Thoughts about Lost and Blind · 8:20am Jan 13th, 2017
Don't let the title spook you, I'm not planning on canceling it.
My thoughts have been turning to the beginning of that story. You can compare it to the original that can be found here. Why? Because Lord Barleycorn will be ending and I'm excited to get back to the story that started me on this site. However, its been years and 2 rewrites, and with that gives me doubt about what's currently posted here on FiM. I want to weave a quality story, and I'm inclined to believe that starting with Jonny, focusing on him rather than Pinkie is the better choice, it's his story afterall.
Of course, this is just a thought about a story I won't be touching for a while. However, I will be rewriting it anyway to bring it up to my current standards. I would like to hear from people who have seen both versions and have been waiting very patiently.
Honestly, I think there's a lot to be said for starting with Pinkie. Her characterization is pretty important to pin down to avoid confusion. And the way we get little drabbles of Jonny's life revealed along the way works pretty well too.
I think Pinkie-focusing is a great feature, and shifting perspective from her to Jonny and back will give story more depth than it would be with only his or only her perspective.
Say it ain't so! How many chapters left?
I guess I'll have to finally start Lost and Blind, it's been in my read later list since I discovered The Tale of Lord Barleycorn. Or I guess I should wait for the rewrite.
Since I hadn't come across Lost and Blind before, now I'm confused as to whether I should read what there is of it or wait.
4381415
You and me both, I will mourn when Lord Barleycorn puts up his hat and sets off into the corn field under a setting sun.
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If you're both worried, I was planning on keeping a side story of LBC open if I ever had any one shot ideas. what happens afterward, like an extended epilogue. =3
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That would be great! I was already expecting a "X years later" chapter, showing how Lord Barleycorn impacted the towns future.
4381554 Didn't realize it had been rewritten twice!
I think having the focus on the human rather than the pony be the right one. It's great slice-of-life work, and how the character has to struggle with something as harsh as becoming blind (a worry I have being a diabetic--gotta make sure to exercise!) further drives the story.
You're doing a great job and I can wait until Lord Barleycorn is finished--that's a great story too!
4381866 That's what I'm leaning toward. It's Jonny's story, it makes more sense to start with him like I originally did. of course, it will not be the same. I don't really know why I had it start at the Apple's farm. I can do better, I think.
And thank you for the compliments.
4382020 No problem! But don't worry about where it starts, just whom starts it. If Jonny shows up at Sweet Apple Acres in the beginning that's cool. Just have to have the point of narrative follow him around. Backstory can be told in flashbacks just fine.
I'm sure you'll write something wonderful regardless of where it begins.
It's interesting for these type of stories to have at least done chapters from others perspective. It really highlights how people perceive the protagonist and what they think of the situation. However it must have a good balance.