Little Update · 6:41pm Jul 27th, 2015
Okay, so ya'll know that I've been updating a little less rapidly than I originally planned. That does not mean I've given up on the fic by any means, but it does hint that things will be rather slow. Which in it of itself isn't bad, yet I feel the need that I should probably clear up a few things.
First and foremost, I've added a small few details here and there. More prominently, the arcs beginning and ends on chapters. You see, I'm not making the story up as I go along. I found out the hard way that that leads to no good. That being said, I've had a beginning, middle, and end to Sweetie's Shadow since chapter 1. All's well right? Well not quite. You see, the fic will go through three story arcs.
Chapter 1-23 are arc 1, we are currently in arc 2, and arc 3 starts around chapter 35ish. Ya'll see where I'm getting at right? This is a very long fic. The last arc, and probably the darkest arc might not see the light of day for a while, yet it is the most important arc I want everyone to read because all the pieces I scattered in the first two arcs begin to fall into place. Yet, it taking so long might prove too long a wait for some.
To some, that might not be a problem, which I am grateful for. To others who enjoy a shorter more condensed fic, it might be difficult for me to keep entertained. Still, I wanted to give a formal heads up that Sweetie's Shadow is far from over. Not even half way yet.
Also, I've seen some people comment on Sombra's behavior and whether he was truly evil or not in his time as King. I can't say I made things very clear, so I understand the questions being made, so I will probably be making either a revised few chapters, or a separate medium to explain what exactly was going through Sombra's mind when he was King. Just which ever I have time for.
Last thing. Sweetie's Shadow will be getting a chapter update soon. Like, within the next for hours soon.
*gasp* An update is coming!
As for the rest of your post, I definitely agree about having a plan for long fics. When I started writing my first story, I never intended to end with 343K words.
Luckily, I did quickly begin to build an actual plan and develop arcs, just as you have. I'm glad this fic is going to be a long one though, it allows the reader to get so invested in the world the author creates, looking into every nook and cranny.
As for Sombra himself, I must confess I like the way you have portrayed him thus far; while many of his actions ruling the empire were arguably cruel and downright evil, each one can be justified and rationalised. That is the mark of a well written villain. You are writing a true villain, not somepony who goes to bed asking 'How can I do evil tomorrow?' whilst twiddling their moustache, *cough* Tirek *cough*. Sombra, at the time (his views have begun to shift throughout the story) believed he was doing what was best for the empire. Evil and good, as a wise old man once said, are dependent on our point of view. That is what makes a villain like Sombra so difficult to face and demonise, he can be both hero and villain and also neither.
I WILL WAIT TILL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH FOR THIS FIC. I PROMISE YOU THIS MUCH, DEAR NOTE.
Can't wait for this next chapter to come out.