Author: The Write Bros.
Description: Sweet Apple Acres has a small problem, and only the town repair shop has the means to fix it. However the Apple family gets a lot more than what they asked for when an old friend of Applejack returns to lend a helping hoof.Apples'N'Wrenches Part 1
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 2
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 3
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 4
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 5
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 6
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 7
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 8
Apples'N'Wrenches Part 9 (New!)
Apples'N'Wrenches (Alternate All Links)
Additional Tags: Applejack, OC ponies, shipping, story.
124 comments:
Is this possibly a well written OC, or a bad Gary Stu story that got in because Seths cousin wrote it?
@Dave Mustang, the cynical Brony
Worry not, Dave. We've got much more planned that is definitely better than Chapter 1.
And I am in absolutely now way related to Seth, lol.
@Ficksitup
Well, I don't read fanfiction, I just posted that so there would be no FIRST and so it would give people something to muse about before they read the story.
@Dave Mustang, the cynical Brony
Thank you. I hate "FIRST" posts.
Anyway, a message to anybrony reading this message here; we have oodles more planned for Ficks and Co. So, if you're wanting more, you've got it comin'!
Promising OC story. I like how its going.
self insert oc shipping
the lowest of the low
there is no reason for any competent writer to do this
@Anonymous
Another opinion, HIGH FIVE!
i really enjoyed it. the OC ponies are done well, although at times i felt like their personalities were a little bland.
regardless, i am exited to see how this story will proceed!
You have GOT to be foaling me! It's got a striking resemblance to something I've been writing but haven't told ANYPONY about! Why, Celestia, why?
Great job brony ^_^ i loved this, and dont get discouraged(haters gonna hate) just keep on writing
For the record, I wasn't hating, I was just lamenting my abominable luck.
Great introduction. I'll be waiting for the next chapter!
@Unknown
Aaw. Now I feel bad. Tell you what; send me an email, and I'll help you with whatever you're working on.
Sweet. Brilliant work on the story. And glad to see my work made it once again on E.D
@wolfjedisamuel
Good to see ya', Sam! Thank you for the help... We owe you.
More please! I have this thing for well written shipping stories. (and I'm a guy. WHAT IS THIS?!)
Well written, and I'm looking forward to more!
And a question for Seth: where's the rest of the labels?
Gosh, I like it.
It has this realistic flair to it, somehow.
Ponies with real problems, with bad stuff happening to them, big brother taking care of the younger sibling, and seeing a story that meshes well with the established canon.
I like it because it's simple and practical. And simple is beautiful.
Lol, I'm surprised no one is raging at the Nazi thing in the pic XP
I'm happily surprised that is, though I don't agree with it, I - just like any brony should - can tolerate it.
Yeah, it ok. You use words out of context in the beginning though, in a couple of occasions. Still, its cute enough. I'll be here for the next chapter.
@Baree
You'll have to forgive us on that one. This is our first try after all, but we do appreciate you pointing that out to us.
Every time I see this I think it says "Apples'n'Wenches" >.>
@7heSama
TORTUUUUGAAAAA.
@StreakTheFox
We know about that. Wolfjedisamuel was nice enough to actually draw the stuff for us, so I found it unfitting to complain about the sig. Woulda' been rude on our part.
Whoa, 47 3-Star ratings? Last time I checked, it was a 4 1/2 Stars. What happened!?
Well, it certainly is an interesting story. A few small issues with grammar, but highly intriguing and entertaining. I personally love the 'real life' type issues, it helps to flesh out the characters. I like O.C. stories only if they're well written, and I like this one. A good start indeed and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter. As to the individual who said it was a self-insert, it may be, but it's tasteful and not overbearing. Most importantly, it stays true to the characters' personalities. Not bad Fiksitup, not bad at all.
@Bongo
LOLIDONO. Not that it matters too much, The Write Bros. will push on! A message to anybrony writing an OC, don't give up. Even if it doesn't quite make the cut the first time, keeping trying.
