Jan
28th
2020
700 Followers: Ask Me Stuff! · 12:10am Jan 28th, 2020
I haven't done one of these in a while. Also, for some reason there's now over seven hundred of y'all following me. What. I don't know if I should be proud or concerned. Perhaps a milestone blog with more to it will come after my latest story drops. Or maybe not. I dunno. I'd have to narrow it down to one main focus.
AMA Blog Rules:
- I don't spoil current stories. But I can clarify lore and if I have any headcanons or plans for something.
- Please ask questions in English 'cause I don't speak anything else.
- Asking me about stuff I like to read (pony and non-pony) is cool. Or my writing process. Asking me invasive questions isn't.
- Wanting to know about possible sequels to stories and update statuses is also pretty neato, just don't be a huge dick asking about it.
- Use a goddamn question mark or I'm going to have to assume you're not asking a question.
So what's up with Sombra?
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Related: What's Queen Sombra's favorite pizza that we always see her eating? Is pizza, like, a Crystal Empire delicacy or something?
Le gasp! Q and A!
Have you met our Lord and Savior John Delancey?
They always ask what's up with Sombra, but they never ask, 'What's down with Sombra?'
Do you read any particular genre as a sort of guilty pleasure?
Wanna write a collab some time?
What are Sombra's best features?
My only question is how in the word do you manage to update and write so quickly? Where do you get all that motivation, because I'd like to borrow some.
Tell me your ways, for I wish to learn from them.
I don't really have a valid question right now. I've been very tired and unmotivated.1) I guess I'm late to the party but why do you like Sombra? Also can you clarify "Queen Sombra" vs "King Sombra"?
2) What MLP character that you haven't written about do you want to write about next? And why?
3) What are people's first impressions when they meet you? Bronies and non-bronies?
4) What are you studying in college? Do you enjoy it?
5) Favorite fruit? Applejack is watchin' yew...
6) What's your dream job?
Thank you for the Q and A.
If you had to obliterate one genre of fiction--as in completely stop people from writing more of it, and destroy all access to what already exists of it--what would you choose and why?
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...Does vore count as a genre? I would want something like that to be gone, I think. Though, I'm sure there is something else that could come to mind. I'm not sure that one needs explaining.
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"Queen Sombra" always refers to my avatar because the Sombra in it is female. "King Sombra" is just Sombra as he usually is. I've always liked Sombra because he ticks a lot of boxes of character things I like. I've also written him so much that I'm not about to just let him go. This grouchy horse is my cinnamon roll.
Limiting myself strictly to canon characters: I tend to write most ponies eventually, but there are some characters I wish I had a more distinct ability to write: Discord, Rarity, Sassy Saddles, and the Apple Family come to mind.
This varies on the setting, especially since I can't really gauge my reputation on a horse site from the brony side. In general, I'm usually dismissed as younger than I actually am because of how I look. Personality-wise, I really only have two interaction styles with most people: unassuming dudebro type (yes, this tends to surprise people who know my creative side) and fairly reserved. I'm usually reading a book or orbiting somewhere at a frat party and talking about literature aggressively.
I'm an English major. Not for teaching or anything, just English. If I could have, I would have liked to get into psych or criminal justice type stuff, but I don't know if I would want to do that for the rest of my life. They're also things I enjoy, but more as weird hobbies. Working with language is something that I couldn't not do for the rest of my life, so I really do enjoy it.
Apples and pears.
Being able to support myself as a novelist alone. It's certainly a dream!
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I don't write nearly as quickly as I used to! A lot of that was because I had significantly more free time and I started writing my main five book Sombra series with a fervor. I've had long gaps between updates before (sadly) and I try to make up for that by keeping a buffer of stories I've written ahead of time. My motivation is honestly pretty fickle, and I lot of the time I write because not writing is worse. Steady inspiration is a wonder when it happens, but I've also built up writing habits (even if they need some refining) over years, and that helps get smaller ideas out faster. Building a continuity with other works means I can also have various springboards for ideas that have just been lying around and other headcanons.
