General idea to help improve. URGENT Feedback needed · 9:19pm Jan 5th, 2014
So, last night, I may or may not have spent 2 hours carefully reading Ezn's guide on writing to help improve my work. Among many ideas I have taken (and lessons I've learned from it) I found one in particular that looks good, but there are a few reasons I would and wouldn't use it.
Before going into the pros and cons, I will talk briefly about it, giving a few examples in the process. What I am talking about is color coding as oppose to said tags. When a pony within the mane six speaks, the general idea is writing their speech in their coat color instead of writing "Said (insert mane six member name)
For example instead of:
"I am the iron pony," said Rainbow Dash, after beating Applejack in a series of competitions for the name of 'iron pony
Applejack, however, wasn't happy to accept defeat. She felt Rainbow Dash had won unfairly. "Only cus ya cheated," rebutted Applejack
It would, instead, be
"I am the iron pony"
"only cus ya cheated"
These are a few lines from the episode "Fall Weather Friends" (bit of trivia, this was the first episode I ever saw).
Now we get into why I'm debating whether or not to use them. The pros and cons
pros
1) easier for me to incorporate bigger group conversations - Some of you may or may not notice I try and steer clear of large group conversations, some of you may or may not care. In "Devoid" I have, on a few occasions, incorporated scenes where many ponies are gathered, but only a maximum of three (and that's a push) speak in that one scene. I will demonstrate why by having every pony from the mane six say hello in the same scene
"Hello," said Twilight Sparkle
"Hello," said Rarity
"Hello," said Fluttershy
"Hello," said Rainbow Dash
"Hello," said Applejack
"Hello," said Pinkie Pie
Ok, I know there are many words I could use in place of 'said' but it's the same idea really. I think the idea of being to repetitive and using 'said' or interchangeable words frightens me
Personally, I think it looks a lot more tidy like
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
2) More visually pleasing - I believe this to be so for two reasons. The first reason ties in with the first pro, I think it looks more tidy, and personally, I would much rather read a fiction that looks well presented than ones that look a bit rough. Secondly, come on, who doesn't like colorful things. I know I do. All that is good in the world is colorful. My Little Pony is colorful, and that's about as good as the world gets. Seriously, I think a Dash of color can always improve things. I however, do not mean this
I am doing this as an example of when color gets annoying
The above looks like a powerful point presentation title that I'd have done at the start of secondary school (or high school for any Americans who see this) at the age of 11. Without further ado, here is the con. There is only one, but it's a big one.
Con
1) Inconsistency - I am severely obsessive compulsive. That's right. I have a severe case of OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for those who didn't know. For the sake of mentioning it, I am not this
I literally have a hard time with inconsistent schemes, asymmetry, and things being in the wrong places. This extends to writing. If I use the color coding to aid with big group conversations, I would have to use it everywhere. Whether it be one pony talking to herself, or all six speaking to eachother in the same scene.
That is where we find the first problem. I would have to back track and use the color coding in older chapters, as well as remember to incorporate it into future fan fictions involving the mane six.
Mentioning the mane six is where the other problem arises. When the mane six are conversing with ponies outside the mane six. I will try and involve an example that doesn't make me feel like the world is about to end in the most painful way to humanity, or make me want to launch my tablet out of the window in a fit of obsessive compulsive rage, using the example above, every pony saying hello, in color scheme, but this time, I'll add the CMC in to demonstrate this horrendous looking feature
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello," said Applebloom
"Hello," said Scootaloo
"Hello," said Sweetie Belle
My tablet remains securely in my hands and the world seems to still be going. I may have exaggerated a bit, but you get the idea, I don't like inconsistent schemes.
summary
I can't reach a conclusion of what to do. I realize, I don't have to see the inconsistency of it since I'll only see it in coding form, but knowing its there might bug me a bit, it is the audience that has to enjoy it, not me, I just have to provide it. That is why I need as much input as possible. Should I stick to 'said tags' or should I change to 'color coded speech' and use is where ever I can?