My Little Pony LX: 60 Ponythreads? That's an Academy record!

[HamHam]

Yes, but I like to think there ought to be things you can do to increase the odds. Like a clever description or the right title, or maybe the right image.

As I recently started getting into mlp fanfics, I've generally just gone by description, and specifically a clear explanation of the premise so I can decide if it sounds interesting.

[One Tin Soldier]

KCaFO Comment--

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Really? That was it? Huh... thought it would be more... out of the ordinary.

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Well, he did make a direct reference to Star Trek. Though it was rather understated. *shrug* I suppose that's what happens when you predict that a line will make the internet explode.

[Deadly]

As I recently started getting into mlp fanfics, I've generally just gone by description, and specifically a clear explanation of the premise so I can decide if it sounds interesting.

The description is no doubt important. I always try to come up with one that will grab the interest of people, but I apparently haven't got the art down yet. I try to keep them short, to the point, and most of all something that will make people stop for a moment to think. If they just breeze through the description without seeing anything out of the ordinary, then they're likely to continue right on to the next story. Or at least so I've thought. It's a highway, you need to drop a great big road block in their face.

I suspect my most popular story got a lot of attention simply due to its image, so that too shouldn't be dismissed.

I know that on dA, the time of the day can be a factor, especially if you hope to hit the front page "most popular". I try never to submit art while the US is asleep. I assume it is much the same for FiMFiction and always try to make sure my stories appear on the front page when the US is awake, which is really hard because you can't really know when they're going to get around to accepting it, unlike dA where everything is visible immediately.

[Tectonic Robot]

Bodily THROWING myself into Ponythread without reading what anybody else said to say that episode, Keep Calm and Flutter On, was suuuuuper cool and fun to watch! Yippee kay yay! ^_^

[DigoDragon]

Who needs an Alicorn Amulet when you have SCIENCE!

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Maybe I should start publishing clopfics after all. That seems to get tons of attention whether it's good or not.

Ah, the eternal struggle of all of us artists/writers. Do we do what we like, or what gets the fame/money? I suppose my advice is if you don't plan to make any serious money off your creativity, just do what you like.
If you want money, do what you like, but throw a bone to the other side of the fence as it were.

[erikun]

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So forgive me if you guys already noticed this, but remember how we were told to keep an ear out for DeLancie's big line? I was finally directed to where it was: 6:34 in the episode. (I would have linked to the time directly, but my computer was acting strange.)

S3e10 Keep Calm and Flutter On

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It was probably that or the "Well played, Fluttershy. Well played." at the end. To be honest, I've avoided spoilers so I'm not sure what exactly was supposed to be important about the line.

Well, this is rather disappointing. Doesn't look like my latest story is going to get all that much attention. And here I thought I had given it a rather attention-grabbing description and all, but it's off the front page now and barely any views.

I guess I still can't predict what stories will reach the featured box. My last two stories didn't get any big attention either. I had high hopes for the Butterfly Brouhaha, and my latest isn't too bad either I'm sure, but alas, they all just sort of drop off the front page in half an hour to languish in eternal obscurity.

I really liked Butterfly Brouhaha, though.

I think it's a combination of ongoing stories (which are around longer and so get more views/fans) and using characters that are popular with the fandom. Some people will read any story starring Fluttershy or set in Fallout Equestria, while they skip over stories about background characters.

Other than that, I tend to focus on other stories of authors I like. I mean, I still haven't finished writing anything (>_>) so can't offer any first-hand advise.

[Tectonic Robot]

Just finished Wonderbolts Academy!

It was really good and stuff.

Except I feel like Spitfire did I complete 180 from praising Lightning Dust to kicking her out. It felt abrupt and uncool to me. You can't support someone than change your mind in a snap like that! D:

[t209]

Just finished Wonderbolts Academy!

It was really good and stuff.

