Signal Boost: Mason

Y’all probably saw this one in the feature box, but it’s my duty to signal boost it anyway.

It’s about building a wall, and if the roles were reversed, it’d be a shoo-in for the Not-A-Contest. Good thing that Level Dasher was clever enough to create the group with a ‘nearly a not-a-contest fic’ folder.

EMason

• MLP: FiM
• Slice of Life

Today, you're watching your neighbor build a wall. Maybe today, he'll be your friend. And maybe today will last forever.

• Second Person
• Human
• Twilight
• Self Insert

Odd_Sarge · 1000 words  ·  206  5 · 2.2k views

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It’s the essence of everything I love in a slice of life, and what I like about working ponies, or in this case a working human. No big conflicts, just a guy building a wall.

If you like Slice of Life and Not-A-Contest (and if you don’t, why the heck are you following me?), this story is well worth the read.

Source

The story was written for Bicyclette’s 1000 word contest ; y’all should check that out, too. I’ll be honest, I was thinking of entering with a slice of life, but looks like if I do I’ll have some serious competition.

Comments

[Admiral Biscuit]

Y’all might note that I’ve used that picture (or the other one in the series) before; turns out there just aren’t that many pictures on Derpi with ponies building walls.

Shame, really.

[Odd_Sarge]

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I appreciate it. I'm really glad you enjoyed it, and hope more do, too.

In the last boost you gave me, I dropped off some fun facts, but I don't quite have much to offer this time. Hopefully this will do:

- The wall featured in the cover is mine, and yes, I have touched every single one of those bricks.
- The idea of Twilight and a bricklayer interacting came up three years ago when the planning/ordering process for the wall was in progress.
- The wall itself has progressed quite a bit—my dad and I have been at it for a while—and we have done more than just fifty hooves.
- In terms of how many personal truths are in here? Well, it's a self-insert, and while not everything is exactly accurate, there are quite a few happy coincidences sprinkled throughout the story. I put most of my work into bringing back those early season memories, though.

But really, the story was fun to get out of idea purgatory.

I was thinking of entering with a slice of life

You still should. After all, your stuff has had no small influence on the style I'm developing today. Always love to see more from you, man.

I'm tired, haha. The week's been pretty productive (both horseword and wall-wise), and I'm grateful for all the opportunities as of late. Thanks for reading!

[Reese]

I'm rather behind at the moment, but I'll put it on some lists; thanks. :)

[Admiral Biscuit]

5649954

But really, the story was fun to get out of idea purgatory.

Sometimes that’s the most important things. I’ve had a few ideas I need to get out of my head for one reason or another, and it’s always nice to hit the publish button and let it out in the wild. Some of them very much inspired by work or other IRL events.

You still should. After all, your stuff has had no small influence on the style I'm developing today. Always love to see more from you, man.

I may or may not; either way, I’ve got a few more stories planned regarding working ponies. Interestingly, considering your story Sandpiper, one of them involves a pony operating a wheel loader at a quarry.

I'm tired, haha. The week's been pretty productive (both horseword and wall-wise), and I'm grateful for all the opportunities as of late. Thanks for reading!

[Admiral Biscuit]

5650001
It’s a good one, and not too long.