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Estee
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I'd say no.
I'd say more thought provoking than controversial; though, admittedly, I haven't read them all.
Objectively. Seeing as some people have dared to have opinions other than my own (obviously objectively correct) opinions, there is disagreement and thus controversy.
Your stories are the best kind of art: they hold up fantasy as a reflection of the truth.
The truth always causes controversy.
I would say that they are, if not particularly controversial, controversially particular.
Not to me. Unless you want controversy, for some reason, in which case we can have a controversy over whether or not they are controversial, I guess?
"Thought-provoking" and "not to everyone's tastes" I would agree on, however. (They are to my tastes, which is of course the important thing.
)
I'd say they're generally not. Despite your assertions to the contrary, I don't see people arguing much over either the contents or the quality of your work.
I've never seen them as such, but I imagine people who take extreme offense to extensive AUs might have reason to complain.
They've certainly sparked debates. Your takes on and presentations of some characters offer textbook cases of headcanon friction. (At times, I've actually found myself disappointed by canon because of how it doesn't line up with the Continuum.) And the Secret is definitely a sore spot for some. But it seems like the contentious bits are more the setting and character details than the plots themselves. I'd say your stories are less controversial than your settings.
Some are not to my tastes, but that's my personal preferences. Isn't the purpose of writing to be thought provoking? The stories of yours that I have read are well written and enjoyable.
I personally have never found your stories disagreeable or felt the need to argue a point in the comments.
But you certainly can't deny they don't often provoke debate; even when you would never guess what the comments latched onto this time.
Fanfiction is a place to explore, and to twist the cannon into new fun possibilities...some people cant accept the twisting of cannon...it makes them upset...fanfiction fans and comic book fans have a large overlap overall lol. But as much as you get flack for artisitic choices and cannon divergences by such people...i feel the subject matters you delve into, while often quite serious and thought provoking, have never been controversial...so keep doing what you do best, and ill be happy to keep reading
I was going to say they were contentious, not controversial, but I looked it up and they're the same thing. Then I thought thought-provoking, but everything promotes thought, except for perhaps cheese. And provoking is one of those words we're not supposed to use.
So I have a term that I'll coin myself: Rock-turning.
No, seriously. When we see a rock, most of us admire the lichen growing on it, see how nature has shaped the curves through erosion, wonder how it got there, and consider taking it home to put in the garden in exactly the same orientation it is now. Estee sees a rock, says, "What's underneath that thing?" and promptly flips it over to expose all the dirt and wriggly things, as well as the side of the rock that hasn't been toasted by the sun and rain, but looks much like it did when the rock was put there. In a way, we are shown the true rock that lies behind our first perception of the rock, giving us a greater understanding of the rock in toto.
I have troubles.
Disney called DW.
I never really thought of them as such. Like, seriously, your stories are thought-provoking and organic, ask some surprising questions and offer an alternative take on a sugar-coated timeline that I don't think anyone's really done before. But controversial? Not to me.
Everything is controversial.
What really matters is the level of degree people respond to them.
If you like it, cool.
If you don't, then why the hell are you reading it?
Probably over thinking it to most people. But this is how I view controversial topics. Topics heavily dependent though.
id call your stories intriguing, although I've only read 4 of them and im getting through triptych at a snails pace
They are not controversial. Though I will say sometimes the commentary gets in the way of the story, and sometimes it feels out of character for your version of the characters. (This is not to say I nessacrily disagree with the commentary or think that fiction should not sometimes if not most of the time be commentary in nature. I just disagree with how it's handled alot)
Not really ... they're thought-provoking, deep, and touch on a wide variety of themes that sometimes strike a nerve, but you're not anywhere near controversial. That said, you could probably start some controversy fairly easily if you wanted to.
Discussion, debate, discourse!
I say yes, but in a good way.
The controversy is nigh-purely to do with the story itself, rather than you implicitly or explicitly supporting some thing outside the text. (Not that such meaning can’t be read, but that’s not what is being argued about.)
The controversy is nigh-purely something in the story. That means you grabbed your readers and you shook them all about. And that’s good writing is what that is.
