Fractured Sunlight is now complete. · 6:49pm Feb 15th, 2016
Fractured Sunlight is now marked complete, and all twenty-five chapters have been uploaded to fimfiction.
For all of you who have had the story sitting on your read later list, now’s your chance to binge the whole thing in one sitting, without having to deal with any of those pesky cliffhangers I made everyone else suffer with.
Now is also the time to like/follow/subscribe, to write your reviews or draw your fanart or do your fic readings or write up a TvTropes article or whatever else.
Or none of that. If you enjoyed reading the story half as much as I did writing it, then that’s enough.
Below the break is my retrospective on Fractured Sunlight, as well as my musings as to what is coming in the future.
I will also be answering any questions you have about the story. (Or anything, really.)
It all started in December of 2014. I had just finished publishing the Heart of an Author, and was still reeling from the high of finishing. (Incidentally, if the idea of a metafictional murder mystery tickles your fancy, you should check it out.) Rainbow Rocks had just come out, and the stinger with Science-Twilight intrigued me. Who was she, really? In what ways did she differ from the Princess Twilight we all know and love?
Then the idea struck me. I’d seen fics before that posited that the human Sunset was dead. I’d seen fics that had it so Human Sunset and Science Twilight knew each other in some way, usually with Sunset being a bully of some sort.
But why not both? The idea that Twilight and Sunset used to be friends, that Sunset died, and that later, Twilight would meet up with the pony Sunset, freak the fuck out, then fall in love. It was deliciously evil drama, and I cackled like a madman for thinking about it. I wrote it down in my idea folder as “SunLight tragedy porn.”
I shared the idea with my brother, we shared a few laughs, I mused on it some more, discussed how to actually take an idea like that seriously. I quickly had a sketch in my head of how the first three chapters or so would play out, and then was consumed to write it, knowing I had just committed myself to another huge project.
This time, I would finish it first. I learned a lot while publishing Heart of an Author serially, but more importantly I now had enough of the follower base to guarantee at least a few readers, and I wasn’t flying blind.
Plus, I knew the idea was feature box gold. I’m rather quite amazed nobody had this idea before me, and more importantly, that nobody else had the idea during the ten months it took to write the whole thing and then start publishing.
Maybe about by the time i hit chapter five or so I had a pretty good idea of where I wanted the story to end. I toyed with the idea of having an external conflict at first, maybe Discord or someone messes with them, gives Twilight a chance but also a choice to choose between the new life she’s built or going back and changing things, that sort of thing. I eventually decided on the much more mundane internal conflict, revolving around worries about the future. It became much more fleshed out and concrete as the story went on of course, but even back then I knew that for everything I had planned, I’d probably hit somewhere around 20-25 chapters.
I feel like I should mention that timeline wise, this was still back in early January.
A good story needs good coverart. After shopping around a bit, I decided on Kare-Volgin to do the cover, and damn, that was a good choice. I absolutely love the cover, and I feel like it captures the essence of the story almost perfectly. A lot of people have compared it to Bridge to Terabithia, which I honestly have no reference for because I’ve never read it.
Around the time I was writing chapter 13, the image popped into my head of Sunset and Twilight as kids with the frogs. It was sickeningly adorable, and I wondered if I could get it drawn. I stumbled across Zorbitas, and noticed that her art prices were criminally low for someone so talented. And immediately took advantage of that by commissioning said picture.
After it was said and done and she did a wonderful job, I thought about it more. Her prices were so low, she was essentially charging $1 for a sketch. I could essentially offer her $25 to illustrate the entire fic. An absolute steal.
I offered her 4x that, then paid the same amount again when all was said and done. I still don’t quite feel like I’ve paid her enough. The pictures were all wonderful, and added a rather poignant charm to the whole story. I know you all have certainly enjoyed them, so it was worth every penny.
(Note that she has since raised her prices to be more reasonable, at my suggestion.)
Fast forward to July, and my pre-readers and editors get to work. Not quite fast enough, since the specter of Friendship Games loomed ever close. No matter what, I wanted to start publishing Fractured Sunlight before FG launched, so that way I didn’t have to mark it as AU.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. It’s been one hell of a ride.