I usually try music. Unless I'm sick or physically exhausted, I'll often force myself through a situation with my writing. Not writing is the worst thing you can do for writer's block. Most of it is being able to build up focus and discipline in writing routinely. Having lots of free time (where relevant) doesn't hurt either.
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From an out-of-universe perspective: all his potential and significance within pony history. He occupies a variety of interesting positions alone, from being a male ruler, to a historical figure, to the first real glimpse of dark magic, etc.
I like his mane, too.
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I don't have much time for my own writing due to uni and I've got a contest entry to worry about, but it's worth considering for when I have that sweet, sweet time to spare.
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In what sense of the word?
My taste in fiction (pony or otherwise) is so broad that nothing really stands out as guilty. In terms of pony stuff, I've sometimes found Anon stories and similar pieces to be funny if Anon is portrayed a certain way and certain show tones (Anon befriending ponies and being pleasantly snarky and well-meaning) in pony interactions centered around light goofiness and silliness can be nice. I wrote something with that kind of a self-insert/Anon character once. It's nowhere near my best stuff, but it gets a few laughs from me still.
For something that's actually closer to a guilty pleasure genre? Not really a guilty thing, but I tend to like really detailed gore. I haven't written much of it (yet; there's stuff in progress) but it's a very macabre, graphic kind of puzzle to me and I like to read about it. I'm not too sensitive to "irl gore" (couldn't think of a better word) but it's not something I seek out in any way, obvious ethical stuff aside. I like how things can fit together and my general fascination with crime media, cop shows, and morbid non-fiction has lead me to wonder how something like a corpse can provide information and tell you about a person and their life.
I also watch a lot of Ask a Mortician for this reason and keep tabs on how stuff like forensic psychology (and just general forensics) can explain a lot about death, particularly more unlawful death and injury. Grisly and grim things tend to captivate me, and I really am disappointed pony stories don't have more of similar sub-genres like magical true crime and stuff. In general, I've read some straight-up messed up stuff just because I want to see the story play out, even if it's a very dark narrative. It just tempts me to know how it can fit together. Also, I've dabbled a bit too much around web sleuthing fringes and similar searches and aren't exactly super interested in just browsing straight-up autopsy and evidence pictures. you know? I want to learn about the processes to how information incorporated from that kind of material can lead to complex information being relayed and contribute to other people (cops, detectives, etc.) solving problems. It's why I would rather read I'll Be Gone in the Dark or My Friend Dahmer than try and see if anything that's made it into the public domain tells those kinds of stories... with less words and more pictures I just don't really wanna see? Something like that?
Basically my hobbies are books, horses, and Bad Things. It makes for bizarre combos. (Possibly weird/creepy answer? Don't read if you just ate; probably.)
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Nope, we've never actually met.
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It's a cropped version from this, and while Sombra's pizza slice is obscured, Anon's shows that they're eating what looks like tomatoes or pepperoni.
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...As a motif/character that I'm interested in, or as an avatar? That's a bit vague to work with.
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Yes.
Though you kinda already answered it. :B
If you could get away with one thing, scot-free, no consequences at all, what would it be?
Are you a fan of transformation and/or hypnosis fics?
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I'd probably bundle it up with some other stuff under like "weird fetish porn" or something, but that's just me.
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Okay I have to ask, exactly what is there to like about an evil, maniacal pony that enslaved nearly all of Equestria?
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Well, it doesn't negate that he's a very pretty boy. And I'm peeved there's not as many fantastic stories with him as there should be.
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Being late to my classes. In terms of actual crimes, it would probably be something mundane like shoplifting. I just want all the books in the bookstore, y'know.
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Nopers.
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That's kind of like asking people why Disney villains have their own notable followings. There's always going to be fans of Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash above other characters, and the same goes for the antagonists. Why do people like Tempest Shadow? Or Queen Chrysalis? Not to mention, fan creations allow so much expansion to a character and who they could be. It's only inevitable that side characters and others - good or otherwise - are going to get ideas revolving around them shared.
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Grand theft literature. I like it.