Signal boost: Three Letters sequel · 6:58pm Jun 7th, 2019
More exciting news — this time, adjacent to Horizon words rather than about them!
Cynewulf, one of the site's finest authors, was recently taking story commission requests. (If you've been hanging around here for a while, you might remember her from my recommendation of 80 Days 'Til the World's Farthest Shore during my 80 Days challenge.) I contacted Cyne, said "I'd like something related to one of my stories," and handed her the reins.
Five Colors was the result:
Cyne described it as a spiritual sequel to Three Letters, but I feel comfortable calling it an actual sequel. 3L was an examination of the difference between Earth and Equestria through the medium of a word game played with Twilight Sparkle during a car ride, and this both returns to that same ground and strikes out in its own direction. It feels extremely true to the vision in my head of Three Letters’ characters, and the framing of an entirely different sort of game offers some poignant observations that carry 3L's legacy forward.
It also got me to reread Three Letters with fresh eyes, and ... I'm beginning to think that I underestimated it back when I did my rankings. It was my newest published story at the time, and I honestly don't remember what flaws I was seeing, because it feels really punchy in hindsight. Cyne said it was one of her favorite stories I've written, and I've heard that from others as well. So this might be a good chance to read it if you originally passed it up.
Anyway! Five Colors. (Magic: The Gathering knowledge optional but probably useful.)
I almost read that story based on being a MTG nerd, but didn’t get quite interested enough to put it on my list. Knowing it’s related to a story I previously enjoyed, though, will get it a read.
I’m off!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Putting eyes on words right away, sir!