Fanfiction Idea

[Naught Important 434]

Last night, while I was listening to a song based on the story "Noah's Ark," I had a neat fanfiction idea.

 

What if --

Applebloom got her cutie mark by building an ark?

(Rhyme not intended)

 

I mean, I am pretty sure that her cutie mark is going to have to do something with building things. So, why not reference the Bible?

FYI, I am an atheist, so if I'm okay with this you can be as well.

 

But, lets say that there was a strange storm raging over Equestria and not even the strongest of pegasi could stop it. It floods the area it charges over. So, since many of the animals in Equestria are land-dwellers, everypony makes a floating zoo where they can be saved. Applebloom would have some sort of a big role in it somehow, that'll be up to you.

 

As for many other characters in the story, maybe the thing that created the storm could be some sort of interesting mythical creature or god. 

 

Tell me, is this a good idea? It would seem sort of logical, since Applebloom could build a giant, functional, golden apple float with only the other Crusaders' help, she can surely create an absolutely enormous boat with the help of everypony in Ponyville.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

I don't think it's a good idea. Even if you say it's just a ponified version of the original story, it will look a lot like a plagiarism. Not to mention some sensitive religious fella who may feel offended by the ponifying.

 

Better play safe, my friend. Try to figure out why most stories take place in imaginary worlds, using imaginary characters, instead of Obama.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

Eh, I like it. The basic story of Noah's Ark is pretty archetypical and everyone knows it. You don't even have to be overly religious in the subtext at all; just have Applebloom buil a really big boat. Of course, there should be some build up to Applebloom's solution.

 

Quite frankly, I think it would work better as the piece of a larger adventure story where the Mane Six confront some being or force creating this massive flood.

[Standard User 2,127]

On the contrary. The act of building an ark would not be referencing the Bible directly. Perhaps indirectly, if you wanted to make the connection. Many movies and dozens of books have dealt with "arks" or similar carriers taking humans/aliens/whatever to a safe place. And while it does sound a lot like the Biblical story, it wouldn't be plagiarism as long as you made it your own original story.

 

Also, don't let the fear of someone being offended stop you. The internet is a free place and you can post whatever opinion you have about whatever wherever you want. 

Edited May 8, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[Sky Warden 2,243]

The internet is a free place

Where people can post their negative opinion they have about whatever, wherever they want. Don't forget that part. Sad part of the Internet. You can't expect that all people in the Internet is nice and friendly.

 

I know that you can post whatever in the Internet, but some people are just ignorant and cruel. Better play safe.

 

And while it does sound a lot like the Biblical story, it wouldn't be plagiarism as long as you made it your own original story.

Then I will rewrite Harry Potter, change the name to Parry Hotter, change some scenes, and stamp my name as the author. I will be rich.

 

 

Edited May 8, 2013 by Sky Warden

[GeneralDirection 1,050]

This sounds like a good idea to me. You don't have to advertise it as "Noah's Ark" per se, but I don't see anything wrong with a story that's related to it. If you need any help at all feel free to fire a PM my way!

[Standard User 2,127]

 

Then I will rewrite Harry Potter, change the name to Parry Hotter, change some scenes, and stamp my name as the author. I will be rich.

 

 

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, my friend. 

 

That is plagiarism, since you are taking someone else's story and making it your own. What Cobalt wants to do is take a parable/whatever you wanna call it and put his own spin on it, which happens every day. Disney does it, Dreamworks does it, short story authors do it and so do fanfic writers. 

 

And anyway, no one owns parables, whereas J.K. Rowling would come down on you.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, my friend. wink.png

Let me guess. Is that a quote from a famous person?

 

That is plagiarism, since you are taking someone else's story and making it your own. What Cobalt wants to do is take a parable/whatever you wanna call it and put his own spin on it, which happens every day. Disney does it, Dreamworks does it, short story authors do it and so do fanfic writers.

 

Yeah, I know. A pretty woman, a handsome man, one of them is rich, fall in love with each other, live happily ever after (the dying happily part after growing old together is hidden). That's what Disney use often. I have no issue with it.

 

The thing is, the theme, the conflicts, the scenes, the events, and the story lines in those stories aren't similar. One with a Djin, one with a curse that separate the lovers, one with... different kind of curses, one with economic problem, etc. The conflicts are different. Therefore, we can't say anything about plagiarism to Disney. Also, those stories are their own stories, for Celestia's sake!

