The Gift of Words

First things first. I found it and still find it absolutely hilarious that I was able to get my latest story title to work both as a story title and an accurate description of what it is in a meta sense. Since it is literally a gift of words for a holiday giveaway drawing I ran to give back after all the incredible luck I've had recently when entering other peoples giveaways.

The winner of the giveaway was averageamazingme with my prompt being "Figured something easy, like Div exchanging gifts with Princess Luna or the like"

Another thing I do want to be straight about. This whole thing wasn't entirely out of the goodness of my heart. I haven't been able to write at all for months now. Every time I've tried I literally can't get words to screen. I've made a number of outlines, even more pitches, but nothing has gotten past that stage. I figured if I promised words that would provide the extra motivation I needed, because I'm not going to go back on my word, especially about words.

It worked, kind of. After doing some research about the subject (Div, which was quite a bit of fun) I sat down expanded my outline and... nothing. It was hard. Really hard for me to get even a single word down. It felt like each sentence was some unmovable block that I couldn't bring forth. Then it changed. I somehow got a little bit down and suddenly the words were flowing again. I did learn something important though. That advice about writing for yourself doesn't apply to me. I literally don't see the point in writing for myself, after all I already know the story. I'll have to try this method out again in the future.

Still, the mission was accomplished and words have been made.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

As always I included my rough skeleton which the story was formed from. In this case the 'Pitch' was what averageamazingme gave me as the starting point for the story.

Sogni 'Div' DiVolare – Male, Earth Pony, Enlisted pony, Married to unknown male, First Mention – The Graduate – Secrets

Pitch

Figured something easy, like Div exchanging gifts with Princess Luna or the like. Vague enough?

Beta Title

The Gift of Words

Beta Summary

Snow paints the busy streets of Canterlot white while colorfully bundled ponies frolic about. The sounds of joy fill the air even more than usual. That can only mean one thing, Hearths Warming is right around the corner.

This year Div, a member of Princess Luna's House Guard, has a conundrum. To liven up the holiday spirit in the palace the princess and her guards will be exchanging gifts. This has Div nervous, what are you suppose to get a princess who already has a kingdom?

Outline

Hearths Warming is coming up
-Snow covered streets
-Bundled up ponies dashing out
-caroling in the streets
-a faint scent of baking blanketing Canterlot
In the interest of livening up the palace PLHG and Princess Luna will exchange gifts
-What do you give a princess?
-Has a gift for Luna
Others keep trying to find out what it is, he is the only one not discussing what he is giving
-Espionage/counter-espionage
-Decoy gifts
-Silent Knight going over protective must inspect all of the gifts given to Luna for security reasons
Orders Div to do something away from the palace
-Inspect the emergency sugar reserve
-Are you kidding me?! That's a thing?
-Ever since the White Wraith incident of 289 an Emergency Royal Sugar Reserve was established.
Takes (decoy) gift to Runic for analysis (:silentknight: must be no sign of tampering I don't want my ponies to think I don't trust them)
-Measure An object no bigger than 8" by 8" by 6" could fit inside this box, unless it's bigger on the inside.
-Weigh :runic: The weight is within plus or minus a sheet of paper given average manufacturing variances.
-X-Ray It must be new stealth technology that also renders an object weightless, are you sure I can't open the box?
-Smell o Vision A faint hint of Picea asperata
What is the gift? A poem
Roll credits

Comments

[TheAmazingMe]

This whole thing wasn't entirely out of the goodness of my heart. I haven't been able to write at all for months now. Every time I've tried I literally can't get words to screen. I've made a number of outlines, even more pitches, but nothing has gotten past that stage. I figured if promised words that would provide the extra motivation I needed, because I do not break my word, not even about words.
It worked, kind of.

Nice. Glad this worked out well for both of us.

After doing some research about the subject (Div, which was quite a bit of fun) I sat down expanded my outline and... nothing. It was hard. Really hard for me to get even a single word down. It felt like each sentence was some unmovable block that I couldn't bring forth. Then it change. I somehow got a little bit down and suddenly the words were flowing again.

I was incredibly surprised at the depth of information you were able to find in such a short time. By the time I thought to send you a character bio, you'd already put together so much! Kudos, and I'm glad you enjoyed researching Div! Writer's block is such a big hurdle, I really feel you on this. Sometimes I have to walk away, take a step back and just really think about what's not working and why. It ain't easy. Again, glad this worked out for ya!

Excited to see the story. Much luv.

[T W Hoof]

3633297

That little blurb was simply a copy paste from existing info which was part of my big character listing from Quill & Blade. The fun part was quickly reading your two stories for Div stuff.

PS They should have used that multiplying force spell on the train instead of the engine.

[TheAmazingMe]

3633341 lol, then I'm even more glad you had fun reading my stories!

And yes, that would've possibly worked. There are a few kinks in that method. I think one of them would've probably thought about it in hindsight.

[nioniosbbbb]

I find it difficult to make a word output unless there's some kind of pressure and motivation keeping me. It's... kinda sad really. And I get what you mean.