MLP Fandom Taboos

[Tel Locus 34]

When I started the Fandom I joined an MLP FOE site and I was alerted on a few Taboos, Some of which didn't make sense to me. Is there a clear list of what and what not to talk about in the fic. I'm certain that all fandoms have their controversies (Han shot first) but I would have assumed that a fanbase like this that has so much room for open creativity would allow creative liberties that don't conflict with what has been established Canon. So I guess the question is along the lines of What as a newer brony should I not talk about and distance myself from? The ones I do about is Alicorn OC's, Mention of Pegacorns, and HIE. But I'm sure there is more. 

[Tonyan 122]

-"HIE / Human in Equestria" stories are fine, usually as long as they're not the typical romance theme.
-Clop fics are obviously taboo for most of the fandom in general, and people prefer to pass it under the rug and forget about it as much as possible.

-Alicorns OC's are usually forbidden, but can be OKAY... But don't make them the typical bad OC being overpowered (more powerful than Celestia, Luna, Cadenza and Twilight together) and that doesn't have a credible and proper backstory if the OC is an Alicorn.
 

You'll have to put a lot of thought in the backstory of the OCs in order to make it have the possibility, I say POSSIBILITY, that it COULD be a cannoned character implemented in the show, in a proper way.

 

That's all I know about.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Tonyan

[Dark Bun 681]

I honestly don't think its the existence of Alicorns that upsets people. It's that a lot of them are terrible or are completely unoriginal and generic

 

The vocal minority of bronies just don't like bad ideas to be tossed around over and over, because seeing it over and over is frustrating. Of course that doesn't justify being a dick about it, but it;s understandable.

 

Don't worry about what other people think. Don't worry about offending people over small things that have to do with ponies.

 

My advice: Say what you want. And say it confidently.

[SugarfootWillie 383]

I didn't even know taboos existed in this fandom considering I've seen a niche for everything listed thus far. If I had to speculate a taboo though I could see going against the teachings of the Elements of Harmony as being one.

[Guest]

If we're talking fanfictions? Mostly it's avoiding genres and story groups that are usually plagued with ridiculously uncreative content. Even if you think your idea in those stories is super original, you're going to have to fight against people who won't even give it a chance out of the gate and a lot of those story groups are actually VERY hard to make something original and not ridiculous.

 

Story groups that are nearly impossible to make something that people will consider universally great are:

 

• Clop. It's VERY VERY VERY hard to get a clop story to be taken seriously beyond clop fans. You're already working against the fact that a lot of them are just meant to fill weird fantasies and people are going to assume yours is no different.
• Human in Equestria. It's a pretty difficult genre to nail, and after My Little Dashie people seem to think that it's a "great" genre, but you have to read between the lines. While My Little Dashie was "successful" you have to look at the people who liked it. Most of them have little commentary besides "It's so sad!" and "I cried!" no REAL feedback. The people who give actual feedback to stories generally hate My Little Dashie and as time has gone on a lot more people are seeing how flawed it is. Human in Equestria often comes off to the readers as a self insert story which very few people want to read.
• Overdone crossovers. While everyone and their grandmother wants to do a Fallout Equestria spin off, to be perfectly honest it's unoriginal and almost everything has been done at this point. We're basically at the point where any "great" Fallout Equestria spin offs that are going to be mainstream already are. Not to mention it's kind of lazy to just use Kkat's already built universe instead of trying to make your own.
• Cupcakes spin offs. They generally don't work.
• Making a story that is a sequel/spinoff/retelling/reimagining of a popular story. It just comes off as coat tailing off of the success of others.
• Alicorn centric stories. If you're doing an origin for Celestia and Luna that's one thing, but making unique characters that are Alicorns generally doesn't bode well. Not to say it can't be done skillfully, but it's VERY difficult to make them come off not as mary sues without looking like you're trying too hard to make them not come off as mary sues.

Stories that can work but you need to be very careful on how you execute them:

 

• Original character centric stories. If your characters are not flat, and are distinct they can definitely be fun to read about.
• Alternate universe. You have to make sure to borrow enough to where it's believable, but not so much to where it feels exactly the same but 1 or 2 things changed for your own convenience.
• Violence. A lot of people are strictly against it, but it CAN be done in a way that feels natural and is entertaining. So long as it's not just violent for the sake of being so.
• Shipping. This one is hit or miss. Some people go crazy over it, others despise it. You have to be very careful and find the perfect balance.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

@@Tel Locus

 

As this topic deals with a fandom-related question it has been moved to Sugarcube Corner.

 

Thanks.

[Tel Locus 34]

Thanks Pathfinder, and everyone for answering. From what I'm seeing it's not the actual concepts that are bad it's just the overwhelming delivery of them in terms of writing. So it doesn't really matter what is done so long as the concept is original, well thought out, and overall done well.

 

Or am I misreading that into it being a thing of it's been done so badly in the past that any mention of it brings back traumatic memories for the fandom (star wars again Jar Jar Binks or mitoclorians)

 

Am I right in either assumption?

[Guest]

Thanks Pathfinder, and everyone for answering. From what I'm seeing it's not the actual concepts that are bad it's just the overwhelming delivery of them in terms of writing. So it doesn't really matter what is done so long as the concept is original, well thought out, and overall done well.

 

Or am I misreading that into it being a thing of it's been done so badly in the past that any mention of it brings back traumatic memories for the fandom (star wars again Jar Jar Binks or mitoclorians)

 

Am I right in either assumption?

A little of both is correct. A lot of bad executions have left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths and because of that people instantly assume anything to do with those concepts will be equally as bad. Thus making it harder to win people over. ANYTHING in theory can be done amazingly if done correctly, but some stuff will always be harder than others to pull off.