Group-submissions, MLAABQ part 3, and perhaps a cliffhanger · 11:22am May 31st, 2017
Up until now, I’ve never submitted My Life As A Bipedal Quadruped anywhere. Not to any groups or any other sites. It was featured, very briefly, in the Humans In Equestria-group, before I desubmitted it and left the group. I read some ‘the stuff you hate the most about hie-stories’-threads there, and MLAABQ had like 80-90% of everything that people said that they absolutely despise about hie-stories— clearly, MLAABQ wasn’t welcome.
Then I think it was the general hostility towards self-promotion I saw on the side as a whole that immediately made me skip the idea of trying to draw attention to the story. The asocial writer who only sits and types away at their story, never caring who or how many reads it, like the couldn’t give a turd what others think about it, was clearly the only person worthy of attention (please note how well that meshes with the notion that you have to listen to criticism). I saw several threads that were to the effect of, ‘hey, is there a story about X?’, someone would say, ‘yeah, my story is that,’ and then be immediately attacked, though not by the thread-creator, because they dared hint that their own stories were worth reading.
Well then, I thought, I’m not gonna submit MLAABQ anywhere, if it’s too much for people to handle, seeing it in groups every now and then, they’re not gonna have to put up with it. Then I figured that I might submit it if and when it ever starts getting popular. Then I realized that it is starting to get popular. I was aiming for 1000 upvotes, but meh, this’ll do. I kinda messed it up anyway when I got that kickass coverart from viwrasputr, I think, seeing how much attention that got the story.
Speaking of almost 1000 upvotes. Let me all extend a big thank you to you all for your kind words, support, feedback, observations, and fun quips. I hope this party can continue.
Now, I would like your help, people who may or may not spend time in groups. What groups would MLAABQ be appropriate for? I’m also thinking about submitting it to Equestria Daily. What do you think? Would it be beneath their notice? How does one even submit things there? I’ve hardly been there, not long enough to learn to navigate the site.
Also, should I submit the coverart on derpibooru? I think it’s mine? Rasputr made it for me, I guess, but should I get their permission before submitting it?
And now the MLAABQ-news. As we all know, part 3 will be an adventure, and it looks like this upcoming chapter will be the last in one part 2.
I tried some light adventure and action in the side-story to see if I could write action and combat and still keep an E-rating. I think it worked out pretty well, so the rating will remain unchanged.
How do you guys feel about this in general? Any booing and hissing? MLAABQ has been a slice-of-life so far, is this an unwelcome development, or do you think it sounds exciting? If it’s an unwelcome development, what do you think about something akin to a hard ending for part 2? I have a cliffhanger in mind, but I’m thinking about making an author’s notes before it, telling people that this is where the adventure starts. Sounds clunky, but what do you think?
Anyway, next chapter is starting to feel ready in concept, and 3000 words are written so far. Hope you’ll like it.
As far as groups original characters, long fics groups there are over 10 000 and over 100 000 words also HiE(even though I don't know how it will be recieved there) ironically enough I think you meet the requirements for submiting it in the good HiE groop
4553680 Oh. I thought original character were only for characters that are widely written about. Like Snowdrop or Anon, but yeah, I can check that out as well.
Thanks for the suggestion
Other people have already submitted it to HiE and The Good HiE, and it was even approved. I love me the occasional nod of recognition 
Cliffhanger?.....
You just love torturing me
Also....
This fic:
4553692 Ooohohoho! *rubs hands together* What a naughty little storyteller I am
Don't worry though, I've been giving it some thought, and the next chapter might be a two-fer, with the cliffhanger being at the end of the first half.
Thanks
It's definitely HIE,..... I suppose there's a folder for adult to child in there
how about
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/574/transformations
Human turn to pony
4553706 There is a human-transformation-folder there, which mlaabq is currently in, courtesy of wlam, I believe. There should be a folder with human children. I haven't read any, but that sounds interesting now that I think about it.
4553710 Ah yes. Thank you, I almost forgot that group
I have a hard time believing that a story as interesting and well-written as yours isn't worthy to find a place alongside the thousands of poorly written, un-spellchecked works in any of the major groups.
4553717 Ooh, uh, thank you very much for the kind words, but I think I should stress that not submitting it was my choice. It was based the general attitude I observed on the site, but I wasn't rejected or bullied into not submitting. Intimidated maybe, but not directly denied.
Thanks again though. I appreciate it
4553720
Have confidence in your work. It's both good and interesting. I look forward to every update!
4553721 Yeah, I think I've gotten the confidence I need to try and spread it around. In large part thanks to comments like yours. Thank you
4553700
do i now need to call you daddy/mommy?
