Bronies, GET IN HERE.

[IPunchWithMyFists]

I need your help.

I am an aspiring comic writer who lost a bet. At a hookah bar, I played my best friend in poker, he's also working on one of my comics. I bought back in the game by promising him that if I lost, I would actively seek someone who wanted me to write an MLP Fanfiction.

I lost.

He's ceased work on the comic until I write this fanfiction but here's the deal. I'm not going to be taking it seriously because what could be more boring than to present my friend a straight faced pony-fic from someone who doesn't watch the show? So I need your help.

I'm going to be writing it in an omniscient third-person from a narrator who, neatly mirroring myself, is approaching the project with a comedic, bored, dismissive affectation. Here's where I need you.

Give me a starter course on characters, setting, general plot lines and what not and maybe some ways to make pony inside jokes so it's a little funnier. I come to the escapist because I know there are a few on here and you're actually tolerable, interesting people unlike YouTube bronies or "/b/read". Help a fellow escapist out?

tl;dr: A valid excuse to tell me all about your little pony show.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Popadoo]

'Mane' Characters (Get it?):
Twilight Sparkle [Unicorn] - Book worm, scientific, heavy magic user to the point her horn is a deus ex machina (magic comes from unicorn horns), lives in a tree which is also a library.
Applejack [Earth Pony] - Farmer, southern stereotype, hard working and loyal to her family, lives in a barn house on an apple orchard (Sweet Apple Acres).
Fluttershy [Pegasus] - Shy (who would have guessed), kind, looks after animals in a cottage in the woods. She can pretty much face up to any animal, in one episode she defeats Cerberus (YES, THAT CERBERUS) by calling him a good boy and rubbing his tummy.
Pinkie Pie [Earth Pony] - Party animal, pretty dumb, comic relief.
Rarity [Unicorn] - Fashion designer, kinda' selfish even though she's supposed to represent generosity. Lives in her shop, which sells clothes.
Rainbow Dash [Pegasus] - Athlete, kinda' arrogant and egotistical, but loyal to her friends in the end.

Spike is a dragon, who serves as an assistant to Twilight. He has a crush on Rarity.

They all live in Ponyville, a pretty average jack-of-all-trades town. They sometimes visit Canterlot, which is fancy and posh and where the Princesses live.

I'd go into more detail but honestly, you can watch every episode over the course of a weekend or two. I'd just watch it. There's too much for me to talk about.

 

[IPunchWithMyFists]

'Mane' Characters (Get it?):
Twilight Sparkle [Unicorn] - Book worm, scientific, heavy magic user to the point her horn is a deus ex machina (magic comes from unicorn horns), lives in a tree which is also a library.
Applejack [Earth Pony] - Farmer, southern stereotype, hard working and loyal to her family, lives in a barn house on an apple orchard (Sweet Apple Acres).
Fluttershy [Pegasus] - Shy (who would have guessed), kind, looks after animals in a cottage in the woods. She can pretty much face up to any animal, in one episode she defeats Cerberus (YES, THAT CERBERUS) by calling him a good boy and rubbing his tummy.
Pinkie Pie [Earth Pony] - Party animal, pretty dumb, comic relief.
Rarity [Unicorn] - Fashion designer, kinda' selfish even though she's supposed to represent generosity. Lives in her shop, which sells clothes.
Rainbow Dash [Pegasus] - Athlete, kinda' arrogant and egotistical, but loyal to her friends in the end.

Spike is a dragon, who serves as an assistant to Twilight. He has a crush on Rarity.

They all live in Ponyville, a pretty average jack-of-all-trades town. They sometimes visit Canterlot, which is fancy and posh and where the Princess live.

I'd go into more detail but honestly, you can watch every episode over the course of a weekend or two. I'd just watch it.

Well I appreciate what I got here. This actually helps, thank you, man!

 

[Popadoo]

Well I appreciate what I got here. This actually helps, thank you, man!

No problem. Those are just the main characters, but there's a ton more minor ones, and some on-running themes and in-jokes (There's a pony with derped eyes commonly referred to as Derpy Hooves who shows up in the background of about 99% of the episodes, for example).

