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New rules for stories · 10:08pm
These rules are entirely up to Administrator discretion. We will determine what stories break these rules and what stories do not. These rules do not apply retroactively. We are not banning any users for this.
We are no longer accepting stories that are clearly written as an in-joke between people with little relevance to those outside the group (AKA circlejerking). Here is an example of a story which would violate this new rule: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/7114/
In addition, we are also no longer accepting "meta" stories. This includes stories that are written about the site, or about users on the site. OCs are usually exempt from this rule but, again, this will be up to administrator discretion. Here is an example of a story which would violate this new rule: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/16424/
Our reasoning behind this change is that we want to keep the quality of the stories on the site generally high. We don't feel that in-joke nor meta stories actually contribute anything to the site, and we certainly don't consider them "stories." To alleviate some inevitable questions about this stance, we are still considering ways to curb the amount of "trollfics" that get submitted to the site - however, that issue is simply not as easy to solve as this one.
We apologize if this is upsetting to any users, but we hope that this will encourage authors to write more "real" stories, instead of clogging the featured box with stories about the site and its users.
Have a pleasant day!
These rules are entirely up to Administrator discretion. We will determine what stories break these rules and what stories do not. These rules do not apply retroactively. We are not banning any users for this.
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Comments ( 284 )
Kinda cracking down on us, huh? I'll have to assume something is irking you..
>>157075
Probably the quality of fics and the extremely narrow appeal of in-jokes.
Cool beans guys. Cool beans.
>>157080
hi slywit you are old as fuck ok lates
I happen to kind of enjoy meta fics, but I respect your rights as mods to set the rules.
I see.
Meh, all my plans aren't meta, so...
I'm fine.
This works out just fine. OC's are left alone (I think) And no more Meta Stories getting up on the Featured list! We all have a fair chance to make it there now, instead of making such stupid ideas into the most viewed.
Thanks, Poultron, This is a good change. Nothing wrong I can see. Balance is restored...for the most part!
Gotta ask, what in blazes is "CircleJerking"? Understand that the definition is there, but I've never heard of it before.
No more meta?
Yes! THANK YOU!
It was about time!
Makes sense,
Hallelujah~
might have something to do with knighty getting super mad at Mic x Lulz x Cyril
O .o wow, so many new rules lately. Out of curiosity would Meta also include stories were ponies are writers? Nothing like a "I'm a fanfic writer and want views!" but where they are serious writers looking to be published.
>>157093
that doesnt sound like something that would violate this rule, but we'd probably also take a closer look at something like that.
Thank you. I really can't say much more than that.
>>157095 Noted. Thank you.
All hail the new no Meta rule. Jeezus. They were annoying.
I even may get a sliiiiight idea as to why these rules have been introduced...
This is threatening Arthur's freedom.
Excellent, now we can have some really good stories get the featured box spot they deserve rather than in-jokes or metas. Good work guys, we appreciate it... Well, I do at least.
I admire the goal you are trying to achieve with this change for the better and I agree completely, however the undefined shades of grey area that is left open worries me slightly. Because this story here has a slight meta mention but is still a phenomenal story from my point of view. Basically, I just want to make sure that you have a certain definition behind what you do here, there is still far quite a bit of gray in this new rule that could be easily exploited.
Just my two bits.
-N64Fan
I'm ok with this
I swear you people are my salvation. Thank you so much. I... I just...
With regards to meta stories, does the ban apply only to stories that reference this site in some way, or is it more general?
>>157102 Author, not Arthur. Unless there is a guy out in a cage somewhere I'm unaware of.
Anyway it's their site an their rules. If you dun like it there is always fanfiction.net
Aw, my poor metaponer.
I hope my newly submitted story won't be targeted by the rules, but I can understand why these are going up. Good going, from a fresh new Brony of this site.
Woah. We totally contributed to this happening...WIN
Welp, there goes one of my ideas... but I can salvage it and re-work it, at least.
HAHAHHA! Quality of stories? High?
Okay, joking aside, I understand this. Though I don't find many circle jerking stories nor meta stories nowadays so I really don't see the relativity unless now you're just nit-picking.
Makes sense to me. I never really read meta stuff anyways.
Thank you!
Thank you!
>>157133
So...
We are safe right?
RIGHT?
So, let me get this straight; If someone breaks this rule, then the story is not published?
No ban? just not published?
WOHOO!
Have I told you that you should put a place on this website for all the rules that have been put in place?
>>157168
it's called the FAQ page
Thank you. Now FIMFiction is another step closer to salvation from the evil menace known as...terrible fanfics!
Awww, that first example link got nuked. I wanted to see it too. Now I'll never know, and the not knowing shall haunt me 'til the end of my days.
>>157108 True Dat.
>>157117 Feel the same Damn way.
>>157172
I think it may need to be updated, then.
Gotta say, I really don't like this. I think in-jokes and metafics are funny and clever. And it really irks me when somepony says they're not. If you don't like them, that's one thing. I'm sure there are things other people think are funny and clever that I don't.
