Future Plans for Years · 7:45pm Mar 8th, 2015
I would like to thank you all for your feedback on the blog I posted a few days ago. That said, I've decided what I'm going to do about it.
I'm going to rewrite the story from the beginning. Know that when I say that, I mean I'll be revising everything that's already happened, so it won't be changing nearly as much as some people may fear, as the premise and early events will be almost identical, but it will branch off as well as some scenes being rewritten. The only big change plot-wise would be that Applejack's meeting with Luna would occur at in a different way at a different time. The other big changes would be that, as I mentioned in the prior blog, the pace would be sped up (still be slower than the average story), and the characters of Rhapsody and Apache would be dropped entirely, excluding possible later appearances in the story.
I do apologize if you liked the story the way it currently is, but I do not feel comfortable continuing it on the path it's going. As I said in the blog, I've been feeling dissatisfied with how the story is going. Although I can't say exactly why I feel this way, it's been like that ever since about chapter two some weeks back. Yes, one prick's words really bit at me, but that only made the already existing feelings stronger. Rewriting the story the way I described is the only way I can get myself excited to write it again. Otherwise, it would be cancelled entirely.
I believe the reason the story wasn't working for me was because I was trying to tell two stories at once: Applejack's story, and the story I wanted to tell about the OCs. I normally would just keep writing as is since hey! It's my story, and I'll write what I want, but that thought process doesn't work if you aren't happy with "your" story. I realized far too late that Applejack's story and the OCs' story were incompatible without making some long, drawn out mass that wouldn't guarantee success. With that, All These Years is going to be Applejack's story, and a currently unnamed story is going to be the OCs' story (I don't have a date for when that will be posted, but it'll be sometime down the road).
Once again, I apologize if you wanted the story to remain unchanged, but I thank you for your support all this way. I hope you do stick around and give the revised version a chance because I believe it'll be much better.
When will it be revised? Soon. It may or may not be the next thing I work on, but it will be soon.
Thanks for reading.
Sounds good to me. I think keeping a moderately slow pacing fits with the somewhat somber tone of the story and I hope you don't speed thing up to fast. I think it is a good choice to refocus the story on Applejack and split off your other ideas into another story; it will help this story stay more focused. Looking forward to the rewrite and your other stories.
Hmm. Its a bit sad, as the setup was quiete nice. And I was fond of both - Applejacks tragedy and the hint of the things around the other ponies.
You are good at characterizing ponies so you get a quick grip on them.
Its a while I read it, though - but I knew the story was a fine one.
But if you don't see a way to write the story like it is now - so its the best, if you change it to your need. You are the one, who knows in wich direction this story goes and how do you pull it the best.
So I'll be patiently waiting. Good luck and Godspeed!
For one, I'm glad to hear that this story won't be dropped entirely. I liked the idea behind it. even if I did fault the execution. I hope that the second time around provides both you and my fellow readers a more pleasing result all around.
The only thing I ask you to consider that you haven't addressed here, is time. The 20th century (and now 21st I supposed) is kind of an aberration in human history when it comes to progress, change, information, and pop culture. (See the Amelia Earhart comment I just made on the previous blog post for pop culture and national heroes.) We generate and retain more than at any point before. So part of what you need to ask is how radically Equestria has changed in the time you want to have AJ away, what the impetus for the social/economic/cultural change. Then question their view of history. (Which on the show I think is terrible; everything and everyone interesting happened 1000 years ago, with nothing of note since. It's like if nothing happened in the art world since the Renaissance. But that's more bad writing than anything else.)
You have the return set too soon (like the 70 years you have in the original) and readers will get anxious about knowing what's the same, what and who are still around. Same for the character, I'd expect; we all cling to what we know in trying times. Moved far enough ahead that it's clear that all but distant relations are dust, that anxiety in the character and the reader is quelled. Less time, less change, means more "hope" that something, anything, is still the same as what they/we knew. You don't want to tease that too long.
At any rate, best wishes with the whole endeavor, and may it prove at least as popular as the first time around.
im looking forward to reading both of these as they come out
Certainly sad to see the original go but glad you've found a way to keep the excitement for the story. I look forward to the updates.
