Part 1 of 2: Ascension blog

Whew. Remind me not to try adapting existing stories ever again!
Ascension took up the bulk of the time I spent after completing Arrival. I originally wasn't planning on publishing this and the Twilight-Zephyr Letters together. Letters was going to come first, but I realized it would be easier for Zephyr to misinterpret scripture if she actually had the scripture to misinterpret! That started about six weeks worth of looking over transcripts and rewatching episodes of Friendship is Magic, and translating the most relevant events into religious-speak.
This book was probably the slowest progress I've ever made. The religious-speak wasn't actually that difficult. What really took time was writing the events of the show in a way that was technically accurate but able to be misinterpreted. And deciding to go with an overarching theme of Friendship acting independently of ponies meant I really had to twist some of the established canon.
I realize I left out some key events, primarily a couple of the season premieres and finales, and I changed what actually happened in a few cases as well. This was never going to be a precise retelling of Gen 4; there wouldn't be much room to misinterpret if it was.
At the end of the day, I really did have fun writing this one. I got the opportunity to rewatch my favorite episodes under the guise of "research," and intentionally twisting the show's message really got me thinking about the deeper themes present! I think there's a good chance Friendship is Magic will hold up over time, even to the point of gaining new followers in the 39th century! (Mothership Eta reference there!)
In any case, I appreciate every single view my stories get. It's really a privilege to explore this universe alongside you!