 

From the description, what our friend wants is to make an Noah's Ark story with ponies, in Equestria. It sounds like a cross-over, but actually story lines in cross-over stories aren't similar to the crossed worlds, so it's probably not a cross-over. If not played nicely, it will fall to plagiarism easily.

 

And anyway, no one owns parables, whereas J.K. Rowling would come down on you.wink.png

 

At least I can meet my idol directly.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Sky Warden

[Standard User 2,127]

Let me guess. Is that a quote from a famous person?

 

No, some university did a study a while back or something.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I know. A pretty woman, a handsome man, one of them is rich, fall in love with each other, live happily ever after (the dying happily part after growing old together is hidden). That's what Disney use often. I have no issue with it.

 

The thing is, the theme, the conflicts, the scenes, the events, and the story lines in those stories aren't similar. One with a Djin, one with a curse that separate the lovers, one with... different kind of curses, one with economic problem, etc. The conflicts are different. Therefore, we can't say anything about plagiarism to Disney. Also, those stories are their own stories, for Celestia's sake!

 

From the description, what our friend wants is to make an Noah's Ark story with ponies, in Equestria. It sounds like a cross-over, but actually story lines in cross-over stories aren't similar to the crossed worlds, so it's probably not a cross-over. If not played nicely, it will fall to plagiarism easily.

 

From the description, what our friend wants is a story about Applebloom using her as-of-yet undiscovered talents to help her friends in a time of great stress, presumably learning her special talent and something about herself in the process. Noah's Ark is a story about the anger of God and why animals are spread around and stuff. This story sounds like it could be about standing by your friends in a dire time and doing what is needed even if you are scared. Bam, different themes.

 

 

 

 

At least I can meet my idol directly.

 

I...don't get this line, to be honest. Who are you meeting? 

 

EDIT: On a side note, this is the post that made me a Phoenix-ranked member. Awesome. 

Edited May 8, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

From the description, what our friend wants is a story about Applebloom using her as-of-yet undiscovered talents to help her friends in a time of great stress, presumably learning her special talent and something about herself in the process. Noah's Ark is a story about the anger of God and why animals are spread around and stuff. This story sounds like it could be about standing by your friends in a dire time and doing what is needed even if you are scared. Bam, different themes.

 

The moral seems like the original one a lot. Also, there's a storm invading the land. Check. There's someone who makes an arc. Check. Animals and people are saved by the arc. Check.

 

The story about Nuh is also about supporting your people. Giving mercy, no matter what. Just because there's a difference on the people who want to join (many people stay in the original), the story then become original. Like I said, Parry Hotter can't be original if I only change some names, scenes, etc. Just say, if I limit Parry by making him has no right hand (and put some extra drama related to it), will it become an original story?

 

It's about the story. It's about how things happen.

[Standard User 2,127]

The moral seems like the original one a lot. Also, there's a storm invading the land. Check. There's someone who makes an arc. Check. Animals and people are saved by the arc. Check.

 

The story about Nuh is also about supporting your people. Giving mercy, no matter what. Just because there's a difference on the people who want to join (many people stay in the original), the story then become original. Like I said, Parry Hotter can't be original if I only change some names, scenes, etc. Just say, if I limit Parry by making him has no right hand (and put some extra drama related to it), will it become an original story?

 

It's about the story. It's about how things happen.

 

And these are two different stories. Just because there are some similarities in plot doesn't mean that it is instantly at risk of being plagiarism. Let him take his own spin on the parable. If you have a problem with it, get in line with the religious nut you mentioned and argue your point AFTER the story is written. 

[Sky Warden 2,243]

And these are two different stories.

Oh? I didn't know that.

 

some similarities

*many

 

Also, I was saying that better play safe. Writing a story which has a similar story line to another story is risky. Well, post it in FimFiction then.

 

I will write a story with an evil nose-less wizard overlord who killed a girl's parents, who survived from the overlord. The girl became famous because she was the only person who survived from the overlord. Then she joined the military as an archer and met the overlord again and again during her seven years in the barrack, with an old white bearded wise man as the leader who protected the students from the overlord. With some friends, she tried to solve the mystery of the power of the overlord and found that his power came from some sacred items (a sword, an arrow, a tiara, a crown, a gold poach, a piece of paper, and a staff), scattered over the land. Then she rode around the Northern land to destroy some items which are the source of the overlord's power, then use a divine weapon to defeat the overlord. Then, when they finally met again, the girl found out that the overlord was still much stronger than her, and she surrendered. The story ends by the girl being a private slave of the overlord.

