Author Archives: Horizon

RazedRainbow’s “And A Dark Wind Blows”

25 Friday Apr 2014

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Today’s story offers a glimpse at a lonely, desperate struggle in a world where every breath is an act of defiance against the darkness closing in.

dark-windAnd A Dark Wind Blows
[Dark] • 13,093 words

Was it a magical spell gone awry? An angry god laying waste upon a world that had forgotten him? A long and bloody war? An incurable disease?  

Fluttershy couldn’t remember what it was that had turned the world to this. All she knew was that she had to survive.

FROM THE CURATORS: How does a 13,000-word story keep readers engaged with no dialogue and almost no character interaction?  “Great post-apocalyptic landscape and a rich narrative voice,” Present Perfect said.  Bradel appreciated the marvelous pacing and fine control of tension: “The single thing I think this piece did best is in varying the mood like it did.” And Horizon appreciated the “haunting beauty” of it: “The world around Fluttershy may be bleak and dead, but it’s a memorable and integral part of the story.“

However, this journey through a wasteland is very pony at its heart.  “Fluttershy feels very much like Fluttershy, despite the setting, and the connection to her (departed) friends felt real,” Chris said.  And it even won over some initial doubters: “I was going to write about how this story has its flaws, and how it didn’t have much to do with ponies … until the third act happened and totally invalidated my critique,” Benman said. “The ending completely and utterly works.”

Read on for our author interview, in which RazedRainbow discusses safety, tension, the unknown, and Fluttershy as a huntress.
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Tofazz’s “A Faded Touch Of Blue”

18 Friday Apr 2014

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When two very different cultures collide, it can feel like an unstoppable force hitting an immovable object.  Today’s story brings us a glimpse at one of the ponies caught in the middle.

faded-touch-2A Faded Touch Of Blue
[Romance] [Sad] [Slice-of-Life] • 13,990 words
[NOTE: This story contains sexual themes.]

Moxie gazed over the stallion in front of her, as the crowd stared at them in turn. Fellow nobles, dignitaries, and her parents had all gathered here, in the balmy mansion of her birth, to witness this occasion. The final words had been said, and they were now officially husband and wife. But she was not happy; this was not her wish.

She ran her hoof down the lock of blue hair entwined in her mane. Her whole life had been decided for her, everything coordinated to the tiniest detail. What she had learnt, how she spent her leisure, who she knew, whose company she enjoyed, whom she had pledged herself to, everything… except the one trip she had taken to Canterlot without the permission of her parents, that is. The glimmering blue strands linger as a testament to her last free action…

FROM THE CURATORS: This is a story about consequences.  Most stories create a series of circumstances that force the protagonist to make choices; this is one of the rare inversions where the main character’s major choice already occurred, and the tension is in seeing the ways that choice spreads out to impact everyone in the rigid, hierarchical culture around her.

One of the story’s strongest features is its nuanced portrayal of that supporting cast.  “I was consistently impressed by how the author neither took the easy way out and made Saddle Arabia the ‘bad guy’ of the story, nor simply played the cultural relativism card and wrote off serious issues as ‘just the way they do things there,'” Chris said. Horizon agreed: “For all that her culture has hurt her, it’s still a culture full of ponies who want to do the right thing in the only way they know how.”

Most of us felt that the central moral question of the story was presented with similar finesse.  “The fact that the reader is left to decide if the hope at the end is real or just another name for resignation (or both) really made this one stick with me,” Chris said.  While our voting for this story was the most polarized we’ve seen out of any of our features, what tipped the balance was Tofazz’s willingness to tackle those questions without flinching: “This is one of those rare stories that feels important,” Present Perfect said. “It feels bigger than me.”