@Truthseeker
Heh, thanks. I guess the self insert thing he said is 'cause some OCs are, and I use Ficks' name as my Google Account name. Me and my co-writer try hard to make a real good story, and we're really happy with the amount of positives we're getting; it really inspires us to do more, y'know? I appreciate the positive review Truthseeker.
You'll see plenty of new chapters as time goes on, and Ficks will have plenty of issues to take care of. We're doing our best to keep it fresh, and we can guarantee the next chapter will be better.
Stay tuned Bronies..!
Never let yourself get discouraged by haters.
Haters gonna hate, indeed.
Or, if you look at Ponibooru, Haters gonna fish.
@Anonymous
Thanks for the inspiring comment. I do appreciate it.
On that note...
Just... Wow. 64 ratings, and we're maintaining a good rating, I'm stunned; completely. You guys will see the next chapter soon, I absolutely promise that.
Thank you guys.
i know why there has been at least one previous comment on realism that is evident in this fairly well-crafted story: no magic or flying. Just earth pony focus which, if you ignore the fact that they're fackin' horses, makes them way more relatable. Day jobs, relatives, drama. That's fairly humanizing material. Gives a tone like the scenes in westerns where they aren't fighting or shooting: they're discussing the things they have to do and the dreams they had or have, like anyone else, but in the context of the work that makes up their day. The American tinge on Internet Culture makes this an easy read for a lot of us, either being American or knowing about the weird sacrosanct humility of individualism that the world at large has been force-fed by (us) "loud cowboy Americans".
And Applejack, as a freaking cowgirl pony, makes this all the more apparent.
I'm looking forward to more, pardner. Eeyup.
@BeeAre
That was an awesome review, man. Thank you.
You should have some how weaved Bill Cosby into the story, wait a minute, I think I understand the sybolism you used there...genius!
I enjoyed it as well. A well crafted OC is hardly the end of the world, shipping or not. So far things are interesting and quite relateable, which as noted, is helped by the fact that they're Earth ponies with minimal fanciful elements. I'll be keeping an eye out for updates.
@Chryssalid
Thank you, and believe me when I say we're not gonna' stop updating it any time soon.
Chapter 2. Common, you know you want to post it.
@One Hoof Wonder
I appreciate the enthusiasm, One Hoof Wonder.
We're still working on it, making sure the clothes are correctly facing, keeping in mind our pacing, all that stuff.
In other words, you'll see it soon enough, I'm sure. Stay tuned..!
We only pester because we enjoy the story. Proper introductions, time/memory shifting, character development, dialog, silent interactions, family relationships... You're doing a pretty good job. I seem to be in the minority in enjoying OC ponies, but good writing can sway the neighsayers. Keep it up.
@One Hoof Wonder
thank you.
As I post this, we're working on chapter 2. It might be late this week, early next week. But nonetheless, you'll all see it. We promise, your patience will be rewarded.
I want to let everybrony reading this that Apples'N'Wrenches is not a one man story.
A very good friend of mine, Thomas, helped me immensely with this story. I could not have done it without his help.
For any credit I get for this story, he deserves just as much. So please, if you're telling me I'm doing good, tell him as well. It just feels wrong for him to go uncredited.
-James
Thanks Thomas! Both of you guys are doing great.
Man, when did this story get three stared? Even though it's OC pony shipping, it's done better than most; It sure doesn't have Ficks showing up saying, "Prepare yourself for the banging AJ!" It's got back story, fleshed out characters, and a plot with direction. I look forward to seeing where this is headed, and that ya'll can get the rating ya'll deserve.
When I first read this (and voted 5 stars on it) this thing was at 4.5 stars, what the hell happened?
This doesn't seem like a self insert, and even if it is, it's a damn good one that doesn't have the whole 'better than you and bangs everyone' thing going on. It's well crafted and honestly deserves better.
Looking forward to a part two man.
@Volk
thank you for the kind words and review! :P
To anybrony wondering, Thomas and I have absolutely no intentions of ending it with a, "Prepare for a bangnin'!" scenario. We feel that, considering the show we're writing about it would be unfitting, and that situation occurs far too often anyways.
