Stellar Q&A

How did you come up with the idea for Stella?
Stella was my first OC, made when I first joined the herd (in 2012). She originally was going to be in a comic strip, with OC's from my brony group. (Mostly girls, but they liked the term brony better) Her style was completely different, but her mood has always been fluttershy-like. Not to Fluttershy's extreme, but shy nonetheless. She originally was sand-colored, or golden (I recycled that idea to her best friend Chimera). Her hair was extremely long and untidy. It was almost touching the ground when she was standing, and was always unkempt.

She then morphed, with time and General Zoi's Pony Creator. Her 2 different colored eyes came around when I was more dualistic with my own personality (Brony sensitive guy contrasted with jock jokester man). Her coat became silver and her mane white (and looks like she actually brushed it). At first I added blue streaks for a while, but then when I accidentally changed it to pink when making the poses for the story pictures, I simply kept it.

What about Chimera Evergreen?
She is honestly my favorite. I was always going to go with a bubble-gum mane, because it would fit her bubbly personality. She is meant to contrast her close friend Stella. Chimera is outgoing, loud, and friendly, whereas Stella is laid-back, quieter, and shy. Chimera was always seen as a Pinkie-type, but her scrumptious hair and youthful nature made me mix her with some Sweetie Belle.

Where did you get the idea for the parents?
At first, the mom was going to be the talkative one, and the dad was the "Big Mac" quiet type. It was reflecting my own parents (intentional or subconscious) but I decided to make the dad the talkative one, because he owned a mane salon. Stacey, the mom, is a caring nurse because of my own mom being the exact same. So, instead of my parents opposite personalities, I'm making Stacey and Buford both be talkative. Considering their daughter Chimera, it makes sense.

Why does Stella have no parents?
Erm, I actually don't know. Keep up with the making of Stellar and maybe we will find out together.

What about Stella and Chimera's cutie marks?
I created Stella and Chimera's names on their own, and then what the two look like. I didn't consider any cutie marks at the time of their creation, as they are blank-flanks in the beginning of the story. If you consider the authors' claims that ponies are named well before their cutie marks come in, and not the other way around, you can only guess that the new pony's name is more like a destiny that encourages them to pursue the cutie mark that would go along with it. That's why some aptly named ponies have an obvious cutie mark, while others don't always reflect their cutie mark. The latter simply didn't follow that encouragement, and rather found something for themselves. That being the case, you will have to read to find out more about the two sisters' cutie marks.

Spoiler for Chapter 3
In Chapter 3, how was Twilight able to join them on their quest if she's always busy?
Well in that case I employed Creative/Artistic License for my benefit. I wanted Twilight to join them, but instead of actually explaining how she would join them, I left a little room for interpretation. The brilliant mind that is Twilight figured out how she could miss those important things on her list and be able to go on the adventure. I'm not Twilight, so we can only guess she did something magical to either skimp out on her duties or find another way to have those duties finished before or while she was away. We know Twilight, she would be able to find a way. Her plan was omitted because that makes it more believable to the reader then if I tried to explain Twilight's plan.

Spoiler for end of Chapter 4, start of Chapter 5
What does Chimera's cutie mark mean?
Chimera's cutie mark is a scroll. Chimera shows excellency in the "Mythology" on Equestria. The scroll is representing a bestiary of sorts, recognizing her ability. I put quotes around Mythology for two reasons, the first of which is because myths in Equestria aren't the same as here. Myths in Equestria are seen every day, and are a fact of life for ponies like Twilight, or Daring Doo. I also quoted it because the writing on the scroll is greek for "myth."

Spoiler for Chapter 5
Why does Stella have to travel to find the constellations?
Stella has only talked to each constellation once. She remembers her vivid dreams when she looks up in the sky, and it comforts her. For the story's adventure sake, I came to the conclusion that she isn't actively able to meet them in dreams again. So, yes, it would have been easier for her to talk to the constellations about harmony in her dreams, but she got her cutie mark for taming the stars that live in Equestria; so I went with that adventure instead.