Canon and you (and other things too) · 11:11pm Jul 22nd, 2016
Hey everyone, Schorl here.
Sorry for the overall silence during yesterday’s little event. I know some of you might have wanted some input from me during that day, but I felt it was important that I didn’t interfere during the first day so you could all give your honest reactions to what I have done with little to no outside influence. Now that some time has been given, I feel that it is time I gave my own reactive commentary on what I see.
First thing I notice and feel I should address is the somewhat… overwhelming support my actions have gained. From what I see, most people approve of my “non-canon” ending, or at the very least are amazed at the amount of effort I put into my story just to get to said ending, and I have to say…. I kinda figured this would happen. FoE is not so one sided as some people would want to assume, where some outsiders to the setting might assume that everyone who is interested in it are just a group of rape fetishist that just want to see the Mane Six cry when they get fucked, or turned into brain dead bimbos.
That, from what I’ve seen in the past, it far from the truth. The average FoE fan sees the flaws in the setting, points them out freely, and will gladly debate the logistics of it in a manner that, while sometimes aggressive, shows that they are passionate about the inner workings of the universe. They want to know things, and dispute what they feel doesn’t make sense, while not allowing the inconsistencies get in the way of what they enjoy about the setting, which I believe are the dark themes and kinky art. As much as people would like to assume… most of you aren’t sex-consumed idiots with an agenda based around turning everything into one huge male-dom sex orgy (where the male doms are the only participants, having only enslaved the mares so they could forbade them from the planet wide gay sex party that heralds the end of the world, which was the true end goal of the caribou all along!).
The point is, most of you get it, with a very small amount of you desperate to prove that your dick and/or vagina is the sole motivation why you watch a little girl’s show. Hell, most of the contributor group contacted me yesterday through a variety of means to ask what the heck was going on, only to say they didn’t care in the end, or that they were legit impressed I had the lady balls to pull off such an undertaking. When it comes down to it, the politics of this matter… didn’t matter, and really why should they? All I did was jot down some words, create an “ending” to a setting that pretty much begged for it at this point, and told the readers it was up to them to accept it or not. Beyond enjoying the ending for what it was, or hating the ending for what it wasn’t, who the fuck cares?
Well… we do have a few people who care it seems, as shown here. Now don’t get me wrong, I expected something like this to happen, it was inevitable, just as was me getting kicked from the group, my stories being removed, and my tongue being cut from my head for being an insolent woman who lied to her “master” (we are still working on that last bit). I’ll also say that it isn’t 100% slander either, since Mr, Fox does make a valid point. What I did was unprofessional… because I’m not a professional writer and would never claim to be one. I’m just a person who came up with a fairly decent plot that people enjoyed because it treated the setting as what it was (a terrible place to be), and didn’t treat the readers like they were stupid. I think I said this before, but it is sad that most people say I am/was the best writer for FoE because the other stories are just that freaking bad in comparison. I suck, I know it, and even my ending was a climax that, while heavily foreshadowed and planned through, was more than a bit heavy handed and probably not a good as it could have been in the hands of another writer.
As for the other issues, let's address them real quick before I get to the real meat of this. Did I constantly bicker and insult other contributors? Well… it would be nice if I could address this specific bit in a more direct manner so everyone could see my side of this, but what are ya gonna do. I’ll just say to those who can easily see this though that… sure I did, if “other contributors” means “Twipet”. As far as I recall, there are very few instances where I had a huge in-forum or skype group spat with other contributors. There was one time with Replica, just before he had another argument with the rest of the group that led to him leaving. I tended to talk about Sunny Nights/Silent Nights/”whatever other name they want to go by” to NCN, saying if they aren’t going to do their part, then they shouldn’t have a say in other FoE-related matters like the images, but aside from that I hardly said a thing except saying that I thought an idea was particularly nonsensical, or just boring or cliche.
If MadDoc wants to dispute that, fine, but I would like some solid evidence this time and not just his word. I mean… I could back up my end of it if I really need to. I have a full two years of backlogged Skype chats, and if he really wanted to stick to his opinion of me I wouldn’t mind too much if people would like to go through it… dig through all the dirt and bad-mouthing that seemed to come part and partial to being a part of the group… some of which not directed towards other contributors but…… other people they found unsavory for a variety of reason. I mean if I don’t have any other means to defend myself, what’s a girl to do? It would almost be my obligation to hand it out to anyone who wants to take a look in order to keep my name clear, now wouldn’t it?
