Everfree Northwest 2018: Friends, Magic and Connections - Day 3 - Sunday · 2:37am May 29th, 2018
Sunday started much the same as the other days. Try to get up at 7:15, fail and get up a little while after. This time though, we had a nice big group heading over to Dave’s for our last breakfast there.
I knew people would be leaving today, so i decided to start my tradition—well, it’s really more of a tradition introduced to me by Swan and some of the Jurists at BABSCon last year—and started having people sign my con book. Actually, wait, I started that the night before. HOW MUCH STUFF DID I DO SATURDAY NIGHT?!
I also apparently fell over on Loofa at one point. Oh well.
We ended up at two and a half tables, I think… and I simply don’t remember the conversation or the people around me. There were so many to keep track of at this time! I think it was mostly the Jurists this time around, that and Loofa & Corejo? I’m probably forgetting someone!
Panel #6: Worldbuilding in Equestria & Beyond
Shimmercoat (far left), Mono (left) and Cryptastic/Fairy Tail (right)
Originally, I had intended to go to the artist’s “Shipping is Magic” panel at 10AM, but as I was brushing my teeth, I got a message from Mono that it looked like someone expected was a no-show and she wanted a bit of help running the panel. After a short debate (which was me whining to myself for maybe 10 seconds), I decided to head down and join her, as well as Cryptastic and (even though he tries to hide), Shimmercoat!
I think Mono was tired of me taking pictures at this point…
Cryptastic had some good basis points on which to start from (apparently he had a PowerPoint and everything, but used that more as a guide) and we ran with it. As with most things at this point, it’s a bit of a blur, but I’ll try to hit the key points.
Mono talked a lot about what was needed to create a world as rich and vibrant as The Enchanted Library, with the ideas of different holidays and the concept of legends that have changed (such as every town having “their own version” of the “Lost Princesses” from a thousand years ago). For example, Ponyville uses the names “Princess Selene,” “Princess Sunny” and “Princess Booky” (best princess name ever).
I talked a bit about the Skyworld (And a Sky Full of Stars) and the Diamondverse (Diamonds Amidst the Stars/Snow). For Skyworld, I talked about how to capture that moment, for example when Princess Sunset Shimmer steps out on the balcony of the Phoenix Tower, looking down at the city filled with self-piloted chariots, arcano-tech lights and other high “fantasy-tech” elements.
But we also talked how massive infodumps are—frankly—a terrible idea. I remember mentioning Ready Player One (even though I actually enjoy the book and loved the movie) as being a terrible offender for infodumps that have nothing to do with anything. Stopping action to describe everything around you is not the way to handle things.
I brought up the example of the opening scene of Diamonds/Stars, where Twilight is wandering through the grove of arcane willows and looking down at the tired princess in the placid lake at the interior edge of the Canterlot wall with smoke billowing beyond it. That serves both the needs of the character and helps establish the setting.
On the other hand, Shimmercoat also brought up the danger of doing too little. You can’t just namedrop something into a world and simply expect readers to know what it is without any prep or knowledge. In addition, constantly using made-up or unfamiliar languages is frustrating for a reader, because the final result is making them feel stupid. Using words that can be clearly understood in context (such as the warrior cry of Qapla’! in Klingon, which means “Success!”), is fine, but entire conversations in other languages are really hard on readers.
I think I made my usual joke about how Tolkien decided to create a massive world for Lord of the Rings, realized it didn’t all fit into his story… then shoved it in there anyway.
We also got asked a question about worldbuilding in Adventure stories. I can’t remember the other examples, but I remember using Bond Films as a good example of this (not a great one, mind you, but a good one), using it to set up a few elements of the story while still being exciting.
We spoke a little of the setting itself becoming a character on its own as well, not to mention the concept of the unreliable narrator and how a character sees the world around them (or that might have been covered in the Characterization Panel).
