Looking Forward · 8:01am Sep 1st, 2013
It's Sunday morning, and Fallout: Equestria be fully posted and marked "complete" early this week. I have to thank all the amazing fans and the brony community as a whole for making posting the story here a delightful experience. Now, the question looms before me: what next?
I tell stories. I really cannot go very long without telling stories, whether they be through writing, art or running roleplaying games. Posting Fallout: Equestria has resparked my urge to write, even though my plate is currently full.
(Not to mention I have all these wonderful followers, and I do not want to leave them hanging. 
)
Currently, I'm working along with the FoE community on playtesting and making small revisions to the Fallout: Equestria RPG. That work includes running two games, one online and one with a group of local bronies. Most of my creativity and storytelling drives are being channeled into those efforts. However, within a few short months, the local game will be reaching its conclusion. And while one of the players will be taking up the mantle of GM and running a local game that I will be playing in, it won't involve the same time and consumption of storytelling energy as running a game myself. (The online game looks like it could last indefinitely so long as the players are still available at that time.)
I have been invited to help in crafting the extremely intriguing Shattered Kingdom game, and I am looking into that more right now. However, I have no idea what level of involvement I might have with that, or how much time and energy it will consume.
All of which leads me to this: I may have time in the near future to start writing again. The question is what I should write?
(My Little Pony fanfiction, obviously. 
)
For several reasons, I do not intend to write a sequel to Fallout: Equestria. The epic story that I really wanted to tell has been told. And where there are other, smaller tales of the Equestrian Wasteland that I would love to explore (and, in fact, am doing so with the Fallout: Equestria games that I am running), none come close to the story that I have told. And, frankly, I don't want to step on the toes of all the other wonderful authors who have used Fallout: Equestria as a jumping-point for their own Wasteland stories. However, that doesn't preclude possibly writing short (actually short) stories or viginettes. (One idea was writing a series of 2000-words-or-less viginettes for the FOE RPG world -- much like the flavor stories for setting supplements or splatbooks.)
I've also considered other story ideas. The one that I have given the most thought to, however, has been tabled for the time being in part because while the tale is unrelated to Fallout: Equestria, the premise is (at least on the surface) very similar to the idea of the Stables. In truth, right now, I don't really have any ideas for a story that I really want to tell. However, I know myself well enough to know that should not be a problem which lasts for long.
What do you think? Any advice? Suggestions?
Why not write a story outside of FoE?
~Skeeter The Lurker
When I compared the size of the complete Fallout: Equestria, to the size of Harry Potter: and the Deathly Hallows in terms of words, the size difference blew me away!
And that's coming from a person who grew up with people who practically used Harry Potter books as a unit of literary measurement.
Advice, suggestions, gosh. I'm not sure what to say on that front, besides merely keep being awesome!
You are one of the key people responsible for building the fandom up to what it is today, and from me personally I thank you! You have rekindled my love of the Fallout Series, and are a source of inspiration for us all!
Perhaps something more fantasy adventure as opposed to the sci fi flair that foe had. You seem like someone who gravitates to the adventure genre.how bout an exploration of the magic systems of Equestria? One thing I might recommend is looking at some narrative devices that strike you as immediately interesting. Alternatively if you want to step away from grandiose adventure you could do something more exploratory of human nature (or pony nature rather) on a closer to home basis.
Those FoE-related shorts sound interesting. But aside from that, I would love to see some non-FoE stories from you. Perhaps something with the mane 6?
Gods above and below I'd love to offer a suggestion, but I honestly can't think of anything that would be worth your time. Nothing I've read as far as fan fics go can compare to FoE. Reading that is what got me hooked on fan fics in general. All this said, I will at least offer one suggestion, though as I said I doubt it'd be worth your time you glorious personage you.
Ponies + Diablo-verse = slightly interesting?
