Introduction (Returning From the Outer World) · 2:10am Aug 25th, 2021
I honestly can’t remember how long it has been since I left FiM. It feels like a good while. Two, maybe three years I think (it might be more), but when I did I was younger than I am now and a lot less wiser concerning fiction. I still think it was a good decision to leave, and I don’t regret it. I know I haven’t regretted it concerning the story I’ve been working on before leaving. My frustration at the time was trying to understand the craft I was taking up to improve the quality of my story and helping others. My mental health was also taking a hit, but that is a different story. Sadly, FiM for all the fun it was concerning magical pastel ponies, wasn't that great when it came to learning storytelling (or teaching it) and I was bent on learning (and teaching) like a grail quest. Looking back, I wasn’t ready. I hadn’t found my voice and every little question I couldn’t answer caused an existential crisis. Even beyond FiM, I was still a work in progress.
Venturing outward into the depths of the net, I tried different writing sites (one in particular that was a critique-mill-rat-race and damn was it a bad time, though I did find some nice people and some even liked the idea of a story of magical quadrupeds), delved into thick, boring books (with lots of blah-blah-blah-get-to-the-point filler or outdated information), took classes, and joined groups (which was the most disappointing of all. I got stories, which I might delve into when the individual topics come up). Some of my adventures got me closer to some answers. Others provided more questions. Or worst of all, showed that I had already learned what I was seeking and was rewarded with a confirmation (or wasted time and money). Nothing like taking a class, finding that the teacher knew her stuff, but all of the information I had learned the hard way over years of struggle. It's been a bumpy ride out there.
Saying “there is a lot to storytelling” is an understatement. It reminds me of opening Photoshop up for the first time and being overwhelmed with all the options. Glancing at my collection of guide books, I know for a fact the crap filler could be cut down for straight answers. Hell, I know more examples would be nice. There is nothing like getting ensnared in a guide book justifying a price point and leaving confused.
Granted, there are those who will never need to make any additional effort and will be able to write flawlessly. These people exist, but I’m not talking to them. I’m talking to those who need help. Help tends to be its own challenge as every storyteller has to find their own way of crafting a tale. Creating a workable methodology is not easy, especially if you have to trash methods that technically worked - just not effectively.
Of all my studying, what got me on track wasn’t any book on storytelling. In some strange twist, learning (including lots of reading more books) on how to edit stories did the trick. Perhaps it was the “looking from the outside in” perspective that allowed me to see the core parts of the craft and the stuff that made the art.
In any case, I’m back to pass on what I have learned and hope someone can put it to use improving their stories.
At the moment I’m studying to be an editor while I work on my once-no longer-a-pony story. Hopefully a developmental editor, but we’ll see where things take me as copyediting fiction looks like it needs some love. I’ll be working on a shared blog concerning subjects on storytelling, editing, grammar, and such. I know people love hunting down editors to get them to work on their stories. I have a spot on my page addressing my availability and any other FAQs concerning such. It might come across as harsh or intimidating but it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch… Oh, I am so going to regret that pun.
Anyway, it’s getting late and I wanted this to be less formal and just a “Sup, bro. I be back” kind of post.
This is the Adventuring Editor, signing off.
I would guess march 2018 was when you left
Just saw Ever's post about your blog and all, hope you archive your goals back on Fim, good luck!🍀