This story is a sequel to Isn't She Lovely?
Life Story is a unicorn of many talents. Those talents, from his writing to his worrying, are put to the test as the young writer is often pushed out of his comfort zone. Misunderstandings! Mistakes! Magic! Join Life and a host of new and familiar characters as they learn about love, family, friendship, and more!
Although this follows the events of Isn't She Lovely?, you don't need to read that one first to get into this one. Wishing for a sequel? It's Life in the Fast Lane!
Cover image by Sinsays
Chapters (14)
I love this Genuine mare!
Very cute story so far. I really enjoyed the interaction between the stallions.
It took a very unexpected turn in the last half which is very intriguing. Well done!
Hah! Oh, Div. You are quickly rising the ranks on my list of OCs. I actually snorted aloud at that.
I... I don't know if I missed something in the first chapter, but...
I want to know their story. Forget Life, I must know about Progetta and Amore. 
... Oh, Life, don't make that face. Okay, I'll keep reading.
I swear, I don't know why, but writing about and then reading about Canterlot society portrayed in that way just speaks to me. I guess I'm a cultural sadomasochist?
Also, ohmigosh, the puns. The puns!! Pony puns are probably the greatest thing about My Little Pony.
I really like this Delmaneco character. I can just hear this thick, heavy accent, kind of like Tony from Lady and the Tramp. He's-a talkin' to me! Not that you really wrote him with one, or that I'm suggesting you intended for him to sound that way, but... that's-a what I ah-heard-ah.
What? No! Segue?! Agh!! You tease!
Ooh. I don't know why, but I really liked that internal thought detail. It's... I don't know, I wouldn't have given her comment a real second thought until Life pointed that out. Clever, clever you!
I don't remember hearing that phrase before and I love it. I... I might be tempted to steal it at some point.
This. I don't think the range and depth of smiles is used enough in literature, myself included. Smiles are so versatile and can mean so many different things!
Nothing good ever comes from such hopefulness.
The next morning... his house is on fire. ... Okay, I hope it works out for him, but come on! It's the perfect setup to a perfect downfall! 
Overall, really enjoyed the read and the characters. Life is so cute. Genuine is so... she seems genuine, but I don't feel like I can trust her. I want to. I love her passion for books. I can empathize with that. But she's too good to Life-sweetums! It's a trap!
6111764
Genuine is definitely growing on me. I wasn't sure how I would like writing her, but she keeps demanding more development.
6122322
I'm really surprised by how the stallions in particular pretty much write themselves. I never used to believe the whole "the characters are speaking on their own" but in this one I feel that strongly with most of the characters.
6138807
First off, thank you for finding the time to write such an in-depth comment. Getting any comments at all is great and always makes my day that much better. You just made my day amazing.
-Div definitely found his own voice when I started putting his dialogue together. He practically writes himself and it's such a joy.
-I might have to write a side story or two. Progetta and Amore are (obviously) huge influences on Div. He gets his stubbornness from Ma Amore and his fashion sense from Mamma Pro.
-Quite honestly, I'm ripping you off in a big way and I wish I could say I was sorry...BUT the seeds planted in the show along with your depiction of the inner workings of popular opinion is just too good.
-All of the pony puns! I had so much fun wracking my brain to make ones that worked and all in various sizes and levels. From Delmaneco's to some really obscure book trivia, I just couldn't help myself. Prance and Prejudice actually inspired the whole literary pun segment. And yes, even after generations in Canterlot, the Delmaneco family still has strong ties to Bitaly. Although the current Delmaneco has a slightly less pronounced accent than you described :)
-Honestly, blame Genuine. She didn't feel it was important, neither did she particularly like the question. Cutie mark stories are more private in Neigh Orleans, although I didn't get to touch on that. Later in the conversation, she talks Life into not using that part of her story.
