May
15th
2015
Friday Musings · 2:10pm May 15th, 2015
Hello everyone! It is another Friday and since I'm not running a side story I thought I'd do a blog post as content. Every once in a while I like to discuss my writing process and/or take questions. I think today I'll do a little of both.
Question Topics
Today I'm more than happy to discuss Grammar, World Building, Character Development, and Planning. Feel free to ask any questions regarding those topics.
Characters At The Mic
I'll also be taking in character questions for Silent Knight, Sunny Day, and Iridescence.
As a reminder, you can always ask Silent Knight in character questions on Tumblr.
So, Sunny, I have to wonder, how much do you and Soarin' tease Azu in the mornings now that the three of you are together?
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Soarin isn't much of a teaser. He is too polite for that. Now me on the other hoof, I like to see Azurite blush. I think it is about the cutest thing possible. Typically I talk loudly about the three of us when we walk to the palace together and she tries to hide. It is adorable! If I can, I also sneak in little noses and touches at work. Of course I have to be careful not to mess with her career.
Throughout your first story, Memoirs, Silent Knight developed a lot of character due to the circumstances and events that happened to him and around him. However before and after his serious incident in the griffon empire he underwent a much steeper character change in a short amount of time. Is this because of the traumatic event or are there other reasons behind this? On this note do you think the first story or the second, Secrets, will have more character evolution and change?
Also a question for Iridescence: What is the funniest thing you have ever seen Winterspear do?
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Lieutenant Silent Knight,
I completely understand your desire for vengeance with Alastair, but it seems that the political climate and the powers that be are not in favor of your crusade, however right it may be.
You have a beautiful opportunity with Crystal, a job that you love, and a great deal of respect and admiration. Have you thought about all that you are risking with your crusade?
Are you target fixated?
3071011 The goal from the onset was for Silent Knight to grow from a really rigid, closed off pony, to a pony that learned about friendship and then accepted it. Essentially a much slower Twilight Sparkle type process. That was a strong parallel I wanted. At the same time, he has some issues that are deeper that haven't all been revealed.
One of those was his deep seeded distrust of gryphons. Stratus Knight quite literally beat that into him. Going where his father went was a lot for him and that was the start of the rapid change. The change following is most certainly from the trauma. It is one thing to be a soldier and "know" that death is part of that lifestyle and another to actually deal with it. Especially after you've finally warmed to the idea of friendship.
In one short experience his fears were released, ponies he'd grown close to were killed, and he nearly didn't come back. In short, it derailed his growth which is some of what we're going to see in Secrets. He will continue to grow and/or change but not necessarily along the same path as before.
The funniest thing I've seen Winterspear do... hmm that is kind of tough. I mean we have our laughs like any couple but Winterspear is probably one of the most down to earth pegasi I know. She can be stubborn though. One time she was arguing with a vendor over the price of a chair for my place. I was fine to pay sticker but she wanted to haggle. The poor sales pony was just perplexed as she tried asking him if it would cost less without the pillows and/or with one less leg.
3071048 I'm not certain I like the implication that this is vengeance. I don't understand how everypony seems to be blind to the fact that justice is required here. A crime was committed. The worst kind of crime. The fact that I want to see Alastair brought down is irrelevant to my position, relationship, and life. I'm lending a hoof to help make certain he doesn't just walk away laughing. You don't get to kill ponies and do that. Fixated? Somepony needs to be because everypony else is just mucking around halfheartedly.
3071095 (Excellent in character response, BTW)
With all due respect, Sir.
You are not a Cop. And if you were, the Gryphon Kingdom is not your juristiction.
If you have to sneak around to do something, that is a good indication that you are not in the right.
3071108 Every royal guard is a defender of the law. Just because my duties place me primarily in a protection detail doesn't mean I ignore the other aspects. Would you have me ignore a thief in the market if I saw the crime simply because I'm not a city guard? Nonsense. Your point is well made about jurisdiction but we have friends there that I intend to help and that requires a bit of confidentiality. We can't go about loudly discussing our secrets can we?
(Thank you ;) )
Did you ever think your story would become as popular as it is?
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Sir, I would hope that every citizen would report crime when it is witnessed. I think that is a responsibility of every citizen. That point is weak.
