Ponies After People: The Great Writing Adventure

I think it goes without saying that I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to my latest story. I guess I just thought, since I’ve been trying to keep the Author’s Notes clear on this one, that maybe I would get out some of what I’ve thought and learned about during this last weeks since it was published. Yeah, I got a stronger response in the timeframe allotted than anything I’d ever posted here before. Or anywhere else for that matter.

First, why? Originality, maybe? It’s a familiar concept (Pony TF), wrapped into a lonely writing format and an apocalyptic package that didn’t have zombies or monsters. Can’t say I’ve ever read that here before. I think daily updates probably helped keep the story on the main page longer, maybe got a little more exposure. I’m not exactly sure how the algorithm works that gets older stories back into the lower three slots of the featured box, but I saw Last Pony briefly after posting the new chapter. Maybe it will make longer stays the longer it’s been up.

A huge thanks to everybody who’s been with me so far. The comment board has been one of the most active I’ve ever seen on fimfiction, on any story, and there have been some quite interesting conversations in there so far. I’m not sure if all of you know, but I do read every comment, and good suggestions (and just those I really like) frequently make it into the story proper. You all are way cleverer than me, so I’m sure to pay close attention. Granted, it’s possible there will be days when I won’t be able to follow the comments throughout the day, but even then I’ll be sure to respond to all of them when I get the chance. I like to get them done around the time I do my next chapter, so expect one then at the very least.

By the way, in case you’ve missed it, there has been some fantastic art in those comments. Zutcha, the artist, pretty much does what he wants in there, and I get to be surprised and enjoy it as much as anyone else. Check out some of what he’s made so far…

When I first started writing here on Fimfiction I posted two chapters a week. That felt like a breakneck pace at he time. Granted, those chapters were 4-10k a pop, probably around 7 average. That meant about 14k words a week of writing for me to do, and that much editing as well for my generous and dedicated staff. Now I’m back to that exact same commitment with Last Pony. As of this writing, 60k words have been written for the story, giving us a substantial backlog to make sure that updates continue no matter what happens in meatspace.

Not only that, but there’s apparently an interest (already?) for spinoff stories written in alternate cities by alternate characters. I’ve already put together a group to house any stories that get written, not to mention any discussion around this story and whatever mysteries might occur there. We’ve got a few neat things in there already such as a comprehensive list of settings used in other stories and a census of what races have appeared in stories so far. I’ll probably not do much with the group until I finish this story, at which point I’ll spiffy it up before moving onto whatever project takes my fancy next (thinking a prose short story featuring characters from Last Pony On Earth, but not positive about that)

Oh, and so far as spinoffs go, things will be easier once I finish with this story. I’ll probably write an article with a comprehensive guide to the canon, so that anyone who wants to has minimal trouble adding their own. Already a great showing in the group so far, so if you haven’t already I suggest checking those stories out. Plenty of varied perspectives in there you won’t find from A’s single viewpoint. The current showing, in no particular order, is:

The Limestone City Bat
First non-US story, a Thestral in the frozen wastes of Canada (okay, maybe not frozen wastes, but definitely Canada). (Journal and third-person prose)

Seattle Seapony
An adorable, helpless young woman ends up with the worst possible transformation ever, a seapony. (Third person prose)

The Unicorn Lost in the Woods
A unicorn with a military background in the middle of nowhere. At the rate things seem to be going, he’s going to need those skills (Journal, actually written with the speech-recognition software some characters claim to be using, which is a neat touch)

The First Unicorn on Earth
The first spinoff ever! This story is also about a unicorn stallion, though some of the stuff he’s been through so far is downright insane. (Journal)

Ponies After People: Places and situations to avoid when humanity vanishes
Don’t expect to get bored with this one, because every chapter is about radically different characters and told radically different ways. Lots of neat people and crazy transformations (Various formats)

This thestral is really in the thick of things. More of a traveling adventure story than the static format preferred by many of the others. Also the first side-story so far to have clop, if you’re into that sort of thing. (Mainly first-person prose)

As of right now, I’ve read every one of the side stories, an I try to comment when I can, though it’s hard to keep up. Something to read while I’m relaxing on tropical beaches I guess.

Currently on vacation right now, which you’ve probably seen in a less consistent hourly posting schedule and comment responses that come much later in the day than before. I also haven’t had much time to write since arriving in the Hawaiian islands. Tropical sands and lots of scuba diving, that’s the life right there. Don’t worry, the story shouldn’t be interrupted. I’ve got almost enough backlog to make it through the vacation. That only leaves making daily small-scale edits before publication each day, and coordinating with the artist for sketches whenever A feels like doing them.

So thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read/comment on this story. It’s been a blast so far. Hopefully it’ll keep being a blast for another month or so to come.

–Starscribe