Internally? Definitely, but that conflict is what drives stories. Externally? Not so much, many of the topics you work with or go over simply don't apply outside of your canon's universe. Are there parallels? Sure, but they aren't very severe. The most poignant would probably be the two divides that the 'press' expresses, but seeing as you tend to run the middle ground between two extreme caricatures it's hard to get overly invested in that dynamic.
I mean is that within your AU space, many of the stories and concepts discussed would probably be controversial to others within that frame of reference, to us? Not so much. I mean, the concept of the earth ponie's 'Secret', the stresses over marks, or tribal interactions especially the idea of children being cross tribe doesn't really apply to Humanity as a whole. Not to say humanity can't be tribal or racist (haha....) but it's only a very loose comparison to the very real differences between tribes/races in Equestria.
No they are not. Thought provoking yes.
I’m inclined to say no. I think FanOfMostEverything put it well: there’s controversy over certain interpretations or depictions (i.e. the CMC) as opposed to the show or other headcanons. However, this does not apply to your internal consistency, dialogue, plot, etc. With, of course, the exception of narration, which people either love or hate, but even then I’d say that’s small potatoes because the latter aren’t invested and not really upset that they hate your narration, as opposed to those who do like it but hate The Secret or how you handled the CMC, and since they are invested they’re willing to spend a lot of time and ink arguing or, once in a blue moon, debating over these and other aspects of the Triptych-verse and their implications.
I think your stories definitely contain controversial elements - I've seen many a debate in the comments - but I think that individual elements don't make a controversial story on their own. I think for the story/ies to count as controversial, there has to be a large and inescapable element that inspires controversy; something that is essential to the story and could not be substituted or changed without completely changing everything else to suit.
For example, Harry Potter inspired some mild controversy because of the conservative reaction to witchcraft - that was the whole setting. Huckleberry Finn and a number of books still regarded as controversial are often regarded as such because of their themes - what they say about the human condition and whatnot (this is not a book report pls nobody quiz me on what the themes were)
I don't recall the plot or themes of your stories ever being the center of an argument - maybe I missed it, but on that front I'd say your stories aren't controversial, except for maybe in that some of them rely on The Secret, which is one of your more controversial takes.
On the other hand, these are Fanfiction aimed at an adult audience for a small children's cartoon - there's like eight controversies in that alone. By the definition of setting, all of your stories on this site are controversial.
Eh. I mean, in that controversy pops up, sure. There's always a lot to talk about and they generate passion. But it's not like the Arctypist or something. (I still maintain that it's the best horror story I've ever read. The author really wants us to think it's open-ended.)
Entertaining? Always.
Thought provokingRock-turning (thanks Georg)? Usually.Sometimes unconventional? Certainly.
Controversial? I'd say no, at the very least in the "stirs up (negative) controversy" sense. Stories cause people to discuss things - at least good stories do - and human nature means that there will be different viewpoints, but I'd see this as a positive point, not a negative one.
5381932
The new actor play DW has some great line reads. I was skeptical when they replaced Jim Cummings but Iike the new guy.
They still haven't played the theme song
Though the intro card reminded me of the way the Legally-distinct-from-Astroboy episode started... I wonder if they're setting up multiple spin-off shows?
Mildly disappointed they didn't do a Gravity Falls reference when they mess with dimensions, given how similar the situation was and how reference-heavy Ducktales is... but I guess it's limited to the Afternoon stuff. Still think it'd be epic if they brought Bill back in a show besides GF.
Still can't get over the fact that Drake is friends with Fenton but still hates Gizmoduck.
Goz and Webby are going to meet, and there's going to be blood. I don't know in what form or whose, but it'll happen.
5382001
Strong Agree.
Estee has a unique voice. I can almost always tell an Estee story if I am just randomly clicking on my read later list. Maybe it wasn't my favourite when I first encountered it, but its grown on me, and now its familiar, like a comfy couch.
There are, perhaps, worldbuilding questions. Like, the sisters are clearly good, mostly competent, fairly powerful, and well respected. Its hard to imagine this version of Equestria being as... depressing? as it is. But I suspect that's partly due to Estee being an American
But the stories themselves have a recurring theme of small victories. I like it
By technicality, any work of fan fiction is controversial due to IP issues so by definition everyone here is taking part of something controversial.
