Fanfic Spotlight #14 · 8:59am Dec 8th, 2014
Welcome all, to The Return of Harmony the Everfree Northwest Fanfic Spotlight! As promised, we're back for a new season, with more stories to share and enjoy. This year, the writing track for EFNW has expanded. I'm Xepher, returning for another season as editor, but rather than just boring you with my own opinions throughout, I'll be bringing you recommendations from our new team members.
This week, we see: A snowball thrown; Tirek get his tail kicked by an old timey strongman; and Spike finds comfort in an ancient dragon ballad.
The Great Ponyville Snowball Fight
by 8686
Words: 11,246 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Silver Flare
The Great Ponyville Snowball Fight plays out like slice of life episode straight from our beloved show, with characterization being the key ingredient. And what a sweet, delicious core it is in this tale. The pacing and structure are great, the descriptions are wonderful, but the characters... The characters really steal the show.
After Ponyville's first snowfall of the year, Twilight and Applejack stroll through a peaceful and quiet morning. The PAFFFT! of a snowball sneak attack shatters that peace, and the pair are forced to find cover quickly. Imagine, if you will, Twilight's adorably bemused confusion at the entire concept of a snowball ambush. Her portrayal is adorkable enough to want to hug, and that's just the tip of the iceberg here.
Grab a mug of hot chocolate, curl up under a warm blanket, and give this one-shot a read. If you love any of the colorful cast of characters in this pastel universe, you don't want to let this linger in your read later list.
Arthur Saxon Beats up Tirek
by Mannulus
Words: 4,311 Complete: Yes
Recommended by ocalhoun
Tirek is back, and thanks to a few convenient plot devices, nopony can possibly stop him. He has to be stopped by someone non-magical, yet strong enough to best him at full strength. What’s a princess to do? Summon a twentieth century strongman from Earth, naturally.
This story seems like a silly, random crackfic at first glance, but it’s hiding some real rewards for its readers. It is marvelously well written, with fun side-jokes and witty turns of phrase that will leave you begging for more. This author doesn’t take the easy and obvious way of writing anything in it. You’ll find delightful surprises at every turn. The story might say ‘what it says on the tin’ in the description, but it’s so much more than that.
The Ballad of Firebrand and Olivine
by paleowriter
Words: 3,135 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Ckat_Myla
Delving into the myths and old stories of Equestria and the lands surrounding them is one of the great worldbuilding things the fandom does best, and if it involves something from a non-pony culture, all the more interesting. While not a huge delve, paleowriter provides us with a small glimpse into the mind and memory of Spike by giving us one of his favorite stories.
When feeling particularly forlorn about his feelings for Rarity, Spike attempts to find some comfort in a Beauty and the Beast-esque tale of a pony and dragon finding love. It's a short, sparse story as most fairy tales are, but the way it is told fits well with its framing device, and leaves the reader filled with the warmth of a good fluff even if it isn't a straight-up shipping story. It isn't a true ballad, and it isn't completely happy, yet it is still a hopeful and lovely work.
That's it for this week, but we'll be back against next weekend with more stories for your reading pleasure. In the meantime, let us know what you thought of these tales in the comments below, and send us your recommendations for stories you think should be featured!
Until then, have fun!
--Xepher, Silver Flare, Ocalhoun, and Ckat_Myla
