Why After is what it is and does what it does (A little discussion thingy!) · 6:12am Aug 19th, 2016
So just recently today, while I was re-reading Regret, I came across this little gem of a comment by HeroOfTime:
(Please read to the end)I've read the rest of the chapters and the sequel (to the current chapter),and I still can't bring myself to feel bad for Rainbow Dash. We are literally never given a reason she hates the main character, and then we're just expected to understand why she acts the way she acts. To me she just came off as a notch who only felt bad for what she did because (spoilers) the guy she insulted and tormented got beaten close to death and ended up in a coma. Also (spoilers) the sequel still has no results in the cliffhanger of what he will say to Rainbow. It just drags on and on and seems to focus more on the side characters than anything. (I.e Twilight and the doctor, Swift Shadow, friends) When it's not focused on them it is focused on the slow drag through Rainbow's life after what happened, when, like I said before, I can't really bring myself to care about her. Personally I feel more for the main character, who in the sequel, gets next to no focus. I know the story's main character is Rainbow, but geez. The only info we get about him is the occasional updates on his recovery. I'm just waiting for him to wake up, but with the way it's going so far that probably won't happen for about 5-10 more chapters. The story can be improved. Personally, I would give Rainbow a reason for hating him in the previous chapters. I would speed up the story and focus a bit less on secondary characters. I'm not saying to remove them, just pull back a bit. The story isn't bad, just lacking in some areas. I'm looking forward to more.
Alright, it's time to give you all a bit of insight on everything that you have read or experienced from reading both Regret and After.
Let's narrow it down with number listing! :D
1. The reason I 'drag on' a lot of the story with the background and side characters is because we're seeing their views, their side of this whole thing - after it happened. Sure, it might be done to give you something more to read and, to some, it might just excert more le dramas. In a way - yeah, that is kinda true, but the point of this story is to show a bit of the world and the experience through the eyes of the others. Rainbow has watched someone she now cares about die twice in two months, and we are given a bit of that experience. While she waits for the day he wakes up, we see the world, the wait, through her eyes. We see the experience as Twilight tries to help, as Cobalt assists. And with Swift, the whole incident between you and him is the reason he has such a more bigger appearance in this story. What he did became a big thing, especially with Spike having survived. We see the whole thing through his view and how he plans on reacting to it. The story of After is about everypony who had been involved in your life.
2.
Personally I feel more for the main character, who in the sequel, gets next to no focus.
Well, I mean, it's kinda hard to give the main character focus when he's...you know...in a coma. :3 ---- But to be honest and truthful, it really is hard to give the main character a lot of focus. Most of the time that you've read so far, he's in a coma. When you're given that, that's really all you can write about. Talking about his recovery and issues is, truthfully, all I can write about until he eventually wakes up.
3. About the cliffhanger-...I'm actually confused on that part. If someone can quote the exact cliffhanger for me, I'd like that. Sorry! ^-^
4.
I'm just waiting for him to wake up, but with the way it's going so far that probably won't happen for about 5-10 more chapters.
Even if the comment was made around six months ago, it's close. Like, very close. :D
5.
Personally, I would give Rainbow a reason for hating him in the previous chapters.
In the chapter "Amends" in Regret, there's a brief moment where Twilight digs into Rainbow's mind. We aren't given an exact answer, other than words like "die" or "clear," but we are given some idea that there was some kind of possibly disturbing reason behind it. As this story is about everypony and how they deal with the Aftermath (HAHAHAHA), there will be a chapter that is not exactly part of an Act, but will be made in between. After the next chapter is finished and published, I will be getting to work on the next Act at some point before the beginning of September. I'm thinking of doing a chapter in between explaining Rainbow's feelings (FLASHBACK, BI-) towards you. I know exactly what will happen. It will be disturbing. I want it to be as realistic as possible. Don't read if squeamish. All I can say.
To add on why things 'drag on', to be fairly honest, you wouldn't want to read a story that goes by so quick. At the same time, you don't want a story to go on for thousands of words when it's talking about a spoon or something. I drag on to give more of a story, and improve my writing style.
But to conclude my answer to this comment, EVERYTHING mentioned in these stories will be answered through the stories. :)
The next chapter will come soon(TM). College is slow and tiring. :)
Yeah I don't know about a cliffhanger in Regret.
I think HeroOfTime meant that we didn't get to see why Rainbow was being mean to the main character. But anyways I'm still can't wait for the next chapter.
Also it scares me a little because of your 5th comment listing. But I've read dark and gore stories before. So I think I'll be fine.
I'm enjoying the ride so far. The outside look onto us is a good thing in my opinion. However, As I commented a few times, I kinda want to have the main character after he wakes up, act somewhat... 'ticked-off' towards RD. Not very major or long, just in an angry matter. Making RD feel bad the way she has been to him, and let it sting her.
But nevertheless, I enjoy it thus far. Awaiting patiently on the continuation.
After is what it is because After comes after Regret, and after regret is the lull in days and weeks.
There, I solved the riddle. Can I get a cookie?
4158306 Yes after the act of after is over.
4158306 Maybe. :)
4158814
I believe (not 100% on this but) the cliff-hanger he was mentioning goes into your point 5 such as we don't know exactly why rainbow hates the main protagonist. If I'm correct on what I am assuming than you have already stated your response to the cliff-hanger that he had mentioned.
Ever read The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loanna by Umberto Eco? I think it'd be a good one to help get inside his head now that he's woken up. Might give you some ideas, since it's about a man who wakes up from a coma.