Read on for our author interview, in which Tofazz discusses the speed of names, the theft of dreams, and the evolution of cultures.
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shortskirtsandexplosions and theworstwriter’s “The Numbers Don’t Lie”

11 Friday Apr 2014

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(0) Today’s story is horrible.  (1)  You shouldn’t read it.  (2)  … er … what do you mean, a number above my head is counting up?  That’s silly!  You’re clearly hallucinating. (3)

numbers-dont-lieThe Numbers Don’t Lie
[Slice of Life] • 20,101 words

When the Cutie Mark Crusaders dig up an ancient magical artifact, they unleash a spell on the town that allows everypony to see a “lie meter” floating above each other’s heads. While attempting to solve the mystery, Twilight Sparkle has to analyze the tenuous balance between friendship and honesty. She doesn’t like what she finds.

FROM THE CURATORS: One of the things that makes this story an exemplar of MLP fanfiction is its marriage of an imaginative premise with a profound understanding of the show’s core theme.  “We always say MLP is a show about friendship,” Benman said, “but what’s remarkable is how rare and special that is.  The best episodes teach lessons about friendship, and it turns out friendship is really complicated. … This is a story with an actual friendship lesson that actual adults need to learn in the actual world.  It’s about what trust means, and why trust matters, and the difference between being nice and being a friend.”

The essential ponyness of “The Numbers Don’t Lie” stood out to all of us.  “The fic does a good job balancing comedy and sincerity,” Chris said.  “It reads like a well-adapted show script, and it’s just plain enjoyable.”  shortskirtsandexplosions, who did the writing, gets credit for that, but we found the core idea (which was created by theworstwriter) remarkable as well. “The story’s got one of the most compelling premises on the site,” Horizon said.

Read on for our author interviews — two this week! — in which theworstwriter and shortskirtsandexplosions discuss collaboration, cartoon morality, and postapocalyptic evidence of creativity.  Also, if you click through to the interviews, Hasbro will deposit $100 in your PayPal account. (4)
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The Descendant’s “Variables”

04 Friday Apr 2014

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“Variable, n.: an element, feature, or factor that is not consistent … liable to change.”  How can you account for all of them when you’re dealing with primal chaos?  Today’s story follows a young dragon struggling with just that question.

variablesVariables
[Slice of Life] • 7,722 words

After his defeat at the hooves of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony the stony figure of Discord was dragged far, far, far out of Ponyville where the good ponies could eventually forget the name of their tormentor… again.

But, it seems, as the months have passed some creature in Ponyville has not been able to put aside what had happened. Now, that creature approaches, and it seems as though he’d like a word with the immortal spirit of chaos…

FROM THE CURATORS: At first glance, this fic seems sparse. “This is a 8k-word story about Spike monologuing to an inanimate object,” Chris said. “But make no mistake, Variables … is the rare monologue fic which not only justifies its monologuing, but which manages to inspire dread, empathy, and genuine thought.”  Present Perfect agreed: “Variables is a really razor-sharp examination of Spike’s character.  If you want a clear view of The Descendant’s treatment of Spike, there’s no better way than to have him on his own, tackling tough issues.”

While several of us noted how slow the fic starts off, we were all impressed by how powerfully it closed. “The way this story concludes is one of the most thought-provoking finishes I’ve seen in a ponyfic,” Chris said.  And even though it’s one of the earliest stories of the fandom, it has held its power over time.  “All I can think about is how rare it is for me to read a story twice, and how rarer it is for me to appreciate a story even more the second time around,” Present said.  “I had real emotion after reading this ahead of writing the interview.”