4553742 No the roles would be reversed if I'm the naughty one I think
Which just reminds of Dara O-Briain: "Tere's tree tings, tree phrases you're gonna regret having using a sexual context when you get kids of your own: 'naughty', 'dirty', and 'do what daddy tells ya'."
I've really never understood why HIE stories got such hate. I thought we were supposed to be about love and tolerance. Anywho, keep up the good work!
4553778 The strange thing was that the threads that listed up things people hate in hie-stories, were in the hie-group. Anyway, it's elitism. Perceived hierarchies spring up naturally, and the tactic of bringing down others to raise oneself is one of the most natural approaches to navigate them.
Anyway, thank you, and I will try and keep it up
4553773 i'd be a good daddy
A loving and gentle daddy.... but also a big bad boss when the other wants!
4553809 I'm starting to think you want to set up some arrangement where you can spank me when you want me to work on the story
I like this story, but I am not really sure how to explain what kind of story I like. I have a few criteria, but its way too loose for any real filter or whatever.
This is one of the better hie stories, because of the significant immersion and logical explanations. It doesnt read like wish fufilment, more like "this is you new life, ill help you get used to it."
The whole "I am a unicorn, I have hooves, and I am going to learn to do magic with my horn" thing really adds something, and there are a lot of other things like that.
Though the eyes of another pony intentionally has a ton of "Dont do this" stuff and is still an entertaining story, so such a list isn't really as useful as is assumed.
Right now I havent found a story yet with the "human in Equestria? We have dismissed these claims" premis that I didnt enjoy, but based on how I like the "your human and you" stories, I think it has to do with self inserts where the SI isn't exactly powerful.
The premis of an SI having to acclimate to a new world as the focus instead of skipping or ignoring the issue makes this type of srory enjoyable to me.
4553816 oh ho ho! Now you're talking!
That works for me, my lady!
*GLOMP ATTACK*
4553853 Yeah, I find wish fulfillment stories fun in my head, for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
Thanks for your comment. I'm always happy to hear why someone likes the story. I know why I like it of course, but it's always hard to tell what others will appreciate about it.
4553859 I hope you're not too disappointed to find out that I'm a dude
4553927 that is what magic is for
Man, whoever told you this story sucked had their head so far up their own ass they were looking out of their own mouth. In my humble opinion
so, to quote one fictional character: "Sometimes you've got to pat your own back, because if you didn't, nobody else would do that for you."
What I find most appealing is the inner consistency of the characters, the fact that they actually do struggle, be it epic or small, and that they actually change and improve based on described experience. Also, semi terminator pone best pone
No really - the kind of people who don't give constructive criticism and just go about screaming "This sucks!" and "That too!" usually have zero experience with actually writing something themselves. I myself have never published anything but my drawer has some ideas in the making in store. Ever commented on a story which had interesting concept but the metric crapton of grammar mistakes just buried it "Hey dude, good fic but you really need an editor!" only to be flamed at first and then find both your comment and his deleted? Yup, it happens.
Before I make this comment into an essay, my last point would regard self promotion - there are areas where you can't get the ball rolling without it, like starting a business, composing music, or yes, even writing fiction
May your days be full of sunshine, rainbows, and UPDATES!
/edit: grammar and a couple missing words
4554020 There's only really been like, two people, who's told me directly that my story sucks, luckily. The rest is just how I reacted to what I saw around the site, when people talked about what they hated in stories, and how others were received when they tried self-promoting.
Ah yes, and comment-deleting. Never happened to me myself, but I can imagine it's egregious to have it happen to you. Especially if you've put effort into being diplomatic.
And yes, I think I should start some self-promotion. Here's hoping MLAABQ will make a big splash when I do, considering the length, the rating, and the reception it's gotten so far
Thanks for you comment. I really appreciate the kind words
Yes. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. We need more cyber-pones
I think you should work on your story, time allowing and all that. I guess it's kinda weird for someone who's taken such a cautious approach to publishing my own story, but I'd still encourage you to write and share. I can promise you that I won't be one of those "This sucks!"-chimps.
Finished a scene just now. Girl-talk and cyber-augmentations
4553950 You just want me because of my body. My body of text! Hoho, pun
4554051
4554051 Thanks for the encouragement!
I'll be out of school in a couple of weeks, so I'll hopefully have more time then. I want to have the first arc complete before posting it though, because I'm lazy and distractable person and my update schedule would be very erratic
4554596 You should make 20k word-chapters. It becomes less erratic if you do