Here's my problem with this: If this place became nothing but trollfics and in-jokes, we could always go elsewhere to get quality pony fics, like EqD for example. But now there's going to be no place to get the meta I love. No place to get fics talking about making the feature box. No more fics about how obvious the placement of the star is. They're not going to be written now. And I'm going to miss them.
I joined this fandom in part because I want to be in an in-group. When we replace "somebody" with "somepony," it's not just being cute, it's saying that we're all connected in some way, that we're not strangers. That it's not just about producing quality content, but hanging out and being friends. When I hang with my IRL friends, we don't insist that we all speak properly and try to be intelligent. We let our hair down.
I guess my recourse will be to post all my meta-stuff on my blog. If I get enough watchers, they'll see it, at least.
>>157188
or you need to read better
>>157184
i changed it to a different example.
>>157184 It was swiperthefox's new fic.
>>157190 Poultron's Simply trying to keep this site Clean so that it DOESNT have to go to that.
And EQD? No. Too biased proof readers.
You can still make quality content, just not Meta content. It's usually some way just a means of making the front page. That's how Meta Works in my opinion.
Nopony said that you're being kicked out or anything. You're still part of this group. He's just making sure quality fics are posted, to keep balance.
Also, there's always Fanfiction if you want your Meta elsewhere.
Don't really know how this will stop more trollfics, but whatever.
Geez... people need to read de F.A.Q.
A lot of rules that are being said by Poultron and Wandered D are already there, come on people just take a look at it it's not that hard (they are not even long wall texts, they are simple to understand)
>>157190
fyi this is kind of why we banned this sort of stuff. nobody likes circlerjerking except the people included in the circlejerk.
Hey, Admin people and stuff.
I have the solution for troll fics. Add a "troll" tag that people can add to fics, and people can just filter out the troll fics if they don't want to see them.
And maybe do the same with meta fics, make them able to be blocked out just like mature fics. This way, people who like meta (a good amount), and people who hate meta (a good amount) can have their respective wishes.
FINALLY.
SOMEONE ELSE THINKS META IS NOT REALLY APPLICABLE TO FICTION!
Metafics were clever and amusing when they came out, but now they are a little less appealing of a joke than 'the cake is a lie'. You have my gratitude forever more!
>>157212 Might be cool.
I approve!
Awesome new rules!!!
Quality dominates quantity any day!
About time. I approve!
>>157212
I'd like this. Heck, I'd like a "Rejected stories" section. Don't have them make the front page, the popular list, or the feature box. It could even be defaulted off just like mature.
. . . and as long as I'm dreaming, I'd like a pony. (or is that reference too meta?)
I don't get it.
So, If I have an OC, and somepony else has an OC, then it's not considered acceptable for those two OC to be shipped together? To have short slice-of-life type adventures together? Why?
>>157212 While that sounds good, getting people to use it, and use it correctly, is gonna be a pain . And, the real trolls wouldn't use them anyways (That's the nature of a troll.), although I expect/hope those would get downvoted into oblivion.
Perhaps some sort of report-type system could work.
If it gets added, though, I love the idea of being able to set whether I see them like with mature.
I like the idea of allowing self-labeling of trollfics.
Because, seriously, a good group of people would click that and be honest.
I've written several things that I would very honestly call trollfics, even though I'm not a 'troll-author' per se. I'd click the tab each time.
>>157244
I think if you put enough effort into the story, and it wasn't just a double self-insertion but a good-faith effort to create original characters in the MLP universe, that would be more likely to get approved.
>>157244
Also remember you can always make stories and link them in other places, and just have them not visible on the browse pages and such.
YES
OH GOD, YES!
>>157244 As long as it isnt a joke, I dont think the Admins will worry.
I have a question. I have been on the site for more than 3 or 4 weeks, and have a story where there is a character choice set as OC. OC in many places means different things: Original Creation, Original Character, and such. I was wonder which it is, if not by author choice?
While meta has made an interesting run, it's definitely growing a bit old (my "I'm being a hypocrite" senses are tingling). As long as this doesn't bleed into 4th wall breaking, I'm perfectly fine with this new rule.
Also, would stories that make meta references (but do not revolve around meta entirely) be rejected? As an example, if "Choose Your Own Adventure: Brony Hero of Equestria" was submitted today, would it be accepted despite the meta references at the beginning?
Here's a random Question, probably a stupid one:
Say I had a Brony In Equestria. Let's Say Me: But he finds his own OC as a literal pony? Does that violate anything? I dont think it qualifies as a joke, and I dont think it's circlejerking...whatever that is.
As it's just me.
Unless circlejerking with me, myself and I is a problem. :Rainbowlaugh: But seriously, would that violate anything?
OK, that is enough.
I put up with no tagging.
I put up with image restrictions.
I put up with no metafics.
But in the name of Celestia. . .
>>157269 The Sweetie Belle avatar. . . gone?!
