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Post by Quin Separable on Jan 1, 2006 0:25:36 GMT -5
Too often good stories go awry because the author is in a rush to get to the Big Scene and forgets to lay down the foundation that will support the story along the way. You don't want K/R? Then show me how they're NOT a couple or how they decided to keep it at the friendship level. You want Ron to be suicidal? SHOW me what brought him to this emotional low in his life - and no, it's not going to be just because they took out Naco Night again. Take your time, DO the foundation and your story will work out even if it's deviating from what is perceived as canon. and a Happy New Year to all!  Well put Aers! All too often I've read fics that have Kim suicidal for no reason at all. They give hints she's depressed but not what about. I know that after reading a story like that (if I make it through) I often feel cheated and disappointed. Not saying that I'm perfect at this or anything, but if I have a character depressed, it's because something bad has happened. (Like in my one shots "Without Her" and "Forever", Ron's depressed because Kim was accidentally killed on a mission). |
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Post by surforst on Jan 3, 2006 10:07:46 GMT -5
Alright I got to vent. This bit really ticks me off.
Actual review - "LEARN TO WRITE, MORON"
That's all the guy posted. For God sake if your going to post a negative review at least give a reason. After all how else is the poor kid going to improve? Surforst just says BAH! to this. The real kicker is this reviewer hasn't written a single story. At least try writting a story first before you decide to bash a author who is just trying to write. I just feel bad for the author of the story for getting that. Well that's all for now in. Peace though no love. Sorry budget cuts.
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Post by Scoutcraft Piratess on Jan 3, 2006 20:41:45 GMT -5
Alright I got to vent. This bit really ticks me off. Actual review - "LEARN TO WRITE, MORON" That's all the guy posted. For God sake if your going to post a negative review at least give a reason. After all how else is the poor kid going to improve? Surforst just says BAH! to this. The real kicker is this reviewer hasn't written a single story. At least try writting a story first before you decide to bash a author who is just trying to write. I just feel bad for the author of the story for getting that. Well that's all for now in. Peace though no love. Sorry budget cuts. What's funny is when they critique your writing in the aforementioned review in horrible grammar. Really, if my writing sucks, tell me why. But sometimes people spend too much time laying down a foundation that they never get to move the story along. I suppose it is all about the happy medium. |
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Post by fieryfalcon on Jan 3, 2006 22:46:27 GMT -5
Its a bit about personal preference too. I for one prefer a story with considerable depth. Other people though seem to want to skip right to the crucial elements of the plotline. Too little supporting detail will kill any story though.
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Post by thelastsonof84 on Jan 4, 2006 1:06:49 GMT -5
I don't know, much as I do look forward to writing 'the moment' that inspires me to start a fanfic more often than not, I do so love writing the characters as they grow, evolve and change into what they will be by that point even moreso.
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Post by Aers (That Writer Chick) on Jan 4, 2006 7:18:11 GMT -5
I agree that overwriting can drag a story out, but if you present something in their character that ain't canon, you gotta SHOW me how it happened. For example - I ain't no Kigo fan, but can appreciate it if presented in a plausible manner. I don't see Kim waking up one morning and suddenly having the hots for Shego and vice versa, but if you SHOW me how it happened over time I can buy into the premise. Same with Ron's suicidal (?) urges - you don't go from his happy-go-lucky manner to deep depression to suicidal in a few paragraphs and expect the reader to buy into it. As for reviews/commentary/etc. - I suggest not getting hung up on the reviews, but DO pay attention to your writing and grammar. If you wouldn't hand it in at school or college or university then don't post it - think about your readers. They deserve the best you can offer them and putting up subquality fanfiction without checking your spelling or grammar because it's "annoying" just doesn't work these days. You owe it to the educated public who read and enjoy your work to give them the best you can - and why not? Take that extra minute and run it through spellcheck or, God forbid, get thee a beta reader. Sure, it'll mean that your epic may get posted a few hours or days later, but think about what YOU like to see on the screen - it may be a great story but it takes only one misspelling of Draken or Ruffus to jar the reader out of the story. ramblings off.  |
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Post by surforst on Jan 4, 2006 9:33:11 GMT -5
As for reviews/commentary/etc. - I suggest not getting hung up on the reviews Personally I don't care if people flame me after all I'll just sit back and laugh. What I do care is if they flame some new writer and they don't give him/her a reason why. Sure the kid story was poorly written but you don't have to call the kid a moron. Try to be a little more gentle and a little more constructive in your review and it'll go a long way. There was one story where I actually did try to help a writer by giving some tips (use spell check!) and when they ignored me I stopped reading. The thing was I didn't insult the author in any way and that's the big difference in my book. That's the whole personal issue to me. Oh by the way I checked some of my stories the writer of the original story was actually very nice in one of his/her review. Nice person but the actual original reviewer who ticked me off now has me laughing. Apparently my story is good enough to be one of his/her favorites but not good enough to take the time to review. Wonder if it's me  |
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Post by Scoutcraft Piratess on Jan 4, 2006 13:32:15 GMT -5
I just don't see why people can't give a great analysis and in-depth look at their characters AND have the plot moving! I'm all about character psyche, but I also want some entertainment when I read.