It’s ironic that we talked about World-Builder’s Disease (and of course mentioned Earthsong) while acknowledging that discovery-writing an entire universe is incredibly fun and freeing experience. Just remember to keep your story points relevant to the story in front of you!
Panel #7: EquestriaDaily Returns to EFNW!
I have to admit, I was a little freaked out by this panel. I’m still the new guy to EQD (and this would mark the middle of my 3 back-to-back panels) so I didn’t know if I’d have much to offer.
I was even more freaked out by it being ON THE MANE STAGE. Seriously, /flail /flail /flail
It was great to finally meet Sethisto in person. Who is… rather short. And young-looking. I blinked a few times here and there (I couldn’t actually see him when we got up to the Mane Stage for the CG introductions at the beginning of the con!), but considering all the Trixies he had… yeah, I’m sure it was him. 
ANYWAY, our panelists included the following: theillustriousq, Gameleon, Sethisto, Couch Crusader, User, Aquaman, Silver Quill and I think Teascair (though they may not have made it for some reason).
We all introduced ourselves (and note, again, we couldn’t see a damn thing from the audience) and talked a little bit about how we came to be on EQD and what we currently did. I admit I was nervous as hell. I think Silver Quill started us out with a few basic questions, but only after the big announcement that the EqD Mascot, Spotlight Splash, was getting her own Plushie and it should be done by BC, which is pretty nifty!
Before too long, we opened things up to Q&A though.
The very first person in line (I think he was first, at least), told us that he’d submitted a story to EqD a while back and it had been rejected outright with some really harsh criticism on the story. To my shock and horror, he informed us that it had totally destroyed his passion for writing.
Wait, wait, don’t get up in arms yet.
This resulted in him focusing harder on art instead of his writing, which turned out to be pretty good… and he became very successful at it.
In fact, you probably know him.
Now, mind you, I HAD NO IDEA WHO THIS WAS. He was just a shadow. Until he was called back to the mic to let us know who he was… and it was freaking Below_Depth, the artist behind Sunlight Horizons! I couldn’t believe it. For the love of Pete, we’d talked last night about his epic artwork for SLS2!
Still, that sat a little wrong with me.
We had another comment in a similar vein (though it led to a question I can’t remember the specifics of), however, I did jump in for this one and encourage everyone in the audience that I had been rejected by EqD when I first attempted to publish there… and now I was up on a panel with these folks! So, don’t let it stop you. If it moves you to another track, sweet, but don’t let it stop you.
Another key question was someone asking about us now being in “Gen 4.5.” I was a little caught off-guard by this, but the rest of the panelists seemed to be ready for it. It was more a comment about the changing nature of the fandom. Seth jumped right on top of this.
We’ve all heard the comments that the “fandom is dying.” Well, that’s totally bull. Yes, big names like DuoCartoonist (for example) have decided to move on. What I reminded everyone of is that when old people leave, new people are coming in. We met a fan in the line that had just joined like… this season? Last season? Something like that. And I told them to remember that. Focus on the fact that we’re changing and we’re getting awesome new talent all the time!
We also had a conversation about our favorite post that we didn’t write. I… I’m sorry, I wish I could remember what everyone said, but I just can’t. I know what my answer was (after wracking my brain for a while), but I eventually settled on the Crusaders of the Lost Mark Followup. In fact, I checked and it was actually Aquaman who wrote it, and he was on the end of the line of the panel!
This was for a very specific reason. Most followups are goofy and silly and irreverent, but when we got to the moment of them getting their marks, the entire attitude of the followup changed to an earnest celebration and honoring of the CMC for landing their marks. I remember thinking, this is the way to handle it. I’d been scared Aquaman would screw around with it, but he didn’t! He did it RIGHT.
And… either Couch or Seth agreed with me. I can’t remember which.
The last big one was “What was the thing you got to do you have the best memories of?” I remember talking about all the interviews I did for NaNoPoMo/NaNoWriMo. That was a big moment for me.
...I know, I’m terrible that I can’t remember a lot of this.
