Q&Neigh · 7:08pm Jul 9th, 2012
Good day, folks! This is Pre-reader Seattle of Equestria Daily, and it’s almost time for the third installment of Equestria Daily’s Pre-reader Q&Neigh, in which everypony who loves writing and reading about our beloved pastel equines can come together as we field your questions, and enjoy a robust discussion on a range of popular topics!
FIMFiction is the largest repository of pony fanfiction on the internet, boasting over 220,000,000 words, 35,000 stories and 38,000 members. In the last two months, 83% of the fics we've posted (and recently, 93% that we've received) have been submitted from FIMFic, so it’s no exaggeration to say that Equestria Daily and FIMFiction have a close relationship, and we’d like nothing more than to see the sites continue to grow closer as the fandom grows larger.
However, since we’re always cooped up in our little pre-reader cubicles, we don’t get many chances to see the light of day. (We don’t get air conditioning, either.) But some time later this week, we’re getting released for just a little while, and I’m sure you’ve all got excellent questions about stories about ponies! As such, we’d love to reach out to you all for any thoughts and questions you may have about the ever-expanding world of pony fiction. We’ll be answering as many questions as our time-frame will allow, so we want to know what you want to know!
While event is on the horizon, the exact date and time are still to be determined, so we’ll keep you posted!
tl;dr: Ask EqD Pre-readers questions here and they’ll answer them in an upcoming podcast.
We’ll be checking this blog post for responses, but you can also check out our main questions-collection post here, or ask us questions directly at our pseudo-live helpdesk/Pre-reading FAQ on Ponychan here.
How about EqD distances itself from FiMfic, since they're a biased junk pile that's gotten too bloated on their own reputation to do their job properly?
219678
First post and already atrocious amounts of butthurt. I have to say I'm impressed.
219678
24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6sldyNVml1raaej0o1_500.jpg
Hmm... I remember you all saying that in order to become a pre-reader, you have to have (roughly quoted) "a couple five-star fics on Equestria Daily" and something about asking nicely. I would really appreciate a clearer explanation of how to join your esteemed group (whatever the mental/physical cost may be), especially due to the fact that the star system was recently abandoned.
Hope your QNeigh goes well!
I just don't see this ending well.
219690 Agreed. Now then, I'll be off trying to find a suitable bunker to avoid the incoming butt-hurt so...
Have fun!
This isn't going to end well...
Since the star system no longer exists (and likely won't for some time), then have the requirements to become a pre-reader changed? Or are you guys already fully staffed as it is and in no need for more members?
Here's something that I've been curious about for some time. It's a given that stories that make it onto the EQD pages are bound to be good reads, along with amazing tales like Past Sins, My Little Dashie, and the entire Fallout: Equestria subculture. However, I've seen other stories that, for all intents and purposes, are simple troll fics and utter jokes. For example, Spiderses. How did stories like these make it to EQD, and why were they so well-received?
Unless those kinds of stories were huge trollings on the Pre-Reader's behalf, and I'm just too stupid to get the joke.
219690
219702
219703
Man, you guys have no faith.
The EQD hate thread. It begins.
Okay, I've got a question. Why exactly are you guys so badly hated? I've only ever had decent dealings with you, so did you all just blow your collective shit at some point in the past and alienate a huge portion of the fandom? (If so, what the fuck was it? I hate being out of the loop.)
And would it be alright if I satirised you as a cadre of Lizard-people working hand in hand with the illuminati to suppress gore's rightful place on the pedestal of Equestria Daily?
219708
^This
EQD often boasts being only about quality, and yet "Cupcakes" is posted there despite being not only NSFW, but poorly written as well. Is it because of the cultural influence that certain stories have a 'special right' for postage?
219690
If this thread is any indication on how this is going to go, I'll just be heading for the bunker. Tell me when the apocalypse is over.
219710
There's faith, and then there's blind faith. Never get those two mixed up.
219710
Considering the first post was a hate comment.... Let's just say I'll be watching through binoculars.