But more specifically Estee's works are controversial because they openly talk about controversial subjects. Racism is a recurring theme. As is suicide. Anything dealing with Celestia is dealing with politics and we can all agree how controversial politics are. Gentle Delivery is a controversial character and it looks like Starlight Glimmer will shape up to be the same. Heck, Estee's written some NSFW stories as well which compounds it.
But because these are all things that are hard to talk about, I greatly appreciate that you do write them, Estee. Sure they can hit a little close to home, but often that is just what is needed. You don't take the easy route and only write about what's safe. And including these topic so adds so much depth to your world.
5381932
(Rewatching) Bradford is a really famn good villian
I wouldn't say so, though you do often go over topics most would be uncomfortable touching, as well as your stories being at times unconventional, and also well written
5382038
I'm quite inclined to agree with gmoyes.
You are not controversial in the sense that you're inflammatory, radical, or blatantly offensive. You're more realistic and less rosy interpretation of Equestria could be a little off-putting to folks who come to fandom as an escape from our real world. However, I think that less-than-ideal-world interpretation is what makes your stories unique, interesting, and worth reading. You present a political system, psychology, and world so different from our own (magical ponies aside) while still keeping some very human traits.
On the note of uncomfortable topics, you may make some readers uncomfortable by holding up a literary mirror to them. Those unreasonable snobby customers Rarity has to deal with, while hopefully a bit exaggerated, does mirror the behavior of many people. They may see themselves in that mirror and dislike doing so. I don't that is a bad thing necessarily. It's reflections like these that help us grow.
All in all, I think you're doing a good job Estee. Especially given your circumstances. Keep on rocking!
Rife with conflict, tension, and inner turmoil? Yes.
Controversial? Nah. Unless sensitivity filters are set to 11. Then... perhaps.
Among Bronies who have read them? Some are.
In the larger world? Even in the Sci-fi community, you just aren't prominent enought to be controversial.
5381931
I am going to heartily disagree with you.
There exist cheeses that provoke a lot of thought. For example: which cheese is made backwards?
(There are also solid cheeses, liquid cheeses, and one variety of cheese that needs to be eaten by maggots at one point during the manufacture... I've never heard of a gaseous cheese, largely because I imagine there'd be some trouble keeping it on the plate, but I imagine that a dedicated cheesesmith could probably figure that one out...)
5382133
This doesn't even get into the topics of animal abuse and veganism. If you dig deep enough, anything can be considered controversial.
5382133
Does you considered personalized cheese to be gaseous? Also, what kind of cheese is liquid?
5381917
As someone who got into the series via fanfiction, and read a great deal of it before I caught up to the show, I sometimes have a hard time remembering the difference between what's canon and what's from the first few authors I read (mostly Estee and Georg).
Estee's work also has that strange quality I think is best described at the top of the user page: " idyllically cynical". MLP isn't a very cynical setting and so Estee doesn't always have the tone people are looking for in a MLP fanfic, so it's very easy to focus on that and miss the "idyllically" modifier. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, but I can understand if someone did not find it to their taste.
5381931
Oh. Dang. "Rock-turning" is a really good way to put it
Mind if I steal that phrase?
Well if you are asking...
I wouldn't really call your stories controversial, though I would certainly say that some of them aren't all they could be. If not for the main plots themselves, then instead smaller details that drag the rest of the works down. Doesn't mean I don't still like them in spite of that though.
There was a scifi webcomic that started decades ago which had a recurring joke species for the first couple or three years. Mass cloned attorney drones that were literal snakes in suits with a tie, devoid of personality, and just stereotypes of lawyers in general. Loosely speaking, they showed up anytime there was some legal related snag for the main characters, and the joke was that they'd promptly get vaporized or eaten because 'Ha ha Lawyer Drone'. The comic was better after they were dropped.
That feels like your Pony Reporters sometimes. It also feels like various other side characters or antagonist types that have very one note personalities.
I personally haven't read your Canterlot Deportation series either, but that's because those seem at a glance more of a 'take that' at a bunch of terrible human related pony fanfiction throughout the years instead of a story I'd prefer to read.