But you are playing on an international stage... (sigh)
Very well, Sir.
Just answer me this: If you have the opportunity to bring Alastair in alive, is that what you will do?
3071128 Not remotely. Memoirs was my first story here and I had no fan base. I believe in perseverance though. I kept at it and was rewarded. Honestly though, no. I expected an OC focused story from a no-name author to get down voted to oblivion.
3071134 Perhaps there is a slight misunderstanding between us. Royal Guards are "cops" as you say. I would not be reporting the crime as a citizen. I'm duty bound to attempt to stop it. I still concede that I have no direct influence on another nation. I have little faith he will allow himself to be brought in alive. I'm no murderer though. If he surrenders I'll honor it. Of course I'll be there when the gryphons hang him. They are far less merciful when it comes to punishments. Killing multiple gryphons alone carries the death penalty without question.
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Well Sir, Taking down Alastair doesn't seem like something that you can do alone, as I'm certain he wouldn't agree to a one-on-one with you. So where are you going to get your teammates?
3071173 I have no delusion that I'll be able to call him out to a one on one dual however romanticized that may be. I'll work through the appropriate Royal Guard intelligence channels. I've made enough friends there.
Ansel: Any further questions I have are probably going to tread to much on your story to come.
What level of reality are you aiming for? Tom Clancy? Action film? or TV serial?
Because as it stands right now, from the information I have as a reader, Silent Knight is on a suicide mission.
In reality, he would need the Equestrian equivalent of a Spec-Ops strike with State funding and backing to have a chance at pulling this off. And that means that he and his teammates would require at least a month of intensive training prior to the strike.
I don't think that you are going to have dragon-sized plot holes to pull this off, but I would like to know what to expect if you feel like sharing some of your thoughts about the Silent vs. Alastair plotline at this point.
3071143 Sadly, it's usually either that or minimal reception. :/
3071224 Bear in mind with this comment I'm not strictly directing this at you and I'm also somewhat playing devil's advocate. I actually get a lot of special forces questions and such. I don't want this to seem like I'm yelling/arguing at you personally, it truly isn't meant in that fashion. I'm trying to sort of wrap up several questions/sentiments into a concise statement.
I have no intention of going to the lengths of Tom Clancy. Equestria is inherently magical and I do not like when I and/or readers try to apply too many "human world" rules to it. Do I believe it would take a month's worth of highly intensive training to turn a person into a special forces operative for a single mission? It depends on the mission. Most of the time it would take more than that. Let's be honest, I've worked around those guys. They're typically not young. Most of them joined the military, got a lot of experience and wisdom, and then moved into those fields. The odds of a human equivalent doing what Silent Knight is doing is zero.
Does that mean I'm introducing a plot hole? No, it honestly doesn't. Equestria isn't our world. We don't know all of the rules. The laws of nature don't apply the same way. Trying to draw parallels, in my mind, is just creating barriers for the sake of fitting a round peg in a T shaped hole. Silent Knight needs to be stronger? Strength enchantment on his armor. Stealthy? Cloak of hiding. Magic invalidates our knowledge of what is required. Am I going to do that? Not necessarily, those are just examples.
Additionally, I have to look at the pacing and goal of the story. Silent Knight's issue with the gryphons is roughly 20-33% of what Secrets is about. A story focused solely on this aspect is not what I want to write. That means things will happen off camera that readers will simply have to accept. One example I will share: following being wounded, Silent Knight went on a stricter diet, started working out more, and trained so hard that he ended up stronger, faster, and healthier than he was before. That was by intention.
I've got a fairly good map for how I plan to work this out that is believable. Would it work in our world? I doubt it. It would, without question, end up in the deaths of the main character and anyone he took with him (assuming I'm going with some sort of operation into the enemy's territory, I'm not confirming that, this is just more devils advocating).
Will it feel right for this setting? Absolutely. I have zero doubts of that. Could it be reproduced in our world? No. Does that bother me? No. I can't fly in our world. A unicorn can't heal me or throw up a barrier. War would be very, very different if those things were true.
