Cleverpun's proposed collaborative story project - When They Break Away · 11:30am Apr 10th, 2017
Cleverpun came up with an idea for a collaborative story project, as noted in this post:
So I had this idea for a collaborative story project. After researching the Alicorn Amulet, Twilight has discovered something important. Every time someone rejects the amulet's promises of power (whatever form they may take), it weakens the Amulet's magic. In theory, if enough ponies should be tempted by it and reject it, it would destroy the amulet forever. Of course, the reverse also appears to be true: when a pony falls to the amulet's influence, that strengthens it.
So the idea here is that each chapter covers a different character's temptation and (theoretical) rejection of the Alicorn Amulet. What it shows them and how they react is completely up to authorial discretion.
In order to help illustrate this, I have already written a rough draft of the prologue and first chapter. You can find them right over here. Obviously, not all chapters need to conform to a specific tone or idea.
I don't want to dress this up as a contest or impose some sort of deadline. I just thought I would ask if anyone was interested. If there's enough people to cobble together a complete story, then I can start a group or something for people to discuss ideas. Depending on how many people are interested (if any), I would also personally edit/preread all chapters (so if you have ever wanted to experience my criticism in a more intimate way, now's your chance
). I also don't necessarily want to dictate how any of them should be written, but obviously I'm expecting some level of grammar and literacy
And of course, if no one is interested, that's okay too.
Comments discussing the merits/de-merits of the idea, constructive criticism, and other advice are also welcome. This is the first time I've ever seriously considered any sort of collaborative story effort.
I ended up writing a proposed chapter two about Twilight's own attempt at dealing with the amulet, because apparently 1 am on a Monday morning is totally the best time to write a random chapter for a collab project.
Anyway, if any of you are interested, feel free to drop on by and drop a proposal in the thread, talk about it, comment on people's proposed chapters, ect.
Celestia peers at the accursed thing.
"You do realize I'm already an alicorn, right?"
iii can make it so you are not drooopped like a punnnk in everrry single two-parrrt episssode
The solar diarch frowns.
"Hm."
4490726
I love you, Skywriter.
Option #1: Allow CP total editorial control over my writing
Option #2: Death
*world's briefest period of consideration*
Death it is.
Thank you, dear sweet pony gawds, for my pre-and-perma-rejected status.
4491486
Death by CP editing it is, then!
4491506
Nah, I'll go with suicide. If I'm going to die anyway, I'll be the final arbiter of how.
4490726
I can give you power.
"Celestia's left hind hoof," wailed Dotted, "Not more of it."
You'll be able to rule Equestria.
"Yeah, well, somepony has to. It's a hassle."
You'll... you'll be able to crush your enemies?
"What do you mean, 'will be able to?"
I... I can make Blueblood disappear?
There was a long pause.
"What are your terms?"
4491486 Just so we avoid any misconceptions (to both you and anyone potentially interested in the project), any editing I do is going to follow my normal editing style. Which is to say, I offer advice and suggestions, and it is up to the author whether they accept or reject said suggestions. Learning how to judge the applicability of criticism is an important skill for an author to have.
Also, to be clear: just because I dislike your writing, and just because our first encounter involved a lot of regrettable passive-aggression, doesn't mean I would have any objection to you participating. In the spirit of collaboration, this project is open to whomever wants to join.
Also, I don't think I ever actually apologized for the way I acted, back in that initial comment chain, so let me do so now. I'm sorry. I was and still am learning how to offer criticism properly, but that's no excuse for the way I acted.
4491963
Ah, the rough early review.
I remember mine. I still feel kind of guilty about it.
But! I learned a lot and my later reviews were much better for it.
4490731
Thanks, TD. I love you too.
Yeesh that's a good idea. I miss having free time