Anyway, it was a solid panel. We got to have a lot of fun and all the panelists agreed it was a good turnout. I chatted with a few people on the way out (we ran a little over) and then happened to run across Swan and Autumn.
...who promptly told me I was late for my next panel.
Panel #8: Characterizing Characters
Left to Right: Winston, Mono, Albi, Lovely Laughter & Piquo Pie
I scrambled into the room, smiling sheepishly and waving at people before sneaking into a seat I had to steal from the desks because I think we were out at the front table?
I’m definitely checking my notes for this one. Let’s see… the biggest moment is definitely the moment where someone asked who had the best character arc in the show. Mono literally gasped and slapped her hands on the table while waiting for the person who asked the question to answer. There were quite a few chuckles.
As soon as the person stopped talking, I calmly mentioned something along the lines of “Mono, it sounds like you have some thoughts on the matter.”
She did.
Of course, Mono’s big talk was on none other than Rarity. I’ve already mentioned the Social Climber thing that happened during the Shipping Express. But the big thing she wanted to talk about was “Sweet and Elite” episode of MLP, which became like THE MOMENT Rarity because Best Pony for her.
She actually got where Rarity had been.
Personally, I’d always liked the episode. Yes, I’d have liked it more if she’d been called on her friends for the few lies she put out, but when the chips were down, Rarity made the right choice. She flipped high society the bird and stood with her friends.
Now, I could never go into it as well as Mono could. She did a super quick version on her short retrospective about EFNW, but I have to say, you just need to be around Mono to get it. After an hour with her, she’ll tell you just why Rarity is so amazing.
As for me, well, it’s no surprise who I jumped on.
I jumped on Sunset Shimmer before Albi could go. I… well, I had to. I’ve talked about this so much, I couldn’t not talk about it. I talked about how she’s come so damn far. From being the bratty first protege of Princess Celestia to actually attempting an ill-conceived invasion plan to do it… to her walk of shame at the beginning of Rainbow Rocks, to being recognized as an equal by Harmony itself at the end of Rainbow Rocks. Honestly, I thought just that arc alone was amazing.
Then they pushed the envelope. They made her even better by having her reach out to an overwhelmed SciTwi and pull her back from the abyss because she had been there!
Okay, surely that’s as far as they need to take the character.
Wait… what? We need to push it even further? Okay, we give Sunset Shimmer the only superpower that does not work alone. It requires another person to use (and I still say inspiration is her secondary ability). For the pony who wanted everything and wanted it alone… now she depends on her friends more than ever.
...I should also mention that I love how she still has a temper. She still gets annoyed and frustrated. She’s not perfect at all, but she never stops. That’s what matters.
Wait, you want to go further? We can do that. In fact, let’s give us the reunion we’ve all been waiting for (and we’ve all known it would end up exactly like that—I just wanted more tears) to the end of the episode where she takes a magical memory bullet for friends who don’t even flippin’ know her.
...long way from demanding to be a Princess.
Someone decided to be snarky and ask “How do you characterize characters?” To our surprise… we actually got something good out of that.
The first concept was “exaggerate your characters.” Lovely Laughter reiterated something G.M. Barrow said in an earlier panel, that if you take away everything but the dialogue, you should still be able to tell the characters apart, though various means such as adjectives according to the character who's narrating, like "divine" or "pretty" or "sweet!"
Lovely also talked about another concept. I’m going to quote her (she was nice enough to help me out in Discord with parts of the panel).
As far as describing characters goes, you don't need to describe every little thing right off the bat. You should, however, have every little thing - even if it's not relevant to the story or you might not use it - figured out about your character. Like their dreams, their backstory, their political beliefs, their favorite color, etc. You should know how they talk and how they think as thoroughly as possible. Then, to avoid purple pony syndrome, use those things only as needed in the story.
Of course (and we all agreed on this), this depends a ton on your story. If you’re writing a 600,000 epic, you need to have a good grasp of this stuff. If you’re writing a 3,000 word one-shot, it’s not nearly as critical, but having some will help inform your character.