-On tradition, turns of phrase and smiles. I like taking a detail usually overlooked in ordinary conversation. I'm glad you noticed that line. Birth to breakfast I just came up with. I'm not sure I heard it anywhere else, but what I originally wrote was Natal to now and it just didn't seem to flow well. I believe smiles can have so much depth or none at all and I love playing with how much an expression says beyond the pretty words.
To anyone reading this: Feel free to use any turns of phrase, ponifications, and even places like Delmaneco's. Please throw my profile or this story a mention in your author's note if you do. I would ask that Genuine and her store stay off limits for now until I finish this story.
-I don't want to say too much, but when I originally wrote the ending to this chapter, I wanted to use "Nothing could possibly go wrong" but felt that lacked subtlety. :D
___________________________________
I cannot adequately express just how elated I am after reading your comment. I keep reading it; it's so lovely! Life Story has just barely scratched the surface of his potential and he has so much to learn. Genuine...once again she is such fun to write and I can tell that she and I will have much more to do with each other before this story is through.
6140059 It absolutely makes my day when I get a comment that touches on the whole chapter, not just the "highlight" or the ending. So I'm trying to be better about kicking it forward to share that feeling. After all, we work so hard on our stories, not just those little bits, and it's nice to have that acknowledgement.
My iPad has decided to not let me copy or paste, so forgive the non-exact quoting.
This. Whenever I get a question on how I write so much or am asked for advice on writing OCs, this is what I try to describe. I love my characters. I know them. They know themselves. It comes easily because the characters do the hard work because they're schizophrenic little voices in my head!
Oh, gosh, I wasn't even thinking that way because I don't think they're my ideas or anything. Like you said, the show planted the seeds. I also think I'm probably ripping off many movies/shows/books I've seen/read.
Hehehe, yeah, I figured you weren't intending for him to have such an accent. I just couldn't help hearing it.
Ohmigosh I love it, even more that you (as far as either of us know) came up with it. It will be a perfect Horsey saying (what with her countrification the more she stays in Ponyville), and I'll be sure to credit appropriately!
I'm digging this so far. :P You have the double tandem of OC-story with first-person perspective. This piece should definitely be receiving some more love.
6148336
That's very kind of you! I'm having fun writing it, but it definitely helps having readers who enjoy it.
I love the idea if you're thinking what I'm thinking. Is this the pony equivalent to a pinky ring?
Great chapter. :D
6148993 Very much so! I kicked myself when I realized I didn't bring it up again at Delmaneco's
Wow, M. Night Shamalamadingong level plot twist.....
Professional level plot grab! 5/5 10/10 Would read again.
That was a very interesting chapter. I am just surprised that a dinner was enough for Life to be closer to his father.
This Genuine's gift though x)
6151854 The dinner is step one. Life really craved his father's affection and didn't know how to deal with finally getting it. In the end, he still couldn't verbalize a response and had to rely on the simple gesture of a hug.
This chapter is something else, even if I have a hard time figuring why Life is so eager to obey his boss.
6157304 I see it more as Life doesn't want to have to ask his parents or Div for help, so he takes Deadline's offer. And he feels guilty for getting into the situation in the first place, even if he isn't totally in the wrong.
Jeeze.
Not very far in and I already feel like wrapping Life in a big, warm hug. Where's Div when you need him?
The subconscious (or even conscious) guilt of "I don't want to go—oh, man, I shouldn't think that, they're my parents—I should go because I don't want to—..." is really hard to get out of.
I don't care what happens with Silver Platter from here on out. I am going to imagine his tone/voice/mannerisms as Niles from The Nanny. This is happening.
... aaaw...
Although I love their dynamic as a couple... agh, Father, I just want to tug on his cheeks. Smile, darn you. Smile! Love your son already! Then again, I do understand that retiring is a big, big deal to older gentlemen. Some of them see it as a sign of "giving up" or "giving in" to old age...
... Holy cow. This is already turning away from all the feels I had. I really, really like Second Story now. He's oblivious (or seems so far) to his rough edges and short-tempered nature. That's the worst, because when you don't know you're short-tempered, your fuse is even shorter, because you can't understand why you're being treated like you're short-tempered. But he's trying... That's really sweet.
