OCs can be good. Why do BINOs disagree with that statement?

[EmeraldStar04 250]

And usually, they are. But I've seen a lot of bronies, or rather, BINOs (Brony in name only) claiming that all OCs suck, they're all Sues/Wish-Fulfillment, and other words the whiner learned on TvTropes and practiced in front of a mirror to sound intelligent and authoriative. On Fimfiction, fics starring OCs get hardly any reviews, while generic cliche fluff pieces starring main characters or background characters so popular they might as well be main characters are beloved. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but only when the author has a crapton of followers that'll like anything he/she writes, even the stupidest and most annoying excercises in "This is how meta works, right?" and sycophants desperate to write something in that author's "Verse", even when the "Verse" is just two or three generic headcanons that are no special deal because everyone has them. FIMfiction has a serious problem when it comes to supporting new writers, or writing in general, but that's a topic for another discussion.

 

New characters aren't interesting because wow, look, a new character, let's focus on them and nobody else. New characters are interesting because they change the dynamics of a series, you see other characters react to them and interact with them. New characters don't take attention away from canon characters because the camera spends time not pointing at your favorite pony, new characters add new opportunities to see something NEW happen to those canon characters and the world you're supposed to love. They open up new opportunities for plots and storylines that wouldn't be possible without them, or without an existing character acting OOC. And the sheer level of anti-OC stuff this fandom has is infuriating! Yes, wow, congratulations, you hate lame HiE stories where everyone loves the hero even though he's a loser, and you hate half-changeling half-Discord's Race half-batpony half-Dragon Griffons called Mary Sue. Have a gold sticker and sit on the big boy table with everyone else who thinks writing a "HiE and badfic sucks lol" fic is a good and constructive way to spend your time.

 

If I was going to make a DBZ OC fighting fangame, I'd know to include Gast, the ultimate Namekian fusion, Xicor, the alternate son of Goku, Zen Buu, the absolute form of a Buu that absorbed everything, SSJ5 Broly, and the fandom would know who they were even if they had no idea which author made them. If I was going to make a Sonic OC fighting fangame, I'd include Nazo, Shadic, etc. I might even include Sonichu as the game's Sandbag or an alternate skin for Sonic, just because it'd be hilarious. If I was going to make a Pokemon OC fighting fangame, I'd have so many Fakemon and original trainers/pokemon teams to choose from, I wouldn't know where to begin. But with this fandom... What are our major OCs? Littlepip, the kinda-flat hero of Fallout Equestria. Blackjack, main character of Falldown Edgelordia: Project Nosmilin's: Sidequest Binge Edition. Flufflepuff, a cute pink furball that's cute but shallow, and... a certain yellow mare only famous for two sorta-big things any OC could have. In fact, I'm working on an OC with bigger ones AND a more interesting gimmick. And... that's it, in the eyes of the fandom at large. Those are our big four OCs. Vaguely-described heroine, edgelord knockoff, cute but shallow, and not-assets. Sure, tons of bronies make OCs, but they're seen as uncool by the Youtube bronies that msake "How to make OCs" vids that claim any kind of competence or interesting-ness makes you an insta-Sue and a good OC is as bland and underdeveloped as the poor analyst's mouthpiece.

 

Why?! We're the bronies! When people doubt us, we break records for charity donations! When people challenge us, we win! When people said you can't like a show for little girls, WE LAUGHED IN THEIR FACES AND SHOWED THE WORLD WE CAN. Where's that brony spirit when it comes to OCs?

 

We have Fallout Equestria. Great. Where are the other Fallout Equestrias? Other 100000+ word fics exist, why don't they get even a quarter of that support or love? Where are the mini-fandoms for the best authors and the bronies that like to read fics featuring OCs?

 

Without the ability to love our OCs and support the authors and artists that make them, this fandom will fall apart and dissolve day by day when the show ends until only small groups of show re-watchers remain. And those groups will fight over things like what season is best, when the show got bad, whether it ever got bad at all, which episode is the best, and so on. Harmony isn't sitting around and hoping harmony isn't destroyed, harmony is LIVING in harmony. This fandom's OC scene needs more LIFE!

