Story 8 Followup · 5:59am Apr 20th, 2015
Well...that does it for Story 8 of the series. Once again, I would like to thank those readers who took it upon themselves to act as editors for me and pointed out the various errors and typos I made. Even giving each chapter at least three or four readings before I hit the publish button, I still tend to miss a few things, so thanks for your help.
Yes, I know some of you are a bit incensed that I spend months writing the story only to dole it out at one chapter a day. However, this is my preference for several reasons. For any of you who read what I wrote waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the second ever blog I wrote, I detailed some of my reasons for doing that.
Firstly, posting an entire story all at once is basically asking it to get buried in people's read-later lists. The Breaking of the Storm clocked in at over 230,000 words, which is a pretty big lump to dump in peoples' laps all at once. I am aware that many of you are loyal fans who would most likely muscle through that eventually, but it is a major chore. Just as breaking up this 150-plus chapter beast of a story into multiple stories in a series was something I felt made it more palatable to readers. I felt that breaking each story up and setting the submissions to one (or occasionally two) chapters at a time helps to keep readers from feeling overwhelmed by having a huge lump of horsewords dumped on them.
Secondly, this strategy is how I avoid one of those things that tends to peeve me the most about some stories, namely that part where an author writes a chapter of a story, submits it, you read it, you love it, and you really want to move on to the next part of the story, so you wait, and you wait, and you wait, and you wait...Sometimes its quick sometimes you wait six months for an author to finally drop the next chapter of the story on you. Fans of my other work, Fate/Twilight can probably sympathize with that feeling (sorry guys, I'll get back to it). So by making you wait while I write the whole thing out, it means that I don't have to keep you waiting once I start posting...well, except for the day I make you wait, which I know makes those cliffhangers a little less aggravating...save for the ones I just ended the story with.
The other reason I post chapters individually, a day at a time, is exposure. I don't mind admitting that it's a completely self-serving reason. I space out my chapters to maximize the number of times my story pops up on ye olde front page, which is the best way to attract additional readers to the series (once again, go back to my blog #2).
So anyway, even though the next story won't be ready for a while yet, I am happy to say that writing it is going full steam ahead for the most part. For the past few weeks, I had a bevy of free time, thanks to the fact the company I work for cut my hours like Jason Voorhees cuts through sexy coeds. For a while there, I was only working two days out of the week, which would have been awesome...if I wasn't getting paid by the hour. So I've been looking into other options for work and am currently holding a second job scooping ice cream...of all things. The pay isn't that great, but it's a living. I'm trying to get some applications through in different places, but haven't had much luck so far.
On top of all that, shortly after submitting my taxes for the last year, I swear to God I've been seeing this really tall, pale guy in a suit following me around out of the corner of my eye. Guys...I think I'm about to be audited!
Anyway...here's the basic synopsis for the next story in the series...Coming eventually....
Dark Matter
After the havoc wrought by Terra Heart's attack on Dawn Lightwing, Ponyville is in ruins. That would already be bad enough on its own, but certain other ponies do not intend to stand idly by. Twilight Sparkle must deal with the machinations of Canterlot's Noble Court once and for all, while Princess Celestia races against time to stop the plans of the enigmatic Morning Star...whatever they may be. Throughout all of this, Dawn and those who would stand and fight with him must find the strength to overcome impossible if they are to face the threat posed by Dark Matter.
Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you later.
I still prefer post chapter after it's done and edited for you.
Will Twilight ascend in this series because timeline wise you're pretty close.
Going by the sounds of it the next book will be an arc ender.
I approve of both of those reasons for why you post them the way do. I've been guilty of not updating and I would a hypocrite to complain.
I don't know if it's been asked, but do you watch A Certain Scientific Railgun? or A Certain Magical Index?
Poor coco, I fell so bad for here
2999022 Yes...yes I do. I bet you're probably thinking about where the idea for Dark Matter came from.
I haven't read the last one yet, but I got a suggestion for her...
Tell all the nobles that want he for influence over Celestial to come to a meeting at Canterlot Castle, then...
derpicdn.net/img/view/2014/5/10/622862__safe_solo_twilight+sparkle_animated_princess+twilight_screencap_magic_hub+logo_angry_spread+wings.gif
2998982
Twilight Ascending would be a pretty large spanner in the collective works of the noble court. Hell, it would reduce the "nobles to worry about" list down to pretty much just Elderflower.