Good job, Mom. Too often the women tied to these short-tempered men simply follow them, quietly excuse their behavior to others, and smile and carry on. Good job to Mom for taking him to task when it really counted. Also, good job to Dad for manning up (stallioning up?) and seeing the truth. Sad that it takes a health scare to bring about that realization, but as long as it was just a scare, maybe that's what it takes for some men...
It is really hard to see someone in a different light in that short amount of time after years of only knowing them one way. I completely understand and feel so bad for you right now, Life. It's really confusing.
Oh, phew, now I can say these tears are from amusement. Tears of laugher. Not tears of bittersweet feelings.
Worst. Realization. Ever.
I KNEW IT. I should have called it bUT I KNEW IT!
DIV! Hi!
Also, tell averageamazingme that I knew it.
Ugh.
It's hard to get out of your head once the questions start circling. Div, hug him and tell him it'll be all right!
DO IT.
... I'll take it. The tears kind of make it hard to fangirl squeal, but I'll take it. Also, poor Life. I've had panic attacks before and they are awful.
Even though it doesn't help much, at least Life is smart enough to know what it looks like. It's even worse when you're blindsided due to obliviousness to the situation, because you risk accepting more favors unknowingly...
MUST READ MORE!... when I have time.
I'll be back! Slowly but surely. You haven't seen the last of me!
If Div and Life get together I swear to god I will commission art or something of how cute they are
Hot damn, that was shenanigansy...
Good work on that sexual tension though, 1 up! Hopefully they salvage the relationship.
Gotta be honest, I didn't expect these feels. Keep it up!
6160547 Yes! Crystal Comment Get!!!
Life has a certain amount of pride that prevents him from insisting Div move in with him. :)
In a rather strange way, I'm glad I could encapsulate that feeling.
Silver Platter = Niles from the Nanny
Headcanon approved. Niles is so sassy. I used to watch The Nanny a lot as a kid. I'm singing the theme as I write this, no joke.
Intro to Lovely, Second and Retirement
In my head, this played entire scene played out very differently. Lovely was supposed to be writing her next hit and being generally inattentive to Life's discomfort. Second was going to come in and be carrying on two conversations; dictating a letter to Silver while constantly correcting Life's every move. Then I swear I felt like I was herding cats. Lovely wanted to be watching the sunset (I had to change the time of the scene to accommodate). Then Second wanted to slip that line in about first seeing Lovely. Then I tried having Second harden up and start talking down to Life but Second wouldn't cooperate. Both Lovely and Second insisted on stumping Life with unusual behavior. With the history I set up, I realized that there was a special reason for them to invite Life back home. The rest came out naturally.
Read my mind. Second has a lot of work to do to make up for years of getting things wrong.
I really want to ask about the Rarity emoticon after that large quote from Lovely. Call me old, but I couldn't figure out what it meant.
I had to throw in some comic relief. Celestia knows we don't get enough laughs out of the next chapter.
Div and Life and the Principia.
Don'tRead the next chapter.6162711 Oh, wow, re: the original retirement introduction scene. That would be chaotic, and would certainly have been very... different. I think it turned out perfectly, though.
Whoops, sorry. I was just really touched by Lovey's words and felt her, thus a cry of empathetic despair (a la Rarity).
I... I am dreading the next chapter. Thanks.
(more cries of despair)
6162059 SHENANIGANS!
Life and Div are far from done with each other. Make of that what you will.
I need to be careful how many feels I invoke. This slice of life story (didn't do that on purpose) is a a little bittersweet.
Ah yes, perception vs reality! That is always a fun one. It didn't cross my mind at first but yeah, Life is totally right.
I really love the description of his mother and the look of the house. Great chapter.
Is she hitting on him? That could be funny at least :)
More sexual tension, and a plot twist to boot! M. Night Shamalamadingdong is strong with you...