The Future
This probably why all of you are really here, right? I’ve seen enough comments to know what question is all on your minds.
Will there be a sequel?
The only answer I can give to that is a weak “maybe.” I have some vague ideas on what I could possibly do for a sequel. It’d involve a more external conflict, since I feel like I’ve significantly milked all of the internal drama for Fractured Sunlight, and there’s not quite enough left to fuel an entire new story. That being said, I don’t know if it’s ever something I’ll ever actually have the desire to write. If I do start, I’ll be sure to let you all know, but until then, you’ll have to accept Fractured Sunlight as it stands.
What comes next?
Well, I certainly haven’t stopped writing. I have two new one shots, both involving everyone's favorite human Sunset Shimmer, that I plan to release next Monday and the following Monday after that. I’m still hard at work on Love Twiangles 2, and if I stop slacking off and playing videogames, I might be able to get that out in a reasonable timeframe as well. I have half a dozen one-shots that I’ve never published, and may get around to polishing those up.
I don’t know what the next long idea that will strike me will involve. It takes a rather special idea to grab me to the point where I’m willing to say to myself, “yeah, I’m willing to spend the next 10 months working on this.” But whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be a doozy.
Questions
Feel free to ask me anything* about Fractured Sunlight, or any of my other stories. Or anything else, really, though I can’t promise I’ll answer.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
Notes
Here's an imgur gallery so you can see every chapter picture at once.
*The one question I’m sure many of you have that I won’t be answering is “how does Sunset and Twilight’s relationship end up working out?” I have my ideas on how things play out in the future, but I’ll be keeping those cards close to my chest in case I decide to change my mind if I write a sequel. Sorry.
Heh heh heh.... It's done. I'm sad to see it go, but hey. Sometimes, you can't even save the best things. After all, Summer doesn't last forever.
Bravo.
This story was incredible.
One question- If you do happen to make a sequel, would Sunset and Twilight be married? Or would it just take place like two months after this. Imagine an opening for a sequel where Sunset and Twilight are getting Married two years later, with Shining Armor crying in the background.
3756290 I was more imagining a sequel where Twilight does eventually take up Sunset on going back to Equestria, after their relationship has developed 'off-camera', as it were, for a few years while they made a life for themselves on Earth.
I think there would be a lot to explore in that regard, such as seeing how their relationship has changed over the years between each story, as well as how their transition to Equestria on a more permanent basis affects their relationship, Sunset's reintegration to Equestrian society, further reconciliation with Celestia and the revitalized relationship (and possible tension) that results from that, as well as human Twilight diving headfirst into Equestrian culture and learning everything she could get her hooves on.
All-in-all, this story has been an absolute blast to read, start to finish. You have some wonderful writing talent, Oroboro, and I'm looking forward to what you come up with next. I'll be keeping my eye on you from now on.
Fractured Sunlight is sure a hell of a story!
Good job, man!
I only have one thing left to say to you, my friend.
I must admit I felt at some point that this felt like the first 'chapter' in a multific saga for Sunset and Twi. While there was some drama, it wasn't all that intense, I could say? Any real conflict, however that shapes itself to be, would've been in a sequel. This blog however pretty much shoots that idea in the foot.
That isn't to say it wasn't good! I definitely loved it. Just felt the stakes could've been higher, at times? If that makes sense.
Also, it was missing AppleDash, to make it perfect!Definitely looking forward to more SunLight from you :)
I'd pay a high price for a physical copy of this story. It's really good.
This was one wild ride.
Oh, wow. Seeing all of the chapter images together like that... It feels like a perfect encapsulation of the story's highs and lows. Zorbitas really knocked it out of the park.
As for questions, the biggest one in my mind is how the scientific community reacted to Twilight's paper on actual, demonstrable, reproducible magic. Kind of a big deal, especially given how she can load it with enough proof to reach the point of irrefutability.