2998982
funny you should mention Twilight ascend in this series I was thinking the same thing.
and I have no problem weighting for you to finish a hole story before you post it and then posting one chapter a day it maks for a more enjoyable read.
the little preview for the next story really looks good can't weight for it.
Harts Fire
Best of luck with the job and the audit!
I appreciate your attempts to eliminate the feeling of being overwhelmed. It happens a lot to me.
A pale guy in suit...?
...
, 
DUDE!!! For the love of all that's holy DON'T GO INTO ANY FORESTS TONIGHT!!!
Also I'm glad you still remember Fate/Twilight, it give me hope for it's future.
Uh.. Congrats on 1m words.. Again.. I've been hoping you'd mention it in some chapter's author's note, one that exactly crosses that milestone...
Were you posting story 5 last year's April?.. Yeah, you certainly don't have to worry about writing speed. Especially since you're working on the most intense part, take your time, you always make it worth waiting.
Very well done. I can honestly say that your writing has caught me in its spell, and has inspired me to at the very least try writing something.
I sincerely hope that you will continue writing the way you do, and at the speed you do, because if this is the result then I'm not complaining!
-CB
Oh, and Dawn?
images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/0/9/4/4/4/3/7/cymbals-courage-penguin-polar-bear-53461709994.jpeg
2999046 So that's why you couldn't talk to me! You were worrying about audits!
Sorry for bothering you. You should also think of putting out commisions for themesongs for each of the characters!
As frustrating as it might be at times to wait for the next chapter when you know it's already finished and you could be reading it Right Now, I can certainly appreciate the reasons as to why it's done this way. And for all that cliffhangers are evil and waiting can be more so, that's easily mitigated by the fact that you know the rest of the story is actually there and coming.
So I'll be eagerly waiting for the next installment of the series, and will gladly devour it one chapter at a time when it comes.
I just hope the next series finds a bit of time amidst all the action to touch upon the various relationships a bit, since those seem largely forgotten in the sea of everything else, which is a shame. I mean, Twilight/Arkenstone and Red/Applejack (and even Storm and Flitter) have been going out for what ... more than half a year at this point? (And Fluttershy/Caramel more than that). I'm expecting Cadence to star teasing Twilight about how is her little niece coming along one of these days
You know even if you posted the whole story at once I would still enjoy every bit of it and would limit myself to a few chapters a day (not leaving at cliffhangers obviously) and just enjoy it. The way you do things works great and keeps me hoping for the next day. Especially this story. Dang. Whenever Arkenstone challenged Terra I could not wait. Usually I don't sleep in and try to enjoy my time when I'm off work but that cliffhanger had me good. So great job as always at this newest story and cannot wait until the next story.
You know, i think you should incorporate Dawn's biological parents into the main story somehow. The contrast between them and Fluttershy would be interesting to see come into play, and would allow Scootaloo some time to shine if things get dicey during her coltfriend's recovery from the fight with Terra. I'm not saying that it'll happen, but some actual reason as to why they abandoned him whether it be because they're with Cult Solar or not would show readers how things really started for him. Heck, this would be good even for a sidestory, but that could be a bit late...
3030241 Oh don't worry. I have plans for them.
3030269
Heh, what if Morning Star was his brother? That'd be a pretty big plot twist, and it'd partially give credence to why Morning would even want to spare him in the first place.
3030356
Nah not his uncle. MS wants to spare Dawn for one reason, and one reason alone. Science.
We're told he puts stock in nopony, or emotions (mostly), but he loves more than anything in the entire world. Is learning something new. Dawn gives that in spades. Rare condition, always active. Check. Great skill with Pillar Martial Art. Check. Has survived, and grew in leaps in strides in what would destroy any other pony. Double Check.
I mean I can almost see his science b****r from universes away. With how hard he wants to science Dawn. That's the only reason he has any interest in the colt.
You know... I just reread this blog... and I can't help but think of a hypothesis...
What if Dark Matter is not an element/force... but rather some *sentient being who is using Morning Star to enact it's plans... since it's very likely that Dark Matter cannot act in the realm of Equestria, it's using Morning Star as it's proxy to ensure its plans come to fruition...
*Father from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist