One Year Later · 1:39pm Nov 8th, 2012
Crossposted from the Vault.
One year ago today (well, yesterday), I held my breath and posted the first Vault interview. I let it out pretty quickly and went on with my life, because yet another pony blog wasn't going to cause much of a stir, at least not at first. Besides, I had more posts to work on; in those heady days, there were new interviews twice a week.
There's a lot of fanfiction here in the Vault - just over two-and-a-quarter million words' worth (and growing every week), from sub-2,000-word drabbles to 600,000-word epics and everything in between, by authors from all over the world – but it represents only the tiniest sliver of what's out there.
I realized I could take it to the next level by asking the authors I invited if they'd take the time to answer some questions about themselves and their work, and that's where the real fun came in. Together over the last year, we've gotten to peek inside the minds of 60 of the fandom's best authors – and that "we" is no typo; I'm just as excited as anyone else to read a new author interview, I just get to do it a little earlier than everyone else!
The Vault means a great deal to me, and it seems it's come to mean a great deal to many readers and authors as well. Would you believe me if I told you it never occurred to me the Vault would become something like Equestria Daily, with authors hoping and dreaming of being honored with a post? It's not a responsibility I bear lightly. I'm often asked what it takes to get into the Vault, and I never have a good answer; I just know it when I see it. If you're an author who hasn't heard from me – or worse, hasn't heard good news from me – please don't take it too hard. If you love writing, you shouldn't stop... certainly not over the opinion of a complete stranger on the internet.
I could ramble for pages and pages, but I know you're here for the stories. So let me simply say that it has been and shall continue to be a pleasure and a privilege to serve the fandom in this way, and I am extraordinarily grateful to all of the authors and readers who have supported my little project. Here's to another year of excellent fanfiction.
I'll drink to that.
And then there's us regular fuckers, just sitting here, clopping.
Hey, congrats on the anniversary.
484681
Why not both? I'm currently trying to get into the vault.
Oh and I totally think you should interview yourself! We all know the authors, but who takes the time to talk to the readers? or perhaps leave people's comments about the story at the end of the interview. Just tossing ideas around. Anyways happy anniversary. A toast to this fandom, your vault, the works of fiction, and the readers. May this fandom live a long life.
*Drinks my morning milk*
484681 Indeed
484762
i3.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/006/759/both.png
Second on the congrats, AND on the "interview yourself" idea!
Huzzah for a year of coolness, and for your hip new logo!
484781
I love that picture, so many uses!
And indeed as well.
484762 I had no idea that we were allowed to submit our own fics before RBDash47 banned it. If I had known prior, I would have spammed my Death Note fic like crazy.
SO INSTEAD, I just wait for popularity to build up and hope that some misguided fool submits my stories. Lord knows that after a while, I will reach that stage of popularity where I can expect viewers en masse.
Oh well. *goes back to clopping to Octy plot //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Octavia_plot.png *
484902
Oh right, you can't submit your own works of fiction. I don't think there's a rule preventing you from asking a friend do it, but let's not abuse the obvious loopholes. Also Vinyl plot is better. Or hell like I said above, why not both?
484919 oi bro u wana submit my storys???
*ahem* I'd have used Vinyl plot, but I only have an Octy plot emoticon. The next best thing would be posting actual artwork, butt fuck it.
hahacwutididthar??? //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Colgate_beam.png
A bit late but happy birthday nonetheless!
One year birthday is definitely a great occasion to do it. 
The Vault has always been a great place to find something worth to read, and for your continued work I thank you kindly.
Also, I definitely second the notion of interviewing (or pretty much just answering your own questions) yourself.
484796 :D
484902>>484919 >octavia or vinyl
i3.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/006/759/both.png
A worthy service to the fandom, done well and with great enthusiasm, dedication, and humility. Thank you for your service, 47!
Or, 59 and The Descendant...
...
484762
484782
485462
Is it sad it took me all day to work out that you guys were taking about me answering my own interview questions? I don't know what I was thinking... but anyway, at some point the Vault will close (meaning no more active updates - the site will stay online for as close to forever as is humanly possible, even if I no longer participate in the fandom at all), when I'm unable or unwilling to continue it, and whenever that happens, my farewell post will be my interview. That being said, an enterprising fellow contacted me a while back and interviewed me himself, and nothing seems to have come of that - I'm going to drop him a line and see what's what, and maybe we can get that posted somewhere.
484902
This would be The Dragon's Notebook? Does one have to be familiar with Death Note to understand it?
485950
Humility above all, I hope. And speaking of humility, none of that, TD!
To everyone else, thank you.
486292 Eenope, I'm quite certain I wrote it in a way that doesn't require one to read Death Note. Spike picks 'er up, and learns about it the same time the readers do. Reading Death Note simply spoils the fun for my awesome story...
cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/25341101.jpg
*ahem* But yeah. If you do quit, we've had some lovely interviews.
486309
It would take a lot to keep me from continuing; at the moment the only thing I'm even vaguely worried about is going back to school late next year, but that's a ways off.
486344 An unexpected case of death could be a pretty legit excuse. But that's just me being a sick asshat.
*ahem* Well, I happily await the next interview, then. Have an Octy plot: //dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Octavia_plot.png
486292
whoa, back up a second. Your saying that if we get an interview from you, it would be the last one? That's just cruel. I look forward, and regret, that day already. It will be a bittersweet day.
On a side note I still would like to see something from you. Since an interview won't do, how about you write down your rambling thoughts? As you stated above in your post you could go on for pages. I wouldn't mind reading them.
or perhaps a contest! A silly contest where you give us the readers a story plot and we attempt to write them. Since you already have other legit stories to read you won't have to judge them, let the readers write, and vote on their favorites. Perhaps create a simple group, have us join it, you post a random theme, anyone and everyone attempts to write, and anyone can read and give a vote. Obviously this is no new idea but hey, it's something you can do to become closer to your readers.
Congratulations!