First, let me say that Fallout Equestria is primarily what brought me into the fandom. Secondly, you are awesome. Now, since you asked for suggestions, the only ones I have are these. You combined ponies with a world very few people thought could work with them, and made it work. So I think it'd be interesting to see that happen with another world. Perhaps the Gears Of War world, or the Tom Clancy universe, or Killzone. Another thing that I think would be very interesting to see you have a go at, would be some sort of Daring Do type setting, maybe using the Indiana Jones world, the Uncharted world, or a world you make up yourself. But honestly, anything you do will be awesome.
None of my ideas seem worthy of your skills
The only idea I have in mind that look slightly interesting is a story about a small group of bounty hunters trying to change Equestria during the Discord reign era.
I don't rekon I ever said thank you for writing FoE and giving me a chance to meet some really cool people through the RPG it produced, oh and the hours of entertainment it and it's spinoffs have given me.
I reckon anything you would write if you put the same amount of energy you put into FoE then it would be amazing.
So from the bottom of my heart,
Thank you.
Then I shall continue reading Fallout Equestria this week!
Actually, school is starting back up in a couple days, so reading material inbetween classes :3
Also; YAY GAMES!
Wish i could give a good suggestion. You're the one that got me hooked on fan fiction in the first place. (you monster.)
All i can really say is to check out the episodes again. There are a lot of quirks in them that would make for a nice one-shot exploration. Like how Fluttershy can help fish in one episode, yet use them as food for other animals in another episode.
Whatever you write, I'd love to see something not at all related to EoP. You gotta diversify your portfolio!
Write a story in which alicorn Twilight wakes up 1000 years from the time of the show, but with none of her memories outside of who she is, and an inexplicably deep knowledge of combat and how to fight. She decides, based on what she knows how to do, to take up a job as a mercenary. She's tossed into a world of wars and political intrigue, and must fight to save the world from a terrible threat, all the while figuring out just who she is, and discovering more about her past along the way. As she begins to unlock her memories, learning more about the life of an immortal among mortals (her friends' and family's death, etc.) she begins to wonder if the past is even worth remembering.
In other words, a thinly veiled Lost Odyssey crossover.
High fantasy starring the Mane 6? I think that'd be thoroughly different from Fo:E. It'd be interesting to see how the styles compare. For me personally, anything with a lot of world building would be very satisfying.
I don't think writing more FoE stuff would be stepping on anyone's toes any more than the actual show is. I mean, you don't see M.A. Larson backing down to avoid Jossing headcanon.
Though, if that's your biggest concern, maybe you could do a story that's only barely related to FoE. Perhaps short psychological one-shots about life in the wasteland, or maybe something set in wartime Equestria that doesn't involve the ministries. If you're up for something more challenging, maybe a fic done with the same style and structure as the show, but with very subtle wartime motifs and themes incorporated into the setting and storyline.
Or, if you need a break from FOE entirely, there's always the "Pre-classical" era to explore. It'd be pretty interesting to see your take on the time before Celestia came to power. Maybe even something delving into the apprenticeship between Starswirl the Bearded and Clover the Clever.
:( se quelle?
I would have suggested a collaboration of sorts with Somber on Project Horizons, but lately I would much rather see you tell him to end that story already. Don't get me wrong: it isn't terrible, or anything, but it should have ended ten chapters ago...
Anyway, with action/grimdark now done, I suggest a comedy/random story.
I'd throw the idea of space ponies out there. There is a lot of potential for good ol' sci-fi, cyberpunk or anything like that in this fandom.
Also, I'd like to thank you and everyone involved for the work that's being done on the Pen & Paper RPG. I just had my second session yesterday and It's a blast to play! :
It took me some time to realise that the week begins with Sunday, and not Monday, in the United States. I'm silly.
This is what I have been secretly expecting all this time. I really did hope that seeing all the feedback that we have for your story would spark that creative fire once more. And... it did?
(The little pony in my head is jumping about shouting, "Yes yes yes yes yes!")
It's a pony Tactical RPG. Woah. Woah. Woah. I'll need to enquire further. I didn't even know about this game!
One quick question, though (I hope you're not sworn to secrecy or something of the kind): are you involved in the development as a script writer or as a concept artist/model designer? Because I hear (I don't remember where) that you can also draw pretty well.