( I wouldn't mind however not needing the before said bunker and various other objects, I would like, no love it if more people can comment nicely and give decent questions. )
Edit: Just noticed the various GOOD questions being asked. In reply I'll be steping out of the bunker and hoping that crap doesn't hit the proverbial fan.
219710 It's because of their infamous bias towards most fics. It's not even punctuation, either, they even critic characters that don't even have major roles in the show!
Now I can't say that I've ever pressed a fic onto them before, or who specifically regularly does this on their team, but I can only give an example for a few experiences with some close friends.
Take Princess Luna. Do you know how many fics were scrapped because "She was out of character"?
A fanfic should not be scrapped because a character doesn't appear to check out to a pre-reader. A pre-reader should look over for punctuation, and look over for glaring rule-breaking. But something as difficult to point as "Luna's not in character"? No. You don't do that. Otherwise, we might as well not have fanfics at all.
That's why it's called a FAN-fic. It's a unofficial story posted by a person on a site like this. It's not like they're giving a script to the head of Hasbro. That's why so many people despise EQD. They take the job way too far.
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219682 I think speaking your opinion on a site that isnt this one is on the turn of freedom of speech, Knighty. :/ Or is that a joke...? Sorry, I'm gullible.
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219690 Agreed.
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219678 If only, if only....
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219718 Sadly, they will anyway.
Are you, as the prereaders, willing to take a stronger anti-Nicolas Cage stance?
Have you accepted Celestia as your queen and savior?
219731
>Implying there is a current anti-Nick Cage stance.
He is our lord and saviour!
219741
this is the kind of crap I'm talking about.
219727
>A fanfic should not be scrapped because a character doesn't appear to check out to a pre-reader.
Let me stop you there. In regards to Luna, she DOES have a characterization. We haven't seen much of it, but it is still there. If you have Luna being emo and sad or for some reason terribly vengeful against Celestia right off the bat, of course we're going to decline it - by the end of Luna Eclipsed, she doesn't display that type of behavior anymore.
If an author wants to alter the characterization, they have to do it naturally through story progression, not just starting off and saying "Okay, this is how the character is acting." Say you want to have Twilight go from the geeky bookworm we know to... I don't know, a warrior princess badass. As long as you make that transition believable, we'll take it. But you can't just start with Twilight ripping heads off and blowing monsters apart with magic. That isn't how she acts naturally.
And despite what some people seem to believe, characterization IS an important factor. If you are writing the characters way out of the scope of who they are, you may as well just use OC's.
219714
It's because Cupcakes was posted back before EqD had any standards (or screening) at all. Back when it was a /co/ archive. It's like people don't understand the concept of time. FWIW, I hate the fic too and agree that it's poorly written trash, but it was posted before the current standards. Seth has decided NOT to retroactively apply all the standards, because that would be a shit ton of work he doesn't care to do.
I have a question, I don't know if it has been explained somewhere previously or can be found in some blindingly obvious place, but I was wondering what sort of relations you guys keep with each other in the real world, i.e. do you meet up in real life. If so, is it ever for non-pony stuff?
After reading all about the issue from multiple perspectives, and having successfully submitted a serious story to EQD with a usually-despised genre (HiE)...I just dont know what's going on here. The system somehow worked for me, so perhaps I have some bias towards defending it? Meh.
This is also the part where I'd like to say something remotely intelligent, or perhaps passably witty. But, no dice. And you're reading it anyway, you gullible idiots.
Anyway, what's the average day like for a EQD-prereader? How many works do you have to go through per day? How do decide which ones get featured and in which order?
Muffins for everybody. Stop hatin' - start toleratin'.
219724
Satan just called; he wants to know if he can borrow a space heater. Apparently my agreeing with you on something caused Hell to freeze over.
I suppose I have a question. On a podcast you guys did some time ago, a few of the pre-readers (and by a few, I mean all six that were being interviewed) said the star-rating system was broken and/or useless. I don't remember why, and I don't have an account over there, so I'm not sure how it works.
In that regard, are you going to implement something new? Or maybe you've already implemented something new while I wasn't looking?
Judging by the comments here, it looks like this might be the Q&Neigh where the pre-readers on tap have to answer to the collective rage of the part of the fandom that hates EqD with a burning passion.
