It's Been a Month and a Day · 8:29am Dec 1st, 2016
Sunset slouched over the couch, her head hanging off the side, DS held aloft over her face. She bit her tongue as she watched her trainer throw another pokeball at the creature floating before her.
"Come on, Tapu Koko, stay in the damn ball."
It wiggled twice, then the Pokemon burst free with its battle cry.
"Of course." Sunset threw her hands out. "Why can't you be like your cousins?" It took its turn and hit her precious Ninetails, though the damage was negligible. As she clicked to throw another ball, she heard the hands of the clock shift positions. Twelve loud gongs sounded through the house.
"Finally!" She rolled off the couch and ran to the door in the back, polished mahogany with a golden handle. Two clocks were positioned over the door. One read the actual time, midnight. The other had stopped and displayed 30:00:00:00.
The handle turned, and Sunset inhaled sharply. I might need some serious help if I miss my tormentor this much. With a low creak, the door of the Hyperbolic Writing Chamber swung forward revealing a white mist that obscured anything inside. Sunset leaned forward looking for any sign of life.
A figure rushed forward and embraced her in a bone-crushing hug before swinging her around. "Sunset!"
"Ack!" Sunset felt her spine pop. "I missed you too, Albi," she said, wasting her remaining air.
Albinocorn spun her around one more time, then dropped her onto the floor. "Whoo, you won't believe what happened in there."
"You won't believe what happened out here," Sunset muttered, getting back to her feet. She dusted herself off and smiled. "I'm glad you're feeling better."
He waved a hand. "Emotionally stable. So yeah, better is a good word." A loud growl followed his words. "I'm also starving."
"There's a pizza in the kitchen just for you."
Albinocorn broke into a run. "You're still best pony!"
Sunset fell back onto the couch, sighing in relief. All was as it should be. "Okay, Tapu Koko..." She picked up her DS. "Let's try this again."
Oh, it's good to be home!
It's also a little overwhelming. I don't know where to start after being gone for a month. I've got a lot of posts to go through on EQD. So that'll be fun. Boy, has it been a month. At the end of NaNoWriMo this year, I walk away with 50,387 words under my belt. It's less than what I got last year, but given the circumstances, it's still a success. I hit the mark, so that's what counts.
Admittedly, I cheated a little this year. I don't know, I got a little bored with the story I was working on, so I went back and spent the last 12,000 words on Spectacular Seven. By no means am I abandoning my original fic, it just needs a little more work.
But, doing this, I have set a new resolution for myself. It won't be easy, but I feel like I can do it. From now on, I intend to write 30,000 words a month. I managed to do it in half a month with only two days of not writing anything, so I figure, if I can just keep my discipline from NaNoWriMo, I can write 30k easily in 30 days. Fingers crossed. I want to see if I can add some sort of word counter to my front page like the ones the NaNo site has. If not, I guess you guys could just pester me enough.
So yeah, November... happened. The election was... a thing. I don't want to get into that, but it contributed to my lower word count this year. I'm just going to tell you guys what I told my friends and my club: I want to create a safe space for you all to come to and feel welcome. It's harder to do over the internet, but I still want to try. I will keep writing my stories in the hope they can brighten your days in the times to come. And if you want to talk to me, I'll always be available.
Myself personally? I'm doing better emotionally at least. I have my drive to write again and the center of my previous emotional conflict has passed. Still suffering from personal doubt and self-loathing, but that's a talk for another time. I'm back to doing what makes me happy, and that's what matters.
I've still got projects and activities outside to do, but new content will flow soon! New chapters, new follows-ups, and maybe a new story. I'm really trying not to start any new stories, but I've got that itch! And hey, if I can keep my resolution, maybe I can balance three or four again.
Maybe.
But that's the low down! I'm here for you, my friends, as long as you'll have me. I'm going to try to respond to more comments moving forward, so don't be shy. Also, I'm now in the top 100 followed people on the site! Wheee!
Yep, it's good to be home!
Yay!!!!! Welcome back Albi! Also, Sunset... Pokemon Sun or Moon?
Welcome back mate.
You know, can we just get a fic with you and Sunset? I swear I enjoy these blogs more than the actual stories half the time.
I'm curious which other Pokémons Sunset has in her team...
Eh, I mean welcome back
4324483 Albi called dibs on Sun, so I got stuck with Moon. Someone was nice enough to trade me a Vulpix though.
4324489 Good to be back.
4324490 Too meta for me.
4324493 Inciniroar, Ninetails, Lycanroc, Toucannon, Salamence, and Espeon.
As the others have said, welcome back, hope this month helped you to rest. I'm waiting for the return of the Spectacular Seven but no pressure, you hear me? NO. PRESSURE.
Did i say no pressure? Well, forget that.
I hope one day I would be able to write 1,000 words per day. That will take a loooong time.
By the way, will you do a follow-up for the season finale?
Welcome back!
You've got shit luck, Sunset. I caught Tapu Koko in my second Dusk Ball.
And congrats on sticking to your guns and achieving what you set out to do! Extra props for not being consumed
like the rest of usby Sun version during November.Good to have you back. I look forward to whatever you have in store.
4324500
I wasn't expecting to fight it when I did. I ran through more than a dozen Ultra Balls, my reserve of five "in case of stubborn legendary" Timer Balls, and even a few Great Balls before the damn electric tiki decided it would cooperate. (And a Qucik Ball, because you never know.)
Welcome back
I'm curious how Sunset is playing Gen VII on a DS when it's for the 3DS
Welcome back, dood. Yeah, November was a hell of a month.
I feel her pain. Koko, Bulu, and Lele with one ultra a piece. Damn Fini and it's aqua ring regeneration!
