Enchanted Library 2nd Anniversary - Chapter 24 · 9:05pm Feb 13th, 2017
lmao can you believe i've been working on this for two years what the heck
ANYWAY YES, EL is two years old now so I made a sappy blogpost shhhh I'm putting it under the cut because there's SPOILERS, and I'd like to quickly mention that, if you haven't read Chapter 24 yet AND skipped the interlude, please go back and read the interlude because it's linked to the chapter.
Before I get into my massive spiel, let me take this moment to SCREAM ABOUT THE CHAPTER ILLUSTRATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTER, OK, IT'S SO CUTE AND I LOVE IT AND YOU SHOULD ALL GO LOOK AT THE FULL-RES VERSION BECAUSE AAAAAAAAAAAH
But yes.
Well, here we are.
I've been working on this godforsaken fic for two years, and finally the entire gang (sans Rainbow, unfortunately) has reunited. I did a re-reading of the earlier chapters of the fic, and I will say the difference between Chapter 2-3 Twilight and Chapter 24 Twilight is staggering. Remember when Rarity used to call her 'The Princess' all the time? Even in narration? Or how Twilight didn't smile even once until Chapter 7 and now she's laughing freely?
Going to Chapter 24 specifically, I'm very proud of it. It's very different, yes, mostly because there's no looming threat, there's no danger, there's just these characters having fun and being, well, happy which is something long overdue for our starring Princess. By the way, if the beginning felt familiar, it's because it's the opposition to THIS DRABBLE, which sets up the theme for Act III.
All in all, this chapter is what I always wanted from EL. Long before the adventure plot was created, long before the dark aspects of the fic, and all that, what drove me to be interested in this universe was the slice-of-life aspects of it, and to see Twilight being happy with Rarity and the others.
Also, that look-alike contest. I was originally not going to describe all that, BUT I COULDN'T RESIST BECAUSE IT'S SO FRICKIN' CUTE AND I JUST AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
But yeah, everyone interprets art in their own way. I remember people being adamantly against the romance, and I'm sure there are still people who were off-put by it, and that's okay. I know some people prefer the adventure chapters, and that's okay! But for me, as the writer, the important part of EL will always be the character relations and what stems from them.
Of course, EL hasn't been without its faults, which there have been many of. I try not to think about it too much.
It's actually very poignant for me to be writing this, especially when I think back on what hell this fic has been for me.
Enchanted Library has been written through tears, and depression, and anxiety and literal death if we take into account the accident I had back in August. I never thought I'd be able to say that the saying "you only live once" doesn't apply to me anymore.
But I think that this is also why I'll see this through no matter what. There's already too much of me in it, and not only that, but Enchanted Library is present in nearly all my fics, one way or another. It consumes me that much, and I also love it that much.
Through thick and thin, Enchanted Library has always been my rock.
I wish I could delve more into the writing learning, but for the sake of this being a happy blogpost, I won't. It's unfortunate that I excel at the sublime art of self-deprecation. I will say, though, that I'm still quite proud of the Dragon Arc and the Changeling Village chapter, mostly because I struggle with worldbuilding SO MUCH and yet those turned out pretty 'kay.
(Yes, I realize it's weird to admit that I struggle with worldbuilding considering EL is mostly that, but maybe I should say I struggle with adventure arcs. Give me my dumb ponies being dumb and silly and free of worry and having fun with each other, damn it.)
Anyway, Act III is dawning upon us, finally.
Enchanted Library consists of two parts/books, and Act III is the final act of Part 1.
Act III will be different. Or, rather, that's what I want to say, but if I've been doing my worldbuilding and plotting right, then I've slowly managed to ease you all into the dark alley that is what's coming next.
There's a second story in Enchanted Library, one that lies beneath the surface because Rarity's adventures through Equestria are just one side of a coin. We all know it now, don't we? This grand fairytale everypony grew up with is quite real, and more than that, it's not very happy when you think about it and when you add up the glimpses we've seen of what happened a thousand years ago.
Act III will be when the implications and the dark aspects of the story are finally noticed. I'd say arise, but they've always been there at every moment.
For those of you who've read my multichapters (excluding a Novel Disaster, The Princess's Gift, and Demons and Desires), you will see something familiar. Remember how I said Enchanted Library has been influenced by fics and in turn influences others? Well, this is very true.
For those of you who've read Injuring Eternity, Act III of EL is its spiritual successor in many ways, especially in the sense that I am totally emulating the style I used for chapters 5 and 6 of IE, as well as revisiting several of the underlying themes.
We will delve deep into the psyche of our two protagonists, and we will find out how far they can be pushed before they finally break.
I'm totes excited.
So, as always, thank you all for your wonderful support and for sticking by me these past two years! Thanks as well to my incredibly wonderful editors who have turned my fic into something readable, to the amazing ArcticWaters for being breathing life into this fic with her wonderful artworks, and last but not least, thanks to my amazing patrons who have made it possible for me to add so many things to Enchanted Library.
Let us continue forwards, shall we?
~ Monochromatic
P.S. ALSO JUST GOD OK TWILIGHT LOOKED SO HAPPY IN THE GROUP SHOT??? SHE LOOKED SO HAPPY AND I JUST LOVE HER??? SO MUCH???? I LOVE THEM ALL BUT LOOK AT MY LIL GHOST PRINCESS SMILING AND IM JUST GOING TO SIT AND CRY OVER THERE IN THE CORNER
congratulations on making it this far, you have done a wonderful job and i cant wait to see whats next.
Congratulations! Happy tears are best tears.
Congratulations! This has been an amazing ride so far!
While I'm definitely here for the world building and adventure, the romance doesn't feel that intrusive (romantic subplots are everywhere anyway).
I find myself filled with glee while basking in happiness when EL updates.
So congratulations again and thank you for sharing this story with us! :sappy:
It's been an incredible ride, both as a reader and editor. I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Happy anniversary!
You put so much of yourself into every word, its hard not to see how beautiful it is. I'd normally tell you to keep it up with the amazing writing, but I don't think you are capable of anything less. So just stay awesome, Mono.
Here's to two amazing years already past, and to the future!
An update in my favorite romance just in time for valentines day!
I love this story. I love you for persisting in your dedication to give us such a grand, beautiful, fantastic tale.
Chapter 24 was absolutely adorable. I, too, couldn't help but notice that we've nearly got the matched set now, and can't wait until our favorite rainbow-maned pegasus finally joins the rest.
I'm totes no crying, 100% legit.
Now being serious Congratulations Mono you really had made and amazing story so incredible that I always know is never going to disappoint me. Neighsayers will always be neighsayers, and if they are not gonna read the story 'cause romance, pfff well that's their loss.
I re-read the story several times and it never ceases to amaze me the talent that you have to bring to life the characters and how you have made me feel with them (I feel with my bbs).
So here's to another eventful / unknown period of time / that it will take to get to the end of this beautiful story.
Thank you, for the magical adventure.
Its been a great ride so far. I am of a similar mindset as you it seems, I much prefer happy, sappy slice of life ponies. And shipping, if its done well I will take any shipping I can get! Romance, yay <3. Loved this chapter.
I am kinda dreading act 3 now, too. I don't care much for the idea of broken protagonists... It has felt like the calm before the storm for a long time now, though.