How to write something that isn't a clopfic. · 3:07am Aug 14th, 2018
"Oh Tumbleweed!" you cry.
"Last time, you taught us how to write the clopfics! Which is great and all, but seeing as of how this is a show for little children, we should at least make some minor concessions to the actual source material and write something vaguely appropriate. And, seeing as of how you are BEST AT PONIES, and a significant percentage of your oeuvre is NOT hidden by the mature filter, presumably it's appropriate for a younger audience (so long as they're familiar with certain works of English historical fiction). How can we apply this to our own stories?"
WELL LET ME TELL YOU.
Step 1: Drink drinks. APPROPRIATE drinks. Like, uh ... milk? Or, barring that, White Russians have a bunch of cream and stuff in them, right? That's kind of fitting. Or something.
Step 2: Listen to this song. Just, uh, not with children around.
Step 3:
I mean, it's right there in the song title. And, hopefully, you've still got some sense of whimsy and optimism left after spending way too long thinking way too hard about the ins and outs of a cartoon meant to teach life lessons and/or sell toys to little girls.
So that's a thing.
Also then go track down some more Electric Eel Shock because they're totally awesome and their drummer doesn't wear pants.
Which may kind of go against that "all ages" thing but still.
Of all the authors who don't write clopfics SSE is my favorite because he so clearly wants to but he has so much practice in barely not. If anyone wants a good example he's it.