This could be fun.
219747 I dont think "Talking in third person" really counts...or if "out of the loop" or however you say it, is a characterization, it's not exactly a good one, then...
but I digress, it's still a fanfic, nothing more.
Like I stated above, it's to the author how he/she sees the characters. It's not up to you, me, or anybody that isn't writing it.
I also never said that the character was immediately gonna act the way they do, however the author does it, but I've seen stories that are as natural as they come, get deleted just like that because of the pre-readers themselves. All they say is "The character is out of character" even though the person took every check to make sure no jags were made.
Of course it's important, but the way they try to correct it, is completely wrong.
Don't think it's an attack on you, but the way I see it, they need to tone it down. There are plenty of fics that are put up there, that really shouldn't.
Spiderses...
Cupcakes...
These kinda stories don't have any form of characterization at all. No plot behind them to why they act why they do, no explanation, nothing, just plop me in. I felt like I got whiplash from reading cupcakes, not scares.
Sorry, but the way I see it, the only thing they can really do, and should be able to do, is fix punctuation, and occasionally recommend some things they might wanna see, or something I don't know. I would say that the pre-readers are trying to keep the characterization as close to the show as possible, but really, I don't see that, and neither does anybody else, apparently on this forum.
Thanks for taking the time to even read this, without flippin' the handle, Like I've been getting with any opinion of mine, I just wanted to say something to something else I thought was a bit off. That's all.
Danke~
219787 A hundred-and-one percent of agreement with you there.
219792 Danke for the support.
I might not be a hardcore fanfictionist, or writer, or anything like that, but it's just how I feel, and it won't change anyone else's opinion on the matter. Not his, or the above.
Wish it did, but Oh well.
I appreciate this post, as asking EQD prereaders is certainly a learning opportunity for improving my prose (though I don't think I'll be wasting anymore of my time submitting to the site), but for the love of all that is functional, please just keep the relationship between these two sites as it has always been. I don't know why, but for odd reason in the back of my mind, I saw some odd variation of the fimfiction site with an EQD feature box next to our beloved feature box, and then I blinked thereby replacing the first horrifying image with a graphic depiction of a sweaty mustachioed fat man spanking a ham and turkey club.
219787
It's perfectly reasonable for EqD to ask for consistent characterization on their website. The point in writing a fanfic is to take someone else's universe, with pre-built characters and places, and to explore themes, stories, etc without having to worry about building the world yourself. What's the point of writing fanfiction if you're not going to keep characters in character. You may as well just write OCs or an original story. The only reason I can see to write ponies and not strive to keep in character is merely to get an otherwise unwilling audience to look at your fiction. EqD is there to give pony fans pony fics, and when I say pony fics, I mean ones consistent with the show and not just about characters with familiar names and equine physiology.
When it comes to things like Spiderses, it should be noted that EqD is an entertainment channel and not an art gallery. They look for the best of the ponyfics of all types (mature not included), this includes trollfics. Spiderses is often considered to be the creme de la creme of trollfics, so, you know.
219787
>Like I stated above, it's to the author how he/she sees the characters. It's not up to you, me, or anybody that isn't writing it.
This would be completely true if you were talking about OCs. But you aren't. You're talking about canon characters that have a defined personality, and people come to expect them to act a specific way during different situations. When you have 52 episodes of a show and most characters have had screen time and character development, there is no room to dispute how they act. You just can't do it. They have a certain personality, certain mannerisms, and certain things they do.
If you deviate from that without a good reason, you're wrong, plain and simple.
>but I've seen stories that are as natural as they come, get deleted just like that because of the pre-readers themselves.
Examples, please. I'm curious.
>Spiderses...
A joke trollfic that everyone at EQD laughed at.
>Cupcakes...
A cheap gorefic that was pretty much forced onto EQD from numerous emails getting sent to Seth asking for it. Believe me, every single pre-reader wants it take off of the site. Every. Single. One. Do you feel the same? Email Seth and ask him to take it down.
the only thing they can really do, and should be able to do, is fix punctuation
Punctuation is merely one aspect of a story. Grammar, spelling, plot and characterization are also things that must be considered, and if you read a fic on EQD, there is an extremely good chance that the fic excels in those categories.