Read on for that author interview, in which The Descendant discusses Spike’s character, drawing out head-canon, and the value of a good Reuben sandwich.
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James Washburn’s “Telling Tales”

28 Friday Mar 2014

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Today’s story puts stories in your story, so that you can story while you … ahem.  Tune in for mythology, wit, and a public battle of oneupmareship with Pinkie Pie.

telling-talesTelling Tales
[Comedy] [Adventure] • 21,723 words

Tall Tales didn’t intend to be in Ponyville for long. It was supposed to be a brief stop on the way to the storytellers’ gathering in Connemara, and nothing more. How was he to know he’d be offered the opportunity to show southerners real storytelling? More to the point, how was he supposed to refuse? And just what does this pink pony want with him, anyway?
Now he’s shanghaied himself into performing, and must use all his skill to stay on stage, on target, and within the bounds of sanity. So gather round, pull up a bollard, and listen to some proper Equestrian folk tales.
Or watch one stallion go slowly mad in public. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

FROM THE CURATORS: Art as a statement on art: as previously mentioned, a tricky balancing act.  But Telling Tales pulls it off with flair, giving us a remarkable look at the interplay between storyteller and audience.  “What sets this apart is the narrative voice — and I mean voice,” Benman said. “It perfectly captures the style of someone telling a tale aloud.” Horizon agreed: “The narrator’s voice was indeed remarkable.”

Telling Tales is also exemplary because it works on multiple levels — which was reinforced for us when we started discussing its strengths.  Chris dug in deeply: “The setup is an irate traveling storyteller getting harassed by Pinkie, but what’s really great here are the stories themselves, which show an incredible range and reflect multiple storytelling traditions.”  But Benman disagreed: “I liked … the really cool metanarrative of the storyteller using the tales to flail at his own problems … which utterly gets the main cast even though they’re mostly in supporting roles.”

Read on for our interview, in which James Washburn discusses nuclear friendship detente, petty victories, and the historical accuracy of a war waged over a bull.
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Pascoite’s “In Bloom”

21 Friday Mar 2014

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How far do you go for somepony who needs your help but doesn’t want it?  Today’s story peels back the foliage for a compelling glimpse at a disturbing family.

in-bloomIn Bloom
[Dark] [Slice-of-Life] • 8,661 words

In a yard, all alone, a pony whiles away the time caring for the lawn and the roses. Roseluck can understand that, to a point. And she’s determined to help.

FROM THE CURATORS: Although we had a vigorous debate over whether this story’s unflinching look at a psychologically abused child was in the spirit of the show, there was one thing which we unanimously agreed: In Bloom is “well-written and powerful,” to use Chris’ words.  Present Perfect went further: “In Bloom has got everything I love about stories in general.”  And Benman dug into what makes this story such an exemplar of high-quality writing: “This does an excellent job with exposition. Pasco has a knack for picking out small details to hit the reader right between the eyes with the full weight of what’s going on.“

Ultimately, this is a story about pony — and its collision with a far grimmer mindset. “Friendship is a key theme here,” Bradel said, and Benman agreed: “This is not a nice story, but it has nice things in it, and the brightness stands out against the darker backdrop.”

Read on for our interview, in which Pascoite discusses collecting rocks, child-rearing, and comprehending rules.
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Heliopause’s “A Wake Of Mist And Flame”

14 Friday Mar 2014

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Long before you ever looked at today’s feature, Princess Celestia knew that you would end up reading it.  Don’t worry; it’s all part of the plan.

mist-flameA Wake Of Mist And Flame
[Slice-of-Life] • 13,730 words

Darrilon has proudly served Princess Celestia for many years, and risen to the rank of Captain of the elite squad known as the Solarian Patrol. But every day is a new challenge when your superior officer (and divine ruler) has no respect for protocol or procedure.

FROM THE CURATORS: We could talk about how this story has — as Vimbert puts it — “a neat OC, a fantastic Celestia interpretation, and a fun writing style that puts characterization at the fore,” but we’re all too aware that that’s exactly what she wants us to do.

Chessmistress Celestia is a common cliché in the fandom, and where this story truly excels is in its vibrant inspection of a trope that many authors use carelessly.  “This story does a remarkable job of making Celestia truly divine, which is to say, she operates on a completely different level from us mortals,” Horizon said.  “The scene with her lunch is a great example of a little thing that really sells that alienness … and engages with that theme on a deeper level.”

