Bluebird: End of First Term · 6:36pm Jun 28th, 2021
Thought I'd give an update on where the story is going. I've decided to make The Long Reach Part 2 the end of the Academy's first term. That does not mean the story is finished, but that enough of the story and character development is done that I'm gonna give the next few chapters a change in the scenery before it returns for the second term. I've looked through my current plan and contemplated if I should add another chapter within the academy, but the only reason I could think of for why would be accuracy for how a real-life academy like Sandhurst would be like, instead of a story or character-driven reason. Personally, as much as I think authenticity adds well to a story, I'd rather do more storytelling than research.
The Long Reach episode did surprisingly well and has given the story as much (if not more) reception as when the first chapter was first published back in March. Although it could be down to luck, I think the fact the last two chapters gave more focus towards Lightning Dust played a good role, unlike Gallus or the Young Six, she's been around longer and her story has a lot of conflicts which drives interest in her. What's remarkable is that I've never tagged Lightning Dust, so the only way for potential newcomers to find out she's included is if they read the comments.
Now that her role in the story is firmly established now, as one of Gallus' Academy buddies, I've decided to include her name into the main character tags list. Wasn't sure at first, since she was only introduced six chapters in, but NavalColt's King of the Lovebugs is one of my favourite stories on this site, Pharynx is one of the main characters, and was only introduced fourteen chapters in, so I think my decision is reasonable.
As for where the story goes? Well, the big exercise of the first term is completed, it's winter, which can only mean the holidays and some time in Ponyville! The first chapter from the "Winter Break" might take a while, turns out it has a lot more dialogue than I initially thought, but I hope you like it.
