Oct
3rd
2014
Is this Taboo or not? · 7:29pm Oct 3rd, 2014
I was thinking with the next chapter of Ponyville USA I would feature a vote by the readers. Is this something that should be avoided?
As I see it the positives of the vote I have in mind are: People have a better chance of connecting with the story and it gets me out of my comfort zone. Plus it might open up situations that otherwise I might not have even thought of.
The negatives are: It could possibly either shortchange the story by throwing all my potential drama at once, or the other much worse possible outcome of giving me absolutely nothing. My hope is that it ends up somewhere in the middle.
So, how 'bout it? Is a vote acceptable to you? (A hint for what it's about: geography)
I'd say, don't put it up for a vote unless you can handle all the possible results. Don't offer options that would make the story suck, basically?
Not really a fan of votes. They derail stories and imply the author is making things up as they go along.
??? I don't understand
I enjoy them, personally.
Depends on what the vote is on, if it's something where you have two conflicting ideas on where to go and can make the story evolve in a fascinating way with either (or any if its more than two) than a poll if nothing else is a gage on which path to take. Other polls however could be less helpful to the story and more about conflicting views on characters, reactions, etc. that would be more problematic.
I vote for no vote.
2503809 i agree with him ^^
Don't put it up to a general vote, most people don't know what they actually want out of a writer. If you need feedback for making a decision, talk to your editors/etc.
Personally, I'd say no. You shouldn't have a vote. However, you could still look at what people say in the comments to decide what happens next.
But since you said Geography as the hint if it's something basic such as: "where should Canterlot end up on Earth?" Or, "what pony town should do stuff next?" A vote should be fine.
Basically, if the vote affects the plot then no.
Anyway, if you do need reader feedback or ideas put a basic, non multiple choice, question in the author's notes and read the comments.
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Okie Dokie. The vote idea I had was I was gonna let the readers decide the next regions to get pieces of Equestria, which would be done by state. Canada, England, and Australia would have been eligible too. Everyone would vote five locations and I'd add up the top five. I already have the story in mind so no matter what that wouldn't have changed.
But it does seem that voting is a bit risky in more ways than one. It would be a false impression that I don't have a plan, and one I'd rather avoid.
2504017 Good choice.
2503954 I would love to have him talk to me.
... I get so lonely... 
I agree with nitrous rainbows. if it affects plot
then no poll. but you said it's for geography, so knock yourself out. :) and I would love to see a phoenix city landing near Phoenix Arizona. that seems so obvious to me, but I have never seen anyone write that. I mean, obviously there is a city in equestria named Phoenix, and that's where the phoenixes live, amiright??
I agree with all the other people saying no to voting. It's your story, you decide what to do with it.
This could affect the story in a few ways, especially since you're going to have another part of Equestria appear...somewhere. I'd leave it at "no poll," though I slightly hope that the Everfree is going to be put in the Indiana-Illinois-Kentucky Tri-State area, considering that the entire area used to be forests everywhere.