The Enchanted Library - Secrets in Books · 6:37pm Feb 14th, 2015
Right, so, get ready for a very long blogpost because I like rambling about stuff and things and doodads. Mostly it's going to be a F.A.Q. of sorts?
To those of you who came here because of the original one-shot, you... maybe already know this origin story, but it's worth repeating for those who are new to this whole universe.
September of last year, during a sleepover where a friend and I had a bit too much tea with rum, my friend made me a drawing of Rarity in a library and Twilight floating over her.
The original artwork and the new one, both drawn by Palolabg. Go check her tumblr out!
As she drew, she started coming up with this surprisingly fascinating RariTwi AU despite the amounts of alcohol in her system. She weaved this tale of Twilight Sparkle being a Spirit Princess trapped within a castle, and Rarity being a seamstress from Ponyville who happened to find the hidden library.
I sat there for about an hour, silent with fascination as my artist friend told me a story more creative than anything that I, the supposed writer of our group of friends, could ever dare to come up with. When she finished, and knowing she'd never do anything about it since she's not in the fandom, I asked her if I could take the main concept and write about it.
I mean, come on, a magical AU starring Rarity and Twilight? It practically screamed my name.
That's how the original oneshot was born.
My friend had only come up with the interactions between Rarity and Twilight, but the fairy-tale and lore I sprinkled throughout the fic was something I made up without much thought just so I could reach the 1000 word limit and to make it a bit more interesting.
So when people asked for more on the backstory, I panicked because how could I provide something I didn't have?
Which is why this took six months. World-building, plotting, and honestly, trying to improve my writing skills because at the time I didn't have the skill to even try and undertake such a demanding project (and I worry I'm still not there yet even now).
And finally I think I have an awesome plot.
SO LET'S GET STARTED.
How this is gonna be handled
The story will be divided into two parts/books. Each part will be posted as a stand-alone multichapter.
Part 1: Secrets In Books will be handled differently than Part 2. I'm expecting Part 2 to be handled as a linear, normal multi-chapter with cliffhangers and the like. Part 1, however, will be written for the most part in such a way that some chapters could be read as a one-shot taking place in that universe.
Think of it like if it were episodes of a T.V show. Each episode has its own plot and works as a stand-alone, but they're all progressively working towards an overarching plot. Or something.
Why am I doing this? Because it's the only way I know for sure I won't abandon the story or that it will become a chore for me. By handling it as a compilation of oneshots, not only will I get to expand on the universe, but it will never get boring or tedious for me and thus make me take more time between chapters.
I'm also handling it like this because, again, I had never originally planned on expanding the AU so, as of now, I only have the overarching plot and a few plot points. It's constantly growing and will likely keep growing as I continue writing about it.
Update rates
I don't want to say there's a schedule. I'm a college student entering my last and hardest year (plus I have classes from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. four days a week, and also I need to have a bit of social life), so I don't have the time to crank out weekly chapters or anything of the like.
I am, however, dedicating as much time as I am able to to writing, so there should be a somewhat consistent update rate. I'm HOPING that maybe updates will come along very two-three weeks if all goes well. But, again, college.
What about your other stories?
I... This fic will take up most of my time, unfortunately, so I won't really have time to focus on other things as much as I'd like. For now, the only two things I'll be actively working on are this AU and Birthday Disaster.
Once Birthday Disaster is finished, we'll see, I guess.
HOWEVER, I will still be working on drabbles and the likes, so if you like my raritwi shippy drabbles, I recommend you check out this fic since this is sorta like my drabble compilation story thing.
NOW FOR THE AU ITSELF.
These are kinda based a bit on recurring questions I got in the original one-shot so I want to address them quickly.
Are the characters here the same from the canon show, or maybe descendants?
No, hence the AU tag. This would technically be taking place in a universe that is not the one from the canon show. It doesn't mean there won't be similarities between the two universes (such as the existence of Ponyville, certain friendships), but I'm taking them more as universal constants. In most cases, things this universe has that the canon one has came to be through a different method. (Example: the wonderbolts in this AU were formed for a totally distinct reason than in canon). Usually, if relevant, this will be explained.
If you've played the N64 games of The Legend of Zelda, think of it a bit how Majora's Mask has alternate versions of the characters from Ocarina of Time.
The Mane 6 and this story
Though the focus of this story is obviously Rarity and Twilight, the rest oft he mane 6 will have roles in the story. However, while they'll all appear in Part 1, the rest of the mane six (save for Fluttershy and Pinkie and maybe Dash) won't have a very important role until Part 2.
And I'll add more things here as I feel the need to.
I'm not going to answer plot related questions in the comments of the story, unless it's like something I FEEL needs to be explained, corrected, etc. However, if you're very curious and would like world-building and I feel I can spoil, you can shoot me a PM here or on my tumblr. Contrary to what it may look, I REALLY WANT TO SPOIL THE PLOT BECAUSE DAMN IT'S PRETTY COOL TBH.
