500 Word MLP:FiM Fanfic Challenge

[Ashbad 969]

Not a downer at all. That's very understandable. I didn't intend to mess anything up. Maybe next time the word count limit could be a little larger. I had been working on and off again on a fanfic. (Only my second. I usually only write original stuff) I just checked the word count. It's over 1800, and the story has hardly started! LOL. It'll probably be in the 6000 range by time I finish it.

 

As said, it would probably be unfair, but I'm glad you asked to clear up to others that it's a hard, static limit I'm thinking of doing another contest after this ends that's more a "do a fanfic with this theme" rather than "word count", which might be more in your favor.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

As said, it would probably be unfair, but I'm glad you asked to clear up to others that it's a hard, static limit I'm thinking of doing another contest after this ends that's more a "do a fanfic with this theme" rather than "word count", which might be more in your favor.

 

Themes I can handle! I tend to get long winded when I write. Now i just have to worry that I won't be inspired by whichever theme is picked!

[Ashbad 969]

Still going along strong, guys! for those that haven't entered yet, you still have more than a week, so get those fingers typing!

Edited August 9, 2012 by Ashbad

[Sne 36]

And in all honesty most OC fics turn out really horrible.

Because most OCs are just pony versions of the authors, which is a very, very bad idea. Especially that canon characters are very good already.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I woke up this morning with a funny idea, and typed it out this afternoon. I can't believe I actually pulled it off! Five hundred words exactly, not counting title and author line! With them it's five hundred and six. This according to both the WORD COUNT in Microsoft Word, and:

http://wordcounter.ws/wordcounter/online-word-counter.php

 

 

 

An Unaccountable Problem

By Honey Moon

 

 

“Who?” the voice insisted as Spike wearily opened his eyes. “Who?”

 

“Spike the Dragon.” He muttered sleepily as rolled over. “Spike the SLEEPY dragon!”

 

“WHO!” Strong talons gripped the blanket covering the slumbering dragon, and gave a tug.

 

With a sharp spin, Spike tumbled from his snug bed onto the wooden floorboards. “Owlicious, what gives?” he protested while rubbing his tail. “It’s still night time! I thought you were supposed to assist Twilight while I was sleeping!”

 

The owl gave a final hoot, and with a flap of his wings headed down from the loft into the library proper.

 

Spike shook his head. He got up and headed for the ladder. Was something wrong? When he went to his nice soft beddy-bye, Twilight had been engrossed in her studies, trying to condense the true meaning of friendship into five hundred words or less. One look told him that things weren’t going awfully well for his scholarly friend.

 

The purple unicorn looked up when she heard a sound. “Oh Spike! This is terrible! How can I summarize the magic of friendship in fewer than five hundred words? The Princess is going to be so disappointed in me! Who knows what her punishment would be for such a failure!”

 

“WHO?” the owl hooted.

 

“Exactly!” Twilight buried her face in the pile of crumpled scrolls on her desk. “What if she really sends me to magic kindergarten this time?” She looked up and let out a sad little moan. “What will happen then?”

 

Spike looked at his beloved friend and sighed. Twilight’s eyes were rather bloodshot, and had taken on a sort of wild appearance. Her usually neat and tidy mane was in a distinct frazzle. This looked like a bad one! “Twilight, calm down! I’m pretty sure the princess was only teasing when she suggested a word limit. You do tend to get long winded when you write, after all.”

 

“I do not!” The exasperated pony began trotting around the room. “I just carefully explain each and every point. I must be sure the reader understands!”

 

Spike climbed onto the desk and looked at one of the scrolls. “This looks okay. How many words is it?”

 

Twilight cringed. “Five hundred and twelve! Oh Spike! What if the Princess dismisses me from my post as librarian in Ponyville? What if I never see my friends again?”

 

Spike picked up the discarded quill, and began rapidly reading over the document. “It is apparent…That is why…You will note…” The dragon clicked his tongue and dipped the quill into the ink.

 

“Spike, what are you doing?” cried Twilight. She closed her eyes and concentrated. In a burst of magic she teleported six feet, and arrived at the desk a fraction of a second sooner then if she had just walked. “That’s my best attempt! Why are you marking it all up?”

