Is This Comedy? · 8:20am Oct 16th, 2012
To be honest, I'm still not sure whether or not that "Comedy" tag should be at the top of my two stories.
My decision to put it there came about largely because of the reaction to Chapter 10 of "The Goddess Within," which went out of control as I wrote the second half. As I mentioned in a past comment, I laughed out loud myself when I started to envision the "Elements of Debauchery" and what havoc they could cause. I am also extremely aware that the concept underlying this entire story - ponies turning into anthropomorphic creatures when they fuck - is itself rather ridiculous.
But what I'm not sure whether those two attributes, by themselves, are enough to warrant a "Comedy" tag, especially since I adore writing graphic depictions of sex (FUCK, do I ever!). And I'm equally concerned that I may be misleading new readers into thinking the tone is different from what it actually is. As a reader put quite well, it's hard to place "rape" and "comedy" in the same sentence.
I've agonized over this decision, but I'm not quite self-aware enough of what my writing is doing to make this call on my own.
So, what do you guys think, should I keep the "Comedy" tag or lose it?
I wouldn't be able to offer good advice one way or the other as to the tag's neccessity. Do you feel it needs to remain? Do you expect some humor from the story? If so, leave it there? If not? Yank it? But then, I'm no great writer - I've written a grand total of one fanfic, and it was a Chrono Trigger fic damned near nobody cares about anyhow, over on fanfiction.net.
...In other news, first.
I think I'll let George take this one.
I don't think that the original TGW warrants the comedy tag, but if you throw in a few more jokes or humorous descriptions into Beyond in addition to certain ridiculous premises, you can go for the comedy tag.
Unless you count things being funny in their ability to make you uncomfortable. Then that damn gay threeway qualifies the first one by itself.
Also, rape through a lack of understanding (Like Twi with Derpy) doesn't even compare to the other kind. Derpy's muffin having muffin shaped pubes is enough to count as comedy despite the overall 'not really given a choice' thing.
He says as he puts rape and comedy in the same sentence.
I say lose the comedy tag if it creates misconceptions about the tone of the story, and keep it if comedic was the intended tone of the story.
425583 Pretty much this.
The mere existence of the EoD in-and-of themselves was enough to warrant a comedy tag, though I'd agree it' was just about the only laugh-out-loud element of the story. It all hinges on if, when and how they'll appear again. Most of the other concepts you played with in the original (cum confetti anyone?) should have been patently ridiculous, but...
You really know how to paint a picture.
At this point I'm more skeptical about what business that Romance tag has being here; and maybe just a little hopeful. Anyone who can make an incestuous threesome heartwarming in it's own creepy way could make some seriously weird music with readers' heartstrings. Since you seem to be driving the ideas of pregnancy and 'Free Love' home this time 'round, maybe you could explore Spike and the Mane Six's polyamorous lifestyle a bit more?
Well, I think you shouldn't really care. Sorry if this seems a bit harsh, but it's mainly clop anyway, and nobody ever takes the old "Porn with a Plot" schtick seriously. Do whatever you want. It's your story, and those tags are the goals you set for only yourself when you write.
If you had to twist my arm and make me choose however, I think you should drop it. The concept of clopfiction featuring a magical land of talking ponies is a little ridiculous to begin with, so you don't have to slap a tag on to justify a little humor.
Thinking about it (and this is not concerning your story, but the site in general), a story with a few jokes isn't necessarily a comedy, especially when it's based off a kid's show. That's something the authors on this site easily forget.
God, this post is long. But that's not saying much, seeing the other comments.
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425605
This.
It's all about your intent, what kind of reaction you want to elicit from the reader. If the main thing you want them to do is laugh, then put the Comedy tag up there. If your main goal is to give us something to fap to, then don't. I laughed my ass off at the next to last chapter of TGW, because it was over the top and ridiculous. But the majority if the chapters, in particular the last chapter of Beyond (I'm not into foalcon either, but dear lord that was hot) are very erotic. I say leave the comedy tag off and write some good smut.
Especially breast play and anal.
Plain and simple: if you don't intend for it to be funny--much less put fourth a conscious effort to make a joke--than the comedy tag shouldn't be there. I say get rid of it.
Edit: my damn androids swype tool wrote joke as home. I had to go back and fic that.
Personally if humor can be found in any chapter then keep the Comedy tag. Not every chapter needs to be funny but if it is a chapter or two then it should belong there.
425768
This is incorrect. Tags should be used for the main focuses of the story, not lesser things tossed in on the side. To quote the FAQ:
The comedy tag does not belong.
Excellent debate, everyone; thanks again. I'm going to take the Comedy tag off of both stories, which should allow me to fully embrace the darkness. I'll keep the Romance tag in both since the FAQs include shipping and other relationships, which I believe includes unhealthy or unnatural ones.
425990
I agree. You can't really write a clopfic without a romance tag as sex in all forms is considdered romance.
I'd say keep it; I laugh during every chapter, and that's primarily what I come back for each time.
Tell that to Daniel Tosh
THIS IS WHAT I MENT TO SHOW YOU427764
>ponies turning into anthropomorphic creatures when they fuck
Confound these spoilers!