Future Plans and Writing! Also a question. · 4:33am Sep 2nd, 2015
Hi all!
So, it has been almost a year since I finished Hopes and Follies. When I first made it, it was because I wanted there to be a Trixie story out there that involved her being an Alicorn that went beyond the end of the story. Sadly, I am still at the end point of most Alicorn Trixie stories. So, it's time to work on changing that.
This week, I have started working on the sequel to Hopes and Follies. It is still going to be a bit in coming, but I just wanted to let you know it is in the works. This week I am working on the storyline. I am hoping to have about two chapters out by the end of the year. Kinda sad to say that that may not happen, but I will endeavour to make it so.
Plans are as follows:
1. Storyline for the sequel.
2. Griffon Empire chapter.
3. Edit the original story.
4. Griffon Empire Chapter.
5. Write first chapter.
As you can see, I am going to fix up Hopes and Follies a little, add in a few scenes, and most likely do a few light alteration to bring it past Tirek's invasion as opposed to before. I plan to try to add in a few more Fluttercord parts so people are not so shocked at the inevitable betrayal scene. Any thoughts on issues that story had are appreciated and will be taking under consideration during the re-writing. That will happen in a month or two, so, if you want it as it is, save it. 
And now for the major question I have to ask. I was considering putting a few...umm...erotic scenes into this one so long as they seemed appropriate. But, not sure if I should be making the sequel mature when the previous one is rated teen. Any input is appreciated.
I would prefer it be kept teen. While I would still read it if you decided to go the mature route I don't think an escalation in rating would behoove you in any way. So unless you feel strongly about these scenes I would recommend against it.
The funny thing is I was thinking about this story just the other day and hoping it would continue soon. Looking forward to your work and don't worry too much about how long it takes. Your chapters were always worth the wait.
Some people feel offended by the sheer existence of adult material for MLP, that's true, others - like dangerbrony, obviously - just prefer the teen rating. I've seen different writers attempt to avoid that issue in different ways and the solution I think was the smartest and probably easiest one:
Write your teen-rated story, write those chapters with mature content, upload them in a different 'story' marked as an extension to the main story. So whenever someone reaches that point in the main story, where things would get steamy, there's a little note at the end of the chapter, with a link to the extension - with that, it's the readers choice if he wants to read steamy stuff or not.
Sex a completely natural part of daily life - or not that daily for some, I guess. It's not about fluffy cuteness and telling each other how much one is in love all day. So I'd like to see you attempt such a scene. I'd like that, jupp.
And before I blabber even more - have a nice day!
Glad to hear your going to continue hopes and follies. Which is currently one of my favourite Trixie stories. About the erotic scenes I'm not really sure if that's the approach you should go for. The strength of your story was inner conflict all the characters had along their emotions that drive them. Which was fear in a very realistic way. Love it self was more the undertone and motive that may caused it but all the characters action were driven primarily on fear. That's what made your story so great.
In the sequel I would be more interested if it would focus on insecurity. Trixie has gained her goal but now what? By now as shown in your spin off story "A Moment Among Mirages " Trixie can't seem to be travelling show magician and is constantly brought in helping fellow ponies as that's expected in society what Princesses suppose to do. Everyone comes into a moment of their lives that they are faced with great uncertainty. That we wonder about the past choices we made, the bridges we have burned and what our future shall be.
This doesn't count only for Trixie but for Discord and the other princesses as well. The later are also unsure what to do next, what's the wise step to be taken? Which is many things. Should they track her down and confront her or should they let her approach them on her own? And beside the approach how should they actually deal and treat her? Imprisonment, banishment, Communal service, etc? Maybe they won't give any punishment at all and are more insecure about the same thing as Trixie what her role will be in pony society. Twilight and Cadance have both been trained to become great leaders, but Trixie never received such training. That alone is actually a sever threat. How about the Canterlot nobles. How will they react when they learn there is again a new Alicorn. Celestia had given some reasons why it wasn't wise to make new Alicorns and this was one of them. Let's face it from 1 Alicorn going to 5 within 10 years is a great diminishing of their political powers. This may even anger such a huge number of them they can decide to revolt causing a civil war.
Discord himself is also facing his own insecurity about the future. Even if he captures Fluttershy then what? Will he chancer her back to normal or not? Even so what then? What for future can they have with each other?
But if you really want to add erotic parts may I suggest you make that a separate book? Not all of us enjoy such stories. I mean that in main story you only hint or vaguely tell the characters go make love and then in the other book you give greater detail of each scene where the love happened. That way you can actually please a wider audience.
As for your ideas of chancing "Hopes And fillies." The parts about making it more cannon like. Such as Twilight living the castle rather then her Tree house. Yes do that. Adding more love moments between Discord and Fluttershy the lessen the impact of the betrayal. I really wouldn't do that. Right now as the story is. It's just perfect because it's so hard to see the betrayal coming when you read the 1st time while the subtle hints are there. So when it happens your not only in shock but you realize that not only has Discord tricked Trixie but you as reader as well. It's actually the build up the betrayal that I consider "Hopes And Fillies" as one of the best Trixie stories out there. Any chance in that regard for my opinion would only make the story worse.
I've nothing against mature, especially if you feel like it would fit the story better. I do hope you don't plan on sexualizing Discord, however, because that is one character who seems to be beyond sexuality, if you will.
Oh boy "Hopes and follies" is finally going to get a sequel. I had the itch to reread it for a while and now with the changes you're going to do I'll do it for sure. As for the mature content, I don't mind it and agree with 3364584 . If you still have some doubts about it you have different oprions, for example you can mark the chapter mature and avoid any story progression in it or do two versions of the same chapter, one as you planned it and one without the sex scene. In any case I'll be eagerly waiting the story.
As has been said, if you think it adds to the story in some way, do it. If you feel that it doesn't have any driving purpose to the story, don't. I've read some great stories whose downfall was sex scenes that felt forced and did nothing for the overall story.
you could do like merlos the mad did the story proper is teen but have another story with the steamy chapters outside and a link in the author notes
Nice to see that you're going to get back to "Hopes and Follies". Hope to read it soon
Personally, I have yet to read a story where Intimate scenes can't be alluded to rather than being graphic. And I especially don't care for the idea of reading a sequel of a different rating that the parent story, but I'm just an avid reader, not a writer. What do I know?
--Spade
Teen pls
And I only ask for teen seeing as how your last mature story wasn't your best. Do what must be done though I'll read it either way.
I'll be patiently waiting for more stuff