Fanfic or Canon?

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

We all know how we love the canon ponies, but so many create OC's which are either underdeveloped or just lazy in attempt(no offense intended. But that's not my point, its all about character presence in the story. Season 1 had its flaws, but hey, nopony is perfect, right? So i'll begin by saying this:

 

I've watched all seasons and have to say i was happy with some and not happy with others, Twilight's confusing ascension to Alicorn Princess was not very well explained, just left more questions. Then comes the Twilight in fanfics; which she seems more focused on as well as the rest of the gang of friends. Be it war story, slice of life or the like. Say what you like about it, fanfics seem to give better appreciation for these ponies than hasbro has. All i see is ponies getting shoehorned left and right in the canon side, while the fimfics go more into that characters past. 

 

I will name one that does this well, and people will probably disagree with me; but to hay with it: "Past Sins", the one story i believe held true to Twilight's personality and didn't try to overdue it. We got to see a side of her that hasbro wouldn't bother to show; a gentle side that we all love. Then there's Nyx, who i adore more than anything; while this story had its OP moments; and some questionable ones it also proves that Twilight can be more than just a bookworm or whatever else she is called. By the end we get a great ending that was suitable for such a good story overall. Luna gets her powers back and Twilight gets Nyx in return. 

 

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Now another i will speak of is Twilight's Kingdom Part 1: 

 

In this, Twilight is the main focus and doesn't change from it; sure she's a princess, but does that mean you shove all others aside to give just one the spotlight? No, it doesn't, you give all a chance to do something. All we get are Twilight's friends leaving her behind to go deal with the problem themselves; which is questionable. Discord got his fair share of face time as much as Twilight did, but where are the others in this? Off screen doing who knows what, in who knows where. we never see them again until they come back maybe about near the end? The mane 6 are all important and need to be together for the show to have any impact.

 

Development is the key, not just story, i try and learn from my mistakes, but hasbro has not. 

 

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Sorry if i go off a bit, but it just bugs me how much better a fanfic is than the actual show. You got plotholes in both, but they are fixed by character development and story combined. We even get to know what the background ponies might be like, heck, i even love seeing some get the spotlight once in a while. Take braeburn for example:

 

In the fic "Ain't Natural" he has a pegasus mare for a lover, but the apple family sees it as a bad thing and tries to change it, even saying this: "We apples are more down to earth." or something along those lines. But in the end, he keeps the pegasus mare; a good ending in my book. 

 

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Now i want you guys to tell me, what makes a good story to you? By that i mean:

 

Being within canon Standards, keeping characters as they are without changing a single aspect of their personality? Let everypony know what you think, i'm willing to lend an ear to you if you so wish, just let it out and make your points valid.

 

So which do you guys prefer, Canon or Fanfics? Also tell why you like the other.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Candy Star

[Dulset Tarn 441]

Um... What are you asking, exactly?

[ArcheoPony 76]

I have to digress to an extent. Up to around Season 3 I had a fair opinion on fanfiction, and would say a lot of stories where even superior to the show in terms of worldbuilding, characterization and development. Sometimes even humor! 

 

But as Season 4 rolled along, I've started to see a decline, and a lot is just poorly thought out, poorly written and/or simply pathetic excuses of self fantasy and/or insertion. And heck, even the comics themselves now feel like this.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

I have to digress to an extent. Up to around Season 3 I had a fair opinion on fanfiction, and would say a lot of stories where even superior to the show in terms of worldbuilding, characterization and development. Sometimes even humor! 

 

But as Season 4 rolled along, I've started to see a decline, and a lot is just poorly thought out, poorly written and/or simply pathetic excuses of self fantasy and/or insertion. And heck, even the comics themselves now feel like this.

I never said they were perfect, while some were bad, there were some good ones as well. But everypony's opinion is of equal value to me; so thanks for your thought on the matter.

Um... What are you asking, exactly?

I'm asking for your thoughts on both sides.

[MysticShine 529]

I have to digress to an extent. Up to around Season 3 I had a fair opinion on fanfiction, and would say a lot of stories where even superior to the show in terms of worldbuilding, characterization and development. Sometimes even humor! 

 

But as Season 4 rolled along, I've started to see a decline, and a lot is just poorly thought out, poorly written and/or simply pathetic excuses of self fantasy and/or insertion. And heck, even the comics themselves now feel like this.

