Some thoughts about writing style in media · 1:24pm Mar 15th, 2019
For every writer there is always that one character that, while they love to read about that type of character, the writer absolutely dreads writing about. For me there are two: Fluttershy and Pinkie. Flutters is displayed in one of two ways in fiction from what I have observed; dominant-borderline-psychotic or shy. To be frank I like to write Fluttershy as a complex character. "Like" being rather generous in this case as though I love my final results I absolutely abhor writing Flutters this way. It's a strange way to picture a very established character in the fandom as well as the show itself. The preconceived notions within my own head based on exposure to other fics and the show make it relatively hard as well.
Next we have the epitome of the Schrodinger's cats to write. The ever-loving coup de gras of my love/hate in read versus writing (respectively); Ponkers herself. Before I start this train of thought, understand something very important. Pinkie and Pinkamena Diane Pie are two completely different characters that are used to personify the enigma we lovingly know as Pinkie. The name of Pinkie is used to represent her happy, friendly and joking self with it's ability to break the fourth wall and tell jokes. Pinkamena however, is used to portray her psychotic and unhinged side. Both are very well known throughout the fandom. That's where the issue arises.
Both Shy and Ponks are portrayed in certain lights so much that writing a new perspective can be challenging to sell to the reader, let alone my own self. In my stories I find a need to occasionally show Fluttershy as a bit of a clingy mama's girl, or perhaps as a happy assertive but not aggressive type; more along the lines of self confident. Likewise, Pinkie being genuinely sad is a bit alien as a concept. As stated previously, we have unhinged depression in the form of Pinkamena and comedic Pinkie, but rarely do we ever see a genuinely sad pinkie without her becoming unhinged. Quite a thorn in my flank to write about her in this light, though I enjoy my end result.
Anyway, these are just some thoughts I had about these lovely marshmallow horses we admire and cherish enough to waste valuable hours of life to write about. Tell me, have you ever had an MLP character you had trouble writing about because of how rock-solid their persona in the fandom is?