What I’m saying here is that if my “bickering” was a problem, or even uncommon in the group, then they should have gotten rid of me, and probably half the rest of the group, a long time ago. I mean that was even part of the point, I was being a bitch so NCN would have to nut up and remove someone from his roster, even if it was me, but when I did hand him an ultimatum of “it’s me or Twipet, for fakesies”, he gave me this little cop-out during the conversation.
[7/14/2016 9:24:34 PM] Schorl Tourmaline: What is so wrong with removing her, or anyone in that regard? I understand hesitance and wanting to assume that people will eventually stop procrastinating, but to this extent is ridiculous.
[7/14/2016 9:24:47 PM] non_creepy_nickname: Because drama creates problems.
[7/14/2016 9:24:58 PM] non_creepy_nickname: If your objective is for her to never contribute again, you don't have to lift a finger.
[7/14/2016 9:25:18 PM] non_creepy_nickname: You create drama? You get enemies. People try to dox you or fuck you over or make things unpleasant.
[7/14/2016 9:25:54 PM] non_creepy_nickname: Running FoE is remarkably pleasant. Given all the supposed hate people have for the series, nobody makes trouble. Because nobody gives a shit. People aren't going to get pissed about porn that isn't to their taste.
[7/14/2016 9:26:11 PM] non_creepy_nickname: But when you publicly fuck with someone, they nurse a grudge. They get others to do it. They make things happen. It makes life hard.
[7/14/2016 9:26:21 PM] non_creepy_nickname: And I just walk away, because FoE stops being fun.
Well, I’m so sorry that NCN, the person who is suppose to be in charge of this setting, can’t deal with some little girl crying over being kicked out of a group for doing a piss poor job, when he openly admits he doesn't expect her to ever do anything ever again. Twipet, as far as anyone I have ever talked to in the group has said, is shit. The only reason anyone tolerates her in there is because she’s essentially harmless, because everyone simply ignores her work, to the point that her “canon” stories aren’t even considered canon by her peers. No one cares about her, no one save for Sirius even so much as gave me a “hey, could you chill the fuck out” when I did verbally assault her, and she’s been too busy writing outside stories and excuses to put any effort in the one thing people do care about, her flipping self-insert story that is supposed to explain how the fuck the caribou weren’t instantly found out the moment they stepped foot in Equestria.
That leads me into the main topic of this posting, the canon. There has been a lot of talk as of late (and by late I mean within the last 24 hours) about what is canon. Is Bruised Apples canon? Does NCN’s removal of it from the main group make it non-canon? Does the emotion and effort put into Bruised Apples make it canon? Fans want to know what exists in the universe and what doesn’t, essentially asking themselves what is real and what is made up, when applied to the “universe”. To find this answer we have to ask ourselves a few things, like “What is real?” and “How do you define real?”. If you're talking about what you can feel, what you can smell, what you can taste and see, then real is simply electrical signals interpreted by your brain. In that instance, then what should be considered canon should be what stimulates you, what stimulates your mind, your body, and in many people’s case the thing that does that best in FoE is Bruised Apples.
On the other hand, to many what is real is not so easily defined. Some people believe in a god who, as far as we humans can perceive, has no real proof of existence. Yet they can feel that this entity has a presence in their life, and believe that it is real because that is how they perceive reality, and whether they are right or wrong no one can really be sure. But it’s real to them, dammit! And nothing you are going to say or do is going to change their opinions on that. So in that sense, what is “canon” is up to the individual to decide upon, and that is what I really wish to convey here.
Before I go on though, allow me to add one other bit of information to this. A quote from Mr. Fox’s statement that expresses the only argument, or lack thereof, he has to the canonicity of Bruised Apples.
“See, Fall of Equestria isn't Schorl Tourmaline's story. It's not my story. It's Non-Creepy Nickname's. We write for it yes, as either paid writers or volunteers. But whether you're a paid or not - for the sake of transparency, Schorl was not - it's not your setting. I can write as many Shadowrun or DnD adventures as I want but those will never be mine.”
