Should I keep writing this? · 3:48pm Jul 27th, 2017
So I looked at the statistics for My Life As A Bipedal Quadruped, and the latest chapters is the worst rated one so far. It's got a upvote-downvote ratio of 40-5, significantly lower than any other chapter.
The comments on the other hand, have been positive. There's been some mild concern that the story will take on a darker tone (it won't), but nothing more than that.
This does not compute.
Obviously there's something wrong here, and I want to know what, and see if it's something that can be fixed. I've put in quite a lot of time and effort into writing it, and I have some pretty grand plans for the upcoming part. I'd love to write it, but it's also going to require a lot of time and effort. If people don't care about the story, I really wanna know that before I put in any more. Or has My Life As A Bipedal Quadruped run its course?
I think you have hit the spot in your story where you will not be gaining more readers easily. Plus when you put out a chapter it is long and you have quite the door stopper already. So the up/down vote total should be of less importance becuase you are admittedly entering the last third of the story. I say stay on your plan becuase ending the story where you did would be uncool for the people who have been reading for a while.
Please keep writing! I want to know where this goes! I think any large story reaches a point where the influx of new readers begins to die down, please don't let that dishearten you! You certainly have my interest and desire to keep reading.
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4614515
Okay, sure, but if there are so few new readers, where does the downvotes come from?
But alright, noted. That's two voices for continuing.
Keep it going this is one of the more original stories on this site and I want to know where it goes. Also any plans to create a universe out of this and make more stories in the same world.
Just do what you want and let the stories speak for its self. The story will speak for you and it will find its own reader.
Also once you get this large of a story you will get downvote trolls
The overall like:dislike ratio is over 25:1, that should tell you something, you forgot to take into account that we can only upvote once
Please continue I am loving the story so far especially since you have so many great head cannons for lore and characters.
4614523
Please do keep writing it, I love this story!
The downvotes might come from random people seeing it in the update box and dissing it for being HiE. Or people that read the first chapter or so (maybe not even that much) and hit that button because something didn't agree with them. Like any violation of the cannon. I've seen quite my share of stories with not a single negative comment but the negative voting happened.
All in all, don't worry about some extra votes eschewing ratings. It's way more likely to be random extras than actual long time readers abandoning the story.
Downvotes that come in clumps like that can sometimes mean... nothing at all. Sometimes salty readers come in clumps. Sometimes you'll catch a wave of griefers, or it turns out there's a group of people who don't like characters named 'Steve' who spread the word that there's another damn Steve fic on the site, and they'll come by and divebomb the story. Unless they explain the reasons for the downvotes in the comments, you can only guess.
The fact is, you've still got north of 1700 views on your most recent chapter. That's a large audience, overwhelming positive, interested in what you're writing. My latest chapter has... 72 views. Between the two of us, if someone should be thinking about retiring a story, it's definitely not you.
4614527
Well, I have one story that I've wanted to write since before MLAABQ. In fact, MLAABQ started out as a practice-session in preparation for that story. It's a comedy adventure about renegade changelings with strange new powers.
I guess there's no reason not to place that in the same world as MLAABQ. Then I'm keeping my eyes open for potential sequels for MLAABQ. Like, one where Gabe is older and they perhaps establish contact with Earth, a spinoff about her going to the EqG world and so on.
Thanks for the encouragement
4614531
Sure, but the recent upswing in downvotes hints pretty strongly that things have been going downhill with the story.
4614535
Noted. That's another voice speaking in favor of continuing. Thanks for the encouragement
Getting 7000 views within a few days should be more telling than a few measly downvotes. I also doubt that anyone who stayed with you for 285k words were among those who downvoted. Odds are you had some tough luck and got a lot of new disgruntled readers that all have a stick up their butt about human turned foals—or something arbitrary like that.
But I feel you man, I'd also be bummed if a new chapter got a poor rating reception.
4614523
Most likely drive by down voters some people drop down votes becuase there are many up votes and to few down votes, they dislike the subject, and/or chapter length. I was checking out the story and noticed that you have no chapter under 9000 words. That may have turned off a few souls.