My Little Po-
Yes. Yes, that.
Fair enough. We know your reasons behind this, and I can say that those reasons are valid. Of course, we have all this "Wake up, Littlepip! ~Fo:E 2~" thing going on, but, yeah, let it remain a fan-made thing.
Now, a few words about Fo:E shorts.
I have written a few one-shots, and I have written a few multi-chapter stories (I'm not saying they are good because they aren't; it's just an example). And it took me more time and effort to write one-shots. Why?
Because when you are used to writing long tales, it is incredibly hard to put all you want to say in five thousand words or less, seven thousand words or less, and so on.
I'm not a good writer, so I can't give advice on that part, but I know just a bit about writing music, so here's my friendly advice:
Start out with something you have already planned. If you have the whole plot for the one-shot in mind, start with this one. It's like... Let's say, I suddenly think of a chord progression. I record it, and it's easy for me to find the solos, for I already know the key and modulation from the chord progression I've chosen. If you know the general idea of the story, try to write it. And then fill it with all the awesome stuff you can fill it with.
(This was terrbile advice, wasn't it?..
)
Anyway, what I'm suggesting is, Try to write what you've wanted to write for a while but didn't have the time to. Be it a Fallout: Equestria one-shot, or be it something non-Equestrian Wasteland related, write it first.
Start out slow, with something relatively-not-long, to see if you still got it. (I know you still got it, but, yeah, just in case.) I you haven't got rusty over the months (I know you haven't), then move on to anything you want to write!
(This adivce was even worse. Dayumn.
)
Personally, I would like to see a few Fo:E one-shots (that won't, of course, hinder the progress of side-stories). I mean... Filling in the gaps, you know?
A short story about Lion and Mouse. A story about the team of five Bearers searching for the Bearer of Generosity. Even a fluffy fic about Homage visiting Pip in the SPP tower would do nicely. After all, not all readers get that Littlepip can leave the pod. (No, really. I didn't realise it at first as well.)
Damn, you have ten years between the Epilogue and the Afterword to write about! Unleash your headcanon. It doesn't need to be canon to Fo:E. You are the author. You choose. Side-stories are good, but you created the whole thing. You can do whatever you want with it. Don't be afraid of expanding the Equestrian Wasteland story-wise. As far as I can see, you are already doing it via tabletop role-playing games. Why not make those ideas fics?
An insight into the Steel Rangers. A story about the Enclave. How did Raiders come to life? What happened to Rainbow Dash? (All right, some of us kinda know it, but nevertheless.) A short story about Littlepip adapting to the pod, her mental turmoil and relief when Homage finds out a way to connect, and more relief when she finds out she can leave the pod, and the sinking realisation that she won't leave the tower...
Unleash your imagination.
And, last but not least, a friendly reminder:
)
Ghouls are people tooPeople will, and I repeat, will be comparing your new stories to Fallout: Equestria. It is inevitable. Fo:E is your greatest and best work so far, and it will take a lot of effort to keep up this level of quality. (I know you can do it, I'm just reminding you of things you already remember... Yeah.All in all, I'm incredibly glad you will be writing again, and I wish you the best of luck in all of your edeavours! If you ever need advice or anything, we are all here for you.
Your fan/friend,
Josh~
Glad to hear it!
I'll just throw a few out here, then:
Celestia's day-to-day life, Luna's contributions to Twilight's education, Twilight's successes and failures in academia, Rainbow's mistakes in weather manipulation, Fluttershy's application of the Stare to interpony communication, Pinkie Pie visits her family, Applejack forays into a new market area, Rarity asks Twilight to teach her a new spell, Spike grows too big for the library, Discord starts a business, Celestia takes Twilight to visit someplace, Cadance accidentally makes the wrong people fall in love, Applebloom builds something deadly, Twilight tries to fix the Everfree, Rainbow takes Scootaloo camping, Pinkie Pie tries coffee, Fluttershy takes over Ponyville with small animals, Applejack stages an intervention, Twilight takes a scientific approach to her new earth pony abilities, Spike experiments with dragonbreath, Celestia chooses a protégé.
