Random Tags · 2:02am Aug 21st, 2014
I removed the random tag from Chrysalis Kidnaps Rainbow Dash For 10 Minutes, because frankly, the story doesn't need it. People don't seem to understand what the Random tag is for. Either they want it on anything that doesn't make sense to them, or they use it as an excuse to spurt total nonsense and call it a story. It also isn't for OOC characters - that's Alternate Universe.
The Random tag means that your plot does not follow cause and effect. Things happen without justification, and usually have little or no relation to each other. This has to apply to the actual plot of the story. Pinkie being random does not make the entire story random. You have to have the sky fall on somepony and then they open a shop for rainbow dash plushies and then a volcano erupts and everyone roasts marshmallows over the caldera. THAT is random. In this same vain, while people wanted me to put "Random" on Chrysalis Kidnaps Rainbow Dash For 10 Minutes were almost entirely motivated by two things: Chrysalis, who is established in the story as being completely insane, or Twilight being "OOC", which I'm just going to call Rule Of Funny on. Chrysalis being crazy doesn't make the story random, because the story follows a very coherent, sensible plot: Chrysalis kidnaps rainbow dash, Twilight gets pissed off and rescues rainbow dash, and then banishes Chrysalis to the moon (except that she missed, but oh well). There is nothing random about this, other than the fact that Chrysalis is completely insane, which is the entire point. Everything in the story is explained and has a well-established reason for existing.
Thus, I have removed the Random tag. If I ever write a story that is actually random, you'll know. It will be madness beyond your comprehension. It will be something you will read and never be able to un-read. The sheer insanity will burn its way into your mind, never understood, never forgotten.
In other words it will be a story that would make Discord proud and maybe even then some.
By the way glad someone finally explained what that tag was for.
Do you have any examples of truly random stories? Cause from the sounds of it, I have been misusing the tag as well.
2387449
Bon bon bon bon bon bon is the best example of a random story I have ever had the misfortune of reading.
It involves unfathomable levels of insanity. You have been warned.
2387464
Ahhh, Shortskirts.
Hmmm, why did his fics not come to mind when I asked that question?
Random story start off somewhat sane until the tomato overlord breaks in with Pinke to melt the mystic glooble that has enslaved all ponykind whereas Twilight doesn't like bananas because blue trees spoke to her telling her that she had to stand up tall and face her fears so he hit Celestia with a bat to ensure cosmic balance.
2387906
Yes. Exactly. That is the random tag.
2387910 This is also known as the inner workings of my mind
2387916
Also known as the dreams I have every night.
Every. Night.
[insert obligatory clapping gif]
Agreed on all points.
2387917 Same here. I once had a dream in which an evil box threatened to kill the wires in my foot. To this day I have no clue what that means.
Sounds good; thanks for letting us know. Also thanks for coordinating getting me back to Woot's when I had multiple rides dip for various reasons