Also, chapter 2 is just around the corner. We're twisting a few valves and tightening a few bolts to make sure it runs smoothly right now.
i look forward to chapter 2
@Anonymous
Glad you mentioned that.
To anybrony reading this, Chapter 2 is uh... Longer, let's just put it that way. This however, will be a rare occurrence, but while it is long, I assure you all that it is quite good.
Looking forward to it!
Wait, what am I doing here? Don't I have a chapter to finish?
I honestly don't understand how this only has 3 stars. It's so much better than that.
OC/mane character shipping...yeah, this is going to blow.
*reads*
What's this? A well-written OC? Not a Gary Stu? This story might have a chance after all!
Still not sure why this remained at 3 stars.
And what nazi iconography? (Not a European, so this things don't stand out to me.)
A very well done Oc pony, but I have to say, I felt that Applejack's Characterization was off in some places in ch 2
@Viraus2
Can't be helped. That is the artist's signature and there is nothing I can really do about it. If you are offended then talk it out with him. I just write the stories I don't draw the art.
@Nuttanbolt
It seems to me that implicitly tolerating the most horrific group of the 20th century should be just a little bit more rude than not letting an artist use a watermark.
Celestia bless the fandom, but waaay to often the ratings don't match up with the fic.
In my cynical viewpoint, in order to get a 5-star, you need to make less happen, have more useless filler, have more flashbacks, fewer transitions, and have 5x more OCs. Maybe no one's used to aj being a charachter?
looking forward to the next chapter ♥
@Anonymous
Heh, thanks anon. I appreciate the constructive criticism.
We're trying to make this all it can be.
Guys.
There are worse things in the world than somebody using imagery considered to be offensive as their signature.
If you have to complain, complain about something that matters.
Finally an update! An update that I thoroughly enjoyed. And surprise surprise there was no bangin of the AJ, just more character development. There are a metric ton of shipping fics on this site, and this has been one that I've been waiting for eagerly, and am glad that ya'll are still hard at work turning this out. Keep up the good work guys! This time I hope I don't have to love and tolerate the time it takes for this to update again.
@Anonymous
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
@Volk
Yeah you're gonna have to tolerate us for that one. Believe me, it's not easy proofreading 29 pages of character development by ourselves. Either way I assure you Ch 3 will arrive much sooner.
Also it would have been updated at the beginning of this week but there was a minor glitch so it was never announced that it was updated. But it got sorted out. Love and tolerance right?
@Ficksitup
It's not that I was expecting it at all, I like the fact that the shipping involved in this fic is realistic, well as realistic as you can get when dealing with marshmallow ponies.
@Nuttanbolt
Completely understandable man, and I don't expect ya'll to rush any of it. I will love and tolerate everything... except for maybe your icon... It scares me.
@Volk
Thank you for the praise, Volk. Yeah, Tom's icon is odd. :P Hilarious when you see the ful rez version, though.
But yeah. There will be no, "LETS GET FUNKAY" from this. Too many stories go that route, I think.
Splendid work my friend, spendid indeed.
What's this? a Heterosexual ship perhaps?! UNHEARD OF!!! DOES NOT COMPUTE!!!
"Quotes are not supposed to look like this." He said.
"They are supposed to end with a comma if it is not the end of the sentence," He said.
"And unless you are using a proper name, then the next word should not be capitalized," he concluded.
I know what knocked Twi's balcony loose...
For those of you that don't, rewatch "Feeling Pinkie Keen." Right before the credits start rolling.
I liked it. Don't know why it's getting all the hate from a few OC characters. Not as though they're all Batman and can only save Ponyville from Twilight's magical incompetence.
@Anonymous
And so concludes another exciting chapter of "The Anonymous Grammar Nazi"
Stay tuned children for our next series, "The Secret Spelling Communist"
Just kidding, criticism always appreciated. We'll keep that in mind for future chapters. After all, experience is the best teacher, right?