Lovely also talked a lot about introducing characters who are actually needed in the story. She used the example of Luna Lovegood, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. I tossed out that this is one of the main reasons we don’t see Royal Guards during the Invasion of Canterlot (because, to be honest, most folks aren’t going to care about them, they care about the Mane 6).
Lovely brought up the idea that not everyone needs a line in the story. Do we actually care about the random one-off baker? There’s some places to cut. She gave… one suggestion… but it’s triggering things about a certain movie, so I won’t repeat it here. :twioops:
We talked a bit about Character Quirks, too. I decided to redirect the question at Albi, talking specifically about the SciTwi on Coffee scene in Long Road to Friendship. Albi really helped us differentiate things between Character Quirks and Character Traits. I think the example he used was Fluttershy, talking specifically about one of her traits is that she’s shy. That’s a fundamental part of her psychological makeup. The second example he used was Twilight’s fear of being tardy as a quirk. It’s a great way to show characterization through that.
We talked a bit about how narrative voice can play a key role in character development. Mono talked a little bit about the example of her uncle’s house she described back in her NaPoWriMo about what she noticed on the wall of the house versus what her cousin noticed on the wall (versus what her uncle wanted them to notice).
I remember talking a bit (more) about My Kind of Crazy and how Pinkie’s perspective is kinda tricky to do, but is incredible if you can get it just right. I see her (and I think I wasn’t alone in this), as a social savant, but her brain moves so quickly through data that she comes across as random. Actually, that last part may have been Mono talking about Pinkie as always having consistent internal logic.
In the realm of voice, I think I may have mentioned Spectrum of Gray as well, but I can’t remember.
We also talked a lot about empathy. The central talk rotated around the idea that it’s—to quote Winston—“tied to the part about characterization taking effort because empathy for a situation you've never experienced isn't always easy.”
Winston also talked about the fact “that characterization takes effort. Getting into someone else's shoes to really understand them sometimes takes significant research and the willingness to (respectfully) ask people who've been in situations about their experiences.”
The one thing I’m sure about is that we all talked about how really… we should have done the Character Panel first, since pretty much EVERYTHING comes from character.
We had a few hiccups in the panel here and there and I know we got off track a few times, but despite that, I hope you all enjoyed it overall! I was just happy I got to geek out about Sunset’s arc. Because she’s amazing. 
Now, apparently I left my seat to take care of something at one point and left my stuff set up… because my friends decided to have some fun COSPLAYING ME?!
Silver Flare, playing the role of the Masked Novel Idea
Arcshod, playing the role of the Tired and/or Unimpressed Novel Idea
...I have weird friends.
Iron Author Results!
Now, before I get into this next part, I need to explain something super important!
At the beginning of May, Heartshine and I were discussing something in the Nook and she brought up this concept of using a Nerf Gun as CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
You need nerf gun therapy
Which means that every time that you say something negative about yourself, one of us shoots you with a nerf gun. And then you have to say something positive that counters that negative self talk. And if you don't, we get to shoot you again.
I may have become somewhat obsessed with the concept, to the point of planning to bring a Nerf Heavy Pistol and a Nerf Assault Rifle to the con. I decided at the last second not to do it (but I so should have. Several people were in desperate need of it at the con).
I didn’t actually need to. Arcshod provided a veritable ARSENAL for me, including a heavy-hitting version of the Heavy Pistol I had and a small 3-shot derringer.
Well, right before the contest started. Heartshine made some comment that immediately made me think, “Oh, right!” So, I pull out the heavy pistol… and while trying to cock the damn thing, it goes off early with a sound of a thunderclap in the room. Heart ducks and knocks the dart out of the air with amazing reflexes… and seriously, looking back on that moment I’m just like HORRIFIED in terror as I awkwardly try to explain it.
...seriously, to my ears it sounded like a flippin’ gunshot!
