As I said, a Big Mac shipping fic, testing out conceivable ships between him and just about everypony. Mane6 - AJ are of course involved, as well as Cheerilee.
Read to discover what it's about. I'm not going to tell you more here.
Oh, and I apologize for the rather contrived prologue. Getting a quiet character like Big Mac to move through the story of his own accord wasn't working, so Granny Smith gives him a kick in the right direction.
This story will go on for a while. Some of the later chapters will feature background characters in star roles, and later on, OCs will be involved as well, including a comedy chapter focusing on bad OCs.
If you want to nominate a background character, OC, or bad OC for appearance in this story, PM me.
Chapters (1)
I expect interesting things from this fic.
Great flow with this story. Mac needing a little push is a totally believable thing. I can also see Mac having a sense of duty to the whole courting thing as well, but he would never just get married for the purpose of getting married though. You get a thumbs up my friend.
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And I hope to provide interesting things in this fic.
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I'm glad you like it! And I'm even happier that the contrived beginning is understandable. My first story (Granted, written at age 10) was horribly contrived, and ever since that has been my biggest fear in any story I write.
I love where this is going. I'd love love LOVE to see more.
Very well done.
I like it so far
I cant wait till you come out with the next chapter
Cant wait to see what you have in store for this fic. looks interesting so far.
This seems pretty good. Can't wait to see exactly what happens next. Are you going to go through lots of pairs? If so, it'd be cool to see
or even 
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Lots of pairs is the point. I plan to try out just about every conceivable pairing. In fact, I plan to have more than I already have planned. This will mean, once I'm a bit further along, I'll be taking requests for side and background ponies, followed by OCs, and maybe even a special chapter for bad OCs. FlutterMac and TwiMac are certainly going to be included. Twilight is chapter three, Fluttershy is chapter eight.
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Though it would be neat to see Mac actually end up with Shy or Twi, but I bet this story is awesome the entire way through. Love the concept and everything. :D I look forward to an update.
I'll keep the ending under my hat for now, but don't give up on either of those eventualities. His final choice will be influenced by events around him, a sort of subtle Deus ex Machina.
Nice setup.
Interesting that you're going with a patrilineal tradition. MlP always struck me as leaning towards Matriarchy, at least in Ponyville, and at the top... Though come to think of it, most high to mid level authority does seem to be stations...hmm, there may be a short story in there on it's own...
Err, too far off topic. Cool story
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I just go with the Great Wars theory. It seems to explain the lack of stallions, while still allowing me to keep it patriarchal.
1195862 Works for me
Two years since H and H, so... Post Changelings then?
Interesting concept...
You could go several ways with this--not all of them good....
It appears as though you already have the ending in mind,but if you're taking suggestions...
1. Please, please, please, for-the-love-of-all-that's-holy-and-sane do NOT make this one of those creepy incest/gay ship-fics! I've been assiduously trying to avoid those since I started anonymously lurking here awhile back! (You'd be surprised where those can pop up) With your premise, it sounds impossible, so I think I'm safe, but I've been unpleasantly surprised before *shudder*... I usually avoid the Romance tag for that reason. Whatever you may or may not think of my preceding opinion, one thing you may/may not know yet about this site is that there seems to be a disproportionately small number of well-done straight ship-fics here as opposed to the gay/lesbian/incestuous type. I'd try my hand at it myself if I felt like I could do it justice, but a badly written romance-fic is far worse than having none at all, so acknowledging my own limitations, I'll leave those to the more knowledgeable/braver souls, such as yourself. :)
2. I personally would be utterly delighted to see someone do something subtle, like have the mare Mac finally chooses be someone who has quietly been lurking in the background as he goes through each of his disastrous/hilarious attempts at courting various mares that are simply not right for him--without pushing herself forward, just waiting, watching, and patiently being there for him.
3. Finally, remember that you can't please everybody. Write this the way you would like--and just expect flack from those who won't like the direction you take (even if that means going against my own above suggestions
Though, if you're going in the direction I advised against in #1, I'd appreciate a PM advance notice. 
)
Clear as mud? Good. Happy to be of assistance
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Actually, as I've been wrestling with the conclusion to chapter two, I'm finding myself having trouble deciding the conclusion.
As to concern #1, you have absolutely no need for concern. I base all my shippings off of logical step by step extrapolation of how the character behaves, and what kind of a partner they would wish for. In Mac's case, I am absolutely positive he is not homosexual. I could probably give an essay length post on just why, giving specific examples to facial expressions and behaviors over the course of the show, and perhaps I will, in a blog post, but not here. As for the incestuous, I assure you, none of the readily available Apple family are right for Mac either, I just don't specify an entire chapter to explaining why.
#2, I actually quite like that idea as well, but as I want to keep it a surprise, having a specific character show up casually in every chapter is less subtle than it seems. This is especially true, since this is written from first person, so Mac would have to notice them every time I wrote them in. I will certainly try to put ponies in the background, which may or may not at times include his soul mate in them, but that's just a basic part of including background ponies.
#3, oh yeah, no need to preach to this choir. I'm expecting a few irritated readers after I finish chapter two. The whole meaning of this fic is to shred apart the ships that I believe simply don't work, flack is a natural by-product of such an endeavor.
And mud can only hope to be as obfuscating as your writing.
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It was a tongue-in-cheek compliment, rather akin to "clear as mud"
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I got that, yes. What I meant however was that if I'm going to be writing stories on here, obfuscation is a Very. Bad. Thing. (tm)
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Eh, I like to read obfuscating things. Probably one of the reasons I find more good books in an antique store than a book store...
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Bless you, sir! I can (almost) write those in my sleep, and I thoroughly enjoy them myself (I was beginning to think I was the last of my kind...)
It is the ones which are attractive to the majority of modern audiences which are difficult, and require the majority of my time and effort.
Are we going to get an update on this soon...
...or have you cut it adrift?
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I'm very sorry. This past week I began college, so work has been difficult. That combined with the insufferably vicious writer's block that Chapter 2 has cast before me makes my hopes bleak.
But, I assure you, I am trying to complete chapter two, and when I am satisfied, I will commence to work on chapter 3.
1320874 I'd be more than happy to
assaultassist you with an endless barrage of scenes and scenariosDon't sweat the production time, we'll wait... ... ...