Hope something piqued your interest!
Whatever you write, it'll be awesome! We're all standing behind you, and we await the products of the future.
Well that's good to hear, though on a note that might tide you over until you have enough free time to strike out on writing another, most likely, highly successful fic: I am currently having the thought processes needed to write a fic where Little Pip goes to the Mojave wasteland and meets The Courier, so you could, hopefully, hit me up and help me get the fundamentals of her personality down and then I can send you chapters to look over for any lore rapes/personality breaks.
I... really don't know what to say other then I'd look forward to any new stories from you, FOE related or not. And while I understand why you don't want to write a full sequel, the idea of short little one shots showing a snapshot of different things going on in The Wastes would be pretty cool.
Whatever it is, I hope you get some inspiration soon, looking forward to what you create next.
Kkat, seeing how wonderful you are at weaving together large scale cohesive narratives, with excellent world building, I think it would be extremely interesting to read your take on what might have happened in the thousand years Luna was banished. Maybe write a story that takes place around 100 years before the show; I haven't really seen many stories focus on that time period. But whatever you write, I'm sure it will be great! Have a great pony day!
-Bryan C.
Judging by your talent in writing pure unfiltered adventure and copious amounts violence, I'd suggest something a little more lighthearted, but still action-ey.
Personally speaking, I'm a sucker for something RPG flavored like FO:E was. Maybe you could stray away from the guns and explosions of Fallout and more towards the bows, knives, and fireballs of something witha D&D or LOZ or Skyrim vibe to it.
Be careful though, you may spawn another sub-fandom by doing this. Do you really want twice as much fanmade content to sift through?
Or if you want to stretch and challenge yourself, take the most incompatable crossover you can think of and write it! The catch is that you can't just ponify the other series like you did with Fallout, the two worlds have to stay true to their original styles (an example would be the battleship universe by totallynotabrony.). The lamest crossover I can think of off the top of my head: MLP and Telletubies! Bwahahaha that's a horrible idea :P
1321377
Love the Skyrim idea!
1321423
And what's wrong with stepping outside of crossovers?
~Skeeter The Lurker
I'd look forward to anything you decided to write. It would be interesting to see what you could do outside of FoE. I really like the way you wrote the mane six and the CMC, so anything with them would be good.
I think that short FoE-stories world be very interesting, especially if they are in a slife-of-life style. But, if you feel that you'd want to write something different, you should of course do that! I'm sure it'd be great to read in whichever way^^
1321423
Exactly. And it could become the next big thing
I don't have any suggestions, but I do have a question.
Where do you RP? What site do you prefer and why?
I don't know of many sites, but currently I'm participating in a P&P RPG on Roll20, and another on Rollz.
I'm still pretty green, but I'm getting better.
)
(All of those math functions, why are they so confusing?
Write what you want to write
That's pretty much the whole underlining of fic-writing, it doesn't matter what it is it can be ponified and all of us will gladly read.
For what is writing if you can't have fun doing it? Writing for fun will make the readers enjoy and have fun too. It's amazing to see that many people (including myself) see it as just a chore when the purpose is within it's lines, sentances and punctuation marks
inb4 Kkat writes a new AU story and starts yet another 100-story sub-fandom
Whatever you write, I know I'll be reading it.
Pony fiction is a great medium (that's why we're all here, after all). If you write another pony story, I'd love to read it.
However, I think it would also be interesting to see you write a story outside the realm of fanfiction. I'd really like to see an original story from you.
I understand if you would prefer to write a pony story, of course.
I think that you should try and write something as completely different from Fallout: Equestria as possible. I couldn't tell you what that means exactly, but you should shoot for different, just to see what happens.
Write whatever you think you'll enjoy doing. That's probably the most important rule of fanfic writing: having fun with what you're doing. I know whatever you write, I'll enjoy it.
Whatever you write, Fallout: Equestria or not, I would love to read. If you do write something else related to Fallout: Equestria though, I would love to see if you could write either a short (or maybe even a full fledged story) of a pony's life in the stable. I think that would be very interesting.