[Kaneki 1,073]

I don't think ALL OC's suck, and I'm nowhere near a huge brony - just a little bit, I watch the show sometimes, make friends who are also part of the fandom, and that's it. However, if it's just a simple recolor, that I think is not that good - put a little effort into your OC drawing, don't just color over in Paint, and don't give me the excuse that you "suck at drawing" or whatever reason - that's why there's such a thing as practice.

 

And you are right - many of these fan made games with OCs can be really fun! It's not the quality of the art we should be worried about, but it can be nice - worry about the story and quality of the game more. Yes, art can be part of the quality, but as long as it's just not a bunch of scribble lines, anything can get popular.

[Jeric 46,878]

Well. People do have a right to enjoy and participate in the fandom though a wide spectrum. It's why I've always rejected the idea of 'INO' isms. It just comes across as derision of those who enjoy or participate in something different than the person who perpetuates the myth of the 'in name only' concept.

 

If someone doesn't appreciate non canonical elements like OC's, fine my me. I only ask that they respect those that like to create original characters and ponyosas. I also hold the other side similarly accountable and hope they understand the perspective of those that may consider themselves purists.

 

We all dont need to celebrate the property the same way or with the same level of intensity to be considered a Brony.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

As they say, bad news travels fast.  There are plenty of good OCs in every fandom, but people more easily remember the bad ones simply because it doesn't take a fandom insider to recognize a bad character.  Walk up to any person on the street and show them a picture of Little Pip in one hand, and a picture of a generic black and red alicorn-demon-vampire hybrid in the other, and which one do you think they would have more things to say on?  Plus, haters are always going to hate, and it's impossible to prove them wrong as they'll either deny the facts or just keep moving the goal posts.

 

As for what you said about BINOs, @@Jeric nailed it.  There's no reason to marginalize people simply because they don't fit your definition of a fan.  If they call themselves a brony (or an MLP fan or w/e), then they're a part of the fandom.

[Foxy Socks 2,602]

I just don't really care about it. Besides OC's are a big part of the fandom too, I don't know where you have been.

Edited November 28, 2016 by Namae

[Taialin 217]

You might classify me as a "BINO" after I'm finished with this discussion, because this discussion will be a bit (maybe a lot) more cynical than I normally write. Let it be known that for a lot of purposes, especially writing, I really have a problem with OCs. (Though I've never been called a BINO before.) But I have a background in writing on Fimfiction, and I know all too well the hate that spins around OCs, some of it well justified, some not.

 

On Fimfiction especially, there's a very good reason why most readers are quite averse to OCs, and that's because the vast, vast majority of people can't write them correctly. (Including me, actually.) I don't mean that the OC is overpowered, red and black striped, an alicorn, or is beloved by all the Mane 6; there are many subtle ways in which an OC can (and almost always does) go wrong, and all those wrong ways sort of jade us to any story with OCs in it. I am well aware that there are some very good stories with OCs in them ("Past Sins" is not a perfect example, but it's generally pretty good), but we generally obey Sturgeon's Law for this one: 90% of stories with OCs are crap.

 

First off, I would actually argue with your point that an OC creates new interactions, changes dynamics, and is interesting for that reason. I mean, in theory, yes, everything you said is correct, but if the extent to that "new interaction" is the OC making friends with the Mane 6 (or whatever other place they find themselves in) . . . well, that's not really new interaction. And perhaps more importantly, it's not interesting.

 

This actually brings me to the main point against OCs that makes stories incredibly hard to write: why? For an OC to be justified in a story, one needs to answer that question. Why should we care about this OC, who needs more development since we don't know anything about them? Why should we care about their conflict line? Why do they have a place in the MLP world? Why do they need to interact with other characters? And perhaps the utterly unanswerable question, why does the OC need to ingrain themselves in the Mane 6's dynamic? That last question is almost impossible to answer from a story perspective. You may answer it in the way that "the OC was searching them out" or "the OC has a love interest," but that goes back to why we should care about the OC in the first place. (And the dynamic between the Mane 6 is so deep that it's almost sacreligious to try and add to it with an OC.) The point is, for an OC to be justified in a story, the story must require there to be an OC in it; the OC cannot be the story. New interactions cannot be the purpose of the story or the purpose of the OC. Because we read that purpose to be "because the author wanted those interactions," not because the story necessitated them.

