School of Hard Knocks · 10:57am Jun 22nd, 2013
And another Hoopy McGee story I'm now editor for, which is a spin-off from his story "Why am I Pinkie Pie?!":
Okay, I don't know if anyone can hear this, or read this, or whatever, but I'm trying my best to use Pinkie Pie's legendary fourth-wall-breaking powers to try and get a message out.
If you can hear this, I need help. I'm in Equestria, and man, this is strange. But I'm also stuck in Pinkie Pie's body, for some reason.
Yes, it's just as weird as it sounds. And now, I need your help... because all the ponies in this town think I'm crazy!
I don't think it's one of his best stories as I found it a tad too slapstick like in places and sometimes the characters feel a bit flat (sorry Hoopy....). That being said it was an enjoyable read, funny, and with an interesting premise. So it is listed among the stories I've favorited, it just didn't make it to the stories I list as to reads on my user page. But, if comedy is for you I would be very surprised if it would disappoint.
However, the spin-off "School of Hard Knocks" surprised me as I found it even better than "Why am I Pinkie Pie?!":
This isn't where I belong. I left all this behind years ago, moved on with my life. But a mare from my past brought me back, and now she won't let me go. So I'm stuck here, trying to make the best of it with ponies that don't understand me, don't even like me. But when something moves in the darkness, and when things go wrong in the cold, dead night, they'll turn to me to try to set things right.
Why? Because once a police pony, always a police pony.
It follows up on Cinnamon Swirl and what happens to him after the events in Ponyville. It's delightfully funny in places, serious when it needs to be, but with some darker tones as it explores unresolved issues between Swirl and his mom. I can't tell you too much as I don't want to blurt out spoilers, but please give it a try; I've found it a very enjoyable story with memorable characters.
PS, after proofreading this post I realized I wrote an accidental pun about one of the characters in "Why am I Pinkie Pie?!"... Bonus points for anyone who can name the character.
Am I allowed to guess?
I agree with your assessment of "Why am I Pinkie Pie?!". That story was a blast to write, and I had a lot of fun, but that also had the flip side of me writing, and posting, extremely quickly. I could have done a better job on it, most especially the ending.
"School of Hard Knocks", on the other hand, I'm taking a lot more seriously.
1163090 As the author of that particular story: no.
Yeah, the ending felt a bit rushed. But considering it was a story you wrote to have some fun it wasn't bad (I shudder when I think about what some create when they write to just to something silly out of their system). Although yes it could have been better, but every story serves a purpose, and it did what it was supposed to do well enough.
I've noticed you're taking "School of Hard Knocks" a lot more serious. Not that strange though with the subjects it touches on.
And where is my Erin fix?
Eep!
On its way, I promise!
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