Another thing... I don't know if this is an actual petpeeve related to a fic itself, but...
Sometimes I feel major guilt when I don't read everything by an author. Frankly, some fics don't interest me, and I don't feel I should have to read them just to be nice. It's not even that they're bad, and I could help out by critiquing--I just don't feel a desire to read them. And yet I feel that to be a loyal reader I should. I also try to read fics written by my reviewers, and the same lack of interest/guilt thing continues.
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Post by SonicElectronic on Jan 5, 2006 6:00:34 GMT -5
actually, most of these complaints are found in ALL areas of fanfiction - seriously. It happens when the writer has to really pull the character OUT of character in order to make the story work. Of course, you end up sacrificing the personality established on the show to get the intended results... but these CAN all be done properly and still in canon - if you take the time to establish WHY and HOW it could happen. Can Kim be a jerk? Sure... but you have to figure out what would push her over the edge and then put that into the story. Maybe Ron rips her favorite blouse with one of his stunts, or he accidentally has her fail an important test due to an emergency that isn't really one... like a deficiency of hot sauce at BN! Write up HOW and WHY someone would have such a dramatic personality shift and then you can make the story work. Too often good stories go awry because the author is in a rush to get to the Big Scene and forgets to lay down the foundation that will support the story along the way. You don't want K/R? Then show me how they're NOT a couple or how they decided to keep it at the friendship level. You want Ron to be suicidal? SHOW me what brought him to this emotional low in his life - and no, it's not going to be just because they took out Naco Night again. Take your time, DO the foundation and your story will work out even if it's deviating from what is perceived as canon. and a Happy New Year to all! Good gracious, thank-you and agreed! Well put, I wish all people could understand that e_e Characters aren't perfect in personality, deal with it. Everyone has a limit, even fictional, protagonist ones. but you have get into their heads and understand WHAT would provoke WHICH reaction from them. Kim & Ron & the author would not all have the same reaction to the same situation. |
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Post by zaratan on Jan 5, 2006 11:28:40 GMT -5
That should never be something to feel guilty over. Sure, some writers like that you've read all their stuff, but they aren't going to make you feel bad if you don't. And while I have read pretty much every KP story on FF.net, I only review maybe one in 150. It's all about what you like!
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Post by Aers (That Writer Chick) on Jan 5, 2006 11:48:18 GMT -5
it's hard to not feel obliged to read EVERYTHING by an author, but I'd much rather have honest comments on my fanfiction than feel that someone's just doing it to keep the peace, as it were... but then, I'm just a little bit nuts. |
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Post by staredcraft on Jan 5, 2006 12:09:07 GMT -5
The way I write fan fics...I have a few set of rules
1) If I want to jump into a story with circumstances and not explain them all right off, like Ron being suicidal, I HAVE to at least explain using flash backs or some explanation for it that happened in the past (I usually reserve these for future fics or something)
2) I try to stay true to the series AT FIRST but then I add elements/events of my own that change it from being darker (for example) than the show...take a look at my Kim's New Arch Enemy fic for example. I open it up in the middle of an adventure, just like any other KP episode, but I have something DIFFERENT happen that causes disasterous results. But I STILL keep them in character, mostly. I think KP WOULD be devistated if her villians died on her.
3) I also agree you should explain things out too and give reasons for it. Build things up, but do it in a believible way. One of my pet peeves IS people giving annoying explanations LIKE Ron being suicidal because Naco Night is gone....that is NOT good enough people. And also, if you're going to have Kim and Ron break up, have it be for GOOD reasons not just the "I don't feel it" out of the blue moment. Do something like...Ron's flirting too much with other girls and Kim's getting annoyed. Be more creative than that.