Thankfully, Heartshine is far smoother than I am (no matter what she says) and laughs it off as cognitive behavioral therapy and no one says a thing. I put the heavy pistol away and just walk around with the derringer in my pocket… but only fire it when it’s actually pressed against someone’s arm so it just prods them slightly… and mostly do it to myself (okay, okay and Albi, but he had it coming!).
ANYWAY… I sorta hid in the corner after that.
Now, I’ll admit, I only stayed around to hear the first story being read aloud (there were a few other things I needed to do), but here were the IRON AUTHOR RESULTS:
Total Stories Submitted: 41
Tied for Second Place:
DrakeyC with Inferno & Hap with Basements
First Place:
DeltaSierra with Firefly
Honorable Mentions:
Titanium Dragon: Social Climber by Monochromatic & Apple Pie by Kalan
Lovely Laughter: Returning Home by Gara-The-Author
EbonQuill: Heart of it All by redsquirrel456
Xepher: A Slice of (Mrs. Cake’s) Life by Epic Yarn
Silver Flare: Moonstone by Jykinturah
Heartshine: You Better Dig Two by Aquaman
Note: I may have missed someone. I vaguely remember something about a judge not being there for the finale or something...
I’d also like to point out that stories were all judged completely anonymously (even if Mono did sorta kinda totally target TD with her story). No one knew who the authors were, so there was no authorial/friendship bias here!
I have to say, I’m intensely proud of Jyki in specific. The guy’s got an amazing gift, but well… just like all of us, he sometimes struggles with confidence. I’m hoping this gets through to him. I pretty much hammered it into his head after closing ceremonies (because a moment like this is exactly what allowed me to become the writer I am today)
I actually did record Lovely Laughter reading Inferno to the entire room (it’s not ready yet) and I have to say, I loved it. It was a tad bit people, but it was supposed to be purple! It was amazing. The entire concept was to convey feeling, emotion, passion and power, and it did it wonderfully, I was practically melting with glee over the story.
The best part was that DrakeyC was actually on his way out so he could fly come and he rushed back to get the applause he deserved for his second place win! Before he scampered off, I pulled Albi over to do a group shot (or that may have been the night before, I don’t remember!)
As I said, I didn’t get a chance to stick around for the whole thing (and holding my hand up to record for 15 minutes straight was hard).
I took care of a few things, did a last sweep of the vendor hall, got too many buttons (as if that’s actually a thing), chatted with a few people.
Iron Author Party!
After all of this, I met up with all the authors and learned about the results, then we all came down to the Restaurant/Bar (same table we’d been using half the con, including Saturday night). We had a lot of people here, including Somber, Ebon, Heartshine, Corejo and… probably everyone else I’ve mentioned! Gah! Without pictures at this point, I’m hopeless and I think I’ve phoned about a billion friends.
However, I do have some pictures my wife sent me!
Painted Heart, being adorable
Sunny Stage (left) and Primary Color (right), being adorable
I think I started with a discussion on how adorable Coco was. Yup. Something with that. And shipping her with ponies… and then me defending my precious RaraXCoco ship that is perfect and nothing you can say will convince me otherwise! (I use defending here really loosely.)
The key thing I remember from this moment is about Somber and I debating the merits of AUs and changing the characters (potentially turning them actually into OCs) to fit the narrative versus changing the narrative as a result of a natural progression of changes in the past.
It’s a little convoluted, I know, but basically, it’s the question of AU/AT’s and dealing with “which changed first, the character or the narrative?”
...I also learned that Ebon—without either of our knowledge—was intentionally winding us both up because it amused him. He’s slightly evil. Just slightly. Anyway, at this point, I think we had to say goodbye to a few folks. We may have said goodbye to Oroboro earlier in the day (he had to drive back to Wisconsin) and maybe one or two others.
But before we knew it, it was time for closing ceremonies!
EFNW Closing Ceremonies!
First of all, major kudos to the EFNW team for playing One Small Thing at the end of it! I may have been singing. No one can prove anything, though. I’m sure of it!
