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the
Visionaries
of EARTHBOUND
fanfiction
"EarthBound" fanfiction is a realm of great accomplishment and pride, an area of writing that, through the years, has not only been full of tremendous imagination, but exceptional talent to back it up. However, it wouldn't be so easy to make that statement had it not been for the work put forth by the authors covered here. What follows is a look at several creators whose styles or accomplishments have brought highly notable additions to the craft.
the
Women
who changed
"EarthBound" Fanfiction
It's time for us guys to sit back and take a moment to appreciate the contributions that many of our female peers have put forth. Their initiative, dedication, and nurturing of their skills has helped "EB" fanfiction rise to great heights -- and reach out into some of its most fascinating territory.
As a bonus, we'll look into which female characters each of these authors have the most in common with, while noting any peers with similar styles as well.
PSI322
Claim To Fame: "EarthBound" fanfiction's most well-known author -- and for good reason. Since 1999, she's held a reputation for fantastic, emotionally descriptive work. In the years to follow, this made her a sought-after writer in group 'fics, and created a legacy that has been firmly embedded in the medium.
Impact: PSI322 helped inspire a generation of "EB" fanfiction writers (the first one, actually) with her attention-grabbing contributions to Interactive Fiction, which consequently motivated others while maintaining interest in the craft. Her beautifully narrated solo work is similarly well-regarded.
Female Character She's Most Like: If any writer can be likened to Paula, it's the ever-nice, highly pleasant, and very well-regarded PSI322.
Similar Style To: SaturnStorm and MoonlitAngel007 have displayed a narrative approach somewhat similar to PSI322's.
ImagineGal
Claim To Fame: Author of "EarthBound" fanfiction's most-reviewed story, Cycle.
Impact: Her well-received debut played a large part in putting "EarthBound" fanfiction on the map. Additionally, she presented a uniquely mature tone that was revolutionary at the time, which carried over into her sequel, Mutation.
Female Character She's Most Like: EarthBound 202X's Kyla Quinn. ImagineGal displays a polite demeanor and an inventive mind.
Similar Style To: Ninten1 of Hero's Resolve fame.
MoonlitAngel007
Claim To Fame: One of "EB" fanficton's fastest-rising stars. During her spotlight year of 2005, she arrived on the scene and quickly became famed for her debut story, Mend My Heart, which gained praise from all circles of "EarthBound" fanfiction. She ended the year by becoming the first female to win the EFR award for top story with her crossover drama, Mirror Image.
Impact: Brought the concept of love triangles among original characters to prominence. One of her works inspired a Jeff-and-Paula romance in EarthBound: The Perpetual Adventures, while similar conflict within the Chosen Four followed elsewhere as well.
Female Character She's Most Like: Kayla Monotoli from EarthBound Omega. The driven type, churning out consistent updates while writing a serial. Displays a strong exterior, but possesses a humorous and sensitive side deep down -- hence the emotional depth displayed in her writing.
Similar Style To: SaturnStorm and PSI322.
SaturnStorm
Claim To Fame: Being one of "EarthBound" fanfiction's most prolific writers, anyone who hasn't heard of SaturnStorm over the last several years hasn't been paying attention.
Impact: You name it, she's pretty much done it. Whether it's a crossover, a medieval retelling, a peek at the future, a focus on supporting characters, or a Ness-and-Paula romance, SaturnStorm has shown that a lot of doors can be opened when it comes to "Mother" fanfiction. At times, she's just seemed unsure of which ones she really wants to walk through. Still, her work in the area of narrative has brought great beauty to "EarthBound" storytelling.
Female Character She's Most Like: This is going to sound a little too cute, but...SaturnStorm really does have a lot in common with Tracy. Peppy, energetic, devoted, and hard-working, she'd make a pretty good friend to one of her favorite characters.
Similar Style To: Though rivaled in her narrative style by only a select few (namely PSI322 and MoonlitAngel007), some of SaturnStorm's work can also be compared to what we've seen of Pika-Chan's (or should that be the other way around?). Both display a down-to-earth, fun kind of approach when introducing scenes, though SaturnStorm's may be more atmospheric.
Bodger
Claim To Fame: Author of the famous A Walk Through Winters. Back in the day, Bodger gained a decent fanbase for this story -- which has grown in recognition during the years since -- that included the likes of PSI322. She is also the author of the somewhat lesser-known The Ones We Leave Behind, a first-person masterpiece surrounding the origins of Ness and Pokey's relationship. Both stories were ranked among EFR's 25 Best "EarthBound" Fanfics Ever.