 

Obviously, with everything writing, there are exceptions. It is possible to write a good story with OCs, and it is possible to answer all those questions and make a good story. Fimfiction has actually hosted a couple contests to that effect, challenging people to write stories that broke these rules. But it is exceptionally difficult, and near impossible for a beginner to do so from the get-go. I'm a veteran writer on Fimfiction, and even I don't dare touch OCs yet because they're very difficult to manage. I generally don't advise writers on OC matters, either (except to tell them that it's really hard). Convincing readers that an OC is required for the story and not because you want the OC to interact is incredibly difficult, and when you get it wrong, you get labeled a "self-insert." That's actually why many elite writers on Fimfiction don't use OCs, either. They'd rather write original fiction, with all OCs and nothing else, separated from the stigma that comes with MLP and OCs, at least on Fimfiction.

 

I agree with you that Fimfiction is hostile to novice/inexperienced writers. But what I can credit Fimfiction with is that it will almost always tell you the truth.

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

I did not know anyone said OCs CAN'T be good. I just thought many feel the majority of them are awful or badly thought out. Which when it comes to fiction, a lot of them very much are.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

All this over people not liking something based on a tv show ouch. How about you disagree with the people like this , though I haven't seen them, no need to rage out about it because you sound as bad as the people you are speaking about.

 

Did someone say one of your oc's was bad?

Yes, because empathy for your fellow humans is a myth and you can only hate a bad thing if it's personally affected you in some way. /s

 

No, nobody called my OCs bad, they're great. I'm actually surprised at how warm my incredibly tiny reception has been so far, considering how bronies/BINOs act on other sites.

 

 

You might classify me as a "BINO" after I'm finished with this discussion, because this discussion will be a bit (maybe a lot) more cynical than I normally write. Let it be known that for a lot of purposes, especially writing, I really have a problem with OCs. (Though I've never been called a BINO before.) But I have a background in writing on Fimfiction, and I know all too well the hate that spins around OCs, some of it well justified, some not.

 

On Fimfiction especially, there's a very good reason why most readers are quite averse to OCs, and that's because the vast, vast majority of people can't write them correctly. (Including me, actually.) I don't mean that the OC is overpowered, red and black striped, an alicorn, or is beloved by all the Mane 6; there are many subtle ways in which an OC can (and almost always does) go wrong, and all those wrong ways sort of jade us to any story with OCs in it. I am well aware that there are some very good stories with OCs in them ("Past Sins" is not a perfect example, but it's generally pretty good), but we generally obey Sturgeon's Law for this one: 90% of stories with OCs are crap.

 

First off, I would actually argue with your point that an OC creates new interactions, changes dynamics, and is interesting for that reason. I mean, in theory, yes, everything you said is correct, but if the extent to that "new interaction" is the OC making friends with the Mane 6 (or whatever other place they find themselves in) . . . well, that's not really new interaction. And perhaps more importantly, it's not interesting.

 

This actually brings me to the main point against OCs that makes stories incredibly hard to write: why? For an OC to be justified in a story, one needs to answer that question. Why should we care about this OC, who needs more development since we don't know anything about them? Why should we care about their conflict line? Why do they have a place in the MLP world? Why do they need to interact with other characters? And perhaps the utterly unanswerable question, why does the OC need to ingrain themselves in the Mane 6's dynamic? That last question is almost impossible to answer from a story perspective. You may answer it in the way that "the OC was searching them out" or "the OC has a love interest," but that goes back to why we should care about the OC in the first place. (And the dynamic between the Mane 6 is so deep that it's almost sacreligious to try and add to it with an OC.) The point is, for an OC to be justified in a story, the story must require there to be an OC in it; the OC cannot be the story. New interactions cannot be the purpose of the story or the purpose of the OC. Because we read that purpose to be "because the author wanted those interactions," not because the story necessitated them.

