Help us get ideas for an AppleDash fic contest! · 1:56pm Jul 15th, 2014
Howdy, y'all!
Now, if'n you've been followin' Tchernobog a while, you know that he's organized several AppleDash contests, and even an AppleDashLight one.
Yeah, you two.
But anyway! We're thinkin' about doing another AppleDash contest.
But so far, none of the ideas we've had are that good.
That's 'cause you didn't ask me ye-
Quiet, you.
Yes ma'am.
We've had a few ideas tossed around, but none that really feel right, or don't come with issues.
Twi?
Well, the last two contests were about subverting common AppleDash clichés. 
For example, Dash breaking her wings...
Other ponies having problems with them being fillifoolers (homophobia)...
Or stories where one is simply trying to gather the courage to confess to the other.
Yeah, pretty boring stuff. 
So we asked people to do fics that weren't about any of that.
And we got a lot of good results!
The second contest was another subversion: rather than being Dash the one to first approach/chase after Applejack, as is fairly common in the fics, we reversed it and had Applejack be the 'chaser'! 
Now, we're looking for another theme.
What do YOU want to see?
Either another subversion, or another topic entirely, as an AppleDash fic. It can even be a fullblown prompt.
We're open to suggestions!
Random thought, AU with Dash the earth pony and Applejack the pegasus?
A breakup fic.
2287430
I wanna see happy ponies, damn you!
Hmm... I'm up for really anything. Might even take part in this one.
Something that has also been done a lot (though not as much as the others you've stated) is that they start out as friends, both not even being interested in mares at all, but quickly end up falling for one another (as to how, well, that's up to the author).
Just a thought.
-Devs
Road trip. Dash and AJ are two of the more active members of the group and yet I don't see many fics, especially ones with a shipping element, where they go anywhere. And if they are in a different locale, the story often starts with them already there. How about one where romance develops during their travel? Cue the familiar "it's not the destination, it's the journey" spiel.
2287430
2287434
Actually, I'm with SSAE. The horrible breakup and makeup fic.
2287477
Demons, the both of you!
What about a story that dives deeper into the realization that they are starting to develop feelings for a close friend, and one of the same gender to boot. What if neither character ever thought they'd be gay, or maybe their not and just have feelings for that one mare.
This opens a door of weather or not they are gay or that they aren't sure how to handle finding out they are. This kind of story probably doesn't open up much to drama, but for a slow transition of trying to figure out what to do. They seek out the help of other friends who they believe are open minded enough to help them clear their heads (Which they could find out was pretty much all of them).
Sure the usual fears would be there, the common one of one thinking that the other won't feel the same. And with Applejack being from a traditional family could pose a greater fear for Rainbow thinking she's lose a close friend forever. And over the course of the story both characters tackle it their own way. One could probably try to figure it out on their own while another seeks out advice from ponies who are in relationships with another pony of the same gender.
By the end of it all it could end one of several ways, either they both come to a realization and confront one another, or only one does and when she confronts the other she finds that she wasn't ready and freaks out causing her to run by reaction, leaving the other to feel that she made a mistake. But then the other would show up later (Much to the others dismay) and explain what happened.
Then they both get into a conversation of what has been going on for the last couple of days and realize they had both been going through a hard time without knowing that it didn't need to happen. In the end they agree to not worry about it and do what they do best, just take it head on and see what happens.
In my proposed scenario AJ and RD don't even know they have feelings for each other beyond friendship. They may not even realize they feel that way about mares in general. But they get trapped or put together in some way (a drunken escapade, locked in jail, cave in etc.) . Wherein they discover they are more important to each other than they ever thought.
Lol maybe I'm just corny but this sounds like a good setup to me.
2287477
2287478 The three of us. Sounds like the better idea for now.
A fic about them already in a relationship, instead of starting one
A breakup fic. I agree.
Commence read.
Looks like the idea of break ups has been tossed out. I was thinking something along those lines, or maybe something like last words.
So many are starts and going into relationships. Not quite so many about how they end. Either as a break up or maybe a passing. But yeah, just a random thought after reading this.
Maybe Adventure fic? They're usually rather interesting. Or horror.
2287430
2287477
2287521
2287545
Please don't mind me, I'll just get in line with these guys...
Seriously though, a story about them having already been in a relationship, that has somehow come to an end, would at the very least be a fresh idea. So many possibilities for interaction with that kind of history between them! And it can still totally have a happy ending. Just think of all the make up se... I mean... snuggling! Yeah, make up snuggling!
Well, we've had AppleDashLight, so maybe other poly pairings? RariDashLight? FlutterAppleDash?
