind that this was done in order to work the story’s message, as well as his growth, into the narrative, providing a small mirror into a very justified reaction after a new (and presumably unknown) species threatens all that is held dear.
I will be making strives to see what can be done to fix some of the smaller issues the story has, while also preparing the narrative to once again move forward. For the time being though, the story is on a small hiatus while I get a few other tales written and fixed, some of which will be posted very soon.
Speaking of which…
-In Regards to “Harbinger”-
Harbinger is a two-part story that SHOULD have been posted nearly a week ago. However, due to Fimfic’s policy of not allowing script or document-style stories on the site, I have been forced to alter the narrative in ways that all but destroy the original intent. As such, the story has now gone through three varied incarnations of the same tale, all in an attempt to find it’s best footing. Regrettably, the newest incarnation of this story is taking far longer to get prepared than expected, mostly due to life getting in the way of written progress.
I will get more into that in a few. Suffice to say that, the story is no longer what I originally planned, as as such, is kind of in a very odd place. Part of me wants to complete the tale (which is not that long to begin with), but another wishes to just abandon the project now that it has been forced to change from its intended incarnation. I originally wrote the story to be unique from the norm, as being unique is a quality I value greatly. By altering, and thus ‘conforming’ with the norm, it feels like I am betraying what I set out to do in the first place, but as fate has it, my desire to be unique is getting in the way of the story being published without issue.
I have a few hours to decide just what I wish to do. Until then, have a small taste of what the original story was going to look like.
[TOP SECRET]
From the Equestrian Royal Department of Security, Protection, and Containment
Subject: [REDACTED]
Interviewer: Princess Twilight Sparkle
Time of interview: [REDACTED]
The following document details the events that took place on [REDACTED]. Princess Twilight Sparkle, head of the newly formed ERDSPC requested access to subject [REDACTED] in an attempt to learn more of the events surrounding project HARBINGER.
The following is a copy of the Princess’ personal transcripts of the event, and are for authorized personnel only. Further questions should be directed at the princess herself.
Any further study on project Harbinger and on subject [REDACTED] is to be carried out by authorized personnel only. [REDACTED] is currently being held in cellblock [REDACTED] and is awaiting final processing by all four princesses.
There are few things in this world that terrify me. Losing my friends is one such fear. Failing in my new duties as the Princess of Friendship is another.
I have come face to face with many threats: Tirek, Chrysalis, Sombra, Discord, Nightmare Moon, and many others. Yet, no matter how many evil overlords I have laid low, or how many crises I have resolved, there has always been a lingering sense of evil that I cannot hope to understand.
I have tried hard to make sense of the nature of malice, hatred, and the dark arts, but it seems like closing one door only leads to opening dozens more. It was that reason above all others that led me to forming the ERDSCP. I wanted, above all, to have an organization dedicated to searching for the things nopony could hope to understand, containing dangers that could pose a threat to ponykind, and protecting my country—and those I hold dear—from all the inter-dimensional, extra-terrestrial, or extra-universal threats that I know exist out there.
Today’s interview is my first since I started this organization. In many ways, this is the maiden voyage for everypony involved. And what a way to start this off.
The first real success of the ERDSCP has been to contain a failed project. Almost all subjects of said project did not survive. The sole survivor had been unnerving, to say the least. He was found on the site, locked in a room and in an almost comatose state. It was instantly ascertained that he had been the one to send out the distress call. I’ll soon come face to face with him, and I’ll be able to judge first-hoof whether what he has to say is true.
I’m not going to lie—the prospect of learning the truth behind the failed project terrifies me. Many of the top heads of the Guard, including my brother, have told me that I should leave interrogations to a more qualified pony. While I agree with them, this is my chance to see just what lies in store for me once the ERDSCP starts to go after the bigger threats to Equestria.
I just hope I’m not making a huge mistake. Seeing the pictures and videos of the project’s aftermath shook me to my core. I have no idea what learning the truth about it will do to me.
Twilight Sparkle: Good afternoon, Doctor [Redacted]. How are you feeling?
[Redacted]: As well as I could be. Really wish you would all lay off the security measures.
Twilight Sparkle: I’m afraid all of this is a necessary precaution. After all, our organization doesn’t just deal with your run-of-the-mill evil. We deal with more advanced evils. It just so happens that your work falls squarely in that category.
[Redacted]: Believe me, Princess, I wish I hadn’t been a part of that Celestia-forsaken project.
