A discussion: To what extent is the content of your stories completely original? - The Writers' Group

TheMajorTechie #1 · Sep 15th, 2019 · 3 · ·

Just a bit of a discussion piece. Though I've been writing less and less on Fimfic for the past couple months, I still do sit down and add a couple paragraphs or so to a story. Most of the time now, I've been working on original fiction, and though I only started doing so last summer, I've noticed in the meantime that it's begun to heavily influence just about all of my current stories.

So, in general, how original is the content of your stories? To make things easier, I'll just use a sort of basic ranking system. You can add explanation as well if you'd like.

Fully canon. All characters and locations are from the show, comics, or other official media. The plot and lore are based off of official episodes, often times with minor changes.

Mostly canon. Characters and locations are still canon, but the story itself focuses on things that MLP itself might not have much content in, such as an increased focus on magic systems, or certain species, for example. The plot may often tie in with episodes for parity.

Somewhat canon. OCs are used, though are often based on background characters. Most of the time, the main character is a canon pony. Some original settings may be introduced, but are based heavily on existing locations. Lore and plot tend to still relate somewhat to official media.

Kinda canon. Increased emphasis on OCs, with OCs sometimes being main characters. Canon characters and settings are used just to tie together more original sections of the story, acting as sort of in-betweens between characters, or meeting points, respectively. Canon locations are often used as landmarks for reference, and while lore remains mostly rooted in canon media, the plot may wildly differ from anything seen in episodes or comics.

That place between canon and original. OCs often outnumber canon characters and are commonly main characters. There are roughly an equal amount of canon and original settings used, and the lore, while still kind of rooted in canon, tends to have many bits and pieces added by the author themselves, such as more in-depth magic systems, or a deeper history of Equestria. The plot largely diverges from the episodes and/or comics and only references them every so often.

Pretty original. OCs tend to be the central figures in the story, with canon characters only appearing when needed. Equestria's canon locations are referenced sparingly, with completely different and often foreign settings used instead throughout the story. Official lore and plot is mostly ignored at this point or is relegated to history as long-ago events of the past.

Very original. Canon characters rarely, if ever are even acknowledged. The canon plot of MLP either has been almost entirely ignored or has been cast away as long-forgotten history serving as an underlying basis for a much more fantastical world. Canon locations either do not appear at all or are different to the point of being practically original in comparison to canon.

Mostly original. Not even the mane 6 appear at any time. They are very occasionally referenced, but are practically a drop in a bucket compared to just about anything else in significance. Equestria itself is usually fundamentally different, whether it be in a different era of technology, a different time period, or otherwise nearly unrecognizable unless stated specifically. If it isn't mentioned, then canon locations are almost always either forgone completely, or in complete ruins. As for lore, forget about the show. The story's basically written by someone who's never heard of MLP outside of random quips from a friend.

So original that you had to force pony into it just to pass moderation. Not only are OCs common, but 50-75% of the time they aren't even ponies. The Princesses of Equestria are basically the final link to any canon characters. Equestria itself has either been completely annihilated or effectively just doesn't exist anymore. Lore and plot were probably recycled from an original fiction that the author was writing before they decided to make horsewords out of it.

Not allowed on Fimfiction. Ponies? What are ponies? What does MLP stand for? On, My Little Pony? Isn't that that one show that little kids and a buttload of teens and adults like to watch? Wait, what am I doing on this site? I should probably get back to writing my novel or something.

Trancended reality. You have created your own universe IRL and we are all just figments of your imagination. MLP is your own creation made to play the minds of hundreds upon thousands of people in your plane of existence.

Ninjadeadbeard

Ninjadeadbeard #2 · Sep 15th, 2019 · 5 · ·

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