219807
We can go about this all day, but my point of view stands: No matter what you wanna see in someone else's story, it's not yours to write. Sorry friend. Also, Luna didn't have 52 episodes based around her. She doesn't even have that solid Characterization I think I can say that there's not enough of her to really pinpoint a actual characteristic.
If you give me a few days, since It's been a while since I ever tampered with people's fics getting denied to EQD, I can get you results. It's just gonna take a while, only because I do have things to do. Personal things of the sort, with family members and a lawyer.
If it were up to me, I would eradicate all of the trollfics from appearing from the site. If we can post...these things, we can accept alot more then just...whatever they truly are..
My mistake. I did forget to add grammar and spelling. I really dont think pre-readers can do much on the plot side, as it's not theirs to write. Unless you're writing it, then that's another story.
Again, Danke for not chasing me out with torches. I'll keep quiet, as I think I said my piece, and I respect your responses, point of view, and everything in between.
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219802 The problem is that this isn't an official script passed to Hasbro to judge.
That's why it's called a FAN-fiction: It's a story that is inspired from a show, video game, or anything else. It's not ours to judge, unless it's your own. I can understand some people wanna stay close to the character in the show as possible, but come on, risk it! Get creative!
Of course, I like to see someone else's interpretation of a character from the show, it doesn't have to be completely accurate. That's just me though. I cannot say for sure if more are like me.
You're not writing a novel to get an award. You're writing fictions for FUN. Where did the FUN go?
I don't really care about EqD, but if character consistency with the show is a requirement for passing the pre-reading, what is Past Sins doing there?
219826
You do realise that a story can have perfect punctuation and grammar and still be absolutely terrible, right?
219831 Yes, but it should be between the author who writes it, and the viewers, not a Pre-reader.
It's called an opinion for a reason. That's how things get popular, or fall through the cracks.
Look at my story for instance. My pre-readers only check the basic punctuation, grammar, and so on, but never question the plot, characteristics, or anything over that. and look at that, My story's decent.
I posted it for fun, we had fun doing it, and we succeeded.
219830 Good point.
219768 I would like to put in my two cents either because I believe that the reason why it was so well-received was because your story wasn't HIE in the literal sense. A guy turns into a species known within Equestria and then adapts to it, but he isn't a full-blown human (the human part is what I believe so many on EQD have a problem with) running around and having to explain his species to every pony he meets. So, it wasn't shot down with the fury of a thousand angry chihuahuas.
>Seattle asks for questions to answer in Q&Neigh
>75% of the comments are the butt-hurt bitchings of jaded authors
Dammit guys, knock it off with the pre-reader hate. Try reviewing on Ponychan for a while, and you're get the tiniest taste of how much their job sucks.
Also, so I'm not just contributing to a flame-war and/or argument, I do have an actual question: I can't remember if this was answered in any previous episode, so pardon me if this is a repeat, but which story (of those you've all reviewed) is your personal favorite?
219784
I have a question for this pre-reader: Where the hell is the next chapter of Harmony?!
219826
People are free to write characters however they want, but when it comes to publication, the author is no longer the sole consideration. FIMFiction requires certain rules be followed in order to publish a story here, and EQD has more. There are tiers of filtration involved, and if an author wants to go hog wild with their story, they have only to look for the site that best matches the needs of their story. In cases where characterization (or anything the Lifebinder mentioned) is off or immersion-breaking, it's a matter of how much freedom the author wants with their story versus the particular restrictions a site has for publication.
219835 It's also HiE, like mine. And look at that- since a few months ago, they don't take those unless they're perfect, because they don't like reading about humanity, I guess. For example, Article 2 wouldn't make it now because Luna is portrayed as bubbly, among other things, and it's a really nice story. This also applies to what I'll say next.
If EqD wants to have their own little fiction-verse that only accepts one way for every character to act, let them. Consistency is something human nature has taught us to enjoy.