 

Spike smiled and held up the corrected document. “Five hundred words exactly, not counting the title and author line! Twilight, you really should use contractions!”

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2012 by cuteycindyhoney

[Princess_Molestia 1,460]

Because most OCs are just pony versions of the authors, which is a very, very bad idea. Especially that canon characters are very good already.

 

my OC's are usually just name only, or are, more commonly, toy only names (so are official, but are not in the show)

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Blue

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Kid stuff.

I'm about one-quarter of the way through my story, the written manuscript draft isn't even final and it's over 15,000 words!

 

Last Christmas I wrote and posted a story that's 44,622 words! It's all original, not a fanfic, and, um, I can't post it here do to SERIOUS adult content! I have another that's 39,164 one that's 37,577, and a shorter one coming in at 22,960.

How's that?

[NavelColt 22,881]

Last Christmas I wrote and posted a story that's 44,622 words! It's all original, not a fanfic, and, um, I can't post it here do to SERIOUS adult content! I have another that's 39,164 one that's 37,577, and a shorter one coming in at 22,960. How's that?

I have a story that's only 3/5ths done, clocked in at 41,003 words right now It's a Naruto fanfic, and I haven't worked on it in a while, but I'll get around to finishing and getting it edited eventually.

 

Anywho, bout this topic. When again were you going to make a list of all the current stories, @@Ashbad?

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I have a story that's only 3/5ths done, clocked in at 41,003 words right now It's a Naruto fanfic, and I haven't worked on it in a while, but I'll get around to finishing and getting it edited eventually.

 

Anywho, bout this topic. When again were you going to make a list of all the current stories, @@Ashbad?

 

One of only the three fanfics I ever wrote (As apposed to the over one hundred originals of various lengths and perversions, one actually a forth and very smutty fanfic!) I have what may be the strangest fanfic ever! It's a three way crossover combining "Doctor Who", and the anime titles "The Dirty Pair" and "Sailor Moon". That one I started so long ago, (about ten years) that the current Doctor Who didn't exist yet! The Doctor in my story is based on Tom Baker...Scarf and all! In fact it's old enough that I used the English dub names for the Sailor Moon characters. At the time, that was all I knew. Some day I'll finish it.

[Ashbad 969]

Updated the first post with a full list of submitted authors and their stories for easy access -- check it out to get a good idea of the entrants and what you're up against! That is, don't get discouraged if you see a story that you see as "leagues above" what you're thinking of submitting -- SUBMIT IT! It's just a fun, friendly contest, and the more entries the merrier.

 

In addition, I'm thinking of writing my own 500 word fic -- not to enter for actual judging of course, but to see how well I can work within the guidelines I gave all of you

 

"Soy" by Blue

498 words

 

https://docs.google....wgXwZHfnYo/edit

 

 

I made this a long time ago but never really showed anyone. I thought it was funny when I made it because the Saloon in Appleloosa is called The Salt Lick, so I took that logic and applied it to drinks. Salty drinks = alcohol, therefore Soy is like uber vodka.

 

@@Blue, Would you mind posting it in a way that I can access? It seems I'm locked out of seeing it now -- and I would love to have it as an entry and add it to the new list of completed entries

Edited August 10, 2012 by Ashbad

[Neikos 968]

500 words sounds good! Being able to write a concise piece of text is always good to know.

 

Does it have to be novel style?

[Finesthour 7,287]

500 words sounds good! Being able to write a concise piece of text is always good to know.

 

Does it have to be novel style?

 

It's more like a short story. A novel gives character's the chance to show what they are like. Short stories are just that. A story that is short, and usually has no purpose

[Neikos 968]

It's more like a short story. A novel gives character's the chance to show what they are like. Short stories are just that. A story that is short, and usually has no purpose

 

I think you focused too much on trying to point out what you know instead of my question. I said Novel style, which means there are Characters, a plot and at least one plot twist and mainly a narrator. ( Doesn't have to be the relevation of the year to qualify as a plot twist ). But there are a lot of other genres as well. One could write a fable, some poetry, a theatre piece and my question was if it has to look like a novel.

[Ashbad 969]

Does it have to be novel style?