 

[Pinkamena]

Since the main characters have already been dealt with.
Setting:
Most of the episode take place in Ponyville. Ponyville is a small town, more like a village. Got a town square, a few shops (Raritys Carousel Boutique, Mr. and Ms. Cakes Sugarcube Corner (Also where Pinkie Pie lives and work), and a shop that sells Quills and Sofas). Ponies seem to buy their groceries at the market on the town square. Other notable buildings are the Town Hall (presumably where the useless mayor works), the school building, and the Apple family farm.
On the outskirts of Ponyville is the Everfree Forest. This forest has been in a fair share of episodes. It's basically the good old "mysterious forest" shtick. Here lives Zecora [Zebra], the shows "witch doctor" character. Good with natural recipies. (Watch episode "Bridle Gossip" for more on this character. Pretty good episode too. I recommend it, if only for the hilarious disease that affects Twilights horn and make it look oddly like a floppy, purple, blue-spotted dick.)

The second most important place is Canterlot. Here the Princesses (Celestia and Luna) resides. Often the go-to-point when big trouble is happening (season finale/premiere). Only the uppermost social class live in Canterlot.

 

[Dangit2019]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.



It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

 

[Pinkamena]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

Always a bit risky to recommend the first two episodes, they are the weakest of them all.

 

[Dangit2019]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

Always a bit risky to recommend the first two episodes, they are the weakest of them all.

All a matter of taste, really. I personally liked them.

Besides, I didn't recommend the episodes I thought he'd like, I recommended the episodes that got the plot info across the quickest.

 

[Lunar Templar]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

Always a bit risky to recommend the first two episodes, they are the weakest of them all.

true as that is, we're not trying to convert him, just give him character info and EPs 1 and 2 do a great job introducing the cast

OTrincess Celestia doesn't get much in the way of 'character depth', Luna does though, not much but enough to make her more viable if you wanna use one of the monarchs, same with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (or Cadence if you wanna be nit picky)

 

[Little Woodsman]

I'm not going to be taking it seriously because what could be more boring than to present my friend a straight faced
pony-fic from someone who doesn't watch the show? So I need your help.

{BIG SIGH}
I'm dating myself a bit here, but do you know what an "Archie Bunker stare" is?
Because I'm giving you one as hard as I can right now.
It pains me to be the one who has to tell you this, but...
It is completely inappropriate to try and write fiction set in an established universe without having
seen/read/played/experienced said universe yourself.
Think about this--how would you feel if someone tried to write an issue of your comic--even a comedic/parody
one--based *solely* on what some strangers on the internet *told them about it*.
The way I see it you have two valid options:
1--Man up and tell your friend that you can't do it, find some other way to satisfy the bet.
2--Watch some of the show.
If you absolutely refuse to go with one of those options, try Wikipedia-the info there is much less likely to
be slanted by opinions.
I sincerely hope that this post doesn't hurt your feelings, but *seriously* dude.....

 

[Little Woodsman]

Applejack [Earth Pony] - Farmer, southern stereotype, hard working and loyal to her family, lives in a barn house on an apple orchard (Sweet Apple Acres).

I'd say Applejack is more of more of a cowgirl stereotype than a southern stereotype.
Amusingly, her name is actually a type of liquor.

[quote-"Popadoo" post-"18.396995.16179519"]
Pinkie Pie [Earth Pony] - Party animal, pretty dumb, comic relief.
[/quote]

You forgot to mention--physics runs crying for it's mommy when she comes on screen. Has broken the fourth wall
so often that there is nothing left of it but dust.

 

[Little Woodsman]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

Always a bit risky to recommend the first two episodes, they are the weakest of them all.

That's arguable (I *love* those episodes). But I do think that it is fair to say that they are
not very representative of the series as a whole.

 

[Kavonde]

{BIG SIGH}
I'm dating myself a bit here, but do you know what an "Archie Bunker stare" is?
Because I'm giving you one as hard as I can right now.

