Competition » May 2021 Pairing Contest · 3:35pm May 3rd, 2021
It's May! You know what that means, right?
Welcome to the May 2021 Pairing Contest!
The May Pairing Contest? What's that?
If you've been on fimfiction for more than two days, you've probably noticed that the characters you see used in stories are typically only used with each other (for instance, the mane 6 plus Anon, Vinyl Scratch x Octavia, Derpy Hooves and Dr. Hooves, etc.) The May Pairing Contest is a competition to see who can write the best content by using two characters who we rarely see interact with each other. It's basically a fun way to get your creativity out and discover what would happen if two ponies who never get stories with each other (such as Princess Cadence and Fleur De Lis) just happened to be involved in the same plot!
So what are the rules?
If you were here last year, everything is basically going to be the same. If not, the rules are as follows:
1. You may only use two character tags. You're allowed to have other characters in the story, but the plot should revolve around two characters who we rarely see interact with each other.
2. Your story may not include any of the following: OC's, Anon, Self-inserts or non-canon characters (which means unnamed changelings/gryphons/humans/etc.)
3. The story cannot be a crossover
4. The pairing must be rare if not unique. A story that focuses on Rainbow Dash and Octavia is OK, but not a story that focuses on Octavia and Vinyl Scratch.
5. All entries must be finished by May 31st. If it isn't completed by the deadline, it will be disqualified. 
Is it ponies only, or can I use gryphons, seaponies, Equestria Girls, etc?
You're more than welcome to use whoever you'd like, just so long as they're canonical characters. Last year we had all kinds of different species, so if you can make it work, I'd love to see it!
How do I know if something is original, though?
Use your best judgement. If you're not sure, trying typing in the character tags into the search bar and seeing if there are many stories that predominantly center around the two characters you use. Of course, there are bound to be stories that use both tags that don't center around your pairing, so as long as you're honestly trying to use an original pairing, your submission will count. (If I can find 5+ stories that utilize ONLY your two character tags, however, your story might be disqualified)
Is there a word count? Does it need to be a specific rating? What about a genre?
You may use whatever genre or rating you prefer. As for word count... just try not to be over 10k words, OK? It's fine if it goes a little bit over, but please don't write an entire encyclopedia on the comprehensive history of Equestria, featuring Autumn Blaze and Bulk Biceps.
So it doesn't need to be a romance?
Correct. It can be a comedy, horror, adventure, whatever you'd like! (And of course, romance if you'd prefer.)
When does my story have to be finished by?
Submissions will go until 11:59 PST on May 31st. Can you imagine a May Pairing contest in June? Me neither.
How do I enter my submission?
By joining the Original Pairings group, you'll be able to post your story in the May Pairing Contest 2021 folder. Feel free to also post it in one of the other folders as well. It also doesn't hurt to put in the long description that you're writing this for the May Pairing contest. *wink wink nudge nudge*
How many stories may I submit?
A maximum of 2 stories.
I just did a story like that a couple weeks ago! Can I submit it?
Sorry, but we're only going to accept stories written between May 1st, 2021 and May 31st, 2021. Remember, even 1k words stories have a chance of winning 1st place!
How will these stories be judged?
Every story submitted will be graded based on the following criteria:
- How original is the pairing?
- How well is the story written?
- How creative is the plot?
- How well has it been received on Fimfiction? (This will receive the least amount of consideration, but it is still a factor just so that there will always be more than one judge reading your story.)
AND THAT'S IT!
So I hope that all of you participate in the contest, and spread the word while you're at it! My goal is to get as many original stories going on Fimfiction as possible! If you have any further questions, please feel free to DM PRlNCESS CADENCE. I can't wait to read your stories! 
A story writing challenge? I am intrigued by this. I haven't taken part in a contest before XD I think I will. Can I get a link to the Original Parings group as well?
I have some questions.
Should the story only be part of the MLP:FiM tag, or can it be Equestria Girls too?
And can we combine both MLP:FiM and EqG at one story?
Do our pairings have to be a couple all the way through? Or can we write coming together and/or breakup stories?
I have a couple old ones which might apply. Would you accept them? How do I submit?
I also have a question, hopefully an easy one - when you say “no OCs”, is it safe to assume that just refers to main characters of the story, but if for example I need a waiter-pony or a librarian pony or something, it’s fine?
5511659
She did say they won't accept old ones. They have to be written from May 1st 2021 to May 31st. Nothing older.
5511659
I belive this excerpt answers your question.