 

Obviously, with everything writing, there are exceptions. It is possible to write a good story with OCs, and it is possible to answer all those questions and make a good story. Fimfiction has actually hosted a couple contests to that effect, challenging people to write stories that broke these rules. But it is exceptionally difficult, and near impossible for a beginner to do so from the get-go. I'm a veteran writer on Fimfiction, and even I don't dare touch OCs yet because they're very difficult to manage. I generally don't advise writers on OC matters, either (except to tell them that it's really hard). Convincing readers that an OC is required for the story and not because you want the OC to interact is incredibly difficult, and when you get it wrong, you get labeled a "self-insert." That's actually why many elite writers on Fimfiction don't use OCs, either. They'd rather write original fiction, with all OCs and nothing else, separated from the stigma that comes with MLP and OCs, at least on Fimfiction.

 

I agree with you that Fimfiction is hostile to novice/inexperienced writers. But what I can credit Fimfiction with is that it will almost always tell you the truth.

There shouldn't be a stigma associated with OCs. And hostile is a soft way of putting that site. Do groups full of cringe cancer bullies that bully new and young writers into leaving the fandom help anyone? Of course they don't. Do moderators moderate the site by punishing the most violent and hateful people? Of course not, that'd require effort. The site's already dying, they can't go around banning people that ensure the site's continued supply of bread and circuses. Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the next circus act: Grown-ass men bullying and mocking children until they cry? Sure, that isn't BINO behavior, that isn't something Twilight or Celestia would be disgusted by AT ALL.

 

And another thing. I find it amazing how someone can say "There are a lot of bad OCs so it's ok to dislike OCs and tell myself they only exist because the author wanted them in and that's bad", even though that's an incredibly odd way of looking at things, yet technically meaningless because that's such a ****** statement. Of course the writer wanted things to happen a certain way! All fiction exists because a writer wanted it a certain way! Or because writers wanted it a certain way but executives made them change it! Characters don't come to life in your animation programs or word processors and interact for you while you transcribe things or use OBS! Do you even realize how...

 

No, sorry, I should cut down on "Abusive behavior" like telling someone when they're wrong, and forgetting to sugarcoat the bitter pill so much, anyone can swallow it.

 

I took a break, and I'm back. I also censored the word "Stupid", just in case I get reported.

 

1, perhaps, if writers were encouraged to continue writing and not bullied into submission like a baby bird shot on its first flight, you'd see a MLP fanfic starring an OC progress beyond the "The OC befriends the ponies" stage and enter the "And then the plot starts" phase.

2, Because I actually interact with people that have OCs on this site, I've seen some good OCs. Ones a lot better than the "omg guys look at me im doing everything your videos tell me not to do! edgelord darkbad the red and black alicorn is going to equestria!" obvious trolls that exist to make the laughable "Critics" on Fimfiction rage. Perhaps that's why my opinion of OCs is higher than yours.

3, you probably look lovely today. There, I sugarcoated the post. Don't report me.

[Taialin 217]

@@EmeraldStar04: I'm not offended by strongly-worded debate. I make no ad hominem arguments. If you were going to be reported for abusive behavior, the redaction of your language is unlikely to change that. I have not reported you and will not report you.

 

This will be my last statement on the matter.

 

I defend the Fimfiction community only insofar that it tells the truth. In a lot of other places, including, as you mention, mentoring for beginning and inexperienced writers, the community fails. Badly. The administration, too, could use some spiffing up. But it's a good place, and considering MLP fanfiction and fanfiction internetwide, it's essentially unparalleled. (This isn't so much praise to Fimfiction as it is lament for other fandom's fanfiction repositories, which, in many cases, just don't exist.)