2287638
We're trying to stay away from that this time, and stick to AppleDash.
2287638
2287641 But in the future!!!!
What? I want more!
A story where Ponyville is assaulted with love spells causing random ponies to fall in love with eachother and all the consequences that come with it, including Dash & Jack. When the source has been stopped and the spells dispelled, everypony goes their merry way...until Dash & Jack notice they still feel for eachother.
If it's for a short story I don't really have anything in mind without it sounding too cliché. For a longer story I suggest taking them both (by themselves or with their friends, whichever works) on a travelling trip around Equestria or whatever location you pick, where they develop feelings for each other along the way. This might still sound slightly cliché but I think it really works if written properly and fleshed out enough. As I said it would be a bit lengthy to make it work in the long run. Quillery's fic 'Dreams and Disasters' is a good example of what I mean, as Dash and Twilight went on a journey around the world, with Dash trying to confess her affection for Twilight, containing lots of moments for great scenes along the way. I can see the same element applied to an AppleDash story working just as well. Anyway that's my two bits on that
You want prompts? Here are a few.
"First date goes horribly wrong"
You know those days when everything seems to go wrong? When the coffee is off, the shower hot water runs out, your dinner reservation is cancelled...
"Dealing with different ambitions"
One is a home-bound farmer, the other wants to be a nation-touring stunt flier. Uh-oh.
"Dealing with Ex-es"
*cough*Gilda*cough*
2287641
Gross.
2287638 Remember who you are talking to. He'll only respond to pairings that involve Rainbow Butt and Apple Butt.
2287641
Just so you know, I was kidding in the following comment.
2287707
I gots nothing against AppleDash, you know that, I just like teasin' ya. =P
As for a real idea, I wasn't kidding when I said a breakup fic. A breakup fic can still end with them getting back together.
Perhaps they're only breaking up because Applejack lost the farm and is moving to Appleloosa, where Rainbow can't just move to? Then, surprise, the fic ends with Rainbow fighting for her love and successfully saving the farm, thus bringing Applejack back? I dunno, there's loads of reasons why a breakup fic can result in them getting back together. Catharsis is a pretty powerful subject prompt if you ask me.
2287839
That does look like one of the more popular options, aye. We're writing these down ;)
Hm, well a "Let's meet the parents" theme is probably not the best idea due to it being somewhat one sided...
2287430
Dude, it TALKED.
2287873 It does open up lots of possibilities for AJ to go introspective, though?
How about a swapping partners prompt? E.g. Starts off RariJack and FlutterDash, ends AppleDash and Flarity. Could be fun (swingers anyone?) or sad (drunken accidental hookup reveals their true feelings) or something in between.
2287683 Eh, dealing with Gilda sounds good
2287434 i'm there with you buddy !
How about "a better ship"? :V
BOOM HEADSHOT
2288512
We'd not get any entries then, because THERE IS NO BETTER SHIP!
1. Aj finding and rooting out rainbows sleeping spots on the acres in an attempt to force the pegasus closer to the worked fields. and thus easier to find for AJ.
2. A massive storm hits and Aj has to protect either part of her farm or make sure RD is ok (The idea being RD is trying to keep the storm from completely wiping out the orchard.).
3. Aj tells Rd about the Golden apple and supposedly the only tree in equestria is somewhere in the everfree (Sisters Castle) or under guard in canterlot add some espionage and body suits and go for it.
4. Aj or pinkie tells RD about the scariest cave in equestria and after some boasting rd decides she could totally fly through it and tries, she doesn't come out soon and aj decides to go in after her.
5. Aj perceives competition for Rd's heart (falsely or truely) and is forced to stop just waiting for it to happen, mabey Rarity or another saw and connected the dots on Aj liking RD and decided to start rumors or say things to get AJ off her butt and after RD.
Here is 5 ideas off the top of my head, i love reading the stories that these competitions usually produce so i hope they help.
2288522
Honest to god, though, you could do "Mane cast double date" or some variation of "put another ship in it" to spice things up. Just so long as one ship is Appledash, you're fine!
Missed Chances. The idea is sometime in the near or not so distant future one or both of them are forced to confront something about themselves or another. In this confrontation they come to the realization that they have missed a chance at love or the opportunity to find love with that other special pony in their life. For example, RD is in the wonderbolts and dating one of her team mates and they get into a huge fight. The dating partner of the current RD says or does something that reminds her of Applejack and it gets her thinking, what did she miss out on or she just starts thinking about Applejack and all the times she shared with her. Or perhaps we come into a scene of one of the two in the midst of a breakup and they go to the other for comfort in this tumultuous time. While with the other they share memories of their life together and realize what they might have missed before. There are a lot of ways to play on this idea and its a personal favorite of mine, to look back on ones life and see all the things one missed and realize that there may still be a chance for one them, yea I like those ideas.