 

Nope! Anything works A good example would be NLR Soldier's (excellent) entry that's more anecdotal and memoir than novel.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Blue

[Finesthour 7,287]

I think you focused too much on trying to point out what you know instead of my question. I said Novel style, which means there are Characters, a plot and at least one plot twist and mainly a narrator. ( Doesn't have to be the relevation of the year to qualify as a plot twist ). But there are a lot of other genres as well. One could write a fable, some poetry, a theatre piece and my question was if it has to look like a novel.

 

Err, what? That isn't what I was doing at all. I was saying what a novel style story is, which is exactly what you just explained.

[Heart's Desire 181]

I'd like in on this if I could. I'm new to google documents so let me know if you have any problems. I have to admit, it's a challenge to stick to such a low word count, but that's part of what makes it fun.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AJ7gKzggo3n5Q12ApuvAuWWs-9TMPysxVL1iSipijs4/edit

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I'd like in on this if I could. I'm new to google documents so let me know if you have any problems. I have to admit, it's a challenge to stick to such a low word count, but that's part of what makes it fun.

 

https://docs.google....L1iSipijs4/edit

 

Spike as a hard boiled detective? I LIKE IT!

 

Good work Moonfeather!

 

Off topic, I just want to say that I don't trust Google Documents. I use Microsoft Word on my desktop, and the absolutely free OpenOffice on my netbook. It's completely compatible with MS Word documents. I do not trust "The Cloud"! I'd much rather have the documents on my own hard drive. I back them up myself. If needs be, I can email the document if I want someone to see it.

[Heart's Desire 181]

Thanks

I've never written that kind of a story before but I've always loved the references in other shows. I could just see Spike imagining himself in that role so I figured I'd give it a shot, crazy metaphors and all.

 

Also, I know what you mean about the cloud. I only used Google documents for the sake of sharing. The original, as well as all the rest of my writing, is always done and saved in Word or Notepad. The only time I've ever used an internet program for writing was when I used to write at work. I'd write my stories in gmail and just send them to myself, that way I could write at work and at home as well as hide what I was doing from my boss.

 

I've just lost too much work in my life to not have backups.

[Shadow Chaser 633]

This was written entirely on my iPhone and is about 400 words. It's given me an idea for a small series.

 

Letters to Celestia: Spike

 

 

Dear Spike,

Is it hard to be the only dragon in Ponyville and would you ever want to leave for more grand work?

 

Most days I do what I can to keep busy, but sometimes working for Twilight just isn't rewarding.  I mean, sure I get to go on some crazy adventures with her but most days I'm left to my own devices at the library.  Left to clean and do chores.  To do the shopping we need in Ponyville.  I don't mind it all but I've always wanted something more.  Not the dragon colony.  That wasn't my style.  I fit in here and that's okay, but just once I'd like to have my own adventure.  Without Twilight and the gang.  There was the time with the diamond dogs but I needed help on that.  Twilight says this is all just part of me growing up.  I think I'm just restless.  Aren't dragons supposed to be out in the world?

 

I get kinda lonely too.  The first time I ever felt like I mattered was when Fluttershy asked me about my life's story.  Twilight never asked me about my life.  Then again, she has been there my whole life.  She's always been there for me.  Them and Applejack, we don't talk much but I know she cares.  Like when I got my ticket for the Gala, she was waiting outside for me, and she was all smiles.  I can't believe I almost kissed her though.  But speaking of kisses.. Rarity's kisses are the best.  So maybe they're always on my cheek but that's okay.  I know she cares for me.  I can't believe I almost crushed her on my birthday.  She really saved me.  Rarity saved me and then Dash saved both of us.  Dash has saved plenty of ponies though.  She's a pretty good practical joker too.  I still laugh remembering Twilight's hair on our first trip to Ponyville.  But the prank queen is Pinkie Pie.  The prank and party queen.  She's always good at cheering me up.  In fact, they're all great at cheering me up.  They're all just great.  To answer your question, Princess Celestia, yes, some days it's hard to be the only dragon in this town and some days I wish I could do more in my life. But I just couldn't leave them.  Even if I wanted to.

 

[Shiki 5,855]

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sRqoWhF4IGEk4u0pWkfYbUmyNOwF_E4q7NnmCZhoCwg/edit

 

I sort of BS'd this together real quick at 03:00. It's incredibly difficult getting under 500 characters, while still supplying a decent story.