 

I do not dislike OCs as a rule, and there are plenty of OCs that I do like (Nyx, Little Pip, and a few other more esoteric ones). They all have a common factor that other OCs, ones that, as you say, I dislike share: reason within the story. In all cases, OCs there have a reason to be because the story would necessitate them to be there. "Past Sins" is about a young Nightmare Moon absolving for crimes she didn't commit, and that young Nightmare Moon character comes to fruition as Nyx. The story necessitates the character, not the other way around. Most importantly, the story is what would get me or any reader engaged in the character and their future dynamics. In exempli gratia, Pen Stroke, the author of "Past Sins," doesn't introduce Nyx as a character for a few chapters; he first introduces the story. Thus, when filly Nightmare Moon does come into play, we have a reason to be emotionally involved in the character. This is the case for almost every published work. (Though most stories do it concurrently.)

 

When a character is introduced first and the story is not introduced at all, the reader is left in the position where they have no reason to continue reading unless the story gives them a reason to. And if it doesn't exist, then, well, you know what happens. First and foremost, an author has to give the reader a reason to care, to continue reading, to see what happens next. (This is commonly known as a hook.) A character by themselves is an exceptionally poor hook, especially within the fanfiction community, where there are a lot of bad ones. Perhaps even worse if they're in the title, because that would suggest that the story is the character, which as I've expounded on previously, is generally a bad idea. (And titling something like [Character's] Crazy Adventure is no remedy.) Again, the story should be first. That's why a story is called, well, a story.

 

Perhaps I didn't make it clear (in which case, I apologize) that I'm only especially skeptical of OCs as they apply their use in stories on Fimfiction. I do and have interacted with many OCs on this site as well. (I am a MLPF roleplay staff mentor, and I'd be silly not to know about OCs and how they work here.) When not used within the scope of a story (such as in roleplay and art), I find OCs are generally less poorly received, because to attack an OC in such a position would be to attack their, um, right to exist (which you actually can attack in some cases). But within a story, readers attack an OCs right to be in the story. That is a lot more difficult to justify.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

@@EmeraldStar04: I'm not offended by strongly-worded debate. I make no ad hominem arguments. If you were going to be reported for abusive behavior, the redaction of your language is unlikely to change that. I have not reported you and will not report you.

 

This will be my last statement on the matter.

 

I defend the Fimfiction community only insofar that it tells the truth. In a lot of other places, including, as you mention, mentoring for beginning and inexperienced writers, the community fails. Badly. The administration, too, could use some spiffing up. But it's a good place, and considering MLP fanfiction and fanfiction internetwide, it's essentially unparalleled. (This isn't so much praise to Fimfiction as it is lament for other fandom's fanfiction repositories, which, in many cases, just don't exist.)

 

I do not dislike OCs as a rule, and there are plenty of OCs that I do like (Nyx, Little Pip, and a few other more esoteric ones). They all have a common factor that other OCs, ones that, as you say, I dislike share: reason within the story. In all cases, OCs there have a reason to be because the story would necessitate them to be there. "Past Sins" is about a young Nightmare Moon absolving for crimes she didn't commit, and that young Nightmare Moon character comes to fruition as Nyx. The story necessitates the character, not the other way around. Most importantly, the story is what would get me or any reader engaged in the character and their future dynamics. In exempli gratia, Pen Stroke, the author of "Past Sins," doesn't introduce Nyx as a character for a few chapters; he first introduces the story. Thus, when filly Nightmare Moon does come into play, we have a reason to be emotionally involved in the character. This is the case for almost every published work. (Though most stories do it concurrently.)

 

When a character is introduced first and the story is not introduced at all, the reader is left in the position where they have no reason to continue reading unless the story gives them a reason to. And if it doesn't exist, then, well, you know what happens. First and foremost, an author has to give the reader a reason to care, to continue reading, to see what happens next. (This is commonly known as a hook.) A character by themselves is an exceptionally poor hook, especially within the fanfiction community, where there are a lot of bad ones. Perhaps even worse if they're in the title, because that would suggest that the story is the character, which as I've expounded on previously, is generally a bad idea. (And titling something like [Character's] Crazy Adventure is no remedy.) Again, the story should be first. That's why a story is called, well, a story.