Also, does anyone else find it ironic that Life is taking advice on lying from a (I'm assuming) liar?
Foreshadowing!
6176185 As Rowdy Roddy Piper once said, "Just when they think they know all the answers, I change the questions!"
Now the title makes so much more sense! I feel daft now.
To be honest, when I think of a pony called 'Life Story' I think of some super jaded, ultra-grizzled mildly apathetic person with a plethora of life experiences who sits around in a bar swapping stories with everyone; literally, trading life stories from personal experience. Until they run out of stories to swap and it turns into story time.
Life Story as you've interpreted is very different. Very different.
Keep it coming!
Damn, I was ready for the glorious orgy that was obviously planned for his return in Canterlot :(
Funny fact I was slightly hangover when I read the part where Life was waking up, I was feeling his pain.
6199301 That kind of character could be a lot of fun to write! Life Story is fairly far removed from that, though. Especially with the schedule I've planned, expect to see more of Life.
6199938 I've watched my fair share of intentional (and unintentional) harem anime shows to realize that Life was starting to fall into the hapless harem protagonist role. Thankfully, I caught it, so he's not completely oblivious, he's definitely not flawless, and he's not a blank slate for the reader to insert themselves into (like the stereotypical harem main character).
I've never been hungover, lol, but I've had my fair share of mornings like the one described above.
Ponies teaching ponies to lie! The horror ;D
Awww, Bruiser sounds cute.
I wanna see a picture of him
6226059 fimfic hates my images, so here's a link
http://imgur.com/3Jh9fsz
6226117 why an apple for a cutiemark?
6226171 That's how he was at adoption. I'm not sure I'm going with that. Right now, in story he's a blank flank.
6226188 can't wait to see what you written down for his talent
Life gains a minion, his true evil plan is in motion, mwahahahaha
I think you mess up with his hat, Like you write the colt hide with his hat before the doc came with his clean hat, Or he is a distant sibbling to Pinkie Pie and he hide hats everywhere in case of hat emergency!
6238046 good catch, fixed it.
I hate you because I wanted to know more about the colt family!
6257061 I shied away from going into too much depth about the Tannin family. Honestly, they're pretty horrible ponies and I didn't want to show too much emotional/physical abuse. I might have Bruiser bring up a few memories to expand on his former family. Unfortunately, there wasn't a way to incorporate more than Bitter into the story.
Eeeiii I had a bad feeling about that!
Well, I suppose a small chuckle in the middle of some serious nerve-wrecked feels is a good thing.
... Nope, I still feel awful for Life!
That doesn't sound too bad! Plus, the tour might be just good in general for getting over the anxiety issues... well, not getting over, but broadening the horizons is never a bad thing.
I like that name a lot!
DO IT!
Wait what no—
LIFE NO—
LIFE WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME—I MEAN TO DIV!
Yay more Mr Tannin! I am surprised Life managed to think of getting a hold of Div. It probably hurt him more to insult Luna that his sexual preference.
I did not pick up on that she was his boss's daughter. Well played!
6277492 When it comes to the PLHG, nopony speaks ill of the Princess of the Night. Life knows Div pretty well, so he caught onto the physical cues before Div could buck a certain paint pony in the face.
6278172 I tried not really foreshadowing it at all. The closest I think I got was the name (Schedule is a bit like Deadline) and the attitude.
You never badmouth Luna to her guard! How tacky.
Yay! Love does conquer all.
Is that a stalliage ? Joking aside, I love how Bruiser react :)
well that was nicely wrapped up, what's next?
6313294 Well, if previous comments on other chapters are any indication; Shenanigans.
Thanks for reading!
In the next chapter we discover than Genuine is the true mother of Bruiser and she will make Life's life a hell! Mwahahahahaha
It is very sweet how Bru wants to protect Life. That is quite cute =)
He seems like a handful regardless.
I'm glad Div and Life are together! Now things feel a lot more normal!