[Zoop 8,384]

Wonderful idea, this. It takes a truly skilled author to tell a tale worth telling in such a small hand full of words. I would like to submit my own take, which you will hopefully enjoy quite a bit. I haven't edited it at all, by the way.

 

 

A tired sigh erupted from the freshly parted lips of the lavender mare as she sat alone in her library, shattering the silence that had permeated the room so perfectly just scant moments prior. She had been trying - struggling, really - to forestall the inevitable, despite knowing all too well that it was a fool's errand, doomed to failure from the start.

 

Sometimes, she mused to herself, you just have to accept reality - no matter how much it may run contrary to your hopes, desires, and wishes.

 

Another sigh, accompanied this time with a wave of melancholy that poured over her as though it were some manner of violent tidal wave. This wasn't how she wanted things to turn out; her plans had been perfect, her schedule immaculate - everything had fallen into place so perfectly, with but a single exception that had been thrust upon her, entirely outside her control. She had thought it but a minor detail, barely worthy of long-term notice, but now... now she realized that it had been all for naught. Her scheduling, her planning, her meticulous pre-preparation check-list, all of it had been laid to waste, rather magnificently at that, by a single little detail.

 

Her lips parted once more, releasing this time not a tired sigh, but a wavering groan of vague irritation at her present predicament. Her face shifted into a frown as her thoughts began to shift into a new direction, her earlier stubborn refusal to give in now being replaced with a growing sense of defeat, one that she did not seem able - or now particularly inclined - to shake.

 

Her horn flared to life for a brief moment, flooding the dimly lit room with a pale purple light as she harnessed her vast reserves of magical power for the mundane task of snapping the book she had been reading but moments prior closed with startling ferocity, before tossing it haphazardly to the side, sparing it not even the briefest of second glances. She'd pick it back up and place it in its proper spot on the shelf in the morning, she thought, glancing out a nearby window at the night sky above Ponyville, knowing full well and without a single shred of guilt that it would most likely be her assistant that would end up returning the book.

 

She yawned deeply, before rising up from her seated position and moving toward her bed. She had been looking forward to finishing the most recent Daring Do novel tonight, but had been distracted by an expectedly unexpected visit by one of her best friends; though it hadn't been a long visit, it was enough that she was able to blame it for her inability to finish her book on time - an issue that would have a cascading effect on her schedule for days to come.

 

She could - and no doubt would - dwell upon it further in the morning. For now, she just wanted to sleep.

 

 

Yes, my goal from the start was to tell as little of a story as humanly possible while still hitting five hundred words.

 

 

[Ashbad 969]

The front post has been updated and now includes everypony's fics that have been submitted so far! The best part -- there's still more than 5 days to submit, and we already have 14 entries! Exciting, huh? Well, it is to me.

 

And, to those who haven't submitted an entry yet -- you have until August 17th to do so. Don't miss out on this fun challenge!

 

 

I'm thinking that with the apparent success of this contest, that I should turn this into a bi-weekly event, or a monthly event -- perhaps going as far as asking the administration to get some sort of "MLPForums Official contest" seal on it, to promote it. Of course, not every challenge would be "write a 500 word fic!", the "restriction" aspect of the challenge would change each time -- but the fun part is that there would still be some sort of restriction! Thoughts about my continuation of these contests past this one?

 

 

As for judging, I'm thinking of giving each fic a score myself, and then also making a poll to get another set of votes, combining them in a way that would justify the top three winners with actual point values in various categories such as grammar, originality, flow, etc.

Edited August 12, 2012 by Ashbad

[NavelColt 22,881]

I'm thinking that with the apparent success of this contest, that I should turn this into a bi-weekly event, or a monthly event -- perhaps going as far as asking the administration to get some sort of "MLPForums Official contest" seal on it, to promote it. Of course, not every challenge would be "write a 500 word fic!", the "restriction" aspect of the challenge would change each time -- but the fun part is that there would still be some sort of restriction! Thoughts about my continuation of these contests past this one?

Doesn't need to just be writing, you can make it a multi-medium contest that morphs slightly in both restriction and medium every time. That way artists as well as writer's can engage. Doing this would also allow breaks for people who only practice in one particular medium, like writing.