ShadeStrider

My number one rule for making a Pokémon Fangame.

Absolutely no Undertale music.

I’ll use music from Franchises that I like, like Shin Megami Tensei, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, especially Pokémon, etc. 

But I will never put Undertale music in any Pokémon Fangame ever.

So, After playing Persona 3, I have my attention turned to another game in the Franchise.

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne.

I hear that Digital Devil Saga and Persona 4 are a lot easier, but I grew up with Devil May Cry, so the fact that Dante is in this game has me sold on it.

It’s just a Flesh Wound.

I just got suspended off of GameFAQs.

I made a Joke post. And I got Moderated for it. Even though there isn't a rule that bans Joke Posts.

It got marked up as Trolling, but don't be fooled. My message wouldn't offend a Toddler. In the TOU, Trolling is defined as doing something to get other people mad enough to break the rules.

Well... At least here, I know I won't get unfairly modded.

Also, for me, as a novice writer, I'm going with the principle of "If it doesn't entertain me, then how can it possibly entertain other people?"

If by chance, I do write something that gains a lot of Critical Acclaim, but I end up reading it and feeling bored, then I'll probably feel like I just cashed in on what either the public or critics wanted, and I don't want that. I like having this thing called "Artistic Integrity". If it can entertain me and the audience, then Its worthy of being called a masterpiece.

That being said, this does not mean to disregard other people's criticisms. If enough people are telling you that there is a problem with your story, then there is a problem. Fix it. But also, make sure the criticism you are getting is good criticism. For example, if there is a massive plothole that ruins the integrity of your story, then that is a problem that needs fixing. If your sentence is poorly worded, then it needs fixing. But something like: "Cut down on the action scenes" is something that may or may not need fixing. Listen to the reasoning behind it, then decide for yourself whether it should warrant a fix and whether it messes with the mood and themes of your story.

Now watch as I become a corporate shill in 30 years. I bet young me would be embarrassed at how older me fared.

If I wrote something that was critically panned, but I put my own heart and soul into it, then I'll be proud. I'd listen to all the criticism, decide if it is valid or not, and if its valid, than I joyously agree that I wrote a terrible book. I can at least be proud of putting my own Ideas into it. But that's the point of editors, isn't it? To keep you from writing a terrible book. 

Some advice for aspiring writers.

If you want to have a message in your Story, then Fine.

But don't prioritize the message. Prioritize the plot structure and the characters.

A lot of classics love to prioritize the message over the actual Story. Those classics are generally the ones that would turn out boring to a high schooler. 

They turned out Classic because of their messages. But they are also boring because the writer cared more about the message than the characters and story.

I reread Oliver Twist, and I loved the book. This is because I found the characters good, the plot fun, and the setting interesting. I think Charles Dickens wanted to have a message, but he didn't prioritize it over good characterization. I found Oliver interesting, I was able to feel happy when he finally found a home.

The Scarlet Letter, on the other hand, is boring. I get why: Even if you understand the complicated language, the end result is that it doesn't really care about an engaging plot. It's really about shoving as much symbolism as it can in pretty much any paragraph. The end result is that the characters come off as unfeeling and unengaging. The plot is a drag, with no sense of pacing. Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale aren't characters: They are just more of Hawthorne's symbolism. And to me, that's really what makes me think that this book is poorly written.

As far as I see, Oliver Twist was written before the Scarlet Letter. So the "It was good for the Times" excuse doesn't really... work. Unless critics of the time... didn't appreciate how good Oliver Twist really was, only focusing on the themes that Dickens wanted to show? 

Or maybe it's because Brits and Americans had different tastes at the time.

Either way, just because some of the "classics" prioritized the message, that really shouldn't be your main focus. Contemporary audiences want characters and Story. And really, the characters and stories themselves should strengthen the message. That's the mark of a good novel.

Now it’s Cloud time.

This guy needs a psychiatrist. This challenge couldn't have been easy to do.

I don’t think I’d ever want to visit Japan.

When I make an animated show, I’ll just stick with ripping off their animation style like the creators of A:TLA and Boondocks did.

The Original Xenoblade Chronicles should be on the Switch. With Shulk's rising popularity in Smash Bros, the success of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and the success of the Nintendo Switch, I'd love to have a copy that I own.

The only reason I was able to play the original was because a friend lent me a Wii copy. But it's a game that I would actually like to own.

Me to Akinari before beating Persona 3: Man, this guy is depressing. I genuinely feel sad for him.