How you write.

This next chapter has given me a lot to think about. I guess I should have predicted this, since by fanfiction's very nature it is unavoidable. Some the mane six make appearances and I've been quite hung up on getting their dialogue and mannerisms to sound right. With Colgate or Berry, being background ponies, I'm somewhat free to create their personalities and behaviors. Yes we all have broadly accepted notions about these ponies, but without much objective data from the show, we are free to interpret a great deal as we see fit.

For the mane six though, this is not an option. There is only one Pinkie Pie, one Twilight Sparkle. They are the ones we know and love from the show, and we write fanfiction to see more of them. And while my story isn't about them, I want to be damn sure that when they do show up they get honest representation in their actions and personalities.

I made the decision to change perspective for this next chapter, it was originally from Colgate's view, like always. But I found that most stories I love have a secondary viewpoint, sometimes an honest enemy to the protagonist, sometimes a friend, a foil character, sometimes the love interest. Here again I set myself up for a problem in the pony I chose. And because of it I've struggled in the first half of the re-write for days. I finally broke out last night, I think.