Story Tag and Grouping · 4:42pm Oct 27th, 2015
At this point of the story, I doubt it will be able to stick with the show's canon. Though since I don't know the specifics on the 'Alternative Universe' tag, I would like to know from my readers if I should add the tag or not.
Also, one reader suggested that I should give Aether's story its own group. It's tempting, but I don't know if it would be appropriate to make it, and I'm wondering if I'm just appearing too be too arrogant for even bringing up this idea in the first place. So I'll leave that idea up to my readers as well, as if you guys support it, you can suggest names for the group.
Edit: Thank you all for the informative comments. The decision now is no AU tag, and I'll just wait for someone to write a side story if anyone feels like doing it.
There are no real specifics, but generally speaking people use it if something is purposely changed from the show. Something obvious. Like Sweetie Belle not existing or events from the show changing (if you include them in your story).
In my experience, the Alternate Universe tag is for stories that differ from canon before they start. Diverging through the natural course of the story, or not keeping up with canon, are not cause for the tag.
Also, remember that genre tags are not ratings. Ratings (Everyone/Teen/Mature/Sex/Gore) work on a “high water mark” concept. If anything in a story is mature, then the story must be marked mature. Genre tags, on the other hand, are for the core concepts of your story. It is not required to tag every character or concept that you include—so it's really up to you to decide if your story is an alternate universe story or not.
With how quickly it diverges from cannon, it would probably be good to have the AU tag. As for the group thing, go for it. If it really is that big of issue, I will make it for you.
~Crystalline Electrostatic~
12:57_27/10/2015
Alternate universe was kind of a given from the moment you started bringing other universes and interdimensional invasions into it. I believe it's not technically required by the site rules, like Gore or Sex are, but honestly, by this point, you might as well. I don't think anyone will be complaining about it.
I don't see any point in making a group for a whole one-and-a-half stories, though. If there were side stories made by readers and such, sure, but as it is, it seems rather superfluous.
You should follow what is going on the show (S5) like you did with (S4).
I really like Aethers view what's going on, plus since we're near the end of Season 5, you could write the 3rd story that would take place between 5&6. (Plus your like on ep6?)
A group would be nice! Have everything there and Your fans could write their own Aether stories.
3500372 That is my point of view since this is way too early in the story for that and there is no side stories made by anyone. Though if one reader think I should, I wondered if there are more that would want this or not. Can't hurt to ask.
3500380
True. It also couldn't hurt to make one, but personally, I think the group would probably die again from lack of activity within a week. There's just not really anything you could actually do with it, except for having it be there.
Alternate Universe is typically meant for stories that deviate greatly, like a story about Nightmare Moon winning and taking over Equestria. Also, if an episode comes out that completely destroys your story that has already been out, you don't need to.
I would say yes, to adding the tag.
3500380 You need side stories for this?
3500400
That's a fair enough point, but on the other hand, it would also be really funny to just add it on account of all the alternate universes it features.
3500419 Well, it would validate the need for the creation of the group more. Two stories that are already linked to each other hardly justifies the need for a group.
3500425 Funny, yes, but also misleading. It would also turn a lot of people away, as many people don't care for AUs.
3500449
By all appearances, a lot of people also come here just for the fetish porn. I've really stopped paying any attention to what anyone else might like or not like.
*shrugs* only negitive would be the effort put in, so etherway. but yo ugot a great following base so we can see where this goes if you do.
Tags are only useful if you and the readers share a common understanding of their meaning (ie. It hurts you if you apply them incorrectly because they either drive away readers or your story disappoints people who stick around)
This story doesn't feel like it's based in an alternative Equestria to me. It feels like an ordinary case of "not intended to be an AU but canon changed underneath its feet". If those got an AU tag, so much of the site would be tagged AU that the tag would lose all meaning.
It's a Alternate Universe or not?
Let's see...
Astral was not in the original cannon
Astral come from ANOTHER DIMENSION
Astral and Twilight and Rainbow traveled to ANOTHER DIMENSION.
The Cannon is not going to be followed.
Yes, I think is a AU
3500429 Could you write a prequel about how changelings were actually descended from a being horrifically experimented on who escaped via a teleportation gate that was damaged?
3500595 I have enough on my plate with my plans for Aether's story along with my desire to eventually get Azure Memories rolling again.
3500597 Could somepony(See what I did there?) do it?
I don't think the AU tag is warranted for your story. Remember that every fanfic is an alternate universe in a way, as you're describing things that don't happen in the show.
I would reserve the AU tag for plot elements like:
·Major historical events are different (no unification of the tribes; Luna never becomes Nightmare Moon; Discord never tried to rule)
·Characters are different (a R63 universe; the main characters are different types of pony)
·Major story elements change (different ponies become the Elements of Harmony)
1) AU tag - personally, most of the fics here are 'AU'. I consider it optional and entirely up to you.
2) If you want a group, go for it. There are groups out there for dumber reasons (I wont list specific examples, but people have created groups just to track their own favorites.) In your case, you'd actually be establishing a group revolving around your universe of stories (which I believe is currently at a count of '2', with options for more in the future). So, don't feel bad about it. Actually by creating a group you could actually improve the number of eyeballs that see and read your stories. I say go for it. There's no downside that I'm aware of.
The AU tag misuse is one of my pet peeves. All fanfiction diverges from canon. It is the nature of fiction to differ from fact, and you are writing fiction of fiction. The AU tag is for that are not set in the Equestria of the show. If you took the show canon then added to it with you story, you don't use the AU tag. If you set you story in an Equestria that would never have fit in with the show in the first place, then the AU tag is appropiate. So no... don't use the AU tag.
As for a group... no, I say don't make a group until people start writing spinoffs. If you are the only author of these stories then there's no point to it.
I have to echo Cast-Iron Caryatid, Alaborn and Aburi - it's technically already deviating from canon simply because it's a fanfiction. You can't predict what will happen. Yes, you have dimensions and whatnot, but it isn't like you changed anything that happened before Aether appeared (Celestia still rules, same elements of harmony, etc.).
As for the group, I think I agree with Aburi: wait until some people start writing spinoffs or until you've written another story or two in this universe
Its' been argued well in earlier posts so i'll keep this brief.
As for AU your keeping the core group of your non OC's close to cannon so not really needed. If you ever decided you did want to diverge greatly from the show you could always do a third story that's marked AU to continue your characters story.
The group thing dosn't make much sense to me unless other people start writing fan fictions of your fan fic buy having there non human OC's pop in to the world you've created in pony/non pony form.
3500758
This. This right here sums up most of my feelings on the AU tag. What-Ifs and things that directly conflict with canon on a major level (prior to the start of your story) deserve the AU tag. Anything that changes canon as a result of progression of your story doesn't.