A few thoughts about HiE · 12:23pm Dec 11th, 2013
Human in Equestria is a very big part in the fan fiction genre. I've read many of them and want now analyze why I like it so much.
First of all, it's a very old concept. The meeting of two worlds. The first contact. The question: "Are we alone?" Personally I don't think so. The universe is so big, the human mind can't even imagine. So in my opinion its very unlikely that we are totally alone. But at the same time, with our current state of technology it looks also unlikely that we will ever shake hands with another sapient species.
The human body needs a specific environment to survive, whats not given on many of the planets we found who could be inhabited. So, as far as technology goes, the best we could have is a conversation over radio or something alike.
That's exiting and disappointing at the same time. But luckily we have our imagination. Let Equestria be on a different planet, another universe or dimension, it will always be a the first contact with another world. That alone is often enough to make a good story. But mixed with other genres like romance, sad and dark it can be something great.
I think this fascination often is the reason that someone writes a Human in Equestria story. Or he just want to live his fantasy of living there, what is also totally cool, but yeah... let's be honest, thats why we have so many "bad" stories between the "good" ones. I mean, its always like this:
- Human comes to Equestria
- Befriends the Mane 6/Princesses
- Insert Shipping here
- Some Comedy based on game/TV references
- And some problems with Discord/Sombra/Stupid OC villains who wants world domination
Really, I have read like 50 stories I could describe with the points above (And in most of them happens the first 3 things in the first chapter. Ever heard of narrative pace?). Only difference was how the human landed in Equestria (Most popular so far: Falling from the sky and get rescued by Rainbow Dash. And who is he shipped with? Also most popular Rainbow Dash. That mare comes around a lot! Second goes to Twilight.)
And I ask you now: "Who hasn't read at least one story like that?" There all over the place. And me for my part: I want something new! That's what I'm trying with "My Little Pony - Journey" right now. Thats what I tried with "The Precious Life - Nightmare". To do something new, unique. Why aren't there stories with:
- A Women thats coming to Equestria (There are a few, and I know only 1 really good one.)
- Children who aren't instantly adopted by "insert popular pony/princess here" and grew up in Equestria.
- Shippings where the human is turned down (Or at least has to fancy the pony more than a week for that matter.)
- Adventures that involves Earth more that Equestria (We have many legends too.)
- A story where the human isn't a mister nice guy, but also not a total asshole. (It's seems its always one of the two.)
- An adventure where the humans isn't a lost power, the 7th Element or something like that. (Things that are giving him instant magic and so on.)
- Twilight/Celestia/Luna isn't the cause that the human is in Equestria
- Or he's there because of dieing etc...
- If there is a villain, he shouldn't be after world domination/money or Celestias flank. (Or at least don't give him a cult,/stupid followers and make him mad. You know, like Heath Ledger as Joker or Vaas from Far Cry 3. These two were real villains!)
Last but not least I want to mention that I don't dislike anthro, but I hate it in connection with My little Pony. Experientially with the ponies. If I want to read a story with sweet little ponies I want sweet little ponies and not some mixture between that and a human. Thats because I have the feeling they always have double D and are only anthro because the author feels better if he's writing romance/clop. Not that clop is bad. Sex belongs to a good story, and after all: "Sex sells". (Sex in a story is something different than a sex story aka clopfic. Some people seem to forget that.)
Thats all for now. If you have your own thoughts feel free to share them with me.
In the new fic "Diary of a Store Clerk", the human, as always, ends in Equestria. However, being a calm man and realizing meeting the mare six or Ponyville is a source of trouble, he decides to move into a more peaceful, unheard town, claiming to be a "berotaur" to the locals and open a grocery store;
At least until some day...
1596403
I know the story. It's on my "good" list ^^
1596421
And the Non-Brony saga, of BronyWriter.? I love that one
1596514
The first Story was interesting, but what followed (Wandering of the non-brony) was... meh.
But I liked his Rarity-Story very much and TD the alicorn princess is hilarious.
I know the feels man!
I have a few things in planning stages that seek to avoid many of the cliche's that you've mentioned, and hopefully execute them in a decent manner. But I'd say your doing a great job with My Little Poney - Journey so far to avoid most of the cliche's. I've only seen around two or three other fics that follow your story telling style that were good (human has been in Equestria for a while and didn't end up in Ponyville/Canterlot first).
Although I agree that I'd love more HiEs that are good and avoided those cliche's (mostly), you are adding to the list so I thank you for that! My sincere thanks for your work! Since FanFiction isn't exactly a source of revenue, I appreciate all of your hard work in making this a good and worthwhile read and taking the time out of your schedule to do so!
Could you give a link to the really good one about a women coming to equestria? I've been looking for a story like that forever :P
1600547
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/95461/a-voice-among-the-strangers
1601671 It's by the same author but I would also recommended Solitary Pinion as well.
Diaries of a madman is the best hie I ever read, and I've read at least 200. It does break some of your requirements (twilight is the reason for Navarone being in equestria), but it is a really amazing story, especially later on. Navarone does become 'friends' with the mane six at the beginning, and the first 20 chapters are pretty sloppy, but after that it becomes an absolutely amazing story. I'd recommend that to you, if you still have time. Also, quantum castaways is definitely not cliche, so if you want the most non-cliche story out there, it is a pretty good story. (Although it is not finished, or really being updated at all)