Today’s story turns out right.

Three Left Turns
[Dark] • 2,478 words

Equestria’s last night is nigh. Next evening it will be ash. Twilight slips off with but the past to bargain with. Can she buy a future?

FROM THE CURATORS: Our search for literary merit in fanfiction sometimes leads us to stories with unique styles — and this certainly delivers on that score.  “Here’s something I’d describe as literary impressionism,” Chris said in his nomination.  “It’s a story that focuses more on communicating mood and emotional sense than on offering up a concrete picture of ‘what actually happened,’ told in an unusual format which highlights the narrative’s ambiguities.”  Virtually our entire discussion was about unpacking that unique style.  “Nothing is ever stated plainly, but there are plenty of hints as to what’s going on,” Present Perfect noted, while AugieDog summed up our overall impression: “In the end, it’s the gorgeous imagery that carries the day.”

Just as impressionism can lead to beautiful paintings, we found that Three Left Turns used the strengths of its format to its benefit.  “The ambiguities let SirTruffles paint a picture for the reader without getting bogged down in details which might detract from the moods and moments he’s trying to highlight,” Chris said.  Present Perfect found the story accomplishing a rare goal: “It’s hard to wring true fantasy out of a setting that’s already fantastic, but this does it well by avoiding standard Equestrian staples in favor of the purely abstract.”  And Horizon appreciated its thematic cohesion: “Everything works in concert with that theme of sacrifice.  Even the absence of traditional dialogue just seems like it reinforces the idea of something once given up.”

It was those strengths which led Three Left Turns to a feature despite some curator dissent.  “The style and atmosphere is really well executed, but I feel that I’m missing something,” Soge said, while AugieDog found it a fascinating read regardless: “To journey every once in a while into some dimly-lit and incense-laden atmosphere where question aren’t asked let alone answered, that can be fun, too,” he said.  “Whatever doom there is here, it’s a very quiet and gentle doom. And really, isn’t that all we can ask for from our dooms?”

Read on for our author interview, in which SirTruffles discusses dangerous speeds, zig-zag lines, and willy-nilly portmanteaus.
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