Please continue the story!
I can guess that downvotes are caused by sudden change from Slice of Life to Adventure at the end of the last chapter. I re-read your story several times because it gives unique feeling of peaceful happines. It will be sad if it changes to yet another "defeat the evil guy" tale.
...you just quit now and I will find you, and I will make you finish.
4614538
You'd figure that there'd be arrangements in place for taking care of downvotes from people who haven't read the story though.
4614539
Well, good point. I guess I have trouble understanding people who downvote on such fickle whims
I wish I could tell you how to attract readers. I don't know how it happened myself.
4614542
I guess I just don't understand impulsive and/or emotional people. Also, humans into foal is like one of the best things in this fandom.
I love your story and absolutely want to see it continue. I can see that the change in direction may cause anxiety for readers, though. I love MAAABQ in part because it has been a nice slice of life story involving an interesting and unique OC who does things, and I had a certain idea about where her path would lead. Now that foreshadowing seems to have been overdrawn by a new adventure arc instead of her growing up, getting into life as a more public or acqdmic figure, and building a future for herself.
Basically, I am drawn to the story because of the main character and have become invested in her life, relationships, and path. All of that has very abruptly taken a sharp and unexpected turn. Now it seems like we won't get to hear more about her deepening acceptance of her new life, her relationship with momlestia, her training as an artificer, or her friendship with Twilight.
Does any of that mean I won't also enjoy her new path to adventure? Of course not... but it requires reevaluation of where I think she's going.
4614544
I thought long chapters were a good thing. Especially for a SoL like this one. Is that why all those 2000 words stories kept hugging the featured-box before that one update? People prefer short chapters?
4614549
Oh. That's hard to hear actually, because I've wanted to have Gabe go on an adventure for quite a while now
4614550
Ooookay. I'll just chalk up that as another vote for continuing and leave it at that.
40 into 5 is still awesome. Some people just give a downvote in passing, might be because of the 'human who enjoys being a pony' shaming thing. I admit, I haven't got around to reading it yet but I doubt there's much to worry about. Your stuff gets exposure. That matters more than anything else. Keep doing what you're doing.
That said, I didn't read it yet. If the slice-of-life thing is rip... Well we talked about this before, you and I. SoL was one of the big advantages of 'My life', low-drama world exposition. In the end, though, it's up to you to decide where that goes, if anywhere. You gave us enough. You can have something for yourself, too.
The end of the last chapter was a surprise but I would like to see where this is going.
Even if my ability to read new chapters will be spotty because of travel for a while. 
Why can't there be steady internet connectivity everywhere
And if it means anything for what I think of the story, I've read it from the start 4-5 times now
4614552
Hmm. Thanks for the feedback. I'm gonna take that into consideration. I hoped people would think it would be satisfying to return to the slice of life after the adventure. Also, the water level of the pond of slice of life ideas have been lowering for a while now. Hopefully writing the adventure will give it time to recover.
4614564
Well, I don't know. Exposure to me means nothing if people don't like it. I don't write my story for the sake of being popular, I write it for the sake of the story being popular.
Oh well. Chalking up another voice of support. Thank you.
4614568
Wow. Yeah, it does mean a lot when someone says they've read it several times. Don't worry though, the story will still be here when you come back.
4614559
Write whatever the buck you want. If you have a plan for it then forge on. Sure what others think might have some weight, but don't let statistics dictate the course of your story. Don't mind the feature box either, you can advert your story in other ways.
4614577
Well. Alright, but it still makes you wonder if you're doing something wrong when you get such poor ratings. Thanks.
I recently started reading this story from the beginning, and got to the current last chapter in a few days. I think the shift in votes might be caused by the shift to adventure, instead of SoL. But I for one am still very interested where the last story arc will go. Please continue!
4614587
Alright. Noted. Thank you.
I like the long chapters. Actually, everything about this story had been pretty spot-on in terms of enjoyabillty.
If the story segues into an adventure and returns to slice of life within a reasonable number of chapters, I think that would be great and very enjoyable. If it stays adventure for the rest of its life, that might be less so for me.
