Hello,
I feel this topic might have been discussed before, but I'm struggling a bit and would like to hear your thoughts. How anatomically correct do you write your humans? (Just to point out, I'm not talking about the extreme suggestive things.)
Lately I feel like my writing is in a slump :( Despite Tech's help I've been doing little progress. My stories are bad to the point I feel like posting them would be a waste of everypony's time. I still like to write, and I want to get better at it so… umm, I'm asking for help again I guess.
Thank you,
Candle
@Candle, enough with the low self esteem :( You're making the rest of us look bad. You’re exceptionally skilled, have a successful career (yes, I've heard things :)), a special somepony (don't you dare deny it), and your writing has steadily been improving. Just believe in yourself a bit more, okay?
Now that's out of the way, I find that humans are just like ponies. There's no need to go into details if you do anything right. At the end of the day they have a heart, a mouth, and a brain. That's all that matters. ;)
LyraHands
Inb4 we get flooded of stories about disembodied brains talking to each other :P
@Candle: personally, I think you should stick to what you know. I think I've mentioned that fingers and the only things you should pay attention to, unless you want to write slap fics. In that case…you have a lot of reading to do. Your best bet is going to a library or asking DarkSparkle.
RRBB
@RRBB: just because I write taur fics is no reason for you to be rude! I'll have you know there's nothing wrong with that! I’ll have you know it’s far more difficult writing an adequate taur story than any other! One has to take into account the vast number of factors paying meticulous attention to details scattered across 2 millennia of apocrypha!
Starswirl the Bearded himself held centaurs in high regard, a fascination I happen to share and it is only fair to our readers that we try to create the best and most accurate characters we could (and that includes both physically and mentally!) it's not enough just to say a centaur is “half pony half human” we must illustrate it through our words in the way they behave, the passions they hold, the lives they live, the world they inhabit!
So to return to Candle’s question, in MY opinion we must focus on the details even if end up not using them in our fics. It’s much more accurate and interesting (and you learn new things every day! For example, in 2nd century source it was detailed that the act of mating lasts tent times longer for taurs than ponies (and with humans it's speculated to last even longer!)
DarkSparkle
@DarkSparkle: nope, not weird at all. :/
And I just meant that since you used to live in a LIBRARY you might be a good pony to help Candle out with her questions.
RRBB
Too good! :D
Feather
Oh. Err… yes, sure ask anytime, @Candle :) I’ll ensure to help you out with anything mythology related. O:)
DarkSparkle
@DarkSparkle: exactly what apocrypha exactly have you been reading? I don't remember anything mentioned about in Starswirl’s memories relating to taur biology. :/
Also, somepony wants to have a talk with you.
InItForTheShipping
@DarkSparkle: I’m not even entering this discussion. :/
@Candle: somehow this seems very familiar. Are you sure you didn't ask the same question a while back? I think the problem you have is of a different nature. Your stories are good and have the potential to become great. With the risk of getting Tech mad, I'll say that we have been discussing your writing and characters and the best thing you could do at this point is not write. Let me explain.
Lately you seem to be terrified that you're doing such a poor job that you have lost the desire to have fun. Rather it has started being a chore and not a hobby. The technical issues, the obsession about writing realistic humans, the endless revisions are just symptoms of the underlying problem. You just have to tell a story. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. You are just afraid that the story will be something that no one will like.
Let me tell you a secret: it doesn't matter. Have you read your first stories? Clumsy, poorly paced, clunky, yet with a certain special feel to them. Based on comments, ponies still enjoy them immensely. Why? Because they have feeling. I agree that to become a professional you need lots of practice, studying, and effort, but do you want to become such a professional? You have a career, so it's not the money. You're not like Simile so it isn't a matter of fame, that leaves two options: you want to make ponies happy with your stories, or you want to prove to yourself you could do that.
Your stories are sweet, very much different from the rest. Some of your early stories are unique in their very own way, before you tried to follow the trends of popular stories posted by others. It's true that some of us most probably would never reach Jade’s level (I freely admit he's better than me by far), but you’d be surprised how much he struggles with creativity. I've lost count of the amount of times he has PMed me depressed that someone had idea X but executed it so poorly.
Just look at AwesomePony! Her DDD is without a doubt the most popular story there is (based on stats) and it was horribly written. However, it was all her. (I keep enjoying her updates even if the humans are terribly described from an “anatomic” perspective.)
@AwesomePony: Humans don't have teats there, so please stop describing these cause it's mega creepy. I'll draw you a sketch if I have to, or DarkSparkle could.
@Candle: Anyway, I suggest you go on a trip round Equestria and not think about writing. Enjoy yourself, gain positive experiences, spend time with Tech. The rest will come on its own :)
LightSparkle
Thank you, LightSparkle. I'm glad somepony finally said it.
The TechNightling
I always knew you were a softie, Tech! (Imb4 banned forever).
RRBB
Umm, well… I don't know what to say. Maybe I've been trying too hard and could use a break? Maybe I will. It's just that all of you are so nice and write such beautiful things, while I lag further and further behind. I just don't want for you to stop being my friends.
Candle
@Candle: I think I speak for everyone when I say that you'll always be our friend. You're a Nightling first and foremost, and we help each other. And even if you were just a lurker and had never read MC, I'd still think the same way. I don't know if you've noticed, but ponies enjoy having you around. (Even Feather and Grumpy!)
So, take LightSparkle’s advice and go on an Equestrian tour! @The TechNightling, I'm holding you responsible for her wellbeing! ;P
LyraHands
That's sweet. :~)
Short&Hoofy
@Short&Hoofy: I can take you on a tour as well, you know!
RRBB
Okay, I'm licking the thread before somepony ruins the moment ;)
HopHop