On Writing "Sandbar's Essay" · 11:59am Feb 15th, 2020
So this is already a weird start of the year for me. I've never written fanfiction before, MLP was a show I've known since it started but never got into until late-2018, and yet last month I submit a story for a writing contest on this website. I'm interested to see how I did, but at the moment I'm still surprised at the reception I've gotten from the upvotes and the comments I've gotten already.
This probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Jack of Few Trades, as it was their Gallus fic Set Sail that eventually got me onto the website, and I found out about the Discovery WriteOff on one of their blog posts. As far as characters go, the Young Six are my favourite amongst the numerous sets of secondary characters in the show (followed by the Changelings), so the idea of entering a Young Six Story Writing Contest was so tempting.
What also helped was that I had a few headcanons floating around in my mind, which for whatever reason is a lot easier to do with MLP than any other animated show I watch. The story for Sandbar's Essay mostly came about from just wondering why Sandbar (or any other pony) would go to the School of Friendship, figuring that a lot of ponies would want to go because Twilight and her friends are famous for saving the world multiple times, although some would genuinely benefit a lot from learning about making and being good friends. The episode "Heartswarming Club" was also a good inspiration for me, both in seeing Sandbar's family and seeing some of his character development (the part where Sandbar is singing a Heartswarming Song and all the other ponies just ignore him really stood out to me).
I actually planned and wrote most of it during the winter holidays, I had no work so there was plenty of time to write it. I was able to finish it and had it posted to the WriteOff website a day before the original deadline, only to discover that the submissions were being moved directly to FimFiction and the deadline was pushed back a month. I did consider waiting until the new deadline to post it, but as the story was sitting on my computer as a Word doc and I had to make an account anyway I just decided to post it sooner rather than later.
As for what happens now that the deadline has passed, I'd like to write some more if I get time. I have a full-time job, and I usually spend most of my free time either programming or drawing, but I still have those headcanons floating around. I did consider eventually changing the name and description for Sandbar's essay to be a more general Young Six story, with a chapter dedicated to each character's "origin story" as it were, but I think I'll leave it as it is.
Funnily enough, I feel almost the exact same way. I think part of the reason why is that the show's characters and the settings they inhabit are very versatile. They have their big save-the-world type stuff, but when it comes down to it, the show's about a group of friends going about their lives, discovering new things, and passing those discoveries on to others. Fanfic-wise, there are a lot of open avenues readily available to explore.
Want them to go save the world? They can go save the world. Want them to just drink some tea and chat with each other? It's right there in the manual.
Just my random thoughts.
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Yeah, MLP appears to be one of those shows with a malleable environment, it has a lot of elements that more open to interpretation so I guess it's easier to be inspired to fill in the blanks yourself.
I agree that MLP has very versatile characters to work with. Always seems that there’s an infinite number of possibilities to explore and I think the fact that Equestria is such a vast world helps with this.
I’ve never considered the effect the Young 6 may have had on fans that got into MLP in more recent years and I find your perspective very interesting. I’m excited to see what awesome stuff you come up with in the future!