Readers Poll for Letters · 10:33pm Aug 22nd, 2016
Dear Readers,
Celestia here, writing on behalf of TOM. He's having a... small existential crisis at the moment, mumbling something about changeling rocks. He'll be back next week, but in the meantime, he wanted me to conduct a survey for him on his behalf, one regarding the current status of Letters.
I'll be honest, my curiosity is piqued by this. TOM asks that you be honest and truthful with your responses, and I ask that you do the same. Every answer you give will be greatly appreciated by both of us.
Without further ado, here are the questions he wrote:
1. What do you like the most about Letters From an Irritated Princess, and why?
2. Do you have a favorite Letter? If so, which one?
3. What do you like the least about Letters From an Irritated Princess, and why?
4. Do you have a Letter you despised reading? If so, which one?
5. In your opinion, what do you think could be done to improve upon Letters?
6. Is there anything you'd like to see written about for future Letters installments? As an example, should I write on things like the IDW comics, write on something else, or should the content remain the same?
7. Is Sunny best princess--wait what?! He didn't write this one! SUNNY!
...Ahem, my apologies. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
And lastly, thank you to the dear readers that participate in this survey. Your input here is extremely valuable to me and TOM.
Wishing you well,
Princess Celestia
1. It captures the blow-by-blow snark that makes Letters From a Disgruntled Friendship Student fun without succumbing to the same mean-spirited character distortion. There is some distortion, yes, but it's much more affectionate and entertaining. Especially She Who Probably Should Not Be Named.
Plus, it's managed to develop an entertaining and at times deep overarching story, one that characterizes the diarchs vastly more than the show ever bothers to.
2. I'm afraid I don't remember most of them. When you read as many stories as I do, a lot of them slip through the cracks. Sorry.
3. Usually, if I take issue with something in a given chapter, I mention it in a comment. However, that doesn't come up much, and I don't have any qualms with the story as a whole.
4. See 2, though at least this one has more positive consequences.
5. Nothing really comes to mind, but as my name indicates, I'm easily pleased.
6. The comics would certainly be interesting, especially seeing Celestia harp on or justify cases of near-terminal bad writing in-universe.
7. Every princess is best princess under the right circumstances.
The answer to all of these except #6 is "This is an amazing Letters series and you need to keep doing what you do best."
I won't say it's perfect, obviously there are some that miss and some that hit harder than others, but that's the way with anything like this. For the most part, your level of quality and delivery are consistent, so whatever it is you're doing, you just keep doing...it.
(1up cookies to whoever gets that reference)
Wouldn't object to seeing comics-based Letters.
1. I love everything about "Letters". It's just funny and snarky and keeps me entertained.
2. I love them all really.
3. If there were something I disliked I would mention it in a comment, not to be rude or anything, just to point out something that I may have not agreed with.
4. Nope.
5. Just keep doing what you're doing.
6. Comics would be interesting, but you should remember that not everyone reads them, so some people would be lost.
7. Luna is.
1. The more indepth look at certain questionable elements of episodes and the jokes that come with it because of just how entertaining and true it can be.
2. I couldn't say for sure, but I really enjoyed the Too Many Pinkie Pies letter because of the introduction of Sunny and Moony.
3. When I don't agree with the opinion expressed through the letter, but that is your opinion and I don't really have any right to criticise it.
4. I'm sure there were a few, but I can't think of one at this time.
5. In letters that strongly criticise an episode, you could also focus more on some good parts of the episode to balance it out.
6. It could be enjoyable to read Celestia's take on some fan works either involving them or some other ponies. Another idea would to have Luna write some letters from her own perspective rather than Celestia's from time to time.
7. Yes. Yes, she is.
1. I like a couple of things: first, how funny it is (please don't ask me to define what I find humorous), and second, the little tags on the end of each letter that tell about the princesses' daily lives, and the behind-the-scenes goings-on of Canterlot.
2. No, I don't have a favorite--at least, none that I can remember particularly.
3. The "ask Princess Celestia" thing sort of disappeared.
4. There hasn't been a chapter that I hated. Occasionally they've been a little boring, or short, but nothing worse.
5. To improve? Nothing comes to mind... I'd like to see more Bar Hoppers, if anything (I know that's not technically this story, but it IS this universe, and that's what I'd like to see next).