Yeah, seriously. Why not watch a couple episodes of the actual show? No one's going to take your Man Card. At least not until they pry it away from the countless cops, military vets, and otherwise fairly badass dudes who openly enjoy the show first.

That said: if you really are that insecure about your manliness, I'd recommend watching a few episodes of one of the various abridged series, particularly The Mentally Advanced Series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6109C69F1D59ACD9]. The bitter sarcasm and hateful sociopathy might be enough to balance the cute pastel ponies, and you can probably still get a decent read on their personalities.

Besides, your avatar is Stephen Stills. Come on.

 

[uneek]

{BIG SIGH}
I'm dating myself a bit here, but do you know what an "Archie Bunker stare" is?
Because I'm giving you one as hard as I can right now.

Yeah, seriously. Why not watch a couple episodes of the actual show? No one's going to take your Man Card. At least not until they pry it away from the countless cops, military vets, and otherwise fairly badass dudes who openly enjoy the show first.

That said: if you really are that insecure about your manliness, I'd recommend watching a few episodes of one of the various abridged series, particularly The Mentally Advanced Series [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6109C69F1D59ACD9]. The bitter sarcasm and hateful sociopathy might be enough to balance the cute pastel ponies, and you can probably still get a decent read on their personalities.

Besides, your avatar is Stephen Stills. Come on.

Let's not assume that's why he doesn't want to watch the show. People making that assumption is what gives us a bad name. Maybe he doesn't feel like it. He's only doing this for a bet after all. I'd do the same thing.

 

[Jfluffy]

I would definitely suggest watching a few episodes of the show to get an idea on how the main character interact with each other and the mlp wikia could provide some helpful information on the character's personalities and such.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

Yup, I think you should watch the two first episodes - they provide a better introduction of both characters and setting than could possibly be explained through text alone.

Spoiler: Here you go!

As for inside jokes and such, I think you - being an outsider - should avoid them. It will be very nearly impossible for you to match the quality of inside humour that's being produced daily by the legions of hardcore fans. Besides, even if you DO think of some great gag about Fluttershy being a tree or Spike being Rainbow Dash[small]*[/small], you'll have no way of knowing how many people have made that same joke before you.

Not to mention, your work will stand out as far more memorable if you give it your OWN flair! Most MLP fan fiction - comedic and otherwise - is written by people who know pretty much everything about the show, so your outsider perspective is a unique opportunity to write a piece which truly feels different!

Incidentally, when it's done, why not post it here? I'm sure the average Escapist will be more than happy to provide some great, constructive criticism! (Also, I, for one, would really like to see how it turns out!)

[small]*Makes sense (sort of) to those who have seen the episodes "Over a Barrel" and "The Return of Harmony, Part 2".[/small]

 

[Berithil]

Watch the first 2 episodes. Even if you don't get into the show (which is perfectly fine), it's the best way to know the characters inside and out in the span of 44 minutes.

It may seem like a waste of time, but it seems that you've made your bed on this one, so you might as well lie in it.

Always a bit risky to recommend the first two episodes, they are the weakest of them all.

Nah. They're not the worst.

Definitely not the best, but still pretty good. (After all, they are the episodes that got the fandom started...)

snip.

Anyways, I think it's a bit risky to try to write a fanfic about a universe you have no knowledge of.

As others have stated, I would recommend the first two episodes. They're not the best, but they do the best job of introducing the characters.

It's a whopping 44 minutes. Even if you have to slog through them, it will still give you enough knowledge to at least get you started.

But to answer your questions:

Spoiler

There's the Mane 6 (which others have already described), Spike the Dragon, the two Princesses, Celestia and Luna (but they're more like goddesses IMO), and other minor characters, like Zecora and the Cutie Mark Crusaders (Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo).

The setting is a typical fantasy setting, that has a tendency to include modern day conveniences, like movie theaters and electric dams.

The over all premise is about a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle, who is sent to Ponyville (the main setting of the show) to get away from her studies and make some friends. The majority of the show is comprised to slice of life episodes, but there are a fair amount of adventure episodes.