4) Unless this is an AU fic do NOT re-write the history from the show. Don't say they did something in So the Drama when we KNOW it didn't happen. You CAN however ADD a scene that DIDN'T happen in the movie. Basically don't alter scenes from the show, just added them to it but do it in a way that it'll fit with the rest of the episode/movie.
That's all I have to say
and about reviews...Shrugs...they help motivate me to write but I'm not picky
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Post by Levelord on Jan 6, 2006 19:40:29 GMT -5
That's why I stick to drawing fancomics of Kp rather than writing  |
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Post by Sorsha on Jan 7, 2006 22:39:27 GMT -5
The way I write fan fics...I have a few set of rules 1) If I want to jump into a story with circumstances and not explain them all right off, like Ron being suicidal, I HAVE to at least explain using flash backs or some explanation for it that happened in the past (I usually reserve these for future fics or something) I actually find that a great technique. I've seen people write fics that are seemingly so out-of-character it grabs you... and then the flashbacks or whatever tool help explain it... and make it not out-of-character. Always plausible. Agreed! Sometimes it would almost be best if we had Ron suicidal for no reason than Ron suicidal for a dumb reason. If you can't plausibly get a person suicidal, don't do it! And be original. I mean, it's okay to have personality quirks. Everyone has moments of temporary insanity and temper tantrums. That's kind of fun. Miss Piratess' fic I Kissed a Synthodrone? ( www.fanfiction.net/s/2405292/1/ awesome fic and I must advertise it for her) has me, actually, fully convinced that it really is a synthodrone at the end of So the Drama instead of Kim... because frankly the movie has yet to prove otherwise! |
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Post by surforst on Jan 11, 2006 16:09:18 GMT -5
Alright I'm going to cover a pet peeve of mine concerning writing style. No not grammar, God help anyone who comes to me for grammar advice, no this is concerning more important things. The over use of the word 'said' to indicate who is speaking. Reason why I bring this up is I noticed a few good authors on this site doing this and I've read a few great story on fanfiction.net that fall into that trap.
Now the reasons why to avoid it. Well first off it just seems lazy after all if you have to indicate who is speaking directly then your not doing your job of setting up the scene. Most of the time it is unnecessary anyway and only serves to annoy. Finally it's an awkward bump in the overall story. Now let's compare styles here.
Author Said.
Kim said "Ron I love you. More then anything in the world."
Ron said "What?"
Kim said "Ron I love you! I always have. Now let's go make babies."
Ron sighed as he looked up and said "But Kim I love Bonnie."
Kim flushed red and said "I knew that! I was only joking Ron. You know me always the kidder."
Now Author Surforst
Kim brushed her red hair back as she looked at the blond man in front of her. "Ron I'm in love with you."
Ron looked up from his task blinking in confusion. "Since when?"
"Since we met!"
"Oh."
"You're telling me you never picked up on any of the signs?" Kim felt her foot start to tap the floor, a clear sign of her being nervous, and quickly stopped herself.
"What signs?"
"I took you underwear shopping!"
"I just thought you needed new clothes."
Kim couldn't help but stare at the young man. Was he really that dense? "You know what screw this!" With that she launched herself on him intent on showing him a few more clearer signs.
Well hope this helps. ;D
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Post by zaratan on Jan 11, 2006 17:18:17 GMT -5
Yeah, I do find that annoying. Myself, I hardly ever use the word, except when someone says it themselves. It was something I did in grade school, but thankfully got out of. By the way, loved the second example! |
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Post by thelastsonof84 on Jan 11, 2006 17:20:54 GMT -5
*The Last Son goes off to check how many times he used the word said in his writing... just in case.*
The second example did bring a smile to my face, though.
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Post by Ezbok58a on Jan 11, 2006 17:36:31 GMT -5
The second example rocked ;D
I have no Idea what compels me to add "said Kim" to the end of a line. I think I'm thinking that the readers aren't smart enough to figure out who's doing the talking.
Mean? Yes, but hey its what makes me, me.
No offense to anyone here BTW.
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Post by fazhou on Jan 11, 2006 17:41:07 GMT -5
Typically I add "he said," etc., only when it adds clarity, otherwise I feel it best to omit such phrases.
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Post by lonestarr357 on Jan 11, 2006 22:03:52 GMT -5
That is a fine second example. Now, me, I usually rely on adjectives: 'stated', 'beamed', etc.
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