Also, if you speculate in the comments, it can and will probably be used against you. 
Thank you endlessly for your patience and support.
~ Monochromatic
I love the contrast in the two artworks. Original one with her surprise of meeting the 'Princess of Books' from her foalhood fairy tales, to the new one where she's overly familiar attitude towards the Princess of Books is just perfect subtly of First Encounters and New Beginnings.
Happy Valentine's Day and Hearts and Hooves to you, Monochromatic!
I'm sadly swamped at the moment to dive into it without being disturbed, so here's to some much anticipated and joyful late night reading of a wonderful AU.
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Yeeeeah! I really like how it looks, and as you say, it's really nice to see the contrast idk I honestly love both of them a lot.
And yes, happy Valentine's Day & Hearts and Hooves to you too, Telaros! I guess I /did/ sort of manage to post something... not really shippy on Valentine's, but hey! It's something!
Although my friend says "with [me] and [Rarity & Twilight], it always is [shipping], even when it isn't".Oh god, I'm raritwi trash even when I'm trying not to be.Ah, well, I hope you like it!! Your constant support means a lot to me, and I hope I'll continue providing things that are deserving of the support!
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9AM to 10PM? I thought mine were bad...(9AM-8PM usually, but x5 Mon - Fri) You must be doing a masters degree in RariTwi or something of the sort.
Are you serious?!
The AU is very different. Seems like Rainbow Dash has been replaced, there is a distinct lack of Applejack (including her sister, brother or grandmother)...Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie made it with Rarity though.
Will the AU eventually coincide with the events of the One Shot? [Is that too plot-threatening to ask?]
Seeing Chapter 01 is somewhat a prequel...At the point of the one-shot, I'm suspecting Rarity kept this find to herself (did she? "...nopony ever came back after they found my library, but...") so I am wondering what kind of forces motivated her to keep a well known fairty-tale-come-to-life a secret.
Erh evidently it appears I'm asking too many questions that would have the answer "wait and see" so I guess I'll just do so...
Aha! I knew the Romance tag would find its way there and most likely would mean RariTwi. I think you'd find it difficult to disagree with me here [honestly, at least].
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I WISH I WAS DOING A MASTERS IN RARITWI, I WISH.
Also, while this AU is different in that respect, all of the mane six will have important roles. Unfortunately, these roles won't get revealed until a bit later, but rest assured, they'll be there. AND I'M ACTUALLY REALLY EXCITED FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY PINKIE AND RAINBOW DASH. The Apple family actually does have a very important role, so no worries about that.
As for the oneshot question... yes and no. The thing is that the oneshot is actually very vague (also take it like a first draft), but there will be a point in this story where they will coincide. And yeah, I guess wait and see XD
AS FOR THE ROMANCE TAG! I... I actually kinda put it there as a sorta announcement/sign that this will become a raritwi story. I mean, it already is, but you understand what I mean.
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Heh, make it a note to add that into the syllabus of aspiring authors once you've done yours
Hmm so the Mane 6 do live in the same AU timeline.
Hey, what gives, I thought cliffhangers were supposed to appear in Arc 2?
Well, it won't really spoil anything with a Romance tag. I mean, no offence whatsoever but take a peek at any other story you've written and everypony will get a very clear picture of is most definitely going to happen...or already is happening. Maybe minus the one about the Purple Moon but that one is directly linked to IE. So, it's not a very difficult deduction.
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I, well, I mean, not for most of it? Because, well, maybe sometimes, I'M STILL FIGURING IT OUT
omg I know. Like, Sam Cole said I posted on V-Day, to which i said it wasn't shipping, to which he said that ""with you and [Rarity & Twilight], it always is [shipping], even when it isn't". But mostly it's because well... in the oneshot and some PMs I got, it seemed like people wanted me to not have it be rarilight-focused or to switch the pairing, so yeah.
I'm fairly convinced the only bad thing about this fic will be waiting for the updates!
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Well, 'till thats figured out I'm stuck with a "Wait & See" which is pretty much a cliffhanger! I deem your blog post inaccurate!
[EDIT: Okay no, you said "some chapters" so I guess this is one of those chapters....]
Huh what
One may be declared a RariLight author only when deemed worthy by <insert ominous ring-leader-like name here> and all that jazz.
Rarity & Twilight actually works. I never thought it would, but you've somehow managed to prove me wrong. So, why switch the pairing when it actually works? Plus, it's so rare to see RariLight (to date, only 2 writers) I think it is almost a cult-like invite-only thing among the RariLight Authors...
Basic bottom line is I'm trying to say: Don't stop RariLight. I mean, you like it, you made me like it so yeah
Thank you for continuing this story. I really enjoyed the one shot, and I can't wait to see what direction this story takes.
*speculates internally*
It's a lovely story you're weaving here. Mono.
Truthfully it is.
Now...on to finishing the two parts and getting them made into real books, leatherbound and shipped out!
ABFABLVBAEVBLNF.KN IT'S HERE
GONNA GO READ