My own question: Would you care to explain the bias against certain crossovers? (Not like Fallout crossovers, that's obvious. Oh wait, EqD hosts dozens of Fo:E spin-offs without having filtered them. But that's not a particularly bad thing. Huh.)
219826
I use Fimfic for the fun side. EqD is serious business.
Maybe that's not a good attitude, but I think it's nice that both paradigms exist in the fandom.
Reading comments...
This was perhaps not the best idea.
This may be just me being stupid but one annoying thing about EqD is that i have not found an easy way to keep track of the fan fictions. I used to read a few fics there but once I saw them on FIMFiction i stopped using the site. The tracking system here is so much better then looking through the update posts.
Here's a question that I think - especially given what's going on ITT - we should all be asking: What can we, the community, do (barring "write better" in general) to make your jobs easier?
219858
The only time I ever visited EqD was to read Past Sins, and I figured that since the site prereaders want to be asked questions about fanfiction, I would ask a question about what is a rather popular and controversial piece hosted on their site, especially since the nature of the question ties in well with the ongoing debate about characterisations remaining true to My Little Pony as one of the prereading criteria. What's wrong with discussing controversial things?
Don't remove my posts knighty. I still don't like that this shit is on the site. It's not related to anything we do.
219863 Way I see it, neither party wins then. Both are fan-made, and should stick that way. If Hasbro took control of EQD, I'd understand then, but until then, they're both sites, made up of fans.
219872 Yes, because the same people who put up Spiderses is worth being called "Serious".
219870 Problem is, people don't understand this isn't about being 100% true to the story, or lack thereof in FIM. If I wanted to read about Twilight Sparkle doing something in her day, I'd watch an episode.
the worst problem is, that since more people are becoming too scared to try different things, people are making more boring stories with no sense of risk, like the ones I've read when I first came here.
It just seems like "Fun" is being drained from writing a fanfiction, and that's a big problem, since the original content was made up of fun and clever ideas.
I can't tell you why crossover fanfictions are against their rules, but it's the dumbest one I've heard by far. If they can slap "Spiderses" on the front cover, and people LIKE IT...
then we should be able to see a Mario Fic, or a Half-life fic up on EQD, which I never see.
219858 Problem is, if people can't take them seriously anymore, then how can you ask to stop hating? That's the problem, nobody asked them to take up a job. They don't get paid to do it, as far as I'm aware, so bottom Line: Telling people to stop, will only get them more riled up to do the opposite.
219874
That's something I've noticed as well. With the exception of a few stories which are published only on gdocs, I just keep track of updates through FIM's tracking system. It's a lot faster and a lot cleaner. I use and used EQD mostly as a way to find new stories via their spotlight post. The double edge to the author tracking system in FIM is that a Featured story isn't necessarily good--the author might just be highly followed, and so a new story posted will draw a lot of attention whether it's good or not.
I've never submitted my stories to EqD, though people keep bugging me to. Maybe after I finish the current one, and then we'll see if I'm worthy
219787 Cupcakes is on EqD because people wouldn't stop bugging them about it, IIRC. The original post where I seem to remember this from (sixteen months ago, guys. That's a long time. Things change. People change, hairstyles change, interest rates fluctuate) doesn't say that any more but I think that was the case - someone correct me if I'm wrong.
And The Spiderses is on EqD because it's the best work of fiction in history, silly billy!
Serious question: What are the submission ratios, roughly? Like, what's the vague percentage between utterly crap, poorly-written, unpunctuated wastes of time that should never have been submitted and are instantly rejected, and stories that actually have a semi-sentient author who understands that txt-spk is not a literary medium? And a follow-up: Of those submissions whose senders don't instantly get added to the spam filter's blacklist, what's the rough percentage of those stories that make it straight through, what's the percentage that get sent back for a few corrections, and what about the ones that are well-written but just can't make the cut?
Everything rough, you understand. Like "Oh maybe a third, then maybe half, blah blah."
Serious question two, for each prereader: It's a simple one. Your favourite submission, the one you passed straight through to be posted on EqD in all its glory. And the worst submission you ever saw, the one that made you consider quitting.