Fanfic Spotlight #31 and Final Voting for Community Choice. · 1:15pm Apr 19th, 2015
...Aaaand we're back! Sorry for the missed issues the past two weeks. Piquo Pie, our writing track lead, has stepped up to co-chair the entire events department, so congratulations to him! Of course, that means leaving me (Xepher) to take over this crazy circus we run here as head of the writing track. I've always joked in my profile that I "perform acts of high-wire fiction without a net." Now, I get to do the same while juggling a convention! Yay?
That said, between my trip to BABSCon (awesome!), and having guests in town (also awesome), I failed to find time for putting together the Fanfic Spotlight post the past two weeks (not awesome), and Piquo was far too busy in his new roll to cover for me. We've got things mostly sorted out now though, so, onward!
First though, we're in the process of wrapping up our pre-con story contest. We narrowed the field to eight finalists, and will be announcing the winners next week, including the Community Choice winner, which you can still vote on through the 20th.
Now, for this week's stories... First off, a guest review by the inestimable Bad_Seed_72, whose own stories have featured here to great aplomb before. Today though, she suggests a story Of Angels, about a certain rabbit who swallows his pride and asks for help. After that, an odd tale of Rainbow Dash and the Mouse Cursor. Lastly, a slow paced look at a guardspony and Twilight's new student, in Ghost Lights.
Of Angels
by PaulAsaran
Words: 4,023 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Bad_Seed_72
Haunted by a single question his entire rabbit life, Angel finally has found the answer. Now, he wants to share that answer with the world. Consequently, Angel has a simple goal: to learn how to write. Angel employs the help of Twilight Sparkle in order to fulfill this simple goal. However, Angel continues to improve, it seems that his goal is far more complex than Twilight could have imagined.
This story is definitely both unconventional and a gem. Told entirely using dialogue through narrative, different-colored fonts are used to distinguish the characters in Of Angels. If you’re colorblind or color-deficient, don’t pass up on this one, either.
Part of the genius of this story is how brilliantly each character is captured through their writing voice. Even without the colors, it becomes quite easy to grasp each “speaker’s” identity.
This is a deeply emotional tale that focuses both on the joy of learning and the depth of realization. If you’re looking for some (rare) character exploration of Angel, a story of someone learning how to write, an emotional story, or just a great Slice of Life, give Of Angels a read.
Rainbow Dash x Mouse Cursor
by barbeque
Words: 2,666 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Piquo Pie
Sometimes the most ridiculous stories spur the most creative and resonating experiences. Maybe it’s the fact that they are so ridiculous that it forces the reader to be more accepting to even consider reading the story.
Well, whatever the reason Rainbow Dash x Mouse Cursor is one of those ridiculous little stories that is fun to read. The premise, well, it’s second person and I’m recommending it. I never recomend second person fics. But if you still want the premise, here it is. You are a mouse cursor and you have a crush on that floaty, talking Rainbow Dash sprite that you can use on FIMFiction.
Ridiculous, right? But the writing is decent and only has some minor technical issues toward the end. In fact, this is the only second person fic I have ever seen on FIMfiction that I like. Normally it’s so hard to do good second person, but when you force the second person to be a mouse cursor, then dang if I know how a mouse cursor should feel. It made it easy to read, and other than a joke or two that some people won’t get, it’s entertaining and kinda cute.
Ghost Lights
by Winston
Words: 79,468 Complete: No
Recommended by Silver Flare
Here’s a story that’s simple on the surface, something that can be summed up pretty quickly. A pegasus of the Royal Guard volunteers for a six-month tour of the Seawall: a remote and lonely location that most ponies would rather avoid. She’s accompanied by a gifted unicorn, Twilight’s new student. Simple, right? Especially considering that there aren’t many explosions. Seriously, the Seawall is quite uneventful for an MLP fanfic. There aren’t any looming threats to Equestria, no maniacal laughter, no zompony hordes. In fact, if you’re looking for zompony explosions, keep moving.
Beneath the surface, what Winston manages to convey is character. Ghost Lights is a measured, detailed, and very mature exploration of what makes individuals tick. It also delves into what makes a pegasus a pegasus, and a unicorn a unicorn, and so on. The Seawall itself, aside from being excellent scenery bordering on having character of its own, becomes the perfect catalyst for stripping away the inner defenses and walls ponies build as part of their identity.
What Ghost Lights delivers is a kind of literary dish that delights in subtlety. You’ll walk, rather than run, through the plot. Yet the further you go, the more interesting and deep the characters become. At its heart, I’m loving the closer look Winston delivers into the soul of a pegasus, and the warrior-spirit they’ve reportedly had through history. If you’re looking for depth at a slower pace, let the Ghost Lights lead you astray.
That's it for this week, but I'll be back with an announcement of the contest winners in a few days! Until then, be the change you wish to see in the world!
--Xepher, Bad_Seed_72, Piquo Pie, and Silver Flare
Vote for sisters in the cold!