5511660
it's explained in rule 1
It would be very hard to do otherwise and would be a separate challenge in and of itself
5511653
FAQ #3
So. anyone goes, so long as their established canon.
5511668
OK, thank you for telling!
5511664
Okay, just wanted to check how that rule interacted with the “no OCs” rule. Though now that I think on it it’s not like there aren’t enough background ponies to fill pretty much any role I might want anyway...
Oh wow that sounds pretty fun for anybody who will do this I can't wait to see this how everybody write their story
And not only that it's kind of reminds me of this whole friends forever comic which I've always liked to see how odd pair works out
Just to be clear, this is any character in MLP, right? What about comics?
images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/cmx-images-prod/Item/846496/Previews/1d9fba41bdef1692565c572af8b72d33._SX1600_QL80_TTD_.jpg
PRINCESS CADENCE is a hero for running this contest again
For anyone asking, this is the group associated with the contest. There's a bit more info there.
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/214077/original-pairings
Time for background ponies!
5511688
Thanks! Got it!
5511688
Okay, cool! Yeah, not entirely sure which direction I want to go yet, but the word "pairings" is kinda messing me up, lol!
I'm interested. Gotta think of something really good, though! Are there prizes, or is this strictly a bragging rights contest?
5511663
I'm sorry. I was a little preoccupied when I read it.
I earned that thumbs down I got (and probably any that follow)
We already got that with Pinkie Pie.
What about M/M?
derpicdn.net/img/2015/12/18/1046648/medium.png
*grumble grumble* I did unique pairings before it was cool.
Dude, this is gonna be so cool! Can’t wait to see all the different pairings!
"pairing contest"
*sees Derpy and Cozy*
warehouse-camo.ingress.cmh1.psfhosted.org/2e5d6f776534fb7359fe412019743be199f86e6a/68747470733a2f2f692e696d6775722e636f6d2f426a4b5445386d2e6a706567
Is there a limit on the rating...?
5511727
Yeah it should be removed.
5511727
TIL that teachers are pedophiles for being within 500 miles of a child
5511727
5511764
I mean, this isn't a shipping contest, It's a pairing contest. It's basically a contest to see who makes a good story of two characters paired together. The rules straight up said it doesn't have to be romance...
So. What about parings that are canonically sound, but aren't addressed much. I'm thinking specifically about Toola Roola and Coconut Cream here -- like definitely friends, definitively some potential stores there, but there are only 12 stories that use both tags.
I think, given what those stories that use both tags are, I should make it clear I'm not aiming to write foalcon here.
Or Sky Wishes and Star Catcher if I wanted to go into even deeper lore.
5511791
Fair.
That picture is just....what?
5511727
Mentor
Teacher
Father figure
Guide
Cohort
Theres are the few of many types of relationships that it could be. The fact you immediately went to explicit shows more of your own inner mind though projection.
5511671
I managed to finagle an Alicorn of Death out of a background pony, so anything else is probably easier. That's actually sort of the point of background ponies, isn't it? To fill minor positions that you don't have an actual character for?
You in need of judges?
5511761
I see then...
5511727
5511764
The best part is how you're both perfectly fine with Cozy/Derpy.
5512003
Dammit I didn't even see that.
That's fucked up.
5512020
Mate, you clearly don't see the part in the contest rules that clearly states that it doesn't have to be romance, do ya?
5512039
I can see how you'd see "pairing" and assume it's romance, so in that context yeah it'd be gross. But down further it says it can be any genre so it's all good, as long as people don't start writing a starswirl/young diamond romance
It took me a sec to remember that pairing isn't necessarily shipping. You scared the crap out of me fam
So what kind of pairing is this? For the contest.
5511682
I think that would count as a crossover in this case, but I'm not not quite sure.
5511767
Everypony is a pedofoal until proven otherwise by loudly accusing other ponies of being pedofoals and demanding contest picture edits. Those people are clearly the ones we can rest easy about.
5512089
Is it technically a crossover fic if it's based on official media?
5511904
Drat. Ah well then, best of luck with your contest.
While I don’t possess the skills to put out a smut story of decent length, I’d like to offer some pairing ideas for any who would wish to use them as inspiration for your stories!
Sunset x Shining Armor
Gilda x Bow Hothoof and/or Windy Whistles
Cadence x Celestia
Night Light x Cookie Crumbles
Twilight Velvet x Mr. Shy
Mrs. Cake x Donut Joe
Ember x Aria Blaze