A New Contest? · 9:31pm Jul 13th, 2018
What's up guys!
So, we're getting further into summer (and Bronycon!) and I was thinking about doing another fanfiction contest to carry us through the end of the season and into Fall. I'm sure some of you remember my last one, The Two-Faced Charade Contest. That one went so well and gave the site so many interesting story concepts and I'd love to do it again.
Of course, being the crazy dude I am, the theme will once again have to be something a bit out of left field. Last time, we did sympathetic/empathetic cheating, so what will we do this next time around?
That's where I need your help.
I have a few ideas floating around, but nothing concrete. More than anything, I'd love to hear ideas you guys have for contests below. I'd love to see what kinds of things people would be interested in reading and of course, writing about. Just to give you an idea of what I'm looking for, here are a couple ideas I had. Just spitballing here, nothing is final:
1. A prompt requiring the death of one of the mane 6 that doesn't use the sad, tragedy or comedy tags.
2. A prompt where one of the characters has an experience that causes them to explore their spirituality... even though it doesn't make sense to any of their friends.
3. A story where one of the Princesses falls in love with an established villain in the show. But, here's the catch, no AU tag and the villain doesn't have any intention of reforming.
Like I said, those are all just a few ideas and probably won't end up being the prompt. It's just an example of the kind of outside the box thinking I'm looking for. I want a prompt that will really challenge the participants to do something new and inventive. I love a fun shipping competition as much as the next guy, but challenging ones can be just as fun.
Of course, to compensate for the harder prompt, I'll make sure the prizes are worthwhile. Last time I put up a first prize of 200 bucks, and I won't be afraid to do something similar again.
Anyway, let me know any ideas you guys have, what kinds of things you'd like to read about and so on below! I can't wait to read them and I'll have more information about the contest soon! Now, have a cute picture!
-Famous
All the prompts sound interesting. Just let me know and I'm sure I'll think of something.
Whatever you pick, I'm sure it'll be good. I'm going to make sure I enter this one this time.
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Awesome! If you have any ideas for prompts or something you'd enjoy writing about, let me know! I want as many diverse opinions as possible.
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I'll hit you up if I think of anything
I really like the third one. Hero/villain ships are always a lot of fun, doubly so when the villain isn't into changing. If it were a poll I'd probably have to vote for something along that line. Although that said, it's probably the least "out there" of the three ideas.
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I really liked that idea, personally, too. It's still challenging and a fun concept. Especially when you're competing against a lot of other authors.
I think the first and second idea would be interesting to do and make while being a good challenge. I think I may participate in one as well.
3 is bomb. 👌
A story that involves a group of orcs or ogres challenging a character to a contest.
A story involving an ancient spell that empowers anyone or anything with an overwhelming sense of importance for no particular reason.
A story involving a character getting invited to a sleepover with yaks/dragons/sirens/etc.
A story where the dialogue is written entirely in puns.
Here's a prompt: the events of the story are presented out of order (like some Nolan shit) and in the end it all comes together.
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That's something I've always wanted to do with my own writing. A story that starts with the end, then bounces around until it ends at the beginning.
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The only reason I suggested this prompt is because I'm currently working on a story that does just that.
People would really have some fun with the third option, I'll try and think if more if I can!
The 3rd prompt is the best. I've decided. You can't change my mind. I dare you to try.
That 3rd prompt sounds quite appealing, actually. I would not at all mind having an excuse to write villains and princesses, and I’d love to see how other people handle villains that don’t reform themselves at all.
Three, but expanded to any non-background pony and the unapologetic villian.
I have so much I need to watch and read, still, and keep putting it off, so asking what I'd read is a little iffy. However, for concepts...
1. A character has to pair up with a lethemancer; a mind mage. Along the way, questions start to arise about the nature of the mission, about what's real and what's not, and how you can trust a character capable of controlling minds and memories.
2. "My name is Inigo Montoya. You murdered my father. Prepare to die." In a broad sense. A character is faced with next of kin from someone they apparently murdered. Ahuizotl's Earth pony minions, a foal who escaped Starlight Glimmer's village only to starve in the desert, a pony who died of an allergic reaction to Discord's Plunder Seeds, any number of fatalities can leave behind someone wanting vengeance.
3. Return to the Trader's Market. This is a broad enough concept to make a metric ton of stories around, and it can always do with more. Bidding wars, trade sequence quests, accidental losses, obsession, buyer's remorse... lots of ways to go nuts on it, lots of opportunity to give underused characters a day in the limelight.
Half of my mind after reading prompt #3: Write an angsty story of forbidden longing.
The other half: "Flim and Flam flirt with Celestia so she'll buy their shit."
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Either would be legit.
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I won't lie, I want an excuse to write that second one now.
Or just make it so, like, Celestia has no concept of overly flattering salesponies and therefore thinks they're flirting with her or something.
I'm leaning towards the first prompt.