 

I will name the girl Parry Hotter. Different story line right? No hocrux, no Emma Watson, no Elder Wand, different ending, etc. What will people think? :3

Edited May 8, 2013 by Sky Warden

[Mightymags 1,053]

First off I want to say that this is one of the few fanfiction ideas that I've found interesting. It's a commonly known story that's simple but I can see it developing into something interesting. I really like the outline you already have for it. 

 

 

 

Better play safe.

So what if people get offended? Where did playing it safe ever get anyone? As long as you're using Harry Potter examples...

J.K. Rowling wrote a book that offended a lot of extremist Christians who refused to read the book because it involved witchcraft. She's also been attacked on the internet by people that didn't like her stories. If she had let the fear of ridicule stop her she would have lost an opportunity to make a lot of money. 

 

 

 

 

The moral seems like the original one a lot

I don't think that the moral of Cobalt's story was "don't sin or God will flood the earth again". Noah didn't build the Ark out of compassion for his friends and talent with carpentry. He built the ark because God told him to and you can't just say no to that. The morals of the stories are entirely different, in fact the only real consistency is the giant flotation device and a large amount of water created from a higher power.  

 

Especially remember that many people believe this story to be true and it isn't considered plagiarism to write a story based off of true events. Besides, who's going to sue? God? Creating a story based off of a story in the Bible could be considered more of a literary allusion than anything. 

 

 

 

Then I will rewrite Harry Potter, change the name to Parry Hotter, change some scenes, and stamp my name as the author. I will be rich.

 

 

People have done this, but not surprisingly they didn't become rich. http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Barry_Trotter

[Standard User 2,127]

Oh? I didn't know that.

 

 

*many

 

Also, I was saying that better play safe. Writing a story which has a similar story line to another story is risky. Well, post it in FimFiction then.

 

I will write a story with an evil nose-less wizard overlord who killed a girl's parents, who survived from the overlord. The girl became famous because she was the only person who survived from the overlord. Then she joined the military as an archer and met the overlord again and again during her seven years in the barrack, with an old white bearded wise man as the leader who protected the students from the overlord. With some friends, she tried to solve the mystery of the power of the overlord and found that his power came from some sacred items (a sword, an arrow, a tiara, a crown, a gold poach, a piece of paper, and a staff), scattered on the land. Then she rode around the Northern land to destroy some items which are the source of the overlord's power, then use a divine weapon to defeat the overlord. Then, when they finally met again, the girl found out that the overlord was still much stronger than her, and she surrendered. The story ends by the girl being a private slave of the overlord.

 

I will name the girl Parry Hotter. Different story line right? No hocrux, no Emma Watson, no Elder Wand, different ending, etc. What will people think? :3

Some and many can be interchangeable, first off.

 

Second, that sounds like dozens of cheap fantasy stories - even stories BEFORE Harry Potter. So stop coming up with your sarcastic examples and come back to Cobalt's story. There is nothing wrong with him writing this story. If most people agree that is is plagiarism, then okay, lesson learned and we can all move on. But if (and when) it is deemed an original story, then...well, another story will be added to the mix. No harm, no foul. So you can cut the (lame) Harry Potter excuses and accept that this could be an original story. Hell, maybe he isn't finished with the idea. After all, he did say it is an IDEA. He could expan upon it and make it an awesome and original story.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

Odd. I don't get notification from these things. Must be another SQL error.

 

 

 

I don't think that the moral of Cobalt's story was "don't sin or God will flood the earth again".

And I don't think the moral of Noah's story is this neither.

 

 

 

People have done this, but not surprisingly they didn't become rich. http://harrypotter.w...i/Barry_Trotter

Now you know what I meant.

 

 

 

There is nothing wrong with him writing this story.

I didn't say it's wrong, but risky.

 

Just write it then filly. Let's see if people are aware enough.

[Mightymags 1,053]

 

 

And I don't think the moral of Noah's story is this neither.

 

Now this is almost painful.

 

"Noah's Ark is the vessel in the Genesis flood narrative by which the Patriarch Noah save himself, his family, and a remnant of all the world's animals when God decides to destroy the world because of mankind's evil deeds."

This is the basis of the story. I don't think the ponies in Equestria were committing "evil deeds" that were being punished by a flood. 

 

Here's someone's idea of what they moral is, I think they summed it up well:

"The moral of the story is that no one is above god, we are here as guardians of his creations."

I don't see a great similarity between this moral and the one Cobalt was getting at in his idea. 