Essentially expect a relatively believable outcome that is not bogged down by real life special forces and special operations rules. All we really know right now is that Silent Knight has a grudge and that he is getting intelligence reports. Given that he is Princess Luna's guard commander, really close to Shining Armor, and a Celestia Cross winner that makes perfect sense to me that they'd allow him some latitude.
3071247 This is true!
3071286 To some extent, it's true of side character fics as well. Kind of hit or miss, really. Still, it's all about having fun and developing as a writer, so I tend to focus more on that
3071284
Perfectly fair response, Thank you!
I'm looking forward to how this all plays out!
Y'know what you should do Silent? Invite Ferrel to get out of the compound in controlled amounts and situations. It seems so dismal to lock herself away, even as necessary as it might be for her wellbeing. But what are friends for if not sharing with and helping each other?
I suppose that wasn't really a question.
What do you think of Velvet Step? Just, um, wondering, y'know?
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3071115
It would have been even more in-character if Silent had been surprised that anyone knew about his efforts with Alastair, and then got all defensive and evasive.
First of all i want to thank you that you have made a story where the charakters are IN the royal guard and not just some ponys who just happens to be there (There are not enough storys about the guard!)
I am interestet how these
batähm nox ponies are going to fit inAny idea how long this story is going to be?
3071366 Unless my OC is one that has some knowledge of what he is doing.
3071366 It does seem dismal but I suppose she is happy enough. I've visited her on occasion but I don't believe she builds a tolerance to ponies being around. I think the more ponies the worse it is.
Velvet? She's awesome. Really sweet, lots of fun. What isn't there to like?
3071370 I'm glad you're enjoying the story! As far as length goes Secrets is going to be 100,000 to 150,000 words.
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That's why I was suggesting controlled outings. Maybe renting out a place near the compound and holding a small game night nearby so Ferrel can attend once or twice. Holding a small get-together at a nearby park when you know (or arrange for) there to be nopony else nearby. You know, situations where her ability shouldn't be too intrusive, but still where she can get a little more interaction.
You had ponies drag you out of your own shell, so I think you'd be the perfect pony because you have a better idea how much she can and can't handle.
3071522 It isn't a bad idea, I'd have to check with her. Of course she is over a hundred years old. I'm hoping she would know better than me.
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For something completely different...
Sunny Day, what's the most fun thing you've ever done? (Others can answer at their leisure.)
Silent Knight: Why do you find Unicorns so attractive? (I apologize if this has been asked before.)
3071918 Well now sailor, typically I ask a pony to buy me a drink before asking that sort of question! I've done all sort of fun things. I think I'll keep the "most fun" to myself. On the other side of things I think one of the best times I've had was going to the beach south of Balitmare. It is an amazing place. I went on holiday there with a friend. We had a great time!
3072061 Well, that is a rather personal question but I don't mind. It is hard to put a hoof on directly. I guess I like that they're smaller and lithe. They are, in general, far more petite than most of the mares I'm around. Especially pegasus mares. There is also some attraction to that which is different I guess.
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I have the sudden urge to buy a round of drinks...
Anzel: What steps do you (and Crystal) take to ensure that your respective stories don't contradict each other?
3076389 Great question! First and foremost I write in advance of Crystal. She sees every draft before it goes out so if anything doesn't work for her she lets me know. We also coordinate on all the major events and share a very detailed timeline in a spreadsheet. Beyond that the minor details of each story are totally independent.
We do follow an agreed upon set of rules for the Quill & Blade universe.
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What are some of the major rules of the Quill and Blade Universe?
3076436 Tricky question without giving away too much. I can go over some of the basics:
1. The first and foremost is that we're not burdened by canon. We agreed on alternate universe so if our story doesn't mesh perfectly with canon that is fine.
2. We will not be burdened by fanon. There are a LOT of things that people consider "true" and get disagreeable if an author changes them.
3. We want to have some of the spirit of the first two seasons of the show in our stories. Friendship, harmony, and such.
There are a lot of others but I don't want to share them as that will likely give away too much ;D
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I really agree with that first one. Trying to gain a complete understanding of the show's world out of bits and pieces of contradictory backstory can be frustrating.
I can understand #2 as well. It's amazing how people's head cannons can become so popular that they are accepted as fact.
#3 is something to strive for as well. Most of us can agree that the show was at its best then.