6. Well, I myself only watch the show and movies. I don't read the comics or anything, so that would be pointless to me. I'd prefer it remained as is.
7. Luna Two is best princess. And no, there's nothing else!
I know this detracts from the actual letters, but the extra bits at the end after the sign off. They sometimes seem to have the most relevance to canon event letter is based on.
After 166 chapters, you ask this??
Occasionally Tia gets a little a little long winded, it almost gets TL:DR.
Refer answer '2'
IDK maybe a little more OOC from letter writers, Especially Tia.
Haven't read the comics so can't reflect on that, I think the theme you have going is 99% fine, always room for improvement they say.
No Sunny you are not, Neither you or Moony have been coronated so not princesses. (possible letter material?) Anyway we all know Lulu is best.
My head hurts now, I'm going to go lie down!
1. Fluffy adorable Sunny/Moony stories. I like Celestia pointing out when the Mane 6 do something stupid, but the parts of the at the end are usually my favorite.
2. That letter way back where Celestia agreed to let Luna style her hair, if she was allowed to put ribbons in Luna's hair in exchange.
3. The part where Celestia exacts what I call "fanfic justice" on whoever the antagonist of the week was, explaining how she will use her vast political powers to harass and punish whoever inconvenienced her friends.
4. I can't really remember any specific ones I despised, but given what I've said above, "Attractive Manes Alone Don't Make the Mare, But They Never Hurt to Have" is probably my least favorite one.
5. Assume that the episode has dealt with the antagonist properly, and there is no further karmic justice in need of dishing out. Also, more wacky Sunny/Loony shenanigans.
6. I would love reading Letters about the comics, and more Journal of an Alicorn Clone.
7.Yes clearly, though Moony comes close.
Can I say 'all of it'? If not, then I love the ending scenes...
The one she wrote to Applejack made me laugh so hard I fell over. Does that count?
Eh, I can't think of anything that truly bothers me. I guess if I have to choose something then the fact that there is only as many as there are episodes. But then again, you do surprise with bonus chapters, and there are the side series, so I can't really complain.
'Despised' is a strong word... And since nothing comes to mind, go ahead and assume that there was nothing bad enough to be remembered.
Now this is a tricky question... I can't truly say 'more', since these are all based on episodes.
Yes, yes, and also yes! Oh, and more 'Bar Hoppers', please!
No, sorry Sunny. Luna is best princess. You and Moony are tied for second, though!
Well, I don't want to take up the whole comment section so just {insert fan-girling here} All in all, I think this story is awesome!
It's funny, light-hearted critiques of the episode that attempts to explain or give out consequences for some of the more... questionable actions the characters made. All in all, it's good humor.
Read and Weep's letter? I think? Whichever one ended with Celestia and Luna cuddling up together to read a story. That one melted my heart.
I'll be honest, I don't find Sunny and Moony to be quite as entertaining as others find them. But that's just me. It doesn't hurt the story in any way, but it doesn't really add anything either.
There certainly isn't one I despised, but I'm sure some were less funny then others. But hey, they can't all be perfect.
I'm always down for more Celestia and Luna bonding, since the show doesn't seem to want to give us any.
I'd be okay with letters from the comics. Or more interaction with Principal Celestia and how she views her students.
1. What do you like the most about Letters From an Irritated Princess, and why?
I love the way it calls attention to silly things in episodes without being too snide (usually) or out-of-character. I also love the way it establishes new characters and relationships and seamlessly integrates them into the story. And the blunt, snarky humour can usually get a laugh out of me.
2. Do you have a favorite Letter? If so, which one?
I can't remember. Don't put me on the spot like this!
3. What do you like the least about Letters From an Irritated Princess, and why?
Sometimes I feel like the author is projecting himself onto Celestia, and so the story sometimes comes off as ranting. Especially with regards to Rainbow Dash, where I feel like she gets called out for bad behaviour far more often than anyone else.
4. Do you have a Letter you despised reading? If so, which one?
The 'Newbie Dash' one. It's a great example of the above problem. It wasn't entertaining, it was just a rant about Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts.