FIMFiction is an extremely corrupt place because of this. I could half-ass a story and get 500 upvotes in an hour. I usually like to read stories with a well written OC cast, because anything with the main cast is usually utterly obnoxious at this point.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

FIMFiction is an extremely corrupt place because of this. I could half-ass a story and get 500 upvotes in an hour. I usually like to read stories with a well written OC cast, because anything with the main cast is usually utterly obnoxious at this point.

People ask me why i do it with oc's only, and that mostly the reason why. You only find some that accurately do it right.

[Dulset Tarn 441]

I'm asking for your thoughts on both sides.

Thoughts on both sides of what?

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

The difference between the show and the fanfics, while the show keeps to an slice of life style story; the fanfics go into other areas.

[Dulset Tarn 441]

I don't really see what you're asking, but I'd say that the fact so many episodes (and movies) are worse than fanfiction lately just proves that these paid writers aren't doing their job.

[Gildarts 54]

A show written by people who know what they're doing or fan fics written by this fandom? I'll chose canon.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

Ok, let's put it this way, which do you prefer, Canon or Fanfic?

[Castle Bleck 19,453]

Depends on whichever insults my intelligence less.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

FIMFiction is an extremely corrupt place because of this. I could half-ass a story and get 500 upvotes in an hour. I usually like to read stories with a well written OC cast, because anything with the main cast is usually utterly obnoxious at this point.

I wouldn't go calling people idiots, just because of a story. But yes, while i do see your point; there are some that i can enjoy. 

[Dulset Tarn 441]

FIMFiction is an extremely corrupt place because of this. I could half-ass a story and get 500 upvotes in an hour. I usually like to read stories with a well written OC cast, because anything with the main cast is usually utterly obnoxious at this point.

Case in point, the IDW comics!

[Castle Bleck 19,453]

@@Dulset Tarn,

 

Please refrain from reminding me (Reflections; The Good, The Bad And The Ponies; etc. *Shudder.*), thank you.

Edited March 1, 2015 by A.V.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

@@Dulset Tarn,

 

Please refrain from reminding me (Reflections; The Good, The Bad And The Ponies; etc. *Shudder.*), thank you.

And let's say if, and that's if anyone managed to make a good one, would you still hate it? 

[Castle Bleck 19,453]

And let's say if, and that's if anyone managed to make a good one, would you still hate it? 

 

I actually like the comics in general; I was just pointing out some bad eggs.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

I actually like the comics in general; I was just pointing out some bad eggs.

I know, i've seen some pretty bad grammar, heck even i make that mistake from time to time. I just find myself trying to improve and learn what not to do; sure i;ve made a few bad ones, but who says i can't learn and get better? Even other people could try and not get angry over their stories getting criticized, i even told one his wasn't very good, and he exploded me.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Candy Star

[ArcheoPony 76]

People ask me why i do it with oc's only, and that mostly the reason why. You only find some that accurately do it right.

 

I personally have no problem with OC stories as long at they aren't shameless self inserts, have decent designs and believable settings and backstories. I know I've read a few stories centered around characters like that, that where pretty great. 

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

I personally have no problem with OC stories as long at they aren't shameless self inserts, have decent designs and believable settings and backstories. I know I've read a few stories centered around characters like that, that where pretty great. 

So what makes it a self insert?

[ArcheoPony 76]

So what makes it a self insert?

 

When you're making it entirely "yourself" without taking into account the workings of the world.

 

A pony called Chelsea, who works at Hot Topic, loves Homestuck and listens to Linkin Park would never be close to existing in canon.

 

 

Now a pony called Safe Guard, who works the midnight shift guarding the Canterlot Archives, is kid of a scardy horse and goes out on Thursdays to eat at Donut Joe's is a little more believable.

[Castle Bleck 19,453]

A pony called Chelsea, who works at Hot Topic, loves Homestuck and listens to Linkin Park would never be close to existing in canon.

 

Did someone actually create her?

[ArcheoPony 76]

Did someone actually create her?

God no, it's just an example out of the top of my head. But there are some worse than that out on DeviantArt.

[Tom Snyder 4,113]

God no, it's just an example out of the top of my head. But there are some worse than that out on DeviantArt.

I don't like the ones if they put themselves into it, really kills it. But doing the romance thing between a human and pony is just...Bleh.

[Castle Bleck 19,453]

But doing the romance thing between a human and pony is just...Bleh.

 

I'd personally prefer to be transformed before attempting that, if it was me.