Okay, I've got to get this out... · 6:30am Dec 15th, 2012
First of all, I need to step away from Purpledom for a while. I still don't like it, and while the most recent chapter has made it, I think, a much better story, I still don't have whatever "it" was that gave me the motivation to write the story in the first place. Getting those 4000-odd words out was still a pain. I'm toying with the idea of simply making it from new material (with the exception of one or two scenes from the original greentext).
I'm also doing this because I'm liking Apples a lot more, and I have a good idea of where the weaknesses of it are. Once I have the pressure of getting that story written off my back, I think I'll have an easier time writing PD. Lastly, I've started another story, a non-clop one that this account won't be publishing.
Okay, on to other things. And what I'm about to say may not seem so popular. Some may see it as hypocritical.
I don't like how clop is glorified on FimFiction.
I was perusing through the feature box the other day, looking at some clopfics, and also reading one I was recommended. After reading four of them, I only thought one (Sex, Lies, and Cowpony Hats) was actually good. But all 4 of them had been featured at some point. And looking through the comments, people loved these fics. Every one of them. My reaction was something like, "I can't believe this. How are these even passing for readable?"
I realize, being the author of two 2nd-person human clopfics, this may seem like an odd observation. Hear me out, though. Every chapter, I have proofread by someone else at least twice. I proofread my own work at least 6 times. I keep flow, tone, pacing, grammar, writing style, characterization, everything I know in mind when I write. Even if I'm just writing smut, I try my hardest to make it good smut. Worthwhile. I did not see the same amount of effort put into almost all of these other featured clopfics.
I'm not saying these authors are bad. You know what separates a good fic from a poor one? Time and effort. That's it. Sure, knowledge and understanding comes with experience, but I believe all of these authors could have written something presentable if they had just put more work into it. The internet has all the resources you need to write something good! However, these authors go about and publish these basically unfinished clopfics and the userbase rewards them for it. The system is actually hurting the quality of clopfics in-general because of the low standards people seem to have.
I accredit it to people thinking with their dick instead of their head. Understandable for young adults; males in that age group do tend to make a lot of decisions with their dicks, and the userbase of this site seems to be dominated by people in that position. But I'm asking you: next time you see a clopfic and it's gettin' you up, don't automatically assume that means it's good. Just about anything can be arousing. Use your head and vote accordingly. If you're not sure, then don't even vote!
Also, I don't intend to be the kinda person that just whines about something like this, especially when it affects me so directly. So let me first offer some advice: IF you are an author GO HERE. That is likely the SMARTEST clop-fic writer this fandom has, and perhaps the smartest non-clop writer as well. He has review threads for clopfics on the /fic/ board of mlpchan and fimchan (http://fim.413chan.net/). If you want to know how to do a clop scene, read his stuff. You see how many words he has written? That's experience AND consistency.
Secondly, if you are a clopfic writer, and you want advice or a review, message me. I will help you. I can't say I have time to hold your hand through every bump you encounter, but if you need the occasional review or have a question every now and then, I'll chat. Maybe I'm not an objectively good writer, but damn it if I'm not going to do everything I can to keep the genre I've entered from going down this path.
this is my stand on 80% of the clop fics that gets featured (therefore ruining the chances of good non-clop stories from getting there without unchecking the mature button) and you are right, most of them are shoddy works at times
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I don't write clop (though I am picking up writing again and have nothing against it, it's just... well I would be horrible at it), so could I maybe request your services in the future
Yeah Even I know my fic wasn't all that amazing. But I can only get better over time. I have two editors now and I have my other Proofreader so My storys(including the one I just posted) will look better and flow better hopefully. I can only try my best at it. And as long as I am happy with it, I am okay with it. Of course I am trying to become better.
Folks have the sheep mentality is probably the easiest way to sum it up. That, and probably low standards if they are jerkin it to the majority of 'clop' stories on this site (Dunno why the moniker clop has held fast, it's essentially pony erotica). They do not understand that a 'good' clopfic requires more than just 'hur hur, we had sex' or some variation thereof. I think I would agree with your statement that maybe 1 in 4 are even worth glancing at, maybe even 1 in 5. The good ones, such as Xenophilia (Probably the best one on this site atm in all honesty), deliver such things as some story, character development, plot, something that helps make a story 3D rather than 2D. Hell, I only read some of them out of morbid curiousity, and then wish I had brain bleach on hand. I think the best clop scenes are those that are used to further a story, and not for the sake of a story. For example, right now Apple is indeed much much better than Purpledom, for those reasons. Not that Purpledom sucks (Well, you already know of its failings I suppose.)
As far as the news concerning Purpledom and Apple, to be honest kind of glad that you're putting Purpledom on hold. I think it might be easier to go for the rewrite once you do indeed finish off Apple, as it seems that Apple has mostly everything that Purple was missing to make it a good clop story. Regardless, looking forward to seeing the end result once you get to it, as well as looking forward to seeing Apple. IT has the makings of a wonderful tale.
And for your non clop stuff, can we get your other account name via PM or something perhaps if we are interested in reading your non erotic stories? I know sometimes authors who publish the erotic anonymously have a very different category, but I would be most interested in having the opportunity to read it once it is up.
Cheers!
I think your point applies to a lot of stories on here. I've read more than a few that I can't see as anything other than literary abortions cobbled together from left over words and punctuation pulled out of the dumpster into something that would vaguely resemble a coherent sentence to someone that doesn't speak English.
I agree with your point, but not your recommendation for who to turn to for "good" clop-fics. Grammatically his stories are well written, but after being beaten over the head with the same tired, overused plot device again and again in TMB and its sequel, I can safely say that there are better. My top 3 for both quality AND quantity have to go to TAW, Crowley, and Twilightclopple. Not to say that those are the only good ones on the site, far from it in fact, but they're very good at what they do and they're easily among the most prolific in the genre.
Ugh, just when Purpledom was getting good. I hope you get more inspiration then.