5. In your opinion, what do you think could be done to improve upon Letters?
Don't let it turn into Letters From a Disgruntled Friendship Student, which has just devolved into a bundle of loosely held together references and offensive jokes. Other than that, keep doing what you're doing.
6. Is there anything you'd like to see written about for future Letters installments? As an example, should I write on things like the IDW comics, write on something else, or should the content remain the same?
I don't read the comics, so I can't really offer input on that. I think we're fine as we are, though I would love more of Sunny's journal. And perhaps a little bit of love for Luna and Moony. Oh, and perhaps based off of Celestia's reactions to the fanfics, you might consider doing a little bit on fan works? Although that might have to be a blog to keep with the site rules.
7. Is Sunny best princess--wait what?! He didn't write this one! SUNNY!
...Ahem, my apologies. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Sunny is best princess. But we also need a little more Moony in our lives.
1. The best thing about these letters is that they often maintain both a knowledgable critique of an episode's course, and at the same time a perspective/story that's unique to the world you've created (old fashioned bar hoppers, the afterword discussion, etc.) And they do all this without really being viscous or turning into Black Mail from an Angry Princess. It really is cohesive with the canonical My Little Pony world, and almost every chapter speaks volumes of how ponies act, and not in a monotonous or boring way.
2. I must admit I'm torn for favorite between your letters of the canterlot wedding and the cart before the ponies.
3. I am mildly miffed at the disjointed odds and ends of each letter. Some seem almost entirely criticism, and some are almost entirely centered on you (Celestial) and your interactions, where it sometimes seems to shift topics in or outside a letter with rough transition.
4. None that I'm majorly displeased with, after, what, 200 chapters now? Close to? There really isn't a chapter that sticks out like a sore thumb.
5. I certainly think the vocabulary/phrasing could be improved upon. When you need to sound frank, you shouldn't beat around the bush, be straight forward, but at other times the letters lack a certain insight/descriptive structure for your chastising tones and old-age-experience and princess-experience, not to mention your stance as a bastion of common sense.
6 & 7. I would like to see more of the interactions with ponies outside of/after the letters, maybe make them two sided discussions about the lack of sense in the people of ponyville while having tea time with Discord! What ever works to uphold/maintain the written letter format of bringing a slap of sense to the head, yet add more of the dynamic talking. The way you've made interaction is a powerful trait to each chapter, don't lose it. Just a suggestion though. As an added comment, I must say this unique story has earned every like, every view, every favorite, every comment, as is. What I predict for the future, is only improvement...
Dear Princess Tired Old Man,
1. Although they are more focused on comedy now, I always liked the moments with Luna after the closing.
2. While I forget the corresponding episode and chapter title, that moment when the realization about the RAPIST was pure gold.
3. Since the friendship letter apocyolypse, quite a few of Celestia's complaints have seemed forced, teling somepony random (i.e. Mayor Mare) about their thoughts on the plot of the episoe for no reason in particular, often with no reason for even knowing that the events transpired.
4. Not really. Sometimes I found myself uninterested and reading through robotically, but a) I usually read these at latish night and b) I cannot name any of these chapters because, again, I wan't realoy paying attention to them. Your chapters are often hit-or-miss, but fortunately, they often hit.
5. In the beginning, Celestia was more...irritated. I iked her commn rage which made any genuine positivity she put towards her student and her friends al that much more interesting. I would like to see more of this black-and-white. This series is special to me for its comedy, not its Celestia character development.
6. Not really, though as a sidenote, comic-style LFAIP ending moments would be 20% cooler!
7. Joking aside, the clone arc has gotten a little confusing, and it would be nice to have more moments with heartfelt, canon charact-ALL HAIL THE HYPNO-SUNNY!
Lastly, I would just like to say that "Letters" is an amazingly well-written and efficient series that is completely worthy of the peaise and attention it receives. I'd also like to apologize for all the nitpicking in this response, because all in all, if I wasn't satisfied with the way you wrote, I would simply stop reading. But I've gone through every letter up to the "The Times They are A-Changeling" chapter, so clarly you must be doing something right. Thank you for writing this for us, good man.
In gratitude,
Discordant Fanatic
P.S.: Please excuse the most likely abundant typos; this was typed on a Kindle Paperwhite.