You know, I've had a headcanon for a while now that somewhere, in some strange, twisted, alternate universe, Kkat wrote Austraeoh. Not any of its sequels, mind you (those read like SS&E stories through and through), just the original. I'm not sure why I think that, but if I were told Imploding Colon was an alias for Kkat (before I learned who it was really an alias for) I would've thought, "Huh, that actually makes a lot of sense."
...In case you were wondering: no, I don't have any suggestions for story ideas.
Just write whatever plot bunnies come to mind.
I'm just glad that, after all these year, I'll be able to read a Kkat story as it's written. Having all of FoE available to me at the beginning and binge reading it has it's advantages and disadvantages, now I want to experience the alternative.
I, for one, would LOVE to see you write some stories for the FO:E RPG :)
I would love to see a retelling of Fallout:Equestria, but told from Calamity's perspective.
If you write another story, not set in the FOE universe... could you maybe not have most of the show's main cast die tragically, or otherwise end up in irreversible and/or torturous positions? Pretty please?
And if you write short stories that are set in the FOE universe, I think a short series we'd all be interested in would be all the party members' perspectives before their entrance into the story. What was a day in Calamity's life protecting travelers from raiders like? When and why did Velvet Remedy realize that she wanted to leave the vault? How did Steel Hooves cope with the discovery that he had become a ghoul? What is Pyrelight's origins? (I like to think she's related to Philomena somehow) Etc..
Kkat you are a fabtastic writter, I can't wait to see what you write but I still miss Little Pip!
Trying not to sound like too much of a fanboy of your work, but I'm very much liable to read whatever you write next.
Also, it's a bit of a shame I'm from a different country than you, as I would rather like to be a player in one of your online FoE RPG games, or even potentially as a player.
Speaking of which, how does the online RPG'ing work? I've only got experience in RPGs in real life, and I'm trying to work out how you'd do the dice rolling and player-to-player discussions and all that.
Personally, I'd love to see a prequel giving the full details of the war between Equestria and the zebras. Tie up a few loose ends, answer some unanswered questions. Like, what happened to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo? How exactly did Pinkie's addiction begin? How did Applesnack and Applejack first meet? Things like that. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this.
Writing the adventures of your PnP games would be cool.
As many have said already, we would all be more than eager to read whatever else you have to write for us. We're all big fans, and we want to see what else you can do.
- Noakwolf
Scrunch battle between Littlepip and Calamity. Who wins?
Or something similarly silly/upbeat.
Idk just go nuts.
Btw the howl ability of the timberwolves in the perks for the FoE game. I can't find it anywhere, what does it do?
Pfft, it's your GDocs. Put finger to keyboard and see what comes up.
That said, a comedy from you would probably be sweet
Maybe a Bioshock (if you've ever played it) Crossover? There seems like a lot of world building that could be done, particularly in a story that integrates Bioshock1 and Infinite, plus a lot of stories to tell in this verse.
Edit: or maybe an Inceptiion like priemise where they journey into a main characters mind?
Oh or maybe something with the Truman show, or is that to similar to the vaults?
1327068
I'd have to agree. One of my favorite things about Bioshock is that it gives perfect practitioners of various philosophies the power to realize their heart's desire. Once each philosophy finds realization, everyone must deal with the fallout. Also, Applebloom would look hauntingly cute as a little sister.
That being said, the option always exists to do something new, something completely different. Fallout and Bioshock share many similarities along with their differences. In each world, for example, shockingly terrible situations give the opportunity for stunning beauty and goodness. Perhaps straying from this premise would provide added inspiration.
One final thought. As abstract as it sounds, sometimes a variety of opinions actually share a common suggestion. Once considering what everyone has written, you may encounter a larger inspiration. For example, "I should clean the dishes" and, "the laundry needs to get done," both carry the suggestion that I should take better care of my apartment. Huh, okay, I should really go take care of some things right now.
-Moonbat
PFTS (Post Final Thought Script)- any room on the online Fallout: Equestria RPG? Always interested in looking at and play-testing new systems.