Art, plans, and a teensy tiny comment/rant! · 6:30pm Aug 23rd, 2012
First things first, plans:
A side project/thing I had going is now complete, so I can focus on the main thing: revisions to Those Blue Wings. I feel that many of the early chapters are rather weak. A bit too rushed, lacking some development, if you will. I plan to fix this. Not so much a complete rewriting, but adding to what's already there. I'll be taking on one chapter at a time, but I'll post a notice when all the revisions are done too 
After that, I have an idea for another fic... which will be quite cute. If I can get a handle on characterization, that is 
Second part, the minor rant:
To new writers, or even older writers that are guilty of this: the long description box is intended for exactly that: the DESCRIPTION. Tell me what the story is about. Use flowery language, or purple prose if you want, just make it something that catches the eye, or tells us what's going on. It's what makes the reader WANT to read the story.
However, there are several things that readers generally don't want to see in there: an author's commentary. I couldn't care less if it's your "first story". If it is, chances are I'll be able to tell within the first paragraph. Something like "this is a fic about..." sections are also rather useless. Show us with the description, don't TELL us. Linking the art is also quite redundant: there's an entire section for that when you upload a story!
And definitely don't update it/change it to show a message if it hits the featured box. We want to see the story description, what it's about, so we can give it a chance and read. If you have comments to make on it? That's what the blog is for, or even the comments on the fic itself.
Keep the description clean folks. It'll get you more readers
Finally, art. My last blog post requested mood wings art... and people responded. Here's what's arrived so far 
Derpy and Twilight! I love this. Derpy's wing is draped over Twilight's back, and is touching the cutie mark on the opposite side. This, to me, seems very forward. Moreso than touching the closer cutie mark. I love it! If I ever do decide to make a sequel (I am not sure about this. Still leaning towards no), then this might happen.
Appledash. This. Is. ADORABLE. The intertwined tails, the nuzzle (oh god my heart), and then, the sneaky wing touching AJ's cutie mark. Love it! 
More Appledash. And it's amazing. The colors are so vibrant, and it captures the feeling awesomely! Dash almost looks embarassed, looking elsewhere while doing this 
Last one for now, Appledash. Their expressions are great. Rainbow is being sneaky, surprising AJ with the stroke. Aaaah !
This is awesome stuff. Keep it coming! :)
Your 'rant' is very true!
Those are some fascinating art pieces as well!
Cool advice.
(looks to see How We Met)
Oops... be right back...
oh cool are you going to link the mood wings and those blue wings together ?
oh and is the next story twilight x derpy ? pretty please make this !
My descriptions for my one shots are probably too short. Especially this last one. I think I kinda half-assed that.
I totally agree about the "My first story" thing- talk about getting defensive. If your story is good, no one needs to ever know it was your first. If it's not, you can explain that when someone points it out. Also about the "YAY I'M IN THE FEATURE BOX!" thing- I can see that. It's what I'm looking at right now.
There are a couple of things other than description I'll accept in the long description. The big one is anything you feel the need to warn for, or things that might make someone read or not read the fic, since that's often an authors only communication with their potential audience before the click. Also if there are artist or co-author or proofreader credits. Those guys deserve credit, and there's no official place to list them. That being said, I try to separate that from the description, so it's under the cut when you're viewing the story.
The long description of To Tell the Truth is an example of what I'm talking about. It's rated mature, and has sad and dark tags, but those things are pretty vague. I didn't want to "surprise" anyone who might be sensitive to the subject matter, and I didn't want people who saw the sad and dark tags to think this was an "everything is messed up forever" fic. And I wanted to make sure that if people started reading, they wouldn't be offended if later there's a sex scene for plot reasons, even if it's not a clop fic.
The warning I gave Farce of Nature was just because I didn't feel like dealing with a bunch of "THEY'RE GAY? F U!" in the comments.
Anyway, I never mind those kind of notes. I also don't mind letting me know what ship you're writing if it's not apparent from the description and tags, and I actually prefer if adult fics give warnings if they're going to try anything kinky- it saves me the trouble of reading things I find gross, and highlights the fics that I want to check out.
