Update Blog #7 · 12:19pm Apr 5th, 2016
So I've just found out that I've passed one of my classes for my course, I've finished most of my homework and have found a new understanding of what it means to write a good story. The thing is, after all the stress and momentum of the past week I've finally had a chance to sit down and think about what I want to write next.
After Shy Victor's rather underwhelming reception and the mediocre reviews of 'Hearth's Warming Eve in Canterlot.' I find myself realising that I can't seem to produce a piece of work that isn't rated as just average. I want to do better. I want to write stories that give people new perspectives, that make them feel certain emotions, that inspire them.
I've been writing fanfiction for years now, well..four to be exact and what do I have to show for it? One account of which I've abandoned entirely and eight little stories that are...just ok.
Then I look at 'Why Princesses Don't Bake.' Which is by far my most popular and highest rated story. To be honest, that was a little piece of fluff that took five minutes to write and the idea only came to me when I saw the artwork by Jowybean. I have no idea what people saw in it, sure it was a fun little comedy but it had no substance.
Perhaps, it is time I wrote something longer than one chapter. Maybe I just need to think further than 3,000 words. I think its time I wrote my first chaptered story. It could be dramatic, poetic or even mysterious. Nothing too long, maybe five or more chapters. But I think it would be nice to have a go at something a little more challenging.
What do you guys think? What do you want to see in a multi-chaptered story? Are there any characters or settings you would like to see me write about?
I'd love to hear what you think.
- A
Of the stories I've read and edited, I feel as if you have a good handle on Fluttershy's characterization. There's just the two stories with her, I know, but between her and your ability to depict a detailed scene, I could imagine you writing an adventure for her – probably in some far-off woods, maybe beyond the Everfree. This is to say I'd love to see you write something that draws on world-building and character-development, even if it's just a short novella. And it could be with any character, mind you – I just like the potential I see with Fluttershy in your writing ability and understanding of her.
I do know you mentioned at one point you weren't comfortable with the idea of writing a chapter piece? If that's still the case, don't let ratings guilt you into feeling this is a necessary approach; this far into the fandom's lifespan, a lot of new stories that get high ratings either come from people who have followers dating several years back, or from click-bait titles with superfluff content. That's not to say quality fics can't still get notoriety, like this one fic that was the highest-rated on the site for several weeks at the end of 2015. It's just to say that there's a preference toward certain types of content, and a lot of times the good stuff just flies right under the radar.
But if you're seriously interested in going beyond the one-shots, then I'd love to see how it plays out. I think given the time, patience, and lack of a strict deadline
, you could come up with something pretty rich!
What kind of story do you want to write? Looking back at your work, you seem to enjoy contemplative, slightly melancholy character pieces. It's hard to turn that into an epic saga. Maybe a multi-chapter story about one of the Mane 6 set in the future, after they've settled down and had a family (or not settled down and had a family)?
I'm on the fence here, because you seem to do well when your stories have a tinge of sadness to them, but I personally prefer stories that are fairly happy, so what I want to read and what you would most enjoy writing are not the same thing.
I have noticed that a lot of writers I know show noticeable increases in their quality after they write big stories, but the important thing is you enjoy yourself the entire time.