A… slightly compelling argument, in a way. And he is right, I don’t “own” FoE. I didn’t do anything that would give me legal ownership of FoE, and I couldn’t ever do anything to claim legal right to FoE…. but neither does NCN. How do I know that, besides having enough common sense when it comes to legal matters? Well DocMadfox himself said so, further down the line in the comments. Here is the quote:
“To clarify, NCN doesn't own Fall of Equestria in a legal sense, but spiritually it's his series.”
NCN doesn’t have any legal right to FoE, and he couldn’t possibly ever have any legal right to FoE because he is using copyrighted characters that are owned by Hasbro. The moment that he tried to claim that this setting was legally his, he would be hit with a Cease and Desist order so fast his head would spin, or he’d be sued so hard that he wouldn’t have a cent left to him in the aftermath.
So the only claim he has is this supposed “spiritual” ownership, to which he simply owns it because of belief. People allow him to be considered the owner, so he is. But that concept can work against him too. Such as, if a majority of people believe that Scott Pilgrim owned FoE, then a far as they were concerned the fictional character would have all rights to the concept in the eyes of anyone who cared. There is actually a business practice in the world called a “Hostile Takeover”, in which a company can be bought out from under the owner of it when a person manages to acquire a majority of the stocks the company has, or gets majority support from its shareholders, and I suppose that is what I’m going for here, sorta…
What I’m really trying to get across here though it that it is up to you to decide what is canon. If you want Bruised Apples to be canon, awesome. If you want it to be non-canon, great! It is up to you in the end to decide, because as a fan of something that even the supposed creator doesn’t have the rights to, you get to make the decisions. FoE is a company that you have invested in, and it’s time you made that company work for you, and if you wish it, I’m willing to work my ass off to make sure you get what you deserve; good, slightly titillating storytelling that doesn’t insult your intelligence. But hey, I’m not even the only choice you could turn to aside from NCN, as many people have put their ideas to paper and made their own versions of FoE that might be more to your liking than either me or NCN, or simply just a similar idea that will sit better on your literary pallet. Hell, here is a link to a specifically good one.
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/287211/how-to-take-care-of-your-mare
So yeah, the canon of this universe is all up to you, just like how I like to believe that the breezies were all just one huge fever dream, and that season 4 has one huge plot hole with giving Fluttershy her key out of thin air. I suppose that is all for now. Please Lycan subscribe (because werewolves are cool) and have a wonderful day.
Oh come now, don't sell yourself short, you are a good writer.
Fire the friendship Canons!
Personally, Bruised Apple is canon for the bruised apple universe, or so I see it. I will be following any continuation of this you write, or any prequels you create set in your version of the FoE universe.
Unless the original FoE universe pulls up its socks and starts producing material it's not like I'll have much choice in the matter.
And even if they do, I get to see two different versions of that universe.
There are thousands of alternative MLP stories on this site, each one having the same starting point, but wildly diverging from each other.
Don't see why we can't see the same thing with FoE, and we already have with the Post Foe group and all the stories they produce.
Now NCN may be inclined to ret-con the whole Apple family situation with commissioned art work that shows a very different family dynamic in his canon universe. It would not surprise me if he did. But based on what has been produced in the last few years I think it's unlikely we'll get to see any really good text stories featuring the Apples, or any of the other characters for that matter.
So your material is still going to be the primary source of written material set in the 'a' FoE universe.
4107131 loading the cannons capt
I like the ending, better than what a story of this type usually gets.
I managed to find a picture of NCN.
img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/001/878/466/VinceYells_crop_exact.png?w=1500&h=1500&q=85
4107134
It is also canon for my FoE stories.
When DocMadfox said in one of the Skype groups that Schorl's story isn't canon any more, I jokingly responded that it's the only canon story now. He said it didn't work that way. But does it? There is a sense in which I wasn't joking. It does work exactly that way with regards to my stories.
I absolutely agree with Schorl's article, but there is one use of the word "canon" which does make a certain sense. "Spiritual ownership" is of course nonsense. The only thing NCN can do is remove a story from a folder. Aside from that, it's entirely for the fans to decide which stories they see as relevant for their own view of FoE. As an author, I made the decision to treat Bruised Apples as part of the universe in which I place my own stories. So whether my readers "accept" Bruised Apples as "FoE canon" or not: If they read Freeville Chronicles, they will find (as early as the prologue, by the way) that in the universe of my stories, the events of Bruised Apples also unfold. Of course, there is no "canon", period. But saying that Bruised Apples is "canon" for my own FoE stories is simply the easiest and shortest way of saying that its events also happen in my universe. Of course, used in this sense, it is nothing more than a description of how my stories relate to hers.
