Featherfall’s Direction · 6:56pm Sep 2nd, 2018
Concerning Featherfall, I’m sure some of you have noticed it’s veering away from the ‘pure romance’ angle of storytelling into something a little broader with a bit more action. I’m sure for some of you this might be a bit of a disappointment, others will probably like it.
Personally I can say the reason I wrote in this direction is simple: I hate rom-dramas/rom-coms. To me they’re often the height of lazy writing relying on contrived miscommunication between the couple/s to keep the conflict running.
Those that don’t, of course, have to keep the conflict up anyway because that’s how stories work. Without conflict there’s no story. For me, I like how FIM handles their stories, keeping a nice balance of slice-of-life and action/adventure. So I am doing much the same.
The core of the story will always be romance, it will always be Sunset and Gilda’s love that carries the day. That’s the point, but what form that takes will change as time passes. I didn’t want to ignore the magic and adventure side of EQG because it’s really fun and cool, so I didn’t.
Moreover, as I’m sure some of you have noticed, one of my goals is to show a healthy relationship, not a perfect one mind you, but a relationship where the people in it want to improve and want their partner to as well. They’re not perfect and they make mistakes, but their relationship is healthy and positive.
With this said; I have a question for everyone. Should I divide Featherfall into multiple stories? Act 1 is essentially pure romance story. Act 2 will be romance and urban fantasy essentially. Should I make them two different stories on Fimfiction?
I'd say keep it as is. Personally, I'm with you on disliking the typical trope of miscommunication/misunderstanding creating pointless drama that could easily be solved by talking that gets pushed off to create fake tension. Plus, fimfics notification system is spotty at best, so there always runs the risk if people not knowing a second act is released, especially since we sometimes don't even get chapter notifications.
...Hm. Personally, I don't think I mind the direction, and I think I've at least a slight preference for keeping the story a single unit for convenience. However, as I am not the only reader, I can see arguments for splitting it, and I'm not rabidly against the idea.
Though, hm. Would you just draw a line through the text and put the things after it under a different name, or would there be a modified introduction section to reintroduce the characters and situation and such, so that the second story can better stand on its own without the first? Because if that's the case, I could be more (or I suppose less) against it depending on how that goes. Probably not a major problem, given your observed quality of writing, but I thought I'd mention it.
So, yeah, I'm in favor of keeping it a single story, it seems, but far from enough to storm off in a huff if you don't, and I can see that, depending on what other readers think, there are potentially good arguments for splitting it.
Issues with new story per ark:
I'd say stick with one story.
Also, for the direction of the story... you've established the foundation of their relationship, and it can only be built from there. Having more action and development is a good thing, and as you said, their romance will be there. Only piece of advice I'd give on this take it as you will is to be careful how far you want to take it in one direction or the other. Going too dark might alienate some readers, after all, and the story has plenty of potential for that if you don't rein it in.
Just my two cents.
4930355
I never intended Featherfall to go dark. It’s going to get a little dark but nowhere near my actual dark stuff. No death, limited violence, etc... it’s giing to touch some strong subjects regarding Gilda’s past but nothing I’d tag it ‘Dark’ for.
4930314
I hadn’t thought of just modifying the introduction paragraph to denote new acts and intros. I might just do that, thanks for the idea.
4930309
I’m glad I’m not the only one that cliche rubs the wrong way.
4930400
Well, I don't think that that's what I was talking about, but I'm glad that the misunderstanding appears to have been a fruitful one! :D
(You're welcome, if it counts.)
4930400
It's about as hell and one of the main reasons I despise most anime nowadays and get frustrated by so many authors on here. As a reader, I hate knowing that one or both parties had information that would move to resolve a situation yet holds onto it because of some dumb, arbitrary reason like 'they might not like to hear it'. That and the 'oops awkward situation that looks mildly suggestive' and NOBODY wants to talk or listen after. Holy hell that crap is annoying.
I agree honestly I hate rom-coms there to much for me. I personally think it should all be one story
4930408
Oh, what did you mean?
4930451
Hm. Trying to think how to put it, since it wasn't clear the first time.
Basically, the new "book" in its early chapters having a lot of information put in that wouldn't otherwise be there so that it stands on its own better. So, say, in a single story, the opening of a chapter might be "Gilda went to the store" compared to a sequel having "Gilda went to a store in the town of Canterlot". Reading straight through, we already know that it's in Canterlot, but since someone might pick up the second book before seeing the first, there's a lot they wouldn't know and would be confused by if it wasn't reintroduced. This is much less important when both stories are on the same website and linked to each other, but I thought you might do it anyway.
Truth be told IMO one story is fine and the direction the story is going is ideal to say the least. The style this story is portrayed in really draws (or more like abducts) you into it. It keeps making me want to know what happens next, and that's exactly what every reader wants a story to do. Splitting the story up might cause the story to lose steam a little, for lack of a better phrase. Yeah honestly having the whole story in one place is probably best.
4930475
My thoughts exactly