3756597 I could probably give a better answer to that if I had any actual knowledge on how science publishing works. There's a reason I kept that stuff vague.
That being said, while it doesn't come up much in the fic, I've been running under a headcanon that Earthquestria is basically saturated with low level magic phenomena anyway, just that the vast majority of it has already been explained through the scientific process. (The sunburst rose is a perfect example.) Strange and fascinating things pop up every so often, and are eventually thoroughly dissected and understood.
I'd say that Twilight's paper is accepted with some skepticism, but praised for it's thoroughness and those that read it express a desire to see it replicated in a more practical results. A large part of this is simple due to the nepotism bump from Twilight's father, who is a professor and good friends with a lot of scientists at top universities.
Twilight goes on to build a device (a glove) that allows to harness the energy of "harmony magic" and exert that force into the physical world via basic levitation.
Congratulations on finishing!
3756613
I'm sorry, I read "magic glove" and I immediately thought of this.
Also, the low-level but nonzero magic would explain things like human cutie marks. Makes sense to me.
Congratulations on finishing. I have to admit, once it got fluffier, I didn't feel as strongly about the story as I did before. But I still enjoyed it for what you made it, and what you want it to be is more important than what I wanted it to be. Good luck with your future works.
Thank you for the great fic, good job planning it and keeping on a steady update schedule, that was one of the best things about it too. And the artist you found did an excellent job of providing images for your story, that was just another highlight of each chapter. While I would be interested in reading more of their lives (like if Sunset ever does decide to head back to Equestria, or if the mirror gets fixed to allow more frequent travel), I think this story feels pretty complete as is.
Just curious, I'm not saying you should, but any interest in writing a serious Sunset and Princess Twilight story? There's Love Twiangles (and a sequel to that is in the works? Yay!) but that was more parody/comedy than serious. Have seen many Sci-Twi and Sunset stories since even before FG, but overall just glad to see more Sunset Shimmer stories. Looking forward to more Sunset stories from you too.
I'm looking forward to read this!
3756915
Honestly no, probably not. If I ever need casual SunLight in a story, Sci-Twi is so much more convenient and doesn't require a lot of excuses as to why Princess Twilight would be hanging out in humania.
That could always change if I get an idea that calls for Princess Twilight, but as a ship I feel like it's already been pretty thoroughly explored in fanfic.
That being said, I do have a vague desire to try and write a bunch of stories shipping Sunset with every member of the humane 6.
Gotta taste the rainbow.
More Sunset shorts, eh? You've earned yourself a follower.
3756929
Ok, thank you for the clear answer, was just wondering. Though that idea of Sunset dating the rest of the Humane Six sounds fun too. Well, as long as there is more Sunset, I'm more than happy to keep reading and following.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I've been watin for this.
I can relate.
3756831
I'm kinda on the same boat. I feel like some of the tension/drama got lost maybe, idk.
Oh lawd, is this what I think it is?
3757202 Sunshyne boogaloo.
On the same night as Salvation, too! My watch list thanks you! :D
Any good album suggestions?
3757226 man pretty much the only music I listen to these days is remixes of video game music by youtube artists.
so uh, have some of that, I guess.
who am I kidding this isn't even a remix
I wouldn't mind seeing Sunset and SciTwi going to Equestria to live for a "study abroad" period. Could be a series of oneshot slice-of-life chapters with things like SciTwi getting used to her equine form (for a long haul), both of them meeting their friends pony counterparts, Sunset working things out more with Celestia, stuff like that. I am a bit of a sucker for those kinds of stories.
In any case, great job on this. I usually don't read stories tagged Sad, but I am glad I did with this one.
3756423
I agree. Need more SunLight.
And one can never have enough AppleDash.
I really hope you do produce a sequel to Fractured Sunlight because it was clearly the start of something larger.
Omg I love this story so much! Can I translate this story and share it on my blog? I'll credit you and the others and provide a link back here.
3757543 If you really want, you're welcome to, though I feel like I should probably inform you that someone already beat you to a Chinese translation.
There's a Korean one, too.
I got asked about Russian and Polish, but I never saw the result so dunno if they followed through.