Read on for our interview, in which Heliopause discusses astronomical affinities,  Faustian fanworks, and solar social subterfuge.
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RBDash47’s “Old Friends”

07 Friday Mar 2014

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Although today’s story introduces us to the Grim Reaper, there’s nothing grim about the poignant conversations we get to follow as our protagonist moves through the years.

old-friendsOld Friends
[Sad] [Slice of Life] • 2,330 words

She noticed the pony for the first time when she was young, not long after she’d received her cutie mark. He became her oldest friend.

FROM THE CURATORS: There’s no better way to summarize this story than Present Perfect’s formulation: “a short, quiet contemplation of the nature of death and loss.”  Those elements are also what make it such an exemplar of fanfiction.

We all were impressed at how much depth the story was able to cram into its mere 2300 words. “Although many years pass in the story, I never felt as though there were important events glossed over or skipped,” Vimbert said. “Authors who spend hundreds of thousands of words on a few days or a week could stand to read this and re-examine their attitudes towards detail.”

It also struck an admirably gentle and accessible tone. “This is a surprisingly light read, despite its seemingly weighty subject matter,” Chris said.  “The sparse descriptions and languid pacing, a seemingly odd combination in the abstract, match the tone very well. … Its sadness is a natural product of the story, not the result of any particular attempt at emotional manipulation.”

Read on for our interview, in which RBDash47 discusses demons in lightsuits, lies of omission, and slogging through a freezing river in your underthings.
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RedSquirrel456’s “No Quixote Here”

28 Friday Feb 2014

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There is a lot to like in today’s story, but the protagonist is not one of those things.

no-quixote-hereNo Quixote Here
[Comedy] [Slice-of-Life] • 13,804 words

Following a most unpleasant encounter at one of Canterlot’s great parties, Prince Blueblood decides that he is tired of everyone thinking that he is a lazy, empty-headed ponce. He decides the only solution is to have a grand adventure and reinvent himself, becoming the good, dignified, heroic Prince that everypony expects him to be.

The only problem is he’s a lazy, empty-headed ponce.

FROM THE CURATORS: “This story is an excellent illustration of the principle that tragedy + absurdity = comedy,” Horizon said — and we were all impressed by the balance it struck between the two.  “Never do the more serious scenes feel out of place,” Chris said, “and Redsquirrel does a good job of keeping even the more serious moments of the fic full of gentle levity. … While deflating Blueblood is the comic equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel, it’s no less funny for that.”

We also appreciated the solid deconstruction of Blueblood’s character, which dances on the edge of pathos without ever making him truly sympathetic.  “The interactions between he, Celestia, and Shining Armor all carry an air of realism that sells the entire fic,” Chris said.  Horizon agreed: “The supporting characters’ reactions to Blueblood speak volumes.”

Read on for our interview, in which RedSquirrel456 discusses the comedy inherent in flaws, and what distinguishes Blueblood from the show’s other antagonists.
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Archmage Ludicrous’ “That’s All”

21 Friday Feb 2014

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This week’s feature offers a literal taste of what makes the Mane Six’s earth ponies who they are.

thats-allThat’s All

[Slice-of-Life] • 1,559 words

A vignette regarding a pragmatic pony.

FROM THE CURATORS: That’s All is well-named.  There are no dramatic reveals here, no buildups to bad puns, no descents into comic absurdity — only pitch-perfect Slice of Life.  It’s exactly what it appears to be: “a fantastic short piece with … a sort of over-the-top importance bestowed upon something rather unimportant,” Present Perfect said.

Even though it weighs in at a mere 1,559 words, we all agreed that it packed in “remarkable Pinkie Pie characterization,” as Present put it. “That’s so rare that it deserves to be spotlighted for that alone,” Chris said.  Horizon went further: “I’d be borderline if it was just about Pinkie being written well, but no, this is about TWO characters being exactly who they are.”

Read on for our interview, in which Archmage Ludicrous discusses when to reject randomness, and the unexpected similarities between Pinkie Pie and Applejack.

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