 

Perhaps I didn't make it clear (in which case, I apologize) that I'm only especially skeptical of OCs as they apply their use in stories on Fimfiction. I do and have interacted with many OCs on this site as well. (I am a MLPF roleplay staff mentor, and I'd be silly not to know about OCs and how they work here.) When not used within the scope of a story (such as in roleplay and art), I find OCs are generally less poorly received, because to attack an OC in such a position would be to attack their, um, right to exist (which you actually can attack in some cases). But within a story, readers attack an OCs right to be in the story. That is a lot more difficult to justify.

Ok then. Yeah, FIMfiction is a mess with way too many jerks on it. Maybe because the nice people end up being run off before they can make a difference.

 

Is it ok if I go tell that Mary Sue Litmus Test guy why he's wrong?

[DANUTERCISD 204]

some bronies don't like OCS cause most OCS aren't designed well. I don't like most OCS either, but I don't hate all OC's.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

some bronies don't like OCS cause most OCS aren't designed well. I don't like most OCS either, but I don't hate all OC's.

"Most Xs are bad" is a prejudice.

[DANUTERCISD 204]

its my opinion, i think most OCS look bad, but not all ocs are bad.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

its my opinion, i think most OCS look bad, but not all ocs are bad.

 

 

"Most Xs are bad" is a prejudice.

"Most Xs are bad" is still a prejudice. It taints your expectation of the group as a whole.

[\/ 651]

I can understand where criticism for OC's can come from, but to make a generalizing statement that all of them are bad is a bit excessive. The same could be said about fanfiction, though. A lot of people just want to get their creations out there that they forget to take time to put together a quality piece, and some OC creators focus more on quantity than quality.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

I can understand where criticism for OC's can come from, but to make a generalizing statement that all of them are bad is a bit excessive. The same could be said about fanfiction, though. A lot of people just want to get their creations out there that they forget to take time to put together a quality piece, and some OC creators focus more on quantity than quality.

Now this, I can agree with. I've seen more than a few bronies that just have a page full of faces and names. Faces and names, and NOTHING MORE! No history or depth or personality or anything.

[DANUTERCISD 204]

Well, to be honest, i don't care if you think disliking most ocs is bad or "prejudice" (ffs these are intellectual ideas, not real people) or if it taints the fandom because of an opinion. If you can't make a good oc, don't make one at all.

[ReverieRiver 527]

 

 

If you can't make a good oc, don't make one at all.

 

Except if everyone followed that philosophy, there would never be any OCs. You don't just start out making well-rounded, fleshed-out OCs right off the bat. Especially if you're just starting out with writing or roleplaying.

 

Trust me. My first OCs were... absolutely cringeworthy. But if I had stopped back then, or never made them at all because I didn't think I could make a good one, I wouldn't be where I am today with my writing and character development skills overall.

 

We all have to start somewhere. It just so happens that the MLP fandom has inspired a lot, and I mean a LOT of people to start thinking creatively for the first time in the sense of art, writing, making OCs. I guess that's why the fandom may seem so inundated with "bad" OCs, but instead of tearing them down, why not let the creator know how they could improve on their OC?

 

If they won't listen and think their OC is the greatest thing since sliced bread, that's one thing. But if you give them valid, constructive criticisms and they're open to such criticisms, it can be a win-win for everyone.

[Gestum 2,493]

Well, personally I have found that a majority of the OCs in this fandom are quite bad.

 

Also the reason for why fanfictions that features OC's are less popular is pretty simple. People would rather read a story that is about characters that they like instead of a story featuring characters that they haven't seen before.

[cider float 2,539]

I don't go around looking for people's OCs to critique them because let's face it most of them are bad and/or embarrassing. I wouldn't mind if they wrote a compelling story using their OCs though. I don't see any point in making an OC if you're not going to write a story that involves them. And I don't see the point of having one OC rather than multiple ones to add into a story. So if you guessed it OCs are for writing out a story for me, I don't understand that need for people to use OCs to represent themselves or whatever in fact I find that kind of cringey. 