Impact: Bodger was one of the first authors to take things we know about "EarthBound" and expand on them brilliantly. Whether we're following Jeff's journey through Winters, or getting insights into Ness and Pokey's history, her versions of these events make for great reading.
Female Character She's Most Like: Michelle Walker of EarthBound: The Perpetual Adventures. She's the follower of a variety of entertainment media (as evidenced by the profile from her site), and also hip, nice, somewhat bold, and a writer of fanfiction.
Similar Style To: On the humorous side of things, some of her style can be likened to that of Cammie Jensen, the author of South of Summers.
Tenda
Claim To Fame: Tenda is noted for stories which possess freely flowing, lightly toned poetic narratives. These tales normally center around self-conscious Author Characters or bit players from "EarthBound." One of these works, Close to the Edge, ranked among EFR's Top 25 "EarthBound" Fanfics Ever, while others such as Awake? and The Shortest Road to Mt. Olympus have also been acclaimed by reviewers.
Impact: Depending on who you ask, her narrative is either relentlessly entertaining or wildly unorthodox. In any case, it's been groundbreaking.
Female Character She's Most Like: The Masked Girl, from EarthBound: The Horsemen Saga. The enigmatic Tenda sweeps in from time to time with valued contributions, displaying a tough shell and stirring small controversy on occasion, but remaining unquestionably dedicated to "EarthBound" fanfiction.
Similar Style To: In terms of flow, some comparisons can be drawn to Cracked Bat's Pig King stories, though Tenda is generally a very unique writer.
the
Men
who changed
"EarthBound" fanfiction
Now then... While female writers have displayed some pretty cool PSI powers throughout the years, it goes without saying that what the guys have accomplished isn't too shabby either. Still, we'll take this time to say it anyway.
In keeping with the fun trend above, we'll note all the character counterparts and similarities to fellow authors as well.
Giampi
Claim To Fame: Having authored 'fics like Mother Alternate and E. Revolution, some consider Giampi to be "EB" fanfiction's most talented writer -- and for very good reason.
Impact: He began things that peers like Flying Zamboni 2 and INouveaux18 would finish. His action scenes are among the most groundbreaking in fanfiction, and he brought the Author Character drama to great prominence. While MA is considered the overall greater of his two most famous works, certain aspects of it -- such as matters surrounding family and slowly unraveling mystery -- are employed to even better effect in E. Revolution.
Male Character He's Most Like: Giampi, like Poo, is a dedicated master of his craft who, coincidentally, is fluent in more than one language.
Similar Style To: In some respects, INouveaux18 and Flying Zamboni 2.
INouveaux18
Claim To Fame: Author of EarthBound 202X: The Chosen Eight.
Impact: INouveaux18 took the AC story and refined it in stunningly effective fashion, seizing certain openings from "EarthBound" and turning them into very entertaining story lines, all amidst a well-written slew of new elements, distinguished characters, and an exceptionally engaging conflict. This resulted in a popular tale that's been called the all-around best work in "EB" fanfiction.
Male Character He's Most Like: The quiet, diligent, multi-talented Ness and INouveaux18 have a thing or two in common.
Similar Style To: Bouvier (EarthBound Omega), Giampi, and Flying Zamboni 2.
"My people seem content as they are."
Renault began to show signs of anger. "Of course they are because you haven't given them a chance to experience anything other than what they have now!"
The king finally turned from the scythe and to his advisor, "Renault, I have always valued your advice and your friendship but on this matter I'm afraid that my word is final!"
"I will not sit idly by while the people are forced to live in run down shacks because their king is too caught up in tradition to care about them! As long as your blood line is allowed to rule then the people will continue to live in poverty!"
Silence fell between the two men. Finally, King Leo spoke calmly, "Renault, how long have you been in my service?"
"Twenty-one years, Leo."
"Ah yes, since the very beginning. That's a long time..." Leo turned and gazed once again at the Scythe of Kings.
"Yeah. All good things must come to an end, right?"
--Flying Zamboni 2
...the men have made the most progress when it comes to creating fascinating new characters.
Tracy leaned away from the railing, letting the blonde hair drift from her shoulders to frame her vision. The road below looked so pretty framed in the soft yellow. She couldn't help but giggle as she saw it, wondering if anyone else had really seen this view before, and of those who may have, who had lived to tell about it later. She doubted the answer had any positive numbers.
A slight flick of the wrist later, and the road began flowing up to meet her.
The feeling of the wind against her made her feel so very alive, her blue eyes sparkling as she watched the World spin around her as her frail teenage body was thrown to the elements.
And inevitably, gravity.
--SaturnStorm
While the women can conjure up some stunningly vivid narrative detail...
