Fic recs, November 22nd! · 12:55am Nov 23rd, 2024
Currently in northeast Ohio, it is dismal and rainy and cold and really, really windy D:< my least favorite kind of weather! And I went out in it! To have excellent ramen, if I'm being honest, first time trying this place. :O But still. I had intended to go do some cleaning over at my parents' house, and that did not happen! XD
So have some fics instead.
H: 3 R: 3 C: 2 V: 0 N: 0
A Stitch (Or Nine) Saves Thine by TheDriderPony
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Wow, this is weird! I've never seen a story hit this perfect a combination of horror and comedy before! Be sure to read the description, it sums everything up that you need to know perfectly. But yes, this is wickedly funny — not least because this is Sweetie Belle we're talking about — as well as tremendously horrifying. Though it's also a story that doesn't work if the Equestrian medical system doesn't work similar to the US's, so there's that.
Recommended
Rick Astley Saves the Ponyville Cider Supply Chain Failure by Mica
Genre: Crackfic
Ohhh man. It's been a long while since I read a delightful pile of nonsense, and this really hits the spot. :) Just pure, off-the-wall silliness for silliness' sake. The most amazing part, perhaps, is that there is actually a reason behind the use of Rick Astley. This isn't just picking the meme du jour to insert into your My Little Pony fan fiction, oh no. You won't believe it till you see it. This was insane! [compliment]
Troll Recommended
Ghost Town by Legioner8
Genre: Epistolary Horror
One of Twilight's first friendship problems: What happened to Ponyville's former librarian?
I have to say, this is a very good outline of a story concept, but it needed to be significantly longer to really build up tension. In three letters, we're given the full premise, but the time skips between them mean that the reveal lacks any punch. Also, it doesn't help that the single gimmicky text feature doesn't really work, and just reveals a series of random horror tropes. This would be better either without an explanation of that sort, or, again, with more wordcount allowing for a gradual buildup to the end. That said, this is solid epistolary writing, it's basically all I ever ask for from a story like this. I'm just not sure I can say it works in its current form.
Recommended for Horror Fans Only
Please, Not Her by TCC56
Genre: Drama
It wasn't the first time Granny Smith had sat at a hospital bedside.
Okay, time for the waterworks! This isn't actually about a pony dying — not yet — but it's more about those who have died, and those who are still living on with their memories. This is an intimate, emotional conversation between Granny Smith and Rarity, a pairing we don't often see. And one very interesting thing about it is that Granny brings up the topic of religion, but there's no world-building to be had about it, just that it exists, and her feelings on the subject. I haven't seen anyone use it so loosely and indirectly. This is a really powerful story, considering how short it is, and it will resonate with anyone who's dealt with death.
Highly Recommended
The Ones We Can't See by applejackofalltrades
Genre: Cute
Applejack never liked thunder.
Oh my god, this is the cutest, I can't. .-. Tinyjack is afraid of the thunder and lightning, and here comes her momma to tell her the best story about why she shouldn't be afraid, a lesson she carries with her to adulthood. I've never heard anything like it. My heart! MY HEART!!
Highly Recommended
Frenemies… With Benefits by Jade Ring
Sequel to A Better Way to Be Dad
Genre: Shipping Comedy
Cozy Glow didn't know to knock.
This is how you do "kid gets a little too close to adult activities" well. :) And this is probably exactly what you're thinking, plus it's well written and funny. No notes, I guess? This was everything I could have asked for, even if I'm super not into this ship. XD
Recommended
Human Fan Demands Equestria Conform to "Head CONAN" by Mockingbirb
Genre: Random HiE Comedy
Why even bother getting sucked into a magical fantasy world if everything there is wrong?
So this starts out with about what you'd expect from a story with its title. It does not take long, however, for things to go wildly off the rails. XD I didn't see it coming! (I did not, in fact, get the title right on the first try…) It's just a really stupid pun, but oh man is it funny. Can't believe I've never seen this before. Good choice for crossover, too.
Recommended
The Discovery of Ponies (How I Met Your Mother, and Less Than Twenty-Four Hours Later She Dumped Me Forever) by Mockingbirb
Genre: Humanized/Sci-Fi
If I told you what this story was about, you would not believe me. The description cannot fully prepare you for it. It's so original, and it's just so weird. Absolutely read it.
Highly Recommended
Oh man, I feel you on the weather. Was driving in a torrent earlier, and in general it’s been really cold lately, with temperature in the evenings often only a few degrees (Celsius, to be clear) and man f even winter heat only so much of an insulator. Brr. What a weird and often unpleasant one, that.
Two stories here I’ve read, in The Discovery of Ponies etc. and The Ones We Can’t See. You were decently on the wavelength of the former more than myself: I found it weird but only in a moderately pleasing way. The latter I defo liked quite a bit and found cute enough, though not to nearly the top rating. But TinyJack stories are rare, especially when they’re done well, so I won’t begrudge the rating.
Highly Recommended, hell yeah. Always an honor and I'm glad it was enjoyed. For notes:
This was done entirely on purpose. I did start doing a little world building about it, but then I paused and thought: does it matter? What Granny talks about is pretty universal for most religions - that feeling exists largely beyond creed. Any details would honestly have diluted the core message and disrupted the vibe. I'm very glad to see it landed, because at the time of writing I was worried my lack of details would be a distraction.
5817450
I really like this and would love to see it used more :)
Aw thanks so much for putting my story on here! I'm really glad you liked it. I'm surprised you ranked it so highly but maybe I'm just too hard on myself
5818006
I really have to know, is that story about where thunder comes from a story you heard as a kid, or something wholly original? :O
5818069
It's original, I don't even remember how I came up with it. If I remember correctly, it was for a Quills and Sofas Speedwriting panic writing event and I just started writing and let the story tell itself haha.