Except I feel like Spitfire did I complete 180 from praising Lightning Dust to kicking her out. It felt abrupt and uncool to me. You can't support someone than change your mind in a snap like that! D:

Well, I thought Lightning Dust as Tragic Hero.

[Grif]

I suspect my most popular story got a lot of attention simply due to its image, so that too shouldn't be dismissed.

Past Sins got its initial fame through this. The popularity just snowballed from there on.

[otakuryoga]

well...just finished reading the final chapter of Earth & Sky
quite good

[Anarion]

So, slightly picking up on the our marketing conversations from a couple pages back. This, this right here, this is how you get into the category of "someone people like and want to pay." It's an interview with Ryan Lindsay, the author of an upcoming Rainbow Dash one-shot comic.

[Pendulous]

Just finished Wonderbolts Academy!

It was really good and stuff.

Except I feel like Spitfire did I complete 180 from praising Lightning Dust to kicking her out. It felt abrupt and uncool to me. You can't support someone than change your mind in a snap like that! D:

It made sense to me. Spitfire only saw Lightning Dust's daring moves, not the dangerous ones. She was in her office when Lightning Dust created the tornado.

Either that or she's got a thing for Rainb.....never mind.

[Anarion]

Speaking of Wonderbolts Academy, I had a thought that I don't think I've seen anywhere yet. Spitfire gave Dash wingpony because Dash doesn't push herself hard enough, right?

Well, we all remember the wonderful news reporting of the Foal Free Press, right?

Rainbow Dash sure does

Well, what if Spitfire's evaluation was actually colored by that article eventually making its way to Cloudsdale?

[Tiki Snakes]

Well, I thought Lightning Dust as Tragic Hero.

She really, really wasn't.

[Deadly]

Ah, the eternal struggle of all of us artists/writers. Do we do what we like, or what gets the fame/money? I suppose my advice is if you don't plan to make any serious money off your creativity, just do what you like.
If you want money, do what you like, but throw a bone to the other side of the fence as it were.

I tend to do what I like, because I'm not exactly in this for the money yet, but I also try to do it well and do my best to get it noticed, because ... I like getting noticed, I like recognition, and I should do what I like

The real question with clopfics, I suppose, is whether you can do it well and then whether you have the guts to go ahead and publish it

I really liked Butterfly Brouhaha, though.

I think it's a combination of ongoing stories (which are around longer and so get more views/fans) and using characters that are popular with the fandom. Some people will read any story starring Fluttershy or set in Fallout Equestria, while they skip over stories about background characters.

Other than that, I tend to focus on other stories of authors I like. I mean, I still haven't finished writing anything (>_>) so can't offer any first-hand advise.

Aye, longer stories naturally get attention with each chapter, although I think relatively speaking it's not much.

Past Sins got its initial fame through this. The popularity just snowballed from there on.

Ah yes, I remember that picture, mostly because of Twilight about to get hanged. That made me sad, but the story was tagged "Normal" so it dragged you in. You wanted to know what happened.

Anyway, I got the impression Past Sins was massively publicized.

[DigoDragon]

Except I feel like Spitfire did I complete 180 from praising Lightning Dust to kicking her out. It felt abrupt and uncool to me. You can't support someone than change your mind in a snap like that! D:

It did seem a bit abrupt didn't it? Though, it isn't officially stated in the episode that Dust gets kicked out and I'd like to think she was demoted rather than getting the boot. It be quite a waste of talent (and a strange academy) if they're not willing to fix that one flaw and mold Dust into being more responsible.

Well, we all remember the wonderful news reporting of the Foal Free Press, right? Well, what if Spitfire's evaluation was actually colored by that article eventually making its way to Cloudsdale?

That certainly could be a possibility.
I certainly think the Foal Free Press was partly at fault for Trixie's predicament just before Magic Duel.