@Brother_FenirOne cookie for you.
@Anonymous
Eeyup.
:P
I hate avocados. To me, they are just unappealing. People are always telling me to "try this guacamole, it's the best!" and while it very well may be the best damn guacamole in the world, I'm not going to like it if I don't like avocados.
But then one friend made a taco dip. It had cheese, salsa, sour cream, beans, some other stuff and... guacamole. I tried some, honestly expecting to hate it. Went into it with a negative attitude, but to my surprise, I kinda liked it. I mean, it still had guacamole in it so I wasn't nuts about it, but... it was good. Didn't make me like guacamole, but it was the one exception to my otherwise avocado-free life.
Now replace avocados with OC/Canon ships, guacamole with OC/Canon shipping stories, and my friend's taco dip with Apples'N'Wrenches.
It's true. Me, and plenty of others, just don't like OC/Canon ships, and so by default, we generally dislike any such stories. So even if it is a genuinely GOOD story, we WON'T like it based on that one principle.
But this story caught my eye for some reason. Against my better judgement, I opened it up and started to read. I expected to hate it. I TRIED to hate it, even. But I couldn't.
Like the taco dip, in spite of the one element of this story I hate, I find it mixed with things I like, such as character development and good storytelling.
I still don't like OC/Canon ships, but this one is done well enough that I can get over my bias and enjoy a good story. 4/5 from me.
@RiffBrony
What an interesting metaphor, and that was a truly well written review, Riff.
I completely understand your stigma against OC/Canon. In many ways, I share the same stigma, and I know full well that Tom and I walk a tightrope with this story, that the concept isn't normally popular.
Problem with OC/Canon shipping, is that it can intrude on the already set story -too- much. One of the goals with Apples'n'Wrenches, is to present a decently written story/OC that works into the background as well as possible, and does not intrude on anything too heavily. It is a very difficult thing to do.
I love reviews like that one. I appreciate the positive rating, and value your opinion to a high extent.
Thank you.
Hey. James here.
In case you want to speak to either one of us, our contact information is now listed at the bottom of every chapter.
-James
Bit hard on little Nut there. And ehm... please use comma's a bit more. And split some sentences up.
Other then that, enjoyed the last chapter enough.
@Baree
Yeah, Nut's day was not easy by a long shot. We'll continue to work on our grammar as well.
Thanks for reading..!
Gotta say, I really like this story. I wasn't sure at first, but darn if it isn't growing on me something fierce. Definitely adding this one to my watch list. Keep it up, Ficks!
Great story!!!!! keep the chapters coming! Can't wait to see the others reaction to Ficks and Aj's relationship
It's F****ng Great, nice Clam uns plastic writing. More from your Realtionship with this Stunnig mare. ^^
Oh dear the spoilers. THE SPOILERS.
Actually, a very great shipping story. This, along with a couple of others, actually really got me into shipping. I used to think it's just the same as a Clopfiction. Now I know I'm WAAAY off.
@ Ficksitup
I don't think that was a spoiler considering that the picture between the break and the comments is a MAJOR spoiler. If someone bothered to come all the way down here to read the comments then they have seen the picture and therefore makes my comment not a spoiler. Lol :)
Wolfjedisamuel... You've done it again.
Respect to both wolfj and author - Excellent story borny!
Wow... These are pretty long chapters! Awesome! Trevor has only JUST finished chapter 2! One is really liking the story, the character development and interaction, everything! One doesn't know i the two of you are co-Authors, or if one of you is the pre-reader/editor, but regardless, AWESOME job, and please keep up the awesome work! *Continues on to Chapter 3*
~ Magical Trevor, Minstrel of Equestria
(And you for the ~YAY!~ At the end of CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PEST CONTROL!)