But that's more like saying why read anything TCB/anon self inserts/displaced when one could read superior stories like Arrow 18/Stardust/Falling Stars/Farmer Bruener/Iron Hearts or even your Monster Girl/Harry Potter/Mario stories, etc. (we totally need a followup on those someday :V)
Is saying you've written better(and still do) a controversy? Dunno.
But this is the internet. Controversy is free advertisement. I didn't even find out about FIM until I saw some people acting like insane lunatics in their frothing-at-the-mouth crusade against a cartoon.
It depends on your take of the TV series finale. I came across a mention of Triptych while in a flame war on some other story in FimFiction. Apparently there is a commentator asking for a petition to have season 9 declared non-canon due to the finale. One of the arguments was that the characters were non realistic and suffered no consequences to their actions. Triptych was brought up as an argument that there were authors who portrayed characters realistically. This is likely where you are being dragged in on as a controversial author. I can’t remember the story offhand, but it involves Cozy Glow and she and her eventual fate are very controversial.
I mostly just read your comedy because it brightens my day, but people will argue over anything they don't agree with or would do differently if they were writing it, so like, idk.
To me? Not really. In general? If so, I would peg it on the fact that the stories have a very strong and loyal fan base which I guess invites certain personalities to hold some kind of grudge against them when they’re not to their tastes. I’m not sure how controversial an unpopular work can be... at least one that’s not just outright bait. They tend to just be dismissed and forgotten.
That said, I personally don’t travel in any circles where I’ve seen controversy over your stories, so the only disagreements I’m aware of are the ones in the comments, and they seem to be specific and limited.
5381932. 5382023
I loved the slow build up to the new Darkwing, and yesterday’s episode was a real treat! So many Easter Eggs... (I didn’t even know about the “Fluppy Dogs”.). Now bring on Morgana Macawber in a Lena/Magica episode. I’m personally fine if they never get around to reintroducing Darkwing’s suburban neighbors.
5382278
Did anyone else notice Bonkers in this episode?
5382289
I never really watched Bonkers, but I definitely recognized him. As I said, I’d never even heard of the “Fluppy Dogs”, so that one sailed right by me. I don’t know how many Disney Afternoon shows could still possibly be tied into this new Ducktales universe.
Controversial is not a word I'd use to describe your stories, generally. Oh, there's a few delicious plot twists from time to time, or cliffhanger endings, or characters going out of the boundaries we'd mentally drawn for them, and occasionally, the carpet gets pulled out from under the viewer expectations and we get to enjoy the sudden feelings of our preconceived notions being shattered.
That's not controversial. That's just good writing.
5381931
I was going to post a picture of an angry Wallace, since I know he'd be able to talk about how thought-provoking cheese can be, but damnit I can't find a single image of him visibly angry. I literally searched for pictures of just him frowning and I got like a dozen images before I got ones where he was smiling.
5381932
There were... an unexpected number of feels within this episode. The writing for Ducktales rebooted keeps getting better. Now, about that TaleSpin reboot...
As for the actual topic of this thread: Controversy's where you find it.
5382348 Wallace + cheese = smile
Not exactly an unbiased place to ask. I mean, not only are most -- if not all -- of the people answering fans of the writing that follow you in the first place, but their being here in the first place means they have no objections to a show about a magical land of talking horses, ruled by (demi) goddesses that control the sun and moon, and can actually convert emotions into energy for combat and defense purposes.
I mean if people would have problems with a Christian writer creating a Christian allegory, because it includes talking animals and a witch, then I'm sure there are people that would have problem with MLP in general.
That said, I don't find the stories controversial.
Although some times, they do create a bit of emotional whiplash on a personal level. Something will happen which is funny and entertaining, then will turn sad because of how true it is.
Controversial? I'd have to say yes, but not in the negative way I think you're implying. Your stories certainly can spark debate, discussion and arguments in the comments (so they are definitely controversial), and I know that I want to give several of the characters a good smack on the head ... or worse (*cough* Wordia Spinner *cough*), and some parts of the setting definitely raise my hackles (*cough* the Secret, Cera's royally declared lack of legal protections *cough*), but that's just me. And yet I keep coming back for more, despite my personal issues.
So, yes (again), I think your stories are controversial, but in a way to be proud of and continue with.