Almost every episode ends with a lesson and a letter to Celestia (the sun goddess).

That's the gist of it. You could always check out Wikipedia for more info.

 

[GrimGrimoire]

Brief overview:
The "Mane six" as they are called, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie (with the addendum of Spike), are the main characters of the show. Their exact age of the mane six is never determined, but for fanfiction purposes, they're usually in their early twenties.
The setting is the diarchy of Equestria, where the three pony races live in harmony under the combined rule of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, members of a fourth Race, the Alicorns, who are larger than other ponies, show characteristics hailing from all three races, and live for very long amounts of time.
The mane cast like in the town of Ponyville, a rural town of uncertain size on the edge of The Everfree forest, a vile, mystic place, largely independent from pony society.
During the events of the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration, the mane cast discover that each of them reflect one of The Elements of Harmony, an ancient artefact in six parts, used in times of pandemonium and anarchy to restore balance to the world.

Well, it's past four in the morning here, so I'm going to grab some sleep, but I'll be glad to assist in any way. Below I have a character summary of one of the characters, if you find it useful, I can write similar ones for other characters, locations, events, inside jokes and themes. Quote me if you're interested in this, or if you just want some show-related questions answered.
Or just check out the http://mlp.wikia.com [wiki] and watch the show, it's probably better (maybe not for fanon and inside jokes).

Spoiler: Example

Twilight Sparkle - The Element of Magic [Unicorn]
Twilight Sparkle is the Royal Protégé and student of Princess Celestia. At the start of the show, she resides in an ivory tower of the Royal Castle in Equestria's capital, Canterlot. She is sent to Ponyville to oversee the preparations for the annual Summer Sun Celebration, a celebration of the summer solstice and Princess Celestia, who raises and lowers the sun.
After defeating Nightmare Moon and making friends in Ponyville, she moves into the town library, effectively becoming the town librarian. The library is into a large hollow three, making it quite a unique building.
She currently lives there with her dragon Spike, whom she hatched as a part of her entry test into Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns (yes, that is a X-Men reference), and her pet own Owlowiscious.
Her Cutiemark (more on this in a bit) is purple star surrounded by five white stars, this could represent her magic being her special talent, and being a skilled sorceress it is fitting, but it can also represent her love for astronomy or her connection with the royal family (the Princesses, Celestia and Luna are in many ways the embodiment of the sun and the moon). She got it when she unleashed her great magical talent and hatched Spike.
Twilight is among the characters that has seen the most development, and while she starts the show as unsocial, but as the show goes on she loses this trait.
She is very studious and hard working, something that has made her a skilled magic user. As the show runs she gains the ability of rapid short length teleportation, something she uses frequently in the newer episodes, levitation of massive objects many times her own size and weight, rapidly firing magic bolts manipulate gravity and grow facial hair.
Demonstrating her talent and understanding of magic, she is later able to replicate spells from just having observed them.
She has recently learnt to use dark, corrupted magic, though it's uses are currently unknown besides interacting with some magical objects and maybe conjuring corrupted crystals.
She is also kind and supportive towards her friends, though her faith in them has failed on some occasions.
Being very organized and invested in her assignments. She reveres her mentor above all else, and would never live to disappoint her.
She in a natural sceptic, and handles magic with a scientific view, seeing herself as a scholar rather than an mystic. Magic is a undeniable fact in Equestria, and therefore also a science.
Twilight usually has a mild temper, but is prone to mental breakdowns when faced with pressure. During a complete breakdown her speech often becomes incoherent and surreal, and has even had conversations with herself in a puddle of water (think Gollum/Smeagol).

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Brief overview:
The "Mane six" as they are called, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie (with the addendum of Spike), are the main characters of the show. Their exact age of the mane six is never determined, but for fanfiction purposes, they're usually in their early twenties.

Well, some of their ages are mentioned as relative to each other. For example, due to Episode 5 of season 1, we know that Fluttershy is a year older than Pinkie Pie.