Random Ramblings CCXXVIII · 4:56am Feb 10th, 2018
IN WHICH I BECOME FRUSTRATED AT MYSELF
One of the things I try to do with my writing here -- I don't think I succeed -- is to create a sense of place. I want my vision of Canterville (named because I felt keeping "Canterlot", even if canon, was dumb and "Camelot" was even dumber) to feel like a proper city despite itself. Follow me for more word-barf.
I've always loved maps, design, architecture, city planning, all that stuff most people find boring. Why I got a Political Science & Public Administration degree instead when I attended Arkansas -- known amongst academia for having a world-class architecture school (now named after late alumnus and longtime professor & local architect Fay Jones) -- is beyond me. Oh well, I did what I wanted to do and have no real regrets. Besides, UA's architecture program, I've heard, is crazy difficult; I likely would have washed out. But I digress.
Like I said in the intro, I've always wanted -- in stark contrast to the real show and movies -- for my EQG town to feel real. Everything is in a specific place and does not change for plot convenience. Problem is, because I was more focused on characterization, I never bothered to actually draw a map of Canterville's downtown. This has become an issue became my next Sunset Recovery Arc Story, And That's Good Enough, has Sunset taking a walk several blocks to the nearest park -- specifically the one I first mentioned in Highs & Lows.
It's been difficult to get my bearings on where everything actually IS in Downtown, so I think I'll need to draw a map. And I'll have to reread my stories to make sure I didn't contradict myself in what details I have made.
Sunset Shimmer lives in an old apartment building Downtown, several blocks (but close) to CHS. That building is near (about a block from) the bus stop for 7th and Harmony, as I detailed in SSSQ. But do the numbered streets run east-west or north-south? Which direction does Sunset's apartment window face? These are important questions when you want to really establish a setting.
My belief is that Sunset's apartment faces north; the building is on the south side of a street. The commercial street on which Carousel Boutique sits is one or two blocks north of her. BUT, is Big Beulah's Burrito Barn on the same street? I don't think so. I'm thinking it's a block north of that. But I'm not sure. Maybe it is, just farther to the east.
Where is the park? Is there more than one? How is it arranged -- is it a square in the Spanish Colonial Style or might it be more like Savannah's Oglethorpe Plan? Or maybe like the squares in New York City or DC? These are things that I ought to answer before I actually try and move any further on the story. CoffeeMinion, as I mentioned last blog, reminded me that I need to add some details so the final two stories -- which he is patiently helping me on -- don't throw you for a loop.
However, due to pleasant circumstances (for once), ATGE will not be the next Sunset story I publish. I'm taking a break from the Recovery Arc (but not necessarily its continuity) to write a one-shot that I've promised myself and I think maybe Posh for at least a year. I do this type of stuff when new happens -- I promised myself the first Bluray I would ever buy and watch would be Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and it was (I had the BD for over two years before I got the player to watch it on).
Simple Slice-Of-Life. No sexy-time (I already wrote that and will publish after Recovery), no particular angst, hopefully a bit of humor, although I've never considered myself very funny despite my history making comics. Its title plays on my tendency to have Sunset name her personal items -- jackets, guitar, scooter, laptop, cactus, etc.
The story will be called something like From Marcie to Sparky, although this is subject to change. Look forward to it!
Peace out!
I know how you feel about naps, I got into D&D because it gave me an excuse to draw elaborate maps of fantasy worlds.
So, new laptop coming? Niiice.
It'd be cool to see a final map of Canterville. I don't think it holds you back much if at all in the 2 stories I've got from you now, though I can see it being more of a thing with the walking-around story. I get the desire to have that nailed down but I wouldn't hold off if you can make it work more or less without that.
4793599 - We're talking a simple street plan I can sketch on a 3x5 notecard. If I had a working scanner, I'd probably post the results. I've drawn maps like that plenty of times.
And in answer to your statement/query, it came three days early and I'm typing on it now. Tonight's job is writing the story I promised. I'll explain everything in my usual Author's Notes.
(it's so weird to have a laptop with a working battery again; also I came up with a different name for Sunny's laptop)