Twilight Sparkle: Why don’t you tell me more about the project? We know so little from the surviving documentation we found at the site, and as the sole surviving participant, you and you alone hold the last shreds of truth.
[Redacted]: I don’t think you’ll find what I have to say useful. Still, you do deserve to know more about that affront. Everything I tell you today is true in every way, this I swear. Worse, I feel certain it will happen again.
Ten years ago, a scientist began preparations for an extremely secretive project. The scientist, a unicorn, went by the name of Nox Fairmax.
Twilight Sparkle: Doctor Nox Fairmax? The world-renowned metaphysical researcher for the Ministry of Arcane Sciences that vanished twenty years ago? He was your employer?
[Redacted]: Yes. The doctor had this almost borderline obsession with the daemonic. It didn’t help matters that he was quite ruthless and cold, never caring much about the means, only the ends. If he predicted the results to be valuable enough, he would literally walk through Tartarus itself to get them, dragging anypony he deemed ‘necessary’ along with him. It was this insatiable and brutal lust for the truth that made him feared among those that knew him. The few that knew him and did not fear him believed in him and followed him and his work fanatically.
Twilight Sparkle: That is rather unsettling. What can you tell me about the project as a whole?
[Redacted]: Harbinger… [[Redacted]’s gaze’s fell on the far wall of the room]
Twilight Sparkle: Yes, that is indeed the name in all the recovered documents. But what else can you tell me behind its meaning?
[Redacted]: The word itself has such a mysterious and intimidating taste to it. Maybe it’s the way it rolls from our tongues, or maybe it’s simply due to its association with the project. Whatever the case is, the word always seems to carry a certain… maliciousness, to it. In hindsight, my gut feeling was completely right. The word itself means to warn or forebode. I can’t imagine Dr. Nox’s reason for giving the experiment this title, but in retrospect, it fit perfectly...
Look for the third revision of the tale in the coming days. Assuming, of course, I don’t scrap it.
-In regards to the PIllars of Literature-
Writing for this blog series has come to a slight standstill as I have diverted focus to story writing, and the various issues that are happening to me in real life. I really wish I could put out the next installment, which ironically enough, talks about the nature of ‘fame’ in this fandom, and gives out four issues that all writers face in their times. Most of the matter concerning fame is based on what Bookplayer wrote some time ago, so in a way, I might just be repeated what someone far more talented than I has stated in the past. However, there were a few aspects missing from her words, which I will aim to try and add. If all goes well, I should have the blog ready in the coming weeks. I just hope life does not get in my way more than it already has.
-In regards to editing work and the Royal Guard-
As many of you have likely noticed, postings for the Royal Guard group have all but come to a stop. That’s because we are currently smack dab in the middle of testing and final seasons. Many of the editors in the group have busy attempting to get their academics sorted out, which tends to put a halt to any attempt to actually do editing work (that is unpaid, at least). If you are one of the folk wondering “why haven’t I heard from the Guard yet?” then know that the reason is academics.
Now, for those that I have agreed to aid in editing work, but seem to be lagging in, I apologize. Life has dealt me one too many bad hands in the last few weeks for me to feel as motivated to edit as I once was. In particular, I am aiming this at you, Solocitizen. I said I would help you, yet I have been rather bad at that. I’ll do my best, but I fear that the issues plaguing me right now will further prevent my consistant aid to your work.
-In regards to my IRL life-
As I have stated in this blog quite a few times, my current life has become less of the standard fare, and more of a nightmare. Continued unemployment, debt, possible loss of utilities, continued strife at home, and crippling depression brought about by the issues above, and many more that will remain private have all contributed to my current state. There are just so many aspects of my life that are quickly spiraling out of my control that I fear they’ll be the ruin of me.
Now, I am a very self-dependent guy. I find ways to deal with issues on my own. I do not bother others with my issues, as I am often too busy trying to solve theirs. Those that know me know that I strive to put others before me, willingly going the extra mile to ensure everyone is happy, even if it means I get shafted in the process. That’s been the way I have always rolled.
So, when I say this words, I do mean them in every possible sense. I don’t say them often, and I should the situation improve, I’ll never say them again. But…
Guys. I need help...
*intense hug*
That's really the best I can give you right now.
Oh, wow, bro.
Why not put one of them donation links people have around here? Couple of bucks here and there might not change your life, but I suppose it might help.
And where are you living that the jobs market is so bad? Cali?
2164998
Yes.
I don't know. Part of me does not want to... but I might just have to.
2164415
Really appreciate it