 

If you put your OC out in public interwebs though that's really on you. You decided to put it out for everyone to look and comment on, there is no safe spaces for you in public regions where you expect everyone to just rub your back and say nice things to you unless you put it in a place of more privacy and "select your audience." But that wouldn't be the public's opinion but that might be what you want right?

[EmeraldStar04 250]

I don't go around looking for people's OCs to critique them because let's face it most of them are bad and/or embarrassing. I wouldn't mind if they wrote a compelling story using their OCs though. I don't see any point in making an OC if you're not going to write a story that involves them. And I don't see the point of having one OC rather than multiple ones to add into a story. So if you guessed it OCs are for writing out a story for me, I don't understand that need for people to use OCs to represent themselves or whatever in fact I find that kind of cringey. 

 

If you put your OC out in public interwebs though that's really on you. You decided to put it out for everyone to look and comment on, there is no safe spaces for you in public regions where you expect everyone to just rub your back and say nice things to you unless you put it in a place of more privacy and "select your audience." But that wouldn't be the public's opinion but that might be what you want right?

Ponysonas and OCs are different things -.-

 

I agree an OC is wasted if it isn't in a story.

 

Regarding multiple OCs, you know I'm talking about the people with pages of useless names and faces, not the people that make OCs that go in stories.

 

Ew, get that safe space bs out of here, I'm talking about civil discussion and constructive criticism not reddit bs.

[ReverieRiver 527]

I don't go around looking for people's OCs to critique them because let's face it most of them are bad and/or embarrassing. I wouldn't mind if they wrote a compelling story using their OCs though. I don't see any point in making an OC if you're not going to write a story that involves them. And I don't see the point of having one OC rather than multiple ones to add into a story. So if you guessed it OCs are for writing out a story for me, I don't understand that need for people to use OCs to represent themselves or whatever in fact I find that kind of cringey. 

 

If you put your OC out in public interwebs though that's really on you. You decided to put it out for everyone to look and comment on, there is no safe spaces for you in public regions where you expect everyone to just rub your back and say nice things to you unless you put it in a place of more privacy and "select your audience." But that wouldn't be the public's opinion but that might be what you want right?

Ponysonas and OCs are different things -.-

 

I agree an OC is wasted if it isn't in a story.

 

Regarding multiple OCs, you know I'm talking about the people with pages of useless names and faces, not the people that make OCs that go in stories.

 

Ew, get that safe space bs out of here, I'm talking about civil discussion and constructive criticism not reddit bs.

 

I have to agree with Emerald Star here, ponysonas are a bit different than OCs and shouldn't be lumped into the same category. Ponysonas are to bronies what fursonas are to furries, plain and simple. And I'm not talking about a "safe space" or anything like that. If someone puts their OC out there, they're opening themselves up to the possibility of criticism, at the very least. Some may care about that, some may not, but they can't escape the inevitability.

 

Some people create just for the sake of creation, and that's fine. It's an expression of thoughts and ideas, like drawing for the sake of drawing. I mean, a majority of my OCs are well-developed or on their way to becoming well-developed, with stories of their own, and yet none of them are involved in any written story I've made. If only because, well, I haven't written fanfiction in a long, long time. I almost always use my OCs in roleplay - isn't that in itself involving the characters in a story? Roleplay is making a story, just with the help of another person.

[EmeraldStar04 250]

I have to agree with Emerald Star here, ponysonas are a bit different than OCs and shouldn't be lumped into the same category. Ponysonas are to bronies what fursonas are to furries, plain and simple. And I'm not talking about a "safe space" or anything like that. If someone puts their OC out there, they're opening themselves up to the possibility of criticism, at the very least. Some may care about that, some may not, but they can't escape the inevitability.

Yeah! And criticism like "That shade of red is too bright" or "The eyes don't match the color scheme" is criticism, but chanting "It's a sue! It's a sue!" helps nobody when nobody's 100% sure what a sue is and multiple types of sue exist. Personally, I consider Black Hole Sues to be sues. I've seen people claim the outdated mockery Ensign Sue is still up-to-date and anyone like Ensign Sue is a Sue, but they're wrong.