Claim To Fame: Mr. Interactive Fiction; author of well-received solo 'fics.
Impact: Anthadd's contributions to Interactive Fiction are legendary among the online "EarthBound" community, earning him much popularity. A notable event was his kick-off of Horizon, which attracted a quick response that helped form the foundation of a successful 'fic. In addition, his most recognized story, Nephew of the Forgotten One, is credited as one of the first solo tales to spotlight supporting characters from "EarthBound." This would become a more popular trend in the years to follow.
Male Character He's Most Like: Anthadd's wise, collected demeanor likens him somewhat to Jeff.
Similar Style To: Giampi and, to an extent, SaturnStorm.
PROPS GO
OUT TO...
Fabricati. As the mind behind a highly creative "EarthBound" retelling, Fabricati has won a tremendous amount of success, keeping the plot of the game intact but practically using new characters for his rewrite. This is a clever move that hasn't quite spread yet, but should be very interesting to behold if others expand on it in the future (perhaps with ACs?). In addition, his skillful use of dialogue leads to some very entertaining conversations.
Michael DePalma
Claim To Fame: Author of EarthBound: The Perpetual Adventures.
Impact: His work infused a new maturity into "EarthBound" fanfiction by taking things in a more grounded direction and focusing on the personal matters of tough-talking protagonists. Alongside this success, he's also initiated well-received group projects like The Rush and EarthBound: The Miniseries.
Male Character He's Most Like: Displaying a hip, bold, and good-spirited nature like Frank, DePalma himself is an entrepreneurial type who likes to take an initiative in trying out things related to the craft.
Similar Style To: Fabricati and Kent Bogar.
PROPS GO
OUT TO...
MoonDoggey -- one of "EB" fanfiction's first and brightest stars of comedy. If "EarthBound" was covered in MAD magazine, the result would be something similar to the fine works put forth by this author, thanks to fun 'fics like Answering Unanswered Questions.
Flying Zamboni 2
Claim To Fame: Writer of the multiple EFR award-winning EarthBound 200X.
Impact: Exemplary work with ACs. In EB 200X, he created a collection of fascinating characters with entertaining motivations and beliefs, all of whom blended seamlessly into the world of "EarthBound" (with Dalaam and its history being the primary focus) for a fantastic Chosen Four story. Additionally, his fight scenes are among the best ever written in "EB" fanfiction.
Male Character He's Most Like: A friendly and cool guy, Flying Zamboni 2's down-to-earth good moods are similar to Picky's.
Similar Style To: JamesPicard_007 and Giampi.
SimonBob
Claim To Fame: Former head of the Starmen.Net Fanfic Department; contributor to well-known IFs.
Impact: While running Starmen.Net's Fanfic Department, SimonBob's popular term was marked by regular interaction with readers and writers, consistent updates, brief commentary on new material, and an HTML guide for those making submissions. This diligence, and his work in Interactive Fiction, is credited with helping to increase attention surrounding fanfiction. As an author, he is recognized for a comical style which has lent itself appropriately to many of his writings, including contributions to IFs like the GIFE series and his remarkable follow-up, GIFE 2.5.
Male Character He's Most Like: He has humorous and somewhat assertive qualities like Everdred, while also showing signs of a certain savvy side beneath.
Similar Style To: MoonDoggey, Jennifer Ever Zero (Rocky Madness!), and Cammie Jensen.
PROPS GO
OUT TO...
JamesPicard_007. As a Fanfic Staffer of Starmen.Net and an EFR award-winning author, this accomplished writer has made an admirable contribution to fanfiction throughout the years. With strong storytelling ability and a steadfast devotion to the medium, he's still one to keep an eye on.
Marshall
Claim To Fame: Author of EarthBound Novel.
Impact: Marshall's seminal work put the "EarthBound" retelling on the map by setting a very high standard. His simplistic yet consistently entertaining approach -- blending great action and humor with engaging narrative and fun dialogue -- brought both the game and the Chosen Four to life.
Male Character He's Most Like: Just like the picture guy in "EarthBound," Marshall came, created something that would make for great memories, and left after a job well-done.
Similar Style To: Pika-Chan.
James
Claim To Fame: Former writer of dramas; creator of EarthBound Fanfiction Reviews.
Impact: EFR and its database have been acclaimed, as have tales like 101, Resurrection E (a first-gen Neo- story), and This place I go. I've also written some fan-fanfiction on occasion when there was a character I had something to say about.
Male Character I'm Most Like: ...The Hint Man, maybe? Minus the age (for now).
Similar Style To: Probably my partners on The Candle: Stories of Confession.
EFR