3757557 That "茧茧女王" is me. I'm SO SO sorry. I'm sorry that I've been translating and posting your work with out your permission. I was kind of ...well, too shy to ask. I'm not good at expressing my feelings in English, but I want you to know that I'm very sorry.Do I still have the permission to translate your work?
3757989 Hah. I considered that possibility.
But it's totally fine, keep up the good work. I keep tabs on it occasionally, mostly to read the poorly google translated comment section. And am also amused by the stuff you need to explain in footnotes because of cultural differences.
Incidentally, in chapter 3, you have a footnote explaining the reference to "MyStable" as a reference to this British horse sim game that apparently exists, but it's actually just a horse pun on the now mostly defunct social networking website MySpace. The same pun is used in the Equestria Girls Holiday Special 2014 comic.
3758001 Thank you.I actually noticed the whole mystable thing when I was reading the remaining chapters, but I forgot to corret it.From now on there will be about a week before I have access to my computer again,I'll correct my mistake then.
Any thoughts on, instead of doing a direct sequel, doing a fic in the same time line abiut a different couple?
3758273 Although I like to secretly pretend that all of my fics that don't directly contradict each other take place in the same universe, there wouldn't be much point in doing so explicitly. The core of Fractured Sunlight is Twilight's situation and her relationship with both Sunset's. Writing a story where that happened in the background doesn't gain anything new with that setting over just setting it in canon EQG-world, and would only serve to alienate potential new readers.
This story.
I loved it. It's going on my favorites list. However, you owe me a new box of tissues. Everything worked out well, the scenarios and instances that certain key events happened was nice, and overall, it was an amazing story. After my hesitance at reading such a sad story was removed, I truly enjoyed it.
My only qualm with it was the pacing of Twilight's overall acceptance, however. Then again, I am a psych major, so things like this are hard to get perfect with me, but I just thought I should mention that the overall pacing between Twilight's first meeting with pony Sunset, to the escalation of them becoming just friends felt a bit rushed. Psychologically speaking, it just wouldn't be probably that it would work like that in real life. I mean, psych isn't an exact science, and it could have possibly worked out that way, but I just feel there could be a bit more too it.
The rest of the pacing was nice, and some real elements such as Sunset's desire to return home were amazing. This panned out to be a wonderful story, and it has definitely inspired some of my own work from this point forward.
(But really though, a whole box of tissues is like $2... what if I catch a cold later?)
Brohoof /)
This story....
Where to even start....
This has been one of the most wellwritten, emotionally, wonderful stories I've read on this site.
If I would classify it on a chart of 1-10, with 10 being on par with My Little Dashie, Fallout Equestria and Past Sins.
I would give it a solid 8.
Job well done sir, job well done.
This was such a great story! I was actually crying by chapter one. The only other novel that hit me so hard early on is The Road, and that is most certainly one of the highest compliment I could give a writer. With that said, I do feel that the story got somewhat uninteresting once Twilight and Sunset hooked up, but certain plot point, like visiting EQG-Sunset's grave and the beach trip, keep the story going when I thought you'd run out of steam. I especially enjoyed reading the chapter Perspectives when you went into the head of the human-6, thought that was especially well done.
Since I'm here anyway, I'd like to gush about The Heart of An Author. It's easily one of the best books I've ever read, and the title is literally perfect. It was just so innovative and amazing and all the different twists and turns just blew my mind. My favorite bit is when Twilight goes inside of Fluttershy's novel and talks to Rarity. If I'm remembering correctly, there's a scene when Rarity is gushing about the upcoming wedding. Twilight gets disturbed by how life like she is because she knows Rarity is going to die later in the story, so she disconnects herself and goes back to the chessboard. That line about how not even the greatest painter in the world can replicate reality will stick with me for the rest of my life. As a writer myself, I can empathize with the struggle to capture reality and stick it onto paper, but there's only so much we can do. Not only was that scene truly amazing, but everything leading up to that moment was just brilliant. Having Twilight read a fictional book for the whole time, but then having her entering it as a literal, tangible reality, and then saying that line... wow. Thank you for touching my soul, Oroboro. Thank you so much.