>>157292
i think we decided to ban CYOA stories as well, which i completely forgot about... ill have to check with knighty. and no, that wouldnt be accepted, but that's pretty much because that would be the first thing we would see, not because it's necessarily against the rules.
Well good, I've been getting kind of tired of all the meta fics lately.
>>157290 Original crap haha, yea its the authors choice!
I don't write these, but I don't like this either. It's like EQD banning all war-fics.
Oh my bajeeberz
you guys listened to the critics...and are fixing this place up...
Wubs...ALL THE WUBS!
haters gonna hate, trolls gonna troll, but these here fanfics gonna be quality yo'!
Does satire count as a "meta" fic? It usually doesn't involve straight-out telling the readers what the fic is making fun of, but instead uses symbolism as clues.
You should ban human in Equestria stories too.
>>157293 Let me put it this way, my story, WD: HiE Experiment, would not be accepted had I submitted it after this post. So... your OC might be okay, but yourself as a brony meeting your own OC and being aware of that, plus all your knowledge of fimfic and such would qualify it as Meta.
I approve of this decision, since the number of troll/meta-fics submitted recently has been rather excessive. I just hope that the moderators err on the side of leniency when judging whether a fic relies too much on in-jokes, since I've seen some very good fics which would still be good even if you don't 'get' the in-joke.
>>157294
He's replaced it with AppleDash though. AppleDash makes everything better.
>>157320
I think this belongs to you.
Ok, so one of the stories I was working on right now starts off with a guy who posts a "First!" comment on a story, and then faces consequences for it at the hands of Pinkie Pie(not in the Cupcakes style on consequences though). It DOES have a plot to it, and the majority takes place with Pinkie and not on this site, but because it starts by talking about the site, that would make it meta and against the rules?
Just wondering, because if it is, I'll just delete it and work more on my other story instead. Just want to make sure if it is meta enough to break the rules.
>>157326
that's meta
>>157328 Gotcha. Guess I'll be deleting it then, Probably a good thing I took a break from writing it and checked the blog. Would have been pretty awkward submitting it the same day the rule against it was passed.
>>157321 hmm...probably would'nt bring about Fimfic actually.
It was more like I had a guy who had him created, go to equestria under some means instead of "Popping in unannounced", and meeting his oc, while keeping the secret that he created him.
But if that Idea is Meta, nevermind. Of course, I could give you the full skinny via PM, and let you decide. Danke for clearing much of it up, though mein freund.
>>157325
http://www.deviantart.com/download/286705505/fluttershy_says_thank_you_by_dori_to-d4qp3dt.jpg
Perfectly understandable reasons.
Finally! No more meta!
FINALLY!!!!!!
Thank you.
Thanks for posting guys!
I know that ultimately you guys are looking out for the site and having been a Community Manager for a big online game I know that some decisions will upset some people just trying to have fun but need to be made for the greater good.
I hope everypony can accept the new rule and share these fun in-jokes via GDocs or elsewhere instead.
Communities and sites like this are always going to be evolving and discovering new problems or areas they want to avoid, it's good that you consider and communicate any choices you make.
You just made me very happy.
How is it that every moderator except Knighty can make good rules?
I... am largely ambivalent to this.
Okay. Cool. With a such a general title, I was sort of afraid that this blog was going to say something like "WE ARE REDOING THIS SITE ENTIRELY PLEASE DELETE YOUR FICS IF THEY DO NOT FEATURE PINKIE PIE" or something less ridiculous but equally important. This is better.
after reading all of the comments so far the term "meta" (and probably because of my simple understanding of the internet) still doesn't quite make sense. is there a better explanation of this?
This pleases the Baron.
Seems fair enough to me.
>>157212
That could actually work. After all, stories can get rejected for having the wrong tags, yes? That would solve the problem of people not using the "Troll" tag on their stories. So if there's a "Troll" tag added, perhaps a lot of problems would be solved, and people who enjoy the meta can still enjoy new meta.
Thank goodness. I have nothing against some of these fics in and of themselves, but it was getting sort of trying to see the entire feature box filled with metafiction some days. Opinion, I suppose, but still lets me be noisy about it.
That, and this stops me from writing the insanity of Lyra getting chastised for writing and posting metafiction to the My Little Human fanfiction webhub.
The problem with metafics is they're either very original and introspective or they're so bad it's horrible. Good thing it's Admin decision and they might let the good ones slide.
I had an idea... why not just add tags with which we can then sort these stories out? I get the reasons why, I just don't know if I like seeing these stories abandoned entirely. They have their moments.
>>157370
write more
Did we finally set off the fuse with our sexy Writer's Group fics?
As much as I love Luce, and I think he'd laugh at the fact he got featured in an update:
I fucking love you guys. This is the best update yet. FINALLY a limit being passed on these trollfictions, and the fact that more is being done is making me happy as well. Respect +1
>>157400
fuk ok fine
"we are also no longer accepting "meta" stories. "
-The Great and Awesome Pultron.
Made my day.
So, are non-specific parody fics making fun of horrible OC cliches banned?