Cyan Pony? · 11:15pm Sep 16th, 2012
A commenter on a story I was reading brought up something rather interesting. In most fan-fiction, Rainbow Dash is described as being cyan-colored. However, this is not the case. Now, the linked pic is not being, as I'd say, polite or constructive, but the point is made. Cyan is far too strong a color for G4 Rainbow Dash. Consider the various shades outlined here. More to the point, go to the very bottom of that page and look for the section "Shades of Cyan," and click "Show."
You'll see a variety of colors that are related to cyan, with a few far more suited to RD than cyan itself. Depending on the lighting during the show, she is usually depicted in something more resembling Celeste, Sky Blue, or Tiffany Blue.
Just something to think about while writing. I know I've replaced all cyan references in my stories with more appropriate descriptions.
When I was writing my frist scene with Rainbow Dash and describing her in a general way, the very first word that popped into my head was "cyan," believe it or not
I ended up going with "sky blue" without knowing any of this, and saw it just fit better as her color is nowhere near as strong as "cyan." As such, I agree with your point, here
Eh, cyan is the generally used colour so I don't think most people really care, then again just because it is normally used doesn't mean it is right, and stepping away from it does make your story a tad more respectable.
Either way, this is probably a good enough excuses to reread the story anyways.
363728 We do abuse fetlock, hock, flank, plot, and all those terms anyway. (As seen here)
The image was... terrible, but it did indeed make its point. I've never been a fan of referring to them by colour, but I certainly don't mind reading it, as long as the point comes across.
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Too be fair most of us aren't exactly biologists and don't know the parts of a horse. We got flank from the show itself, and kind of assumed it was right.
And plot is just slang. Slang is just changing the way a word is used, giving it another meaning as apposed to misusing it.
And completely true, as long as the point is understood that is all that matters. Though it really is boring to just repeat Rainbow Dash or Twilight Sparkle over and over in a story, mixing it up with a description can be pleasant.
364089 Very true, a lot of horse part names are a bit complicated, they can give you some great definition though, and detail to an action, but I feel that - for instance - using flank as rump, and other terms we use, is more correct when talking about our dear technicolour ponies, because it's kind of established. Like with the cyan thing, it is incorrect, but when reading, I honestly don't mind. Because it instantly places who it is in my head.
Wasn't really any point behind my argument there, just kind of- not that important to get it 100% right when it is clear to the reader what is being said.
Sometimes people will use synonymous colour words just to vary the language.
Anyway, to avoid using their names, I usually like using things like "The magician" or... an adjective like "the prone pony" to just- be in the situation.
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Ah I wasn't disagreeing with you, I just enjoy getting caught up in debate and discussion, a favourite pass time of mine. I can never resist it really, and trying to figure out why someone is doing something is often as important as what they are saying in debate. And you are completely right in what you are saying there, as long as what is being said is understood that is the most important part in writing.
Oh not saying it is the only way, just that it is one way that is often used, and a simple one at that.
(Hope this isn't a double post)
364224 Oh yeah, I like just discussing things too, but sometimes it might come across as a bit forceful over the net. Without the bodylanguage and all.
And I tend to forget my point- ah yeah.
And yes, the colour is often used, it's not as much as it used to be, but I do remember some older stories using it so much it became a bit... strange.
Mainly why I opted not to do it myself. Though, honestly, it did make it a bit harder to variate without it. I think one of the reasons people use cyan might be to keep to the one-word description- it's a bit more elegant. I have seen Cerulean used as a good option, though.
The only anatomy faux pas I am trying to ... poke authors about, is snout vs muzzle. It always make me imagine them with pigsnouts and the likes.
That and using hair to describe their body, rather than fur or coat: "Rarity's hairy belly."
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Oh you don't have to worry about offending me. In fact I was worried about offending you, I also can get rather blunt and so on when I am discussing things, sometimes people take it personally.
Oh really? I must admit I am picky about the stories I look at, I tend to just browse the ones at the top bar thing, or if I like a description on EqD, so I tend to get stuff of either high quality, or I know exactly what I am getting into.
Okay the "hairy belly" is making me laugh. I don't think I can forget that one now.
And true Cerulean is also an excellent choice, cyan is just the most common. Simpler word and all that, so authors see it and thus copy it. It also just sounds nice, and also short and simple.
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I am pretty picky too, but I've kind of stopped looking at featured, in favour of just hunting out stories in the new stories list, but, of course, every now and then something on the feature list just screams "READ ME!"
Cerulean is nice, because I think most people can imagine it- I think using a colour or definition that would throw people to google or wikipedia is something you should avoid. Sometimes you have to, like with anatomy or... specailized things, such as blacksmith tools. It's better to use the names, even if you might send your readers to google.
And yes! The hairy belly of Rarity. I actually read it in a story, said in a sensual scene, It left me shuddering. It's stuck with me ever since.
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I just check the summaries and if I like the idea I will read it. But going through the list of fics takes far too long.
That is definitely true, google should be avoided as much as possible, especially if you are misusing the word. Which is of course another reason Cyan is used more and more, people know and understand it. Cerulean is a good second place though. The short and simpleness of Cyan is just far to appealing.
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Going through it properly would probably take way more than I would like, but combined with searching and stuff, I've found some stuff I enjoy. I do still check EQD though, to see if anything new's coming up.
Yeah, I think that's why Cyan is being used too, it's a common colour, it's widely used, and it's just simple and appealing to read.