Honestly, closing ceremonies are always good stuff, though it’s usually when the con has wound down. Only a few of the VIPs were still left at the con (hey, they’ve got busy lives, I don’t blame them! I’m thrilled they came out!), but we talked numbers, we talked about the huge amount of money raised for charity and we even talked final attendance numbers.
EFNW scored over 2,700 people this year. That’s freaking incredible. For all the claims that the “fandom is dying” this is EFNW’s biggest year yet. This isn’t going anywhere.
We got a fun announcement at the end that Kelly Sheridan will be joining us next year, as well as the official dates, which is (thankfully) between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day again! (Seriously, having it on Mother’s Day for 2017 was evil).
That being said, a lot of it is a bit of a blur. I was rather tired and I wasn’t the only one...
Eh, she was a bit more awake with Ebon.
Also, shoutout to EbonQuill for this year. Though I was listed as Staff, for most of the con, I acted very much as a Community Guest. Of course I moderated panels and stuff like that, but that’s about it. Ebon did a MASSIVE amount of the workload for the Iron Author Contest (like last year) and he was running around during the entire con acting as the perfect staffer, monitoring panel times, supervising the ORCs (Open, Read and Critique) and watching over the Writer/Artist hangouts. This guy was like a machine. He deserves a medal. I may have killed myself socially, but he did it physically… though you could never tell, honestly.
Speaking of staff… they actually wanted us all on the Mane Stage one more time for a giant group photo. I don’t have any of the final picture, sadly (at least not yet), but I can show you one more time what a packed house looks like from the Mane Stage of EFNW 2018!
...yeah, you still can’t see much.
With that, we finally had to say goodbye to the official EFNW con.
..but not without one final giant group shot!
There are so many people in here, and I’m fairly sure a couple decided to photobomb us…
Then, it was time to say goodbye to some folks…
RedSquirrel456, Albi and Corejo
Albi had to hit the road (or in this case, the train) to get back home. He wanted to be responsible or something, but I wanted to take the time to walk him out.
I’m super glad I got to have this time with him. I’m also so much happier knowing him as a person than as this “OMG YOU’RE FREAKING AWESOME, PLZ TEACH ME” writer. Don’t get me wrong, he totally is still freaking awesome (deal with it, Albi), but having him as a friend is infinitely more valuable.
I’m proud to call this fantastic guy my friend.
The Finale Dinner!
...you’ve probably heard stories about how flippin’ exhausted I was at this point. When I was “resting” on Mono’s should up there, I totally could have fallen asleep. There were points in the day where I got massive headaches, dizzy spells and almost fell asleep in a few spots. Frankly, the only thing keeping me going was several medications (yes, prescription, shut up) and my total unwillingness to stop.
Even if like ten people told me to go take a nap, I constantly refused (but I got close a few times).
But I pushed it off. I needed this. I needed this time. I didn’t matter if I was progressively punch-drunk during the night. It didn’t matter how silly I got. I wanted to have fun with my friends.
So we did!
A bunch of us decided to go to Sharp’s Steakhouse for one more time.
I got a chance to speak not only with DeltaSierra, the winner of the Iron Author Contest (who I’d like to point out no one had heard of before now). He apparently only did con writing, but that changed! He’s now got a full account and everything. Even did an avatar. Gave him some general ideas and suggestions, but all publishing-level stuff, not writing stuff (I haven’t even gotten to read his story yet).
I also got the chance to meet none other than Gryphyn-Bloodheart, who’s in the business of making custom brushables and even Funko models! To my surprise, I realized I knew the name, because I have one of her Littlepip Funkos!
I was totally thrilled she was there! I actually walked by her booth a couple times, but it didn’t register until then that I knew her already! That was really cool.
Eventually, I joined my group. Originally, I was seated with everyone else, but with how tired and dizzy I was getting, sitting on a tall chair while directly under a hot light wasn’t a good idea, so I eventually moved down to sit with Ebon, Furled Scroll and Katya Nott!
