Fanfiction Lounge

[txteclipse]

It seems as though all of the new fics contain the word "Chronicles" in their title. I mean, I know it's a popular word choice, but...there's like three on the front page.

Which brings me to a topic. Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics? That's the story of the Eon Chronicles in my case. I knew the word "Chronicles" was commonly used in titles, but I figured I could get away with it because my book would be "better than everyone else's" (as is everyone's). Now, nearly one year later, I could probably rattle off seven pokemon fics alone that have the word "Chronicles" in the title. Worst of all, I don't know anything about them because the title is so overused that I'm not motivated to click on the thread. And I used the word in my own title.

That just sucks.

EDIT: Oh crap I'm 18 now. I was staring confusedly at my age for a few seconds there...I guess I forgot. Who does that?

 

[bobandbill]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?

No, not really. I think there probably would be some comedies on Pokemon Colosseum, but none that also involve all of the plotholes being a target to be filled and explained, from why certain characters do something that's important to the plot, to why houses in Pyrite only have one room. Heh. :)

 

[Bay]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?

Well, I thought I would be the first one to write about the plates from D/P, but then I read a few other fanfics talking about those too. XD One I read at another forum where there's a chase for them (which I'm also doing...kinda ^.^; ) and another one is the plates have these powers I hadn't thought of before.

 

[JX Valentine]

It seems as though all of the new fics contain the word "Chronicles" in their title. I mean, I know it's a popular word choice, but...there's like three on the front page.

Maybe I should rename the fanfic I'm working on. XD "Midsummer Knights Chronicles."

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?

Nah. See, the way I see it is this: The Pokemon franchise has been around for well over ten years. Fanfics have been written since almost day one. I'd be shocked if I did something that someone else hasn't already done.

But to be on the safe side, I tend to avoid Ye Olde Plots (you know, the ones everyone else already does anyway) and go for the weird and gruesome because that lessens my chances of running into a mirror image of my fics. At least, with my longer works. One-shots, I really don't try too hard to keep away from tired plots, so if it's already been done, eh. *shrug*

EDIT: Oh crap I'm 18 now. I was staring confusedly at my age for a few seconds there...I guess I forgot. Who does that?

You know what you need to do now? Console yourself by looking up porn.

 

[Sydian]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?


Uhhh...-analyzes topic again...and again- Oh!

No, I don't think I have. Only having two stories posted doesn't give much room for this kinda scenario. Actually, I think my crappy story's thread...disappeared. I couldn't be any happier. -.-

Back on topic, like Jax said, I try to think of something someone hasn't done. Yes, most of my stories are shippy...so...it leaves room for many different things. Like the oneshot I'm writing...and yes, this one will get posted. ;D

EDIT: Oh crap I'm 18 now. I was staring confusedly at my age for a few seconds there...I guess I forgot. Who does that?

Speaking of aging, my birthday is in 79 days. :D Funny thing, my pair's birthday is in 79 days, also. xD

You know what you need to do now? Console yourself by looking up porn.

...Just two more years to go. >.>

Kidding!

 

[Golden Riolu]

Oh crap I'm 18 now. I was staring confusedly at my age for a few seconds there...I guess I forgot. Who does that?

I still don't feel seventeen. Meh, I guess I'll have to get used to it eventually.

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?

Umm, let's see... use of the words 'fate' and/or 'destiny' in the title (which is done far too often), a rebellious starter, a rebellious Eevee, too many Kirlia, Stunky's ability Stench described in all its smelly glory, rape, abuse, Shadow Pokemon... I can't think of anything else right now.

~Golden

 

[Astinus]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?
For my current edition of my fic, I really haven't seen much of what I plan to include also tossed in to other fics. But then again, I really haven't read many OT fics recently, so I have no idea what's out there.

As for previous editions, oh lawsy, there was a lot.

Oh crap I'm 18 now. I was staring confusedly at my age for a few seconds there...I guess I forgot. Who does that?

I'm not even used to being in this century.

...Just two more years to go. >.>

Until you can do that legally, Silver. ;<

 

[Sydian]

Until you can do that legally, Silver. ;<

>:D -evilsnortofDOOM-

Umm, let's see... use of the words 'fate' and/or 'destiny' in the title (which is done far too often), a rebellious starter, a rebellious Eevee, too many Kirlia, Stunky's ability Stench described in all its smelly glory, rape, abuse, Shadow Pokemon... I can't think of anything else right now.

...

Then allow me to change my answer to the topic, considering what I just posted. D:

[I'm not even used to being in this century.

You're telling me! What am I supposed to do with this jousting sword? :<

 

[Elite Overlord LeSabre™]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?
Nope.

1) I know the journey fic concept had been done multiple times before when I started my fic. It really wasn't a big surprise to me.

2) AFAIK, nobody else has included calculus contests, "Prime Number or Not" battles, or "Charlotte, NC Highway System Trivia" battles in their Pokemon fanfics... lolz

 

[icomeanon6]

One-shots, I really don't try too hard to keep away from tired plots, so if it's already been done, eh. *shrug*

I think that with one-shots the most important thing to do is to write with a memorable style. It also depends on who you're writing for. I'd say there are generally two kinds of reviewers: The ones who look for a positive aspect and focus on it, and the ones who look for a lack of positive aspects. In other words, some people will ignore the redundancy of a plot if characterization is done really well, whereas others will ignore good characters and not forgive a weak storyline. This brings me to a question I've wanted to pose: While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

I try to look for what needs improvement first, but while making sure to find one or more things about the fic that I can praise before determining my overall opinion.