Good to see you back and feeling better.
Did Sunset ever train a Ponyta/Rapidash? Or would that just be too... awkward? In a previous generation I mean, as I don't think those Pokemon are in the current games (and bank transfer hasn't been updated yet).
Glad to hear you're feeling better, good luck with your writing, and happy holidays!
I hate it when that happens.
You're damn right.
Oh you have. I've had particularly frustrating days, but my eyes always light up when I see one of your stories in my inbox, they're a true delight to read, Mr Albinocorn. By the way, I have to ask, how'd you come up with that username?
Welcome back dude! Glad you're feeling better. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. It is definitely some of my favorite stuff on this site and in general and it has inspired me to start writing again.
Welcome back, good sir!!! missed you~! <3
Sunset would have a Ninetails.
derpicdn.net/img/2014/11/21/769117/large.png
Welcome home.
You were quite the challenge for me during the beginning of NaNo. I had serious problems getting my drive back, but I found that if I checked your word count, I could push myself just a bit farther to stay ahead of you.
It was quite the helpful to get the kick I needed.
I was also silently cheering you on during the latter days of November and I was thrilled to see you made it. Congratulations!
(Now you threw down another gauntlet of 30K a month... When the heck did I become this competitive?
)
Abyssal:Poor Sunset, I caught Tapo Koko in a Healball.. Tapo Finin was the one that gave me trouble
*Smack's Abyssal over the head* Don't tease her. Hope you had a relaxing month off..
#SunsetBestPony
Glad to read/hear that you're on the rise once again!
All Hail Albi!I-I mean, Welcome Back!A month later and you're still wrong, Albi. :V
Awesome to have you back and glad you're feeling better. I hope things continue to go well for you and I can't wait for the next chapter of Spectacular Seven :D
And I understand your pain, Sunset - GET IN THE BALL! You're also still best pony.
lol, i just capured 3 of the tapus yesterday.
Great to see you're back and better to see that you're feeling better in spite of the impending apocalypse.
Congrats on doing NaNo even if you did have to cheat just a little. I'm still a little disappointed that you've given up your plans for Sunset of Time as an original fic, but I'm sure you're other ideas will be just as good.
I won't be able to point and say I was reading that before it was cool, but never mind.
30,000 words? You're not doing anything by halves are you?
4324498 My season finale follow up will come as soon as I finish the follow-up for Legends of Everfree.
4324551 Don't get cute. You know what I meant.
4324583 This is actually the first Pokemon game I've played. I usually just watch over Albi's shoulder.
4324591 Ah, a fun story. See, in reality, I actually am albino (my only defining trait). During my sophomore year in high school while my dreadlocks were steadily becoming longer, one of them stuck up at the front like a horn. My friends in cross-country dubbed e the Albinocorn, and two years later when I joined the fandom, I couldn't think of a more fitting name.
4324675 Yeah, you gave me a run for my money. It was a nice little fight until you surged ahead around the same time I lost some of my drive. But, I'm glad I helped you to finish.
And you don't have to pick up the gauntlet. Though, perhaps having someone to compete with will help me stay motivated.
4324747 A month later and you're still in denial.
4324948 I thought about doing 25,000, but this ensures I have to at least write 1k a day. What do I need sleep for?
4324980 I refuse to kneel before your Mary Sue :P
(How's life, you godless heathen)
4324982 Sunset is no Mary Sue. Whether it's canon Sunset, LRTF/SS Sunset, or SoT Sunset, Sunset is a well written character with strengths and flaws and has depths that can be analyzed from just a line or two she says. She has had amazing character arcs that have brought her far beyond what anyone ever could have thought (other than Albinocorn).
4324990 Inside joke, dude. We've chatted for over a year.
4324991 Ahhh. OK, good to know.
4324980
Good enough reason for me.
vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/wingsoffirefanon/images/f/fa/127354_safe_twilight-sparkle_image-macro_challenge-accepted.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130913213418
(Now let me know when you find a good word counter.
)
4324982 Life's okay. Homework and commitments hit me like a brick, but I'll pull through like usual. What about you, you unrelenting, Shimmerless troglodyte?
4325021 Here's a link to a list of different trackers. Right now, I'm using the first one, but I'm trying to see if I can get Critique Circle's to work.
The Lord and their faithful servant has returned hallelujah
I also won NaNoWriMo, with just over 50,000 words myself. It certainly proved to me what I'm capable of once I put my mind to it.
Nice to see you're back.
4325143 Delightfully Shimmerless, though rather irritating otherwise. The fine imbeciles at the OCS office completely fucked me over due to their negligence and missed submitting my packet in time. Oh, but they want to assure me that it isn't their fault. They only didn't communicate the date right within their own office.
I have entered maximum oversalt.
So glad you're back! Also, congratulations! -On all your achievements. I'm so looking forward to reading any new material you publish, and I, along with everyone else I'm sure, am happy you're feeling happy and chipper once again! Good luck writing, and have fun!
4325865 Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that; that completely sucks. I think you have the right to be a little salty.
4326323 i'm saltier than a large order of McDonald's fries, man.
OMG! I love this blog! Funny, I am actually playing Pokémon Moon (because my boyfriend called dibs on Sun) and decided to play it as my own version of Sunset Shimmer. So much fun. But I'm terrible at Pokèmon games.
Good luck to your Sunset.
Congrats on your NaNoWriMo experience!
You are a great writer, and since I already put Long Road to Friendship in my Top Ten favorite pony fanfiction of all time, have a follow.
Thank you so much for sharing your writing!
P.S.- Please, please, please, PLEASE keep updating Across The Shimmering Sea! I'm just so excited for that story!
Glad your back and happy to hear you are feeling better than you were before.