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

"Noah's Ark is the vessel in the Genesis flood narrative by which the Patriarch Noah save himself, his family, and a remnant of all the world's animals when God decides to destroy the world because of mankind's evil deeds."

 

Just like saying "Do good deeds so God won't destroy you." I don't know with you, but I do good deeds because my heart says so, not because I'm afraid of punishment. I think the morale is more to be faithful and merciful, because Noah kept asking his people to join him, even though they insisted to stay and called him crazy for building that arc. Yes, whatever. Different morale means different story, right? It's not about the storyline.

 

Okay, okay, lesson learned. Don't ever try to warn each other in this fandom. Keep support them to go forward, no matter what's in front of them, even if it's a cliff. If they do fall to the cliff, ask them to learn the lesson, and support them to move on. There. Everypony is happy. Sunshine!

[Mister G 101]

Okay, go for it

Besides, many other beliefs, myths, traditins also have a large flood destroying most of life on Earth, but only one family surviving because of a giant boat they built.

Scoutaloo has a point about the Internet being a free place, after all.

[Standard User 2,127]

Just like saying "Do good deeds so God won't destroy you." I don't know with you, but I do good deeds because my heart says so, not because I'm afraid of punishment. I think the morale is more to be faithful and merciful, because Noah kept asking his people to join him, even though they insisted to stay and called him crazy for building that arc. Yes, whatever. Different morale means different story, right? It's not about the storyline.

 

Okay, okay, lesson learned. Don't ever try to warn each other in this fandom. Keep support them to go forward, no matter what's in front of them, even if it's a cliff. If they do fall to the cliff, ask them to learn the lesson, and support them to move on. There. Everypony is happy. Sunshine!

Thanks for letting your oh-so-infinite writing wisdom finally uncloud your judgement. You don't need to babysit other writers; if they want to write a story you shouldn't immediately denounce it as something else until it is more developed. And if it turns out to be a mistake, oh well.

 

Oh, and you obviously didn't understand me when I meant "sarcasm is the lowest way to try and get your point across."

 

, go for it. If you want advice or help while writing, don't hesitate to PM me.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Scoutaloo

[Sky Warden 2,243]

 

 

Thanks for letting your oh-so-infinite writing wisdom finally uncloud your judgement. You don't need to babysit other writers; if they want to write a story you shouldn't immediately denounce it as something else until it is more developed. And if it turns out to be a mistake, oh well.

 

Oh, and you obviously didn't understand me when I meant "sarcasm is the lowest way to try and get your point across."

 

 

Yeah. I just remembered something I've ever forgotten about some particular things in this fandom. It's better to abandon than to try to change, and not saying means not understanding. Now, give me some face.

[Revolver Bobcat 45]

No.

 

For what i read so far its trying to bend beyond its way to be and not to be Noah's ark.

 

"Well, you see, its a story about a godlike-thingy causing a flood and applebloom building an ark to save some animals, BUT its not Noah's ark, really, its not. REALLY!"

 

But most importantly: Why?

 

Why an ark? Why applebloom? Why now? Why is this god doing this and where does it come from? Why a flood? Why is it unstoppable?

 

And how building an ark would help anyway? If its a magical storm from a merciless god then why would he stop? He could keep raining blows down equestria until there was nothing left, there's nothing stopping him and now that i think about it there's nothing triggering his/her wrath neither.

 

If you said it could be stopped then why is applebloom the center of the story? wouldn't make more sense if the ponies involve in calming down this god where the center of the story and applebloom being a side-story?

 

As a story, Noah's ark worked becouse god had a clear goal, purge the land of evil (or whatever) and that's what stopped him from NOT ending the flood, if the god thingy has no goal beyond destroing equestria, then what's stopping him? The answer is nothing, becouse he is a god.

 

If you do the "Purge the land of evil" then it would have less sense becouse if anything equestria IS the utopian society, not to mention if you do that it would become full plagiarism.

 

Also, Noah was asked to build an ark by the same god that was trying purge the land, he didn't just "knew" when the storm was comming, he was told. The thing is that a gargantuos Ark would take months, if not a couple of years of work and for what i can tell the storm came out of nowhere and goes on a steady pace AND its unstoppable, even if it takes a week it would be too late.

 

Just to be clear, im an atheist but from a story standpoint Noah's Ark worked perfectely becouse everything fitted with everything, you can't do this particular story again becouse:

 

1- The setting doesn't allow it.

 

2- If you bend the setting to fit the story then you WILL be called on plagiarism, with good reasons mind you.

Edited May 8, 2013 by Revolver Bobcat