Hay, who did the pic?! Trevor is MOST impressed! He wants to know who please! (Especially if they're on Deviantart)
Anyhoof, there isn't much left that one didn't say in one's e-mail, so one will just leave, saying how much he loved the ending of chapter 4, and can't wait for chapter 5! (Trevor is a sucker for good romantic fics. He especially liked AJ letting down her hair. *Is very prejudiced in favor of that style of hair*)
~ Magical Trevor, Minstrel of Equestria
@The GREAT and POWERFUL Trevor
The artist you seek goes by the name of Wolfjedisamuel. He's been with us on this since day one and has been nothing but generous and devoted to our cause. We owe this guy big time. And yes he is on Deviantart.
@Ficksitup
They're spoiling it...
And then they're gonna spoil me...
OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!
@Nuttanbolt
Oh you. :P
The spoiler. It has been defeated..!
Ficks said as he grabbed his little brother, and gave him a one-armed hug and ruffled his mane.
-I suggest "one-legged hug"... or perhaps trying to figure out how to describe the "neck-hug" that Celestia gives Twilight at the end of S1E2 while the other five little ponies are genuflecting.
Why in the hay isn't this story at 5 stars?!
Oh sweet Celestia, I just finished Chapter 5! More shipping, more hugging loving and kissing! Less sadness! Sun and Moon, please less sadness!
This is a really good story. I love every update. Ficks is a bit clueless, isn't he?
I kinda feel like slapping Ficks upside the head right now. Just TELL her, you idiot!
But I digress.
@marioandsonic
Big brothers are so dumb sometimes, ya know?
@Nuttanbolt
Yes, but seeing as I'm a middle child, I can be too sometimes.
I really liked this story. I typically don't read OC pony stories, but you made these believable. So far the story has been great, I do wish to read more of it soon!
To the author: I see that this story started back in July, and here we are in December on only part 5. Will you be writing this more often now, so that I should continually check for updates? Or is this a side-project that you're working on occasionally? Overall this is definitely a 5-star story so far. Great job.
@RWC
September/October was a month of insane procrastination for us both. School, work, it was quite the conflict to work with for us both, and getting stuff done was difficult. However, a two month delay like this is likely to not happen again; this much I can all but guarantee you.
So, yes. Keep checking for updates. The next chapter could easily take three weeks, as it's also going to be a big one but we're going to have less in the way, we think this time 'round.
As for this being a side-project, definitely not. We try to dedicate all the time we can to this story.
Either way, I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much. I'm STILL flabbergasted by the warm reception this story's gotten!
-James
UGH! STUPID FIX STUPID!
I literly facepalmed at the VERY BEGINNING! all you ahd to do was just take her off to the side, sound very akward, kind of say it with out using the exact words then if she know you well enough to like you she will know what you are saying, no you did it the way I have seen my friend do amillion times and get into relationship trouble, though one thing, RAGE
other wise, good chapeter waiting for more
Well, I believe the reason i've liked this story is because it doesn't follow your typical "I love you!" "Oh me too!" story arc that msot shipping follows, almost completely turning me off to the genre.
It's a more believable story that focuses on the daily life of a young man in love, and how he wants to go about fitting in and trying to impress her/her friends. Whilst she also holds feelings for him, and he's too blind to notice her subtle hints and such due to how infatuated with her he is. I believe we can all relate to a story of this type, as it's much more real.
Plus your realization of how he would tend to be fairly calloused towards this sort of thing after having to deal with his father and not having a mother for a long time shines through. It creates a very entertaining and beautiful story. Your characters that you have created come off as very thoroughly thought-out and have been presented appropriately. It's just a very well written story.
There's been a few grammatical errors, and some mixing of tenses, a few transitional errors and a few times I had to re-read the selection just to make sure I understood it the first time. But the overall quality of the story, and how few of those errors there actually are lead it to be one of the better fan fictions I have read.
_____________
And just to make sure: I did not want to come across as rude as to asking how long the chapter might take. I just wanted to know when to check back on this story. We all have real life activities to attend to. I have this bookmarked and will check on it at least once a week. I look forward to seeing how this story progresses on. Great writing to both of you.
