A question about Big Mac Goes to Therapy. · 9:01pm May 13th, 2014
Just got an email from Equestria Daily. They - I like this phrasing - cannot in good conscience post a story that suggests Big Mac had sexual relations with Winona, and ask that I remove that scene.
Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled by the FIMFiction readers who, for the most part, didn't bat an eyelid at that scene. I vaguely remember thinking before I published it that those lines were going to doom me, or that the moderators would refuse to approve it unless I upped the rating to Mature, but that didn't happen. So I was a bit surprised at this.
Should I do it, though? Does anyone but me think those lines actually added to the story? Any thoughts?
EDIT: Thanks for all the input, guys. I've thought about it, and I think I'm gonna leave it as it is, and not resubmit to EQD. I did think those lines were, if not crucial, then at least significant, and it would not be the very easiest thing in the world to find a replacement line that would have the same impact. And well, while getting on EQD is a nice boost, it does seem like it's not the great milestone it once was, and I can live without it. So Big Mac/Winona gets to stay for now.
I think it adds to the story, but I also think that the story is yours;
I'm afraid you'll have to factor in how much having it featured on Equestria Daily means to you
it depends on if you want the story to get on EQD. if it's a big thing for you, then take it out. if not, then fuck 'em.
I agree with the others. The lines though not especially critical to your amazing story do add a depth and interest that shocks and draws the reader in deeper. Censorship is a big pet peeve of mine so I may not be the best to speak on the subject but if I were you keep the line. An author writes because he has a story to tell his way and the author who sticks to his guns even if the story confronts its readers with something disturbing or different is one who should be respected. What is fiction but mirror on ourselves and seldom do we like what our reflection brings but is being confronted that makes us stronger.
I thought it was more funny than anything else. You can change it so it's more of a crisis of identity rather than of sexuality, or take it out entirely and not lose much. Don't be afraid to sacrifice your artistic integrity for more readers, is what I'm getting at.
I personally don't think removing it would detract from the story. You could even change it to imply he simply had impure thoughts about her and still get it posted. Eqd has is hit and miss as far as consistency goes in regards to sexual content, but it all comes down to prereader vote. More than one prereader looks at a story, and if the consensus is that a part of the fix crosses the line, they ask you to either fix or remove it. Either way its your choice.
If you want an EQD feature, you could always try for it with one of your other stories. This story doesn't have to be the one that goes up there.
2109168 I agree with this guy. Just change it to thoughts.
NO! GODDAMNIT!!
Have some artistic integrity!
Saying those lines makes Big Macs plight that more emotional.
Hold the line, man. It's not like the story has any graphic descriptions of beastiality.
Gotta' say, it didn't bother me, and made the issues he claims to be having make sense. The line isn't super-duper integral to my enjoyment of your story, but it definitely didn't detract. And besides, I've learned long ago that EqD is far from where you go to find good fics. The feature box is way too big on grammar, and largely doesn't care if it's interesting. I'm not saying that they never feature anything good, but that in their desire to keep their quality high, they turn away stuff for arbitrary reasons or are far too stringent in their rules. You didn't get on EqD? No biggie from where I'm sitting. Then again, I s'pose I don't know how it feels to get turned away having never submitted anything on FiMFiction or EqD.
I don't know, but honestly, it's a story about Big Mac wanting therapy. If violating the family dog while in a forced altered state of mind doesn't warrant therapy, I don't know what does.
That sure is a strange way to phrase their rejection. They could have just said that the scene in question did not fit the allowed content rules, or something. The way they're quoting "good conscience" and asking you to remove it makes it sound as if you've crossed some moral boundary of good taste and decency. I agree with those who said that the scene should stay, given the context of the story I see nothing wrong with it. Quite frankly, their response sounds to me a tad bit... judgemental / censor-y.
Besides, I don't think that an EQD feature is all important when it comes to stories anymore. Fimfiction has enough traffic from the reader crowds that the feature box here should be decent promotion for the stories that get caught in EQD's net of prereaders. It's how I found your stories originally, in fact. Of course, this is my personal opinion, the decision is ultimately up to you.
Keep it. I looked at Equestria Daily's rules for fanfiction and they are incredibly strict. It's almost like they actually want to discourage creativity.