2288522 there is to a better ship. TwiLestia. AppleDash is a great one but there are so many ways to do TwiLestia. Mother daughter, teacher student, lovers, platonic, so much there so much you can do.
2288602
Now you're talking! Adding it to the list of options, at least
2288606
Also not bad.
2288615 it can incorporate all other ideas as well. I do like some of the other ideas as well though. Break up and make up is fun, double date is good to. Road trip is always entertaining and has much room for romcom. I look forward to seeing the entries to this contest when its settled. Almost tempted to participate just to branch out of my comfort zone.
2288627
Participation is good! I'd love to see as many entries as possible
2288631 *looks over the few stories he has in the works* I might pop a one shot out if I like the prompt but no guarantees.
2287430 You know, one thing I wish I'd been able to see on Fimfic is fics about trying to remain friends with one's ex-girlfriend. I mean, there's so much potential in that concept. People often struggle to maintain a friendship after a breakup, and often the whole friendship just slides away. In this case, though, the fate of all of Equestria could depend on their ability to remain close as friends! I think that could be an interesting concept to play with.
2287617
So yeah, upon going through the various comments - like this one by Two Bits - there's a number of different ways that an author could play that concept, or a number of directions they could go.
Applejack wants to fly.
I will echo the support for a breakup-then-rejoin premise. To expound one suite of possibilities, maybe their first being-together was more frivolous (for either or both), under pretences, foiled by life-ambitions, whatever; their break-up is a genuine one due to differing values, realization of their circumstances, driven apart by competing interests; but they return to each other, each grown in ways that makes the return work.
EDIT: I found the word I was after to convey my meaning -- reconciliation.
The fics often are about the initiation of the relationship.
They painfully often end with: "yes I will go out with you" ... The End
I'd love to see some more fics about the challenges of furthering a relationship.
You know, let each writer come up with some conflict or challenge that they might face as they progress deeper into a relationship with each other. Have each fic start with them already a couple and let the author tell us where they go from there. It can be up to each author as to how long they have been together. But the common thread in all of them should be that they are closer together at the end then at the start. They are stronger as a couple or they have faced and overcome a challenge of progressing as a romantic partnership.
I like the breakup idea. Maybe the relationship just doesn't work out?
Another interesting thing might be to require the fic be set in a different universe? You could make it so any AU would work, or you could specify a universe like dystopian, futuristic, etc. Dunno just throwing ideas out there.
2288550 I like all of these ideas, but they are more of one shot fics and not really premises for a contest.
That being said I would still love to see any of these 
Anything involving Scootaloo. She is always a great plot device (not to mention adorable
). On that note, why isn't there more scoots emoticons? 
I have a few ideas.
1. An older AppleDash where both are getting on in years and have lived interesting lives. Rainbow has retired from the Wonderbolts and has chosen to move back to Ponyville. Applejack has run the farm for many years and is past her prime, giving her some more free time. They meet up to talk and have fun like old times then start to develop feelings for each other. One can find love at anytime.
2. Dash has become a Wonderbolt and has moved from Ponyville. She constantly writes letters to each of her friends and she and Applejack begin to develop feelings for each other through these letters.
I'm also for the breakup idea as well.
Don't listen to the madponies. I don't want to read breakup fics any more than you do. (Though I got nothing against some good old-fashioned melodrama, as long as it ends happy!)
Personally, I've always thought it would be interesting to see Rainbow get everything she ever wanted, and find out it's not really what she wanted after all.
"I don't teach that here. Here, you're gonna learn to be the best you can be, not to fit into somepony else's standards. I mean, even if they're high standards, they're still standard, right? And if you just want to reach some level and stop, you're selling yourself short.
"I also won't teach you to fly like me. I'm me, and you'll never be as good at it as I am! Heh heh. But you're you, and I'm not. I want to see you develop your own personal style. You're all as unique as your cutie marks, and your flying should reflect that. This isn't boot camp -- if you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong! That's not to say it won't be tough, but nopony here is gonna force you to do anything. If you don't have the ambition and the drive to push yourself to the limit and beyond, I can't give that to you. But if you're willing to give a hundred and twenty percent...
Oooh, oooh, okay, here's the prompt:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I screwed up big time
Please don't kill me