Also, if these images come too soon, I think many people will see them as a petty jab at Schorl.
4107997
Well, I didn't want to say that, But exactly.
I would not at be surprised to see art work that hits right to the heart of the plot of the story. Namely that Mac is not corrupted.
And you are also right on your other point Canon is a movable target. With your story, and Shurl's productivity, her version of the FoE universe might become canon simply because it is the only canon where significant amounts of material are produced.
Hmmm, wonder if some of the Post Fall of Equestria writers might be tempted to play in Shurl's version.
4108019
Our disadvantage is that we don't really have people who produce artwork. I think it's a bit of a shame. Freeville Chronicles will have a few scenes that could easily inspire some really nice fetish artwork. And of course, the hard fetish scenes in Bruised Apples are so vivid and almost beg to be converted into artwork.
4108031 Yep, sadly unless you pick up an artist as an ardent fan you're not likely to see any art featuring material from your stories.
4108035 could always pay some one I guess
4108045 It's something I've thought about for my own stories, but I have no idea how much it would cost, and I have a feeling it would suck up a lot of money if I start down that rabbit hole.
4108031
I wonder if there is any mechanism where fans could contribute to a pool to fund art, with the scenes being selected by Schorl, or you.
I know I'd happily kick in ten dollars or so
Side question. If you're work is going to take place in Schorl's universe, are you going to work with her at all to sync your story lines, and will the characters from the different story lines interact?
4108071
Well, first of all, Schorl does not feel committed to my stories the same way I do to hers. So it is possible that she will write stuff later that conflicts with mine. But Bruised Apples is mostly closed, and I have built Freeville Chronicles around it to make it work.
That said, yes, Schorl does indeed help me doing so.
4108063 yea I might commission a few pics but the artist I want to use is pretty booked and costly replica and moon brush
Then I consider Bruised Apples to be cannon and the "ending" of the FoE saga and I will stay with you and enjoy what more you have to write
.
But I have a question. I do not know if you have been asked this before and I am sorry if I annoy you with it.
Why do you write stories like Bruised Apples and Equestria Trainers' Society?
Don't get me wrong! I am the type that reads this type of stories like I said in the comments of your explanation part of Bruised Apples and I like them.
But I am really curious of what your motivations are?
Anyway I am sorry if I offended you with that question.
Best of luck to you.
I know this joke has been done at least two other times already, but... it just fits so well here.
REMOVE CANON
img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/rylasasin/remove-canon_zpsj8ukqst4.gif
4108031 While artwork would certainly be nice, the vast majority of stories don't have any.
I think one of the problems with Fall was that the art work came first and what worked in an abstract sense of single scene pictures did not work so well when they tried to create a stable Universe in which such scenes were natural. If artwork shows up for these stories they are going to be based on scenes that have already been written, which in someways makes it much better because someone who sees the art can hunt up the specific story it came from, Indeed, if there is any art it would be good if the artist captioned it to indicate what story and chapter it was drawn from.
On a side note, been thinking about this a bit and I think Schorl's Bruised Apples actually improved the concept of FoE far beyond the fact that it was a well written story.
It created a time frame in which the Caribou defeated Equestria and imposed their morals on it, and then they in turn fell. Now anyone who wants to write a story based on the full FoE concept has that time period to set it into, while other writers can delve into how Equestria pulls itself back up.
For me personally having closure and knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel allows me to look at the old stories in a much different light and not find them nearly as distasteful. I just don't like no-hope-never-ending despair.
4108179
Yeah, I think almost all one-note universes are boring as fuck. Neverending hope and happiness without any conflict is just as annoying as neverending despair. Just watch a few episodes of G3 MLP.
Just continue writing and don't mutate into a Femnazi!
memesvault.com/wp-content/uploads/Chuck-Norris-Thumbs-Up-Meme-05.jpg
4108134 Saying that I approve to that doesn't cover it. I could sell my soul to support that gif statement.
I agree with alot of people that you wrote the easily best FoE story in the universe, and I hate to see it end. (your writing of it, that is)