Bevendre

It had it’s flaws, I’ll grant you, but most things do.  The narrative progression was clear, and had been established in earlier episodes (Three’s a Crowd).  It was established then that Fluttershy was privy to the Breezies existence, and it is often reestablished throughout the series that there are other races that have their own problems, (Breezies, Dragons, Cows, etc.) and other races that have some variation of magic (Dragons, Zebras, etc.).

The Breezies could have been better established, but for the time they were given, there was a culture and rudimentary mythos set up for them.  They were given personality not only through their appearance, but through their speech patterns, and in Seabreeze’s case, their attitudes.

The bulk of the story was largely rehashing previous Fluttershy episodes, stuff like her being a pushover, or being overeager to take care of creatures of all forms.  The lesson, however, was very important for her to learn, and one that fits in well with the overarching plotline of the season.  She learned that her element has two sides, and one must acknowledge them both to fully appreciate it.  This was the case with Pinkie, whose anger and sadness brought forth the greatest laughter after she overcame it, with Rainbow who came to understand that loyalty to one’s dreams and heart are both important, and with Rarity who learned that generosity can be abused and turned on the generous. 

To me, the keys and the lessons come to represent not only a sharing of the respective elements with another, but a deeper understanding of the elements for the Mane Six themselves.  They are only revealed after the character either overcomes temptations that challenge their beliefs (Rainbow, Pinkie Pie) or challenges that illuminate the fullness of their element (Rarity, Fluttershy).

In this, I found the story in “It’s Not Easy Being Breezies” to be sufficient for the overarching story, and for an individual episode.  As I said, it has it’s flaws; Fluttershy should have been the main focus instead of the Breezies,  the others could have been downplayed a little, and the resolution could have been tweaked, as adorable as the scene was, but overall I think the episode’s story stands well enough on its own.

Hasbro trying to endorse toys is the basis for the entire series, so try not to judge it too harshly.  Yes, there are times when the ploys are handled somewhat poorly, like the Breezies, or the Equestria Girls line, but that’s not the point.  Don’t get mad at Hasbro for trying to make the money that helps keep the show on the air, instead feel proud of the writers and animators for being able to put up with Hasbro’s marketing ploys and ideas and still managing to put out enjoyable episodes.

But(t) I’ve already made 2 posts directly about Papi’s new fanny, and Breezies are a popular-ish thing right now.  A thing that may be related to changelings and a thing that I may or may not already have a post planned to tackle….

Thank you faceless one

Practice, practice, practice, perseverance, patience, practice, practice, practice, blood sacrifice, practice, and more practice. 

It can be tough, very much so.

Firstly, I’d recommend trying to maintain a somewhat consistent schedule, and try for at least one update a week.  Not everyone can be Wiggles and pull off 3 multi-paneled updates a week while maintaining an actual life, but consistency is still important and can help stave off art block.

Don’t dive straight into a story.  Take some time and get used to things before getting invested in a storyline for your blog.  A story from the start can work, and has for many people, but it can also make you feel locked in to a formula and make you follow ideas that at first seem brilliant, but you can later come to loathe.

Start the ask blog on a separate account, not a side blog.  One of the most enjoyable aspects of an ask blog is the interaction, both between your followers and you, and between you and those you follow.  Starting an ask blog on its own account and being able to send questions as your character not only helps you to establish the character, but also to spread the name and image of your blog.  At least for me, I am more likely to follow a blog that pops up on my dashboard if it is an ask blog that updates somewhat frequently and has a good character.  This is especially true for drawn blogs.

If you are starting a drawn ask blog, then take pride in your work, but don’t stress over how good or bad you are.  You can be proud of a stick drawing, and become an absolutely awe inspiring artist faster than you could think with practice.  On the other hand, you could already be an amazing artist, but hate your work, in which case you will never improve.  I would encourage anyone to try and draw their characters, and answer the questions they get through art before text, because it is hard but it is also incredibly rewarding to hear that even one person likes your art, even if that one person is you.

Don’t start the blog expecting to get popular instantly, or to attract the attention of all of the blogs you look up to.  As you said, it can be hard, and it takes time.  You shouldn’t do anything for the sake of popularity, but because you find it fun to do.  If you enjoy working on your blog, and working with your characters, then other people will like it too and people will follow, possibly including those you look up to.

So, take pride in your work, work on your blog consistently and do it because you love it.  Interact with other blogs, but try not to be too pushy or invasive.  It can be rather formulaic, in a sense, but that’s how I’ve tried to run my blogs, and how others have run theirs, to varying degrees of success.

Not really, no.

I’m demisexual so I don’t feel attraction towards actual people unless I already have an emotional attachment to them.  It’s a little hard to establish that with a fictitious character, no matter how much you like them.