 

[JX Valentine]

I think that with one-shots the most important thing to do is to write with a memorable style.

I agree, and really, this philosophy can be applied to any story, I think. It's just with one-shots, for some reason, I don't try to avoid the cliches and things that would otherwise make it "just another X story." I just write for the sake of capturing a story in a short number of pages. Although, on the other hand, what would be memorable? Being a stand-out fic in a certain genre/cliche (like being the best "trainer who wakes up late" fic), being original, or just having individual parts that are done well?

I see your point about reviewers, though.

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

It's easier to start off with flaws because those tend to stick out. Hence, it's just easier to say what can be improved compared to figuring out what to say about the things that are okay.

On the other hand, I also know that reviews should also say what worked about a fic, so I always read a story with the thought in mind that I should say something good about it (unless there really isn't).

So, I'd say I mainly look for a little bit of both. I go through and pick out the parts that stick out, then go back through and write down my thoughts of the parts that I liked the most and why.

 

[Astinus]

Eff u, forums, for being so repharded at 12:40 in the night. Arsey arse.

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?
Flaws, only because putting people down makes me feel better about myself.

And I have nothing more of intelligence to add.

You're telling me! What am I supposed to do with this jousting sword? :<

I still think fire is the newest and best invention ever. Plus it's fun to beat things over the head with a stick before dragging it back to my cave. I'm the most literate Neanderthal.

 

[Saffire Persian]

Gee, I don't feel twenty either.

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

When reviewing? I like looking for good qualities. Usually, I'm reading a story that I really like and want to follow, not because of some other obligation, so I would rather want to find and point out the good stuff, but if something catches my eye that could be labled as a 'flaw' or 'mistake', I'll point them out. It's a shame these are easier to point out than really good qualities--for me, anyway. It's just fun reading fics.

Now, in other types of reviewing like judging, I think I'm actually a bit more critical in my reviewing style than I would normally be, but meh.

 

[bobandbill]

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?
I look for both, really - although flaws are somewhat easier to see at times. I also try to enjoy the fic as I review (if it's enjoyable in the first place, that is). Sometimes I get a bit harsh on my reviews as well, but I do try to get both positive and negative (well, constrcutive crit.) in my review. :)

 

[Bay]

Too not used to this century. So many weird things already...O.o

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

I tend to look for both, though most of the time I find good qualities about a fic, thus I would pretty much blabber what's my favorite parts and why. However, if I find flaws, I tend to put an explanation as to why it's a flaw and on how to improve on it. Not only that, I would also put in a couple of jokes to show I've really enjoyed the chapter a lot and also to have the writer relax a bit. That, and I tend to joke around a lot. XD

Also, I want to add something on one-shots. I quite writing those things as I tend to like to write a lot of parable theme like stories. IAnother thing about tired plots and such is I'm one of those people who isn't that annoyed at cliches as long as the story's well written. Hence, why I'm never tired of stories using the same old themes as sometimes there tends to be a twist later on. XD Sorry if I'm rambling a bit, not feeling so well at the moment. O.o

 

[Sydian]

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

Sorry to be judgemental, but if the title and first post are like 'omg reed this cuz its so cool and he becomes the greatest EVER!!11' then I'm looking for flaws. Simple as that. I will hunt them down. Chomp chomp chomp. Nastaaaay.

However, in most cases, I'll look for both. But even still, I'll try to weed out the slightest thing. I'm mean. I need to quit that. I might be the reason we don't see fics from certain people anymore. xD

 

[Dragonfree]

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?
I don't look for anything in particular - I just note down whatever catches my eye and what I thought about it. It's generally easier to catch my eye with flaws, but if you have, say, great characters, I'll find plenty of points to gush about them as well.

 

[Gummy]

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

I look for flaws and good qualities mainly. By flaws I mean things the author can improve on like description or dialogue, not spelling errors (although if I see an excess of this, I will point it out).

 

[Konvict]

Have you ever done something in a fic you knew had been done before and would probably be done again, but you still felt shocked when you saw it in other fics?

Well... My fic (I call it EThER for short) is partly based on Colosseum. :P As to why 'Ether'... YM me if you wanna know, it's a bit hard to explain.

If you didn't start writing fanfiction with the Pokemon fandom, what was your first fandom? As in, if you wrote for a fandom (or multiple fandoms) before you discovered Pokemon, what was it (or were they)?

Ragnarok Online.

 

[txteclipse]

You're telling me! What am I supposed to do with this jousting sword? :<

Give it to me, perhaps?

While reviewing a fic, do you find yourself mainly looking for flaws, good qualities, or something else?

First and foremost, I read it. No editing, no plot checking, nothing. Just straight on, full-bore reading. I decide whether I like it or dislike it, and then I review it.

Reviewing usually consists of a) checking grammar and spelling, b) looking for plot holes, and c) explaining why I liked and didn't like certain parts. I also try to talk about my biases, like if I'm partial or impartial to a certain character or plot element or whatever, to give the writer a better understanding of where I'm coming from. For example: I like Latias. Therefore, if a fic has Latias in it, it instantly scores better points with me. The fic itself could suck, but since it has Latias in it I'm liable to give it a bit higher praise than normal. I would point out that fact somewhere in my review.