Left to Right: Myself, Furled Scroll & Katya Nott!
The next few hours are a bit of a blur. A few things happened here and there. Everyone was totally fried. We eventually welcomed Funk and Mono to our table, while when the rest of the Jurists left their larger table, someone new joined us by the name of Soge. He’s actually a member of the RCL curators (and a really quiet guy!) I think he’s actually a ninja. Working theory, don’t quote me.
Autumn and Swan joined us, too and they all had dinner, while the rest of us had this super-long ongoing dinner thing of conversation and chatting. However, eventually, I decided it was time to head back to my room, because I had promised Hap some TSSSF and I intended to deliver, no matter how exhausted or stumbly I was!
”NovelCon,” Part 2
Bah, I still hate that name. Blame Swan. He came up with it. And Ebon also agreed with it. I got outvoted. :twioops:
Over the course of the next 15-20 minutes, something on the order of what felt like 30 people (but was probably like 15 or so) came to my room!
I played a quick round of “get two cards” TSSSF to teach Hap and others how to play.
We were making all sorts of jokes, cracks and just rambling about everything and anything at this point. We were all exhausted out of our minds (though I might have been farther gone than most).
Sadly, Albi had to leave before I had my massive showdown between Albi, Mono and myself. Seriously, that would have been a game FOR THE AGES.
I like to point out that I did indeed take first BEST SHIP. Because it’s me.
Granted, I was betrayed by my friends shortly thereafter and it was broken up, but in my heart, they’ll always be together.
The Pikachus also doubled during the night.
I don’t think the whiskey was involved, but I can’t be sure. I’m fairly sure Hap drank most of it.
Who can really say, though?
I think Hap had the lead, but things were getting so crazy… I honestly lost track. I wasn’t the only one.
Then, Arcshod did something amazing. Beyond description.
He played this.
But he didn’t stop there, no way.
He actually came up WITH A FULL FREAKING SONG RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT COMPLETE WITH MORE MOVES!
So this is the story all about how Twilight’s life got flipped-turned-upside-down
And I’d like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I’ll tell you how she became the princess of a town called Bel Mare
In West Appleoosa born and raised
Sightseeing was how she spent most of her days
Maxing, relaxing, chillaxing all cool
And attending some concerts outside of school
When a couple of rebels who were up to no good
Started genderswapping ponies in her neighborhood
She got in one little fight and Celestia got scared
She said, “You’re going to go get shipped with two Sunsets in Bel Mare.”
Actual Play:
Braeburn -Sightseeing> The Fresh Princess of Bel Mare -Met at a Concert> Anti-confectionary Rebel Pumpkin Cake
Braeburn -Rule 63> Life of the Party Babs Seed
Used Babs’ ability to Swap the Fresh Princess across the board with a card currently shipped with two different Sunset Shimmers (and Mortal Celestia).
Now, the game went on a little from there, but people started ducking out due to complete and total exhaustion, so after a little while as the party broke up, I suggested that Arc be named the winner. No one disagreed.
The Perfect End
While everyone else headed out, I did ask Mono to stay behind. In truth, the weekend had been really rough on both of us, though for completely different reasons. We both had situations we had to deal with—at the con and at home—and, for me, right then and there… I needed a friend.
And Mono was there. She’s amazing like that. She’s done it so many times.
Friends like her are irreplaceable, priceless and rare beyond imagining.
And we just talked until almost three in the morning. Just sat on the couch and talked. I know during this Retrospective, I’ve made comments about Novelcon and my pride on being a bridge between so many different groups. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted every moment of that and I loved it all. I loved being with my friends.
But sometimes, you just need a friend.
Mono decided to be that friend. I hope I was a good friend for her that night, too. We both share some of the same demons. We both go through similar battles with ourselves. We’re at very different points in our lives… but at the same time, we can still connect really well.
I am deeply honored to have someone as incredible as Mono as one of my closest friends.