3769610 Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Although if you liked Heart of an Author that much, you may wish to check out what inspired the crossover, Umineko No Naku Koro Ni. (When the Seagulls Cry) It takes awhile to get going, but it's worth every minute of this 150+ hour youtube playlist that covers all eight games.
3769685 It sounds like a heavy investment, but I don't really have a choice now that you've given me a direct link. I'll definitely check it out! It must be something to have inspired such a great story. Thanks dude :)
If you haven't read 'Bridge to Terabithia' yet you should. It's fairly short if I recall 5th grade english class correctly and pretty depressing. In my opinion it mirrors the initial premise, where Twilight was friends with Sunset and then lost her, pretty well. Right down to Sunset not being a prim, proper girly girl if my memory serves. Two friends, out hanging out somewhere slightly adventurous/dangerous/out of the way and then one day the one of them slips and ends up dead. You'll understand why people might initially compare the two.
3756613
Your cutie mark on Twilight is more of a segway into the rose being a scientific thing in both worlds rather than there being inherent magic in the EQG world. I suspect the scientific community would simply consider it as potential additional fundamental force if they couldn't find a way to disprove it.
3756929
The trick is that Princess Twilight doesn't need to be hanging out in 'humania'. For starters, Sunset just returning to Equestria could solve that problem. Which your Sunset already professes a long-held desire to do anyway. The biggest issue is the same as the one here, why the heck do Twilight/Sunset end up together? In this story there is a past connection to Sunset's alternate universe self to draw them together. That's far more compelling than picking two mares and insisting they like mares instead of stallions for the purpose of shipping them.
3902681
There's a lot already in place in canon as fuel to bring Twilight and Sunset together. They're both magical prodigies, both former students of Celestia. Likely, Sunset was originally meant to be the element of magic. They're good friends, have been through a lot together, and have a lot in common. Extrapolating romance from that is pretty easy, all things considered. It's a completely different dynamic than SciTwi.
That being said, having Sunset return to Equestria (from the perspective of telling an interesting story) runs into a few problems, namely in that it leaves the humane five out of the story. Sunset doesn't know the pony mane 6, and has no connection to them whatsoever.
3908079
When I said 'together' I meant in the romantic sense. What you describe are foundations for Friendship not romance. If you can't see things that way, we'll have to agree to disagree. If they were opposite sexes then the odds would be better imo, but still pretty thin. Making romance happen wherever you want it to is "pretty easy", you know by declaring it so, but that doesn't make it sensible or plausible. -- I suppose it depends on how far one sees the parallelism going.
I really want to see some of the reactions to Twilight publishing her paper. Any chance you can give us some reaction shots or a general rundown? I mean, it's literally magic.
I just binge read this (it's now 130 I the morning lol) and all I can think is how much I wish this had a fill sequel and a movie adaptation! Freaking amazing!
This still true a year later? Just read it all today, was an excellent story. Would love to know how things end up in the end, or if you're still mulling over a sequel. Cheers.
4407830
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Try discovering this two years later and finding out that there probably won't be a sequel (because there's a year old comment the author hasn't answered yet
4839797
I don't have plans to do a sequel to Fractured Sunlight at this point, no.
For me it's a matter of "Does specifically setting a story to be a sequel to Fractured Sunlight instead of just setting it in the mainline EQG canon offer something unique and interesting?" The core thread of FS is Twilight dealing with her trauma, and I'd hate to just rehash that again. But at the same time, any other story I'd want to tell about them as a couple doesn't really need to have the traumatic backstory of FS to inform it.
That being said, I am 80k words or so into a Sunlight Sci-fi adventure coming of age story, which will probably be ready later this year, so look forward to that.
HuzzaH!
Ten months? Try never getting past the first arc of a story in four years.
Every time I open the Tales doc I feel a little shitty when Google informs me the last edits were made like 3-4 months before the current time I open it.
I'd sure love to see a sequel but the chances are likely very very slim.