4614590
I don't plan on that happening. I'm taking cues from the source-material. Break up the slice of life with an adventure, then go back to slice of life. It might be a bit more drawn out than a double episode like the show though, considering how drawn out I usually write.
4614559
The thing with short chapters is that it promotes a binge attitude. If you are coming to a story that is already 300k words deep, chapters that range from 3k-8k words are generally pretty easy read and can easily get you into that "just one more" mentality when reading. however if nearly every chapter exceeds 10k words that can be really intimidating for new readers and it's very unlikely they will binge the story in order to catch up. This means there is a lot more pressure for each individual chapter to be "good", with short chapters if you hit one you don't like its no big deal you just check out the next one and hope it gets better. With long chapters if you hit one you don't like its far more likely you won't immediately check out the next chapter increasing the chances of it being dropped entirely.
Course to those of us already caught up the long chapters aren't a big deal but I do admit that I have given up catching up with some stories because the chapters are too damn long lol.
4614600
So what you're saying is that I'm playing on hard mode? Alright, that's actually pretty cool
4614581
The problem I see here with fanfic trends is that authors are more subject to pressures that creatives from the entertainment and cartoon industry face. Viewers comment on your story as you write, which is a huge departure from traditional writing where stories are published in their entirety. This can largely influence your own outlook on your story and the frequency at which you write, leading to blogs like this.
I've stopped caring about statistics for awhile now, because I just want to write my story. If you must look at ratings and comments, look at them in an constructive way and carry on. That's what I tell myself at least. And the thing is whatever you write, people will like it anyway so long it isn't too divergent or unfamiliar with how the story has been like since the beginning. So the question here is, do you write because you care about ratings like some reality TV show or do you want to write the story and take it somewhere?
We love the story. That much is apreciated whith all these coments.
But, The last chapter ended with a 'the end of times' feel. Before this post i acualy thought that Gave's journy was coming to and end.
That sudden Ninty degree turn in the story in very jarring and left me feeling dowcast that one of my favorites stories would be nearing it's end.
But now that i know that the story will continue further i can relax and happily wait for the net chapter.
4614581
There is something I think you could have done better. I'm fairly sure that everyone has gotten a bit of a red flag when you mention that the story is turning away from slice-of-life and into adventure territory with some action and combat.
That to me doesn't feel like very accurate description of what's to come from what I've heard, and neglects to mention all the things that I assume will still be in the story.
The good humour — those happy feel-good moments — the cute foal shenanigans — Gabe being Gabe. And so on.
Im tracking this story.
You need to finish it so I can read it.
Personally, I really like this fanfiction and would happily see much,much more,also i'm curious what will happen now. (The last chapter was interesting although my first reading of it waslittle hasty [night shift and only fifteen minutes break]but still i like it
)
4614610
Looking at statistics constructively is hard for me though. I'm doing the best I can, and the ratings for the last chapter said, "Not good enough."
4614612
Well yeah. If the story had ended with the last chapter... well, that would've been a weird ending.
But yes. Some adventure before continuing with MLAABQ: Further Tales or something.
4614625
There are no tags for any of that stuff though. Not sure how to communicate that besides writing the next chapter.
There will be action and combat though. Not a lot of people said what they thought about it in chapter 17 though, so I don't know if people are looking forward to it.
4614630
Another mark for continuing. Noted.
4614634
Noted. Thanks
I'd definitely recommend you keep writing. You have something special here, and judging by the overall ratings and views people are aware of it. In my opinion, if you're in part writing for others, write for the readers who trust you to take the story to the correct ending, and execute that ending well. I personally can't envision that I won't enjoy whatever you write, based on what has been finished so far.
4614575
Well I re-read it several times as well :D It's often needed as things get blurry with time, even if the major bullet points remain with you. Still, it reads well the second time onwards, and that's not something that can be said about every story, even a good one.
Also, as far as statistics go... 'There's lies, blatant lies, and statistics'. Only useful on a very, very grand scale and even then, just barely. So don't rely on it overly much.