Just my opinions here.
Wow, that's some really cute art! You've created a phenomenon.
I have to agree with your rant, even though I'm guilty of the "commenting about the story in the long description" thingie.
306922
I am not, no! And nope, it wouldn't be a mood wings sequel. Something totally different!
than i need to find another writer who is willing to do that xD
306922
I am not, no! And nope, it wouldn't be a mood wings sequel. Something totally different!
306923
Fair points. It's just that a lot of descriptions tend to be used as authors notes, or a form of communication. Which they really shouldn't be.
I like the last one very much. You should use that one as the cover art. Sorry, I couldn't get her to make a cover art, she was busy, and I am super busy. You know, I have like 1500 dollars I have to gather, assist in making panels for my groups unicon, school, my fan fictions, proofreading for my brother, and other people, and a bunch of other good stuff. Why do I have to do so much? I'm only 17.
Anyways, I like the last fan art. Your rant is very much accurate, and if you need a handle of characterization, I have pretty good understand in that field of writing. I could tell you some stuff, depending on what you wanted to know.
306937
I do like it, but the current cover art is very fitting, I think :D
No worries about being busy. If you're still intent on seeing it done, I have all the patience in the world! Not like i wanted it immediately :P
You forgot one very important thing about the description box that drives me nuts and pretty much causes me to not even give a story a chance.
TYPOS
It blows my mind that something that is typically one paragraph or less and is the first impression of an entire work can be so sloppy sometimes.
Herp herp herp herp
<____>
I am flattered that you would feature my fanart in your blog LOL
People seem to like it a lot, I'll post it on dA so you can also clear up the credit issue mentioned in one of the first posts, haha.
*Repeats that this rant makes very good points*
Awesome fanart! If I could draw well enough for my liking, I'd make you some.
Wish you could fav blogs here like on dA.
My heart! Beep-beep.... beep.....
Don't worry, she's stable... but she has an adorablenessuponponies syndrome and will be in an AppleDash comma for the next couple of hours...
The only thing I have to say about this rant is this; It's about time somebody figured it out!
306954
Typos I can forgive, to a degree. I see your point, but they're much lower on the 'crime against writing' scale... unless it's RIDDLED with them, of course.dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl2.png
306962
306968
Part of the reason why asked, that. My artistic skill makes stick figures look like the mona lisa. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Pinkie_loool.png
306977
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Redheart_gasp.png GET HER 20CC OF APPLEDASH NOW! dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_rainbowkiss_flip.png
or two Rainbows. That works!
a whine post really?
307018
Eh. Half griping, half actually trying to give advice to writers. Seeing irrelevant comments/info in a description lessens chances of people actually reading it. And that's what writers are here for, to get things READ.
"Show us with the description, don't TELL us."
"Show us, don't TELL us."
"Show, don't TELL"
[hopefullynotoffensivesarcasm]This doesn't sound familiar, not at all.[/hopefullynotoffensivesarcasm]
307063
Ehehe :)
It's often repeated advice for a good reason ;)
307018 I have a feeling that your bush is red
that sounds like a plan Tcherno!
taek your time and study detailed your early chapters
Im sure that they willl become great!
and dawwww! X3 AppleDash pictures
hehehe wings touching flanks looks cute X3
307822
oh my
308755 e.deviantart.com/emoticons/moods/love/lust/suggestive.gif
309297 well uh i'm sure your portal is deep?
309604 Aww, thanks e.deviantart.com/emoticons/moods/love/affection/flirty.gif
310187 You're welcome stranger
311032 e.deviantart.com/emoticons/moods/love/longing.gif
312514 I appreciate the hugs but i wouldn't want to de-rail this blog comments. :-D
312756>>312514
Yes, please stop :P
312756 a.deviantart.net/avatars/o/k/okayfaceplz.png
312758 dl.dropbox.com/u/93510029/spike.png
I agree 100% with the description thing. I wish they restricted it to synopsis, not description.
Also, you should call these "Tchernoblogs"