So I stumbled upon this story through today's update. I was immediately intrigued, being that it's an OC shipped with a mane cast member. Read through all 52k words in one sitting, and it colored me impressed and excited.
This caught my eye because I'm in the middle of writing my own OCxMane cast fic. I didn't want to use an OC, mainly because I know people will assume that it'll be full of author insertion or wanting to fulfill some sick fantasy. For my story though, it has to be an OC; I would not like my story if I forced a main, minor, or BG pony instead
I never judge a fic by its tags, and I'm glad all these other bronies gave it a chance as well. You've created believable characters and thrown them in scenarios we can easily relate to. The pacing is spot on and you definitely know how to build tension.
So let me personally thank you both, Tom and James, for writing "taboo" as many people would assume. It's a crying shame this isn't rated higher, cause I know, even with a BG pony instead of an OC, this would shoot straight to 5 stars. With stories like yours, I hope we can change the mindsets of the more ignorant bronies.
A pleasant surprise to see this story had updated.
Thanks
Ficks, Ficks, Ficks... If a mare kisses you, you are NOT just friends, no matter what she says. Honestly, you fell for that?
Oops, almost forgot about Part 5.
>Slaps self upside the head
-Saph
make part 6... NOW!!! NO ONE MAKES MY APPLEJACK CRY!!!
@Haugland
Turns out, Ficksitup does, and completely by accident. Fret not.
To anyone reading, unsure of how long the next chapter will take.
Oh, each time taunting me with your hints of shippy goodness! And now he's got another mare and a jealous lizard to worry about! This is killing me, I need closure!
Uncle Plank was acting so awkward-like in the latest chapter it was almost a pain to read past that part. I used to respect him as a grumpy ol' uncle-mentor character up till this part. Why you do this, man?
@Bufflord
'Cause. Interesting characters have more than one layer. They also aren't always what you expect.
Everyone's got two sides.
Poor Rarity! I'm so envying Ficks right now. She's such an irresistible mare. I hope she does find the right stallion for her someday.
... No, uncle Hammerplank is not 'the right stallion' for her, hold yer horses now. :P
yaya part 7!
i love this story. :D
Hmm. I just hope Rarity will stay strong to enough to keep refusing. No need to go into that cliché I don't think.
About 4 or 5 stories give me the heeby-jeeby-freakouts when they update, and this is one of them.
Finally they are going out! And things seem back on track, yay! I don't envy Rarity, I've been there, but I do hope she stays strong and doesn't fall to temptation. And by far the best bit was Big Macintosh's 'big brother' talk. One leg. Loved it!
Keep 'em coming and I'll keep on reading!
~Kroqgar
Poor me going along loving this story and then the end of chapter 8 its like a big ole slap in the face. But its one I deserved and I will gladly take a thousand more if this story just keeps getting better as it has
Guuhhhhhh, every time something happy happens you take it away again! I can barely stands it!
God damnit Spike.....
Why do you torture AJ and Fiks like this author dood?!?!!!!
that was a quick update.
and imokaywiththis.
@Blackbelt
'Cause nothing worth it is ever easy.
Wow. That was a twist I was certainly not expecting. I would've pleaded with you to give poor Ficks a break but this is making for some good story-writing and now that dad is back, I can hardly wait for the next chapter. I have mixed feelings about the argument scene though, half of me thinks it's too forced while the other half is telling me to let it slide since argument scenes can be pretty hard to pull off.
-Jeff
@Bufflord
It was indeed a difficult scene to do.
In 24 hours... from 4.0 to 2.5...
...Why?
@Ficksitup
http://www.reddit.com/r/mylittlepony/comments/teyq7/my_little_trololol/ Some Troll decided to downvote your story like crazy (The link got shot down immediately as no pony sided with the troll). We made a second thread to help balance it, although i dislike to spam a rating, there is no reason for what they did to your story (link for second thread http://www.reddit.com/r/mylittlepony/comments/tf3h9/help_me_make_someone_feel_a_little_better_guys/ )
@Unicornia
You guys. You guys are the best.
Thanks.
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