TOTA - Part 7 - From Others

Noticing that his 'darker' stories received more positive reviews, this author decided to produce more darker, dreary, and serious stories, in hoping to continue the positive remarks.

But then, several readers, starting from a request to create some lighter works, sang into a chorus of demands to release a more positive work, ever if no one could ever mind. As sensitive as he is (or he may be), and out of response from all the 'spam' in his e-mail section, their pressure was a success, as his latest work (for now) has a more pleasant ending than much of the previous ones. This brought about a backlash from the most devoted of fans, when these latter readers attacked and barraged the 'positivists', for influencing the whole series in the latter's favour.

This author intervened in the fiery argument, seeking the readers' wish for the outcome of his next stories. Many responded to his poll: 'It is up to you; don't worry about what others say!' Some responded as loudly as possible 'WE WANT A HOPEFUL ENDING!', continuing the ambition of their represented fan-faction. Others, desiring to ensure the mood of the story remains 'ever-consistent', though being of lesser numbers, shouted back through the chat rooms: 'KEEP IT BITTERSWEET, KEEP IT TRAGIC, KEEP IT CONSISTENT!"

TOTA - Intermission 2 - Concerning Complaints

Dear Dad,

You are not alone -- some of those who had flooded my postbox with nasty mail seem to despise us because our works seem too "cliché". Since you've been asking me about whatever I've been doing on the past few weeks since I had moved out, I myself am also struggling with my recent writing career; and if you're asking me now on what I'm to do when these rascals come about (as they harassed many other authors before), I'm going to leave them be. If they're causing any serious harm, I'm going to report them over. Don't worry.

P. S. Can you please just calm down? I know that we all don't like clichés, but please know that it will always be impossible to escape every cliché in existince. I know that I may sound silly, but please be yourself. Don't let anyone stop you!

From your concerned daughter,

Felicia Priamus.

TOTA - Intermission 1 - Why Not Divulge?

Dear Dad,

Your stories are quite well-written, but most of them are about subverting clichés, and of authors, writers, fanbases, readers, and their dealings with each other. There's nothing wrong with twisting and re-inventing clichés, but why don't you write something more "ordinary"? You should write what you enjoy writing about, rather than waste a lot of time and effort "exterminating" clichés - it's an impossible struggle to escape the inescapable. In fact, if you continue to write the same sort of things again and again, you end up creating new clichés!

Don't you revile clichés, Dad? I know that your works will be "different", but why not make them variable? In that way, you can freshen up some literary genres, and gain more readers to inspire!

Or, it's best to just write what's comfortable for you, because that's what good authors (like you) do.

Yours truly, with love,

Felicia Priamus.

The Checklist

" ... Mirrors?"
"No."
"Plot twist report?"
"No."
"References?"
"Several."
"Characters unconscious?"
"Once, but not very important ... to the plot."
"Is your antagonist a feared king?"
"He is actually a liberator who cares for his folk."
"'Happy ever after's' and 'once upon a time''s?"
"No."
"Romance?"
(glares)
"Writer's block?"
"Yes."

(tears book)

"YOU! I'll give you 4 points out of 10, for bearing INTOLERABLE clichés. Now out with those clichés of yours! YOU better improve your stories, or I'll NEVER publish your work ever again!" ...! ...

Medals the Pony

Due to the sheer popularity of "pony books" on the Internet and TV, and his younger daughter's wild obsession with those "ponies", "horses", and their "caring girl owners", the author would like to have a go in his attempt to create a "pony book", spiced with chunks of humor ... 

"Tale of the Author - Part One - Beginning"

" ... The hero could not hesitate. The villain has confronted him at last, and without a word, aimed his poison crossbow at him. And the hero, blind in his pride, thought he could deflect his enemy's shots with his ancient sword, which he did as he ran towards the villain, hacking down several guards. But a few arrows penetrated through his armor, which he thought could always protect him: just a few inches towards his arch-enemy, the hero gasped and held his chest. The hero knelt down in his pain, allowing the villain a chance to quickly grab a knife, and 'finish' him. Later, another guard hurriedly arrived, saluted the villain, and reported that 'the treacherous princess has escaped, and now she is abducting our prisoners to be her slaves!' Without much ado, the surviving guards, the messenger-guard, and the villain himself then scattered to look for them ... "

"The Continuists and the Successionists"

Once upon a time, there existed two groups of fans, the "Continuists", and the "Successionists".

The "Continuists". as they were named, wanted the Story to expand on its original content; be it a little story about someone else in the same setting, a little backstory, an explaination; they wanted more depth into its little world, to improvise the Story.

Their rivals, the "Successionists", wanted more Sequel for the Story. They want to see it continue, regardless of background information lack: however, high quality, and no "irrelevance" is still a must for each new Sequel.

Never mind the Preservatists and the Casualies, which overlap these groups at any time. The Conties and Suxies are the most important belligerents here ...