4614686
Alright. Thank you. That was very nice of you to say. I'll keep writing when I feel better and hope the story stays away from the attention of people who don't like it. Perhaps the latest influx of downvotes will keep it out of the featured box?
To be perfectly honest, the low ratings might have something to do with the sheer length of the chapter. I mean, a 20k word chapter is pretty damn huge. That kind of length doesn't appeal to everyone.
That said, those of us who have stuck around have come to expect nothing less from you. Not a single one of your chapters has been less than 9,000 words, which is about 2-3 chapters is just about any other decent story we might find on this site. I honestly prefer this kind of length. To me, it implies a certain level of quality, depth, and commitment from the author. That, and I have a tendency to work crazy fast once I start, which gives me a hell of a lot of down time. MLAABQ is one of the stories I frequent when I need to kill some time.
So yeah. Keep writing. I'm looking forward to seeing where you take this.
4614709
Thank you
Hmm. Maybe the adventure will feel more focused? I wonder if I should have it proceed faster.
4614642
This is one of the pros of publishing chapters on the go. If you think you haven't done well, you can always go back and edit. Take your time to chisel out the details. It's not uncommon for authors to discover something new about an early event in their story and make amendments. Readers here are actually quite supportive and optimistic, which I love so much about this site because fanfiction is basically a labor of love. Even dead stories like A Whisper on a Wind is still getting comments and its readers are hoping it isn't dead, even though it has been for 2 years.
I haven't read it yet, simply because I am very far behind on a bunch of stories on my favorites list. Plus the lack of time. I have 54 unread chapters in there, yours is in there as well.
I just don't have a lot of time atm, but I will read it eventually. Mark my words I will.
4614715
I don't really understand the intricacies of the feature box. In my opinion, just let the story get in there on its own time. I personally am against the emphasis on the feature box as a tool to gather attention. My preferred method of growing a story's viewership is by word of mouth - I've recommended your story to friends and discord groups in the past, and I do so with any story I find enjoyable. MLAABQ speaks for itself.
Considering you've been writing that one story for THREE YEARS, maybe you should figure out an end for it at some point that's fitting.
4614730
Don't do anything you feel like you shouldn't but people demand it. People want YOU (they were happy with it so far, why stop?). Otherwise, well... 'Suited for success' is the perfect lesson about what can happen then.
For what it's worth, the last 'adventure' intermission had perfectly fit into general SoL and world framework. You hit the mark once, you have all the reason to be confident for the next one.
4614730
I would definitely be careful with how long the Adventure arc lasts if you are gonna keep it part of the main story. If it's gonna end up going beyond 40k-50k words your better off spinning it off into it's own story so that people know what's going on.
4614725
Chapter 17 got much better ratings though, and that was 31k words. I guess I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the preference for shorter chapters. If a chapters is long, pause in the middle of it and keep going later. Terry Pratchett almost never wrote in chapters, which didn't mean that you had to finish the books in one sitting
Anyway, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you like the story. I always like hearing how my writing has helped someone
And I'll keep writing then... after working on the structure of the next chapters a bit
4614733
Hmm. If people are supportive, maybe I should change the title of the latest chapter then? That works better as the name for the next chapter.
If you keep writing it, I'll keep reading it.
Well I like it. I wouldn't worry so much. Its a great story and well written. Some people just don't like HiE and want to make their opinion known. You have thousands of people reading each chapter that have been reading along for a while.
4614746
Don't worry, it'll be here
4614755
I was thinking of keeping it out of the featured box. But thank you for spreading the word. That's really nice of you, and thank for the compliment
4614763
I have an ending for the main story in mind. It's the end of part 3 and I've had that in mind since chapter 4. I might write sequels, but I still have an ending in mind.
4614769
Alright. That's kinda encouraging actually, thanks
Well, they seemed happy, but the ratings told a different story.
4614772
It's probably gonna be longer than that, but I'm not sure. Why wouldn't people know what's going if it's any longer?
4614782
Noted. I'll take that as another voice for continuing
4614798
Yeah. I guess I wouldn't wanna disappoint them.