Only question I have is whether the OC story is taking place at the same time as the AJ story. If it is I'm certainly rooting for you to find ways to intertwine them, even if it's only for select scenes. Obviously they have to work as individual works, but I do love it when reading multiple stories complement and enrich the experience of following them.
Anyway, that's about it. Have fun!
2864746 Different times.
I just read the rewritten chapters and liked the look of things so far. I did, however, notice that the romance tag is gone now. Will it eventually be back in future chapters of the revised story or was it removed because it was originally related to the old OCs?
Mind you, the romance tag wasn't the main reason I was into the original story, but I do like me some romance in most stories that I read.
Im sad. Why U Do Dis!
But I'm also happy! Mainly because the pace is being sped up.
Props to you for being able to make the tough decision on when to change a story. It was good, but rereading it I do feel as though your right about what your'e changing. Good luck. Ill be looking for the next update!
I don't mind a slow pace just not a ddddrrraggged out pace. So we'll see what other changes you made. hopefully Skylight lives in ponyville because having another town so close doesn't make much sense. Not a story breaker but an issue.
I think focus is important for an engaging story, and it sounds like the revised story will be better-focused. I'm looking forward to it!
2868748 The original romance idea was just tacked on for the hell of it, so I decided to remove it. Since I let the story write itself most of the time, romance is still a possibility but not guaranteed.
2868886 There's a few reasons why there's another town, the first of which being that I don't want Applejack seeing Ponyville right away. Then there's literary reasons like showing that times have changed or symbolizing this or blah blah blah.
2869205 but considering how close Ponyville is to the Castle it makes no sense to have a whole new town at it. it's better to have an expanded Ponville that touches the castle.
2869233 I don't think Ponyville is that close. In the first episodes, the mane six goes through a lot to get there. If say it's at least a few miles of rough terrain away. Sure, they get there in no time in later episodes, but that's because there's no need to show the long trip anymore.
That's kind of sad. I guess I'll admit that Apache is one of my favourite characters.
2869239 they never said it was a straight line. Still fairly close and depending if the timeline is still 70 years or more there are no reasons to make a new town. Despite the way they prefer living Ponyville will grow, especially if Twilight has her castle or the simple fact they restore the Royal Sister Castle would draw ponies to it. so the more logical thing is for the Castle to now be part of ponyville.
2869261 It probably is technically part of Ponyville, but is something like a district separate from the main part if town. Ponyville May or may not expand far enough to touch the castle—it's entirely what-ifs.
Nonetheless, I prefer having the new town.
2869307 we'll agree to disagree
2869199 Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.
Well this came as a surprise to me
Even though i am bit annoyed by this, i can't argue with you on this because it is your story and i am just the reader of it.
So now i need to go and read it as it updates and also wait sometime until more appears
Good luck to you!
2869320
You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, and have zero understanding of municipal politics or identity. In Missouri, St. Louis County has 91 towns. St. Louis City is NOT one of them even, it's considered its own county. The only thing dividing them is imaginary lines. St Charles? It's separated only by the Missouri River. East St. Louis? By the Mississippi.
A mile or two of Forest of Death that most ponies fear coming within a half mile of is plenty of reason to have a separate town; If ponyville expanded, it will be AWAY from the Everfree. So is cultural identity. They have their own castle, after all! So is politics. So is 'because I wanted to name the place I live in'. So is 'because I don't like law x from Ponyville'. So is 'because Ponyville town hall is too far away'.
2871541 Dude if it was that dangerous still then there wouldn't be a new town, nor a restored Castle. Now i live in the Twin Cities and they exist as so because they were founded at the same time. their be over 100 year difference between Ponyville and the new town. The most logical thing would be ponyville expanding to include the castle. heck another story leans this way as well. from all episodes it doesn't seem to take THAT long to get to the castle so again more likely expanded Ponyville.
2871586
Except that the castle is in a clearing of substantial, indeterminate size that apparently has no significant foliage behind it, next to a cliff, across which leads to the everfree. A clearing big enough to build a town with a large boundary around it. It's not unreasonable to think that a small contingent of guards inhabits the castle and patrols along the cliffside, or at least has a watch of pegasus guards to make sure no manticores fly out, either.
2871971 I think the clearing is smaller then that