And that is how I ended the last night of Everfree Northwest 2018. Not with a huge drinking party, not even with a massive game of shipping ponies, but just two friends sitting on a couch, talking until nearly three AM.
I couldn’t have asked for a better end.
And while that may have been the end of EFNW 2018, we still have one more day to go! Day 4 comes out tomorrow, including some final thoughts and a ton of adorable, hysterical, WTF and totally random bonus pictures!
Glad you had a good time
Furled Scroll looks enough like my mom that I found myself startling upon seeing her in your pictures. c.c Thanks for identifying her!
Woo
Holy crap, Novs... my computer just completely gave up upon trying to load this xD xD
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Lol, watch, was totes your mom.
I was the other person at breakfast. Not surprised you didn't remember we were all tired and I was in awe of being at a table with so many awesome people. Reading through this I'm sad I missed closing ceremonies, but I'm glad to see everyone had fun :D
Here's hoping next year is just as fun!
Yeah, I had to bail about a quarter of the way through the Iron Author readings, darn it. Wife commands, I obey. We did manage to make it home in three and a half days, (and 500# of rocks) though, as well as Yellowstone, Wall Drug, and the Corn Palace.
Also,
! Cause I cannot even begin to fathom how anyone can just... go up and do a panel. I know I'd be way too stressed and afraid of getting a question I just... couldn't answer. Or more likely, just not really being able to answer anything.
Well, then again, it's not like I'm a big name or an expert at anything... Even if I did go to cons I wouldn't be asked to do panels. Thankfully.
Another fine recap for a truly good day. Thanks for sharing these, and for the time you put into them.
Sorry I didn't hang out with you more, Novel. But man, I feel like every second of EFNW was packed! The weekend is gone in a whirlwind, and especially being part of the staff and having staff responsibilities, there's just no way to get in all the everything I always want to do.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't remember everything that goes on.
I'm happy you had fun, though. It was nice getting to know you better, and plenty of laughs and smiles were had.
It's also always interesting seeing other people's perspective on con stuff (and of course, an outside view of myself - god, I have a chubby face D:).
That was a good day. I'm sad that I missed like three panels to get Ingrid to sign a rock for my geologist wife (which also had a portrait of Maud on it, thanks to one of the artists at the vendor hall!), but I'm glad I got it for her.
Maaaaaaybe.
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You're welcome! I think...
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My memory sucks, so I use pictures to help! Yes, just like Memento.
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Gah! Sorry! I tried!
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Part of this is because I'm actually used to be being a teacher. I did a ton of teaching when I was with Apple as part of the One to One training program, as well as internal store classes. Did the same thing at my current job, actually. And I've done a bunch for GoE. In the end, it comes down to just focusing on the people in front of you and engaging them one by one.
Though I'll admit when I'm up there, just another aspect of my personality comes to the forefront and I let PR Novel go nuts. He's usually fairly good at this. Heh.
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You are quite welcome. As you well know, they were flippin' exhausting!
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No worries! it was a crazy weekend! I actually didn't get a chance to attend a single panel other than the ones I was on and opening/closing ceremonies! Cons be crazy!
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Trust me, I interviewed like THIRTY PEOPLE to get as much as I could for this!
Absolutely! You gave me some great insight into how you approach stories, synopses and covers!
Nah, you're fine! And yeah, I love seeing this kind of thing, too (know any other writers who are crazy enough for a retrospective like this?)
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Uh-huh. Yeah. Maybe.
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It's fine, I really only pointed it out because it was one of the few things I recall with any certainty from the weekend myself. Plus, we'd only really ever spoken a few times prior to that and u was a new face in the crowd, so doubtlessly your mind focused on what it could recall easily.
And honestly you were busy as all he'll and running in basically Emergancy reserves by that point I suspect so gaps in memory are more than understandable.
But, in the end the important part is we all had a lot if fun, made new friends, and made lots if good memories!
I didn't know you were recording me! #o-o# Let me know when you post it
so I can hear my own awkward voice