The real question with clopfics, I suppose, is whether you can do it well and then whether you have the guts to go ahead and publish it

Oooh, good question. I remember many years back I experimented in more adult art, but I did so under a different Username in case it didn't work out. To my surprise (and possibly horror) it was working out, but I decided not to pursue it further because it just didn't feel like "Me".

[Thanqol]

I tend to do what I like, because I'm not exactly in this for the money yet, but I also try to do it well and do my best to get it noticed, because ... I like getting noticed, I like recognition, and I should do what I like

The real question with clopfics, I suppose, is whether you can do it well and then whether you have the guts to go ahead and publish it

Or if you publish it under an alias and constantly wonder if anyone will recognise your style and call you on it.

[fizmat]

She really, really wasn't.

Isn't she? In a theatrical tragedy sense, the hero is usually somebody noble doing something bad and suffering greatly as a result. Yes, everything I know about English literature I learned from Crash Course. So feel free to correct me on anything I get wrong. I suppose she's not literally a noble, but she is a great flier and a WA cadet, and therefore should be held to a higher standard, therefore "noble". On the other hand, WA is not a tragedy, because half the cast does not die from ear poisoning and brother-stabbing because of her actions, but that's a minor counterpoint. The major argument against her being a tragic hero for me is: she isn't being tormented by the situation as it unfolds and doesn't have the screen-time to do so. Which means if thе narrative was centered around her without changing any of the plot, she would totally become a tragic hero.

Not so clear-cut as "really, really", is it now?

[Thanqol]

Click it.

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[SlyGuyMcFly]

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Wow. Nice piece.

[zimmerwald1915]

Isn't she? In a theatrical tragedy sense, the hero is usually somebody noble doing something bad and suffering greatly as a result. Yes, everything I know about English literature I learned from Crash Course. So feel free to correct me on anything I get wrong. I suppose she's not literally a noble, but she is a great flier and a WA cadet, and therefore should be held to a higher standard, therefore "noble". On the other hand, WA is not a tragedy, because half the cast does not die from ear poisoning and brother-stabbing because of her actions, but that's a minor counterpoint. The major argument against her being a tragic hero for me is: she isn't being tormented by the situation as it unfolds and doesn't have the screen-time to do so. Which means if thе narrative was centered around her without changing any of the plot, she would totally become a tragic hero.

Not so clear-cut as "really, really", is it now?

The reason Lightning Dust isn't a tragic hero is that she does not inspire pity of and fear for herself in the audience, and that the action of her story does not allow the audience to transcend that (nonexistent) pity and fear for her. Social status, self-torment, and mass carnage is all window dressing. What makes a tragic hero is the relationship between audience, character, and action, and when it comes to Lightning Dust, that relationship is not there.

[Yana]

I just had an interesting idea for a fic involving:

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Princess Celestia/Luna and Rarity/Sweetie Bell. I picture it as somewhat of a follow up to The Sisterhoof Social in that it (hopefully) follows the evolution of sisterly relations between the two pairs and how Luna might empathize with Sweetie's position relative to Rarity (considering that Luna is still in the same place with Celestia, albeit with more responsibility).

Obviously this is a very rough plan that needs fleshing out (although i bet somepony has already written something similar to this, i mean, this IS the internet) and I don't even know if I'll be able to get around to it anytime soon.

Thoughts?

[Kairaven]

As someone with military background, Spitfire's behavior in Wonderbolt Academy wasn't out of place. There's a distinct behavior change between off-duty and on-duty.

Also as pointed out, Lightning Dust's fate is left rather ambiguous, more then likely she was simply demoted and dismissed to minor punishment like kitchen duties, skin them apples private!

[fizmat]

The reason Lightning Dust isn't a tragic hero is that she does not inspire pity of and fear for herself in the audience, and that the action of her story does not allow the audience to transcend that (nonexistent) pity and fear for her. Social status, self-torment, and mass carnage is all window dressing. What makes a tragic hero is the relationship between audience, character, and action, and when it comes to Lightning Dust, that relationship is not there.

