A funny thing happened on the way to the FiMFiction. · 8:24am Feb 6th, 2012
I was combing through my story files, trying to see if I could find something unrelated to ponyfic, when I came across the first chapter of a story I wrote in June. I never submitted it to Equestria Daily, nor did I ever have anyone else review it. It was atrocious, with numerous inconsistencies in perspective and tone, but it made me think just how far my writing has come... because of ponies. Magical. Talking. Ponies. Reviewing and writing ponyfics has helped my creative writing, the writing I actually give a shit about, improve dramatically.
It blows my mind to think that a random "Gee, I think I'll check /b/ for the first time in months" visit led me to discover the show, and then this fandom which I'm (mostly) proud of. It's even more insane that after more than seven years of swearing off fanfiction, believing it to be "the biggest waste of time ever", I not only was willing to read some fanfiction about magical talking ponies, but was so impressed with them that I thought, "I should get back into the fanfiction game."
There's no real point to this little ramble (1 AM writing; I'm sure you all know how that is), but it's often fascinating to me to see how many apparently random factors and decisions lead to where I am today. Does everything happen for a reason? Hell if I know.
I just know that I am here and grateful.
Ah~ I almost wish I was more interested in writing instead of just imagining to myself, so that I could have a similar story to tell. I know without a doubt that fanfiction would absolutely be the thing that motivates me to write if I was so inclined.
Instead all I've got to show for years of reading it is the incredible superpower of ludicrously fast reading.
I think the FiM community is actually the best at trying to help you correct your writing mistakes and really good at giving technical feedback. I'm much more likely to get a comment saying: "You messed up here because..." here than in any other place I know, where comments are generally limited to praises or flames.
I know exactly what you mean.
I haven't shown anyone, but damn I used to suck. And it's also partially thanks to you, Vimbert!
You should see the chapter of Ponies Make War that I didn't send you.