See, this is a good argument. Yes, calling her a tragic hero of the story as shown in the episode is not right, and this is a better explanation of _why_ then my "not enough screen time of torment" imitation of analysis. I was just trying to get the discussion ball rolling past the "she is" vs "nuh-huh" phase.

I still think (if Lightning really got kicked out an not just demoted) that when/if she retells this episode of her life to her children, she'll be the tragic hero of _that_ story.

[Balmas]

I just had an interesting idea for a fic involving:

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Princess Celestia/Luna and Rarity/Sweetie Bell. I picture it as somewhat of a follow up to The Sisterhoof Social in that it (hopefully) follows the evolution of sisterly relations between the two pairs and how Luna might empathize with Sweetie's position relative to Rarity (considering that Luna is still in the same place with Celestia, albeit with more responsibility).

Obviously this is a very rough plan that needs fleshing out (although i bet somepony has already written something similar to this, i mean, this IS the internet) and I don't even know if I'll be able to get around to it anytime soon.

Thoughts?

I'd read it. Mind, it would be somewhat difficult to set up; does Luna appear to Sweetie in a dream? Maybe Rarity gets a social gig at the palace and brings Sweetie along? How does Luna act towards the bright, vocal filly?

[Soras Teva Gee]

As someone with military background, Spitfire's behavior in Wonderbolt Academy wasn't out of place. There's a distinct behavior change between off-duty and on-duty.

Also as pointed out, Lightning Dust's fate is left rather ambiguous, more then likely she was simply demoted and dismissed to minor punishment like kitchen duties, skin them apples private!

Yeah though I'm not sure it was intended per say Lightning Dust violated the number one principle of military training: safety.

Especially safety of others.

What happened to Lightning Dust is more or less exactly what was supposed to happen under military discipline. Given in theory it should have been in Spitfire's office but we must make some allowances for a dramatic scene. A few words to Dash, a "my office, now!" for LD, and an announcement the next morning of switch ups in role for reasons not quite disclosed... well truer to life but not interesting television. And longer

[fizmat]

I'd read it. Mind, it would be somewhat difficult to set up; does Luna appear to Sweetie in a dream? Maybe Rarity gets a social gig at the palace and brings Sweetie along? How does Luna act towards the bright, vocal filly?

Sweetie takes Luna under her wing, teaches her everything she knows and becomes like her big sister!

Celestia: I despise night! All that... urgh... darkness.
Luna: Rarity is going with her little sister. But, you know, if you don't wanna spend time with me...
Celestia: ... All right. Eternal night it is.

History of The Cutie Crusade
Book III
"Founding of The Canterlot Chapter"
(probably apocryphal)

[Deadly]

Oooh, good question. I remember many years back I experimented in more adult art, but I did so under a different Username in case it didn't work out. To my surprise (and possibly horror) it was working out, but I decided not to pursue it further because it just didn't feel like "Me".

I like to explore taboos and provoke people into questioning things, because people are all too quick with knee-jerk judgments. For example, whenever someone comments on my comic Together We Fly that these ponies are too young to make out, I always get an urge to write a really graphic story where they do much more than just kiss. I've resisted so far, but I do have an idea for a story about Sweetie Belle and Featherweight just waiting for me to break down and say "Screw what people think! I'll write or draw whatever the hay I think is interesting or fun! Doubly so if it makes people think."

Or if you publish it under an alias and constantly wonder if anyone will recognise your style and call you on it.

Aye. Personally I feel that would be defeating the purpose. If it's not in your name, it's not in your honor.

[Soras Teva Gee]

I will give an award of a to be determined number of internets to the funniest comment in response to this pic:

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[PhantomFox]

I will give an award of a to be determined number of internets to the funniest comment in response to this pic:

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"Next time Sparkle... NEXT TIME!!!

In other news, I recieved my first fanart. What is this world coming to?

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