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Lana. June 23rd, 2009 1:41 PM

In just about every guide to writing I've read, they all say an agent these days is almost mandatory if you want to get anywhere. I'm willing to believe them, seeing as I have no one else's advice to go on anyways.

On another note: my story's off to a great start. Yeah, when I was creating the thread, I hit the 'Enter' key instead of the apostrophe. So now I have a story called It. -__-

I think it's a bad sign, honestly.

Astinus June 23rd, 2009 1:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentine (Post 4777352)
(A lot of noteworthy writers I can think of off the top of my head had agents back then, including, if I recall correctly -- and Asty can correct me if I'm not -- Orson Scott Card.)

He did have one. Right off the top of my head, she is specifically mentioned in the introduction to Speaker For the Dead, where she sells the book(s) for him. And that book was originally published back in 1986. He had an agent before that year, though what year specifically, I can't say for sure.

Though, in a flash of insight, I remembered that this was before the novelized version of Ender's Game, which was published in 1985. So I would assume that he had the agent I mentioned since before 1985. How far previous that is, again, I can't say. But I would assume he had an agent for a while, since the book Songmaster was published in 1978.

JX Valentine June 23rd, 2009 7:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Lanee (Post 4779572)
On another note: my story's off to a great start. Yeah, when I was creating the thread, I hit the 'Enter' key instead of the apostrophe. So now I have a story called It. -__-

I think it's a bad sign, honestly.



Does it involve psycho zombie clowns? Because if it doesn't, then that's another thing the Pokémon fandom should have.

....

*makes a note of including this somewhere in AEM*

Also, thanks for the verification, Asty!

Feign June 23rd, 2009 8:05 PM

lol... I could extend mine to include a sort of jirachi wishmaker retelling XD (that is the only anime I can recall that has clowns).

Bay June 23rd, 2009 9:21 PM

Brave New World...urgh, very funky book. O.o I read that as extra credit for my English class back at high school and just a whole bunch of events suddenly thrown out in the air. XD

Are there any kind of real life situations that can actually help you write more/better?
Sometimes whenever my family or friends makes a great joke, I would steal it and put it somewhere in my fanfic. :X Other than that, back when I was writing my first fic, "Heart of the Sea" I would go fishing with my dad a lot, so each time I go finishing I would think of ideas of how I want to progress the story.

Ninja Caterpie June 23rd, 2009 10:52 PM

Oh Em Effing Jee.

I'm back.

Well, sort of. I'm not allowed to play Maple anymore. -sadface-

DassenSupes June 23rd, 2009 11:52 PM

Oh, well, Brave New Word is one of my favorite books.

In any case, just posted Chapter 3. derpderpderp

So, what about, Fahrenheit 451? anyone?

Misheard Whisper June 26th, 2009 2:31 PM

Waaaagh, the inactivity! Please, people, post something! It's only when this thread goes to sleep that I realise how large a part of my PC life it is!

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

JX Valentine June 26th, 2009 6:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkling Dragon (Post 4791594)
Please, people, post something!

Something. ♥

Seriously, when I'm not working, I'm usually dealing with friendly little newbies to this forum, so I've got my excuse. *nods*

Quote:

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?
I know it's going to be terrible of me to say this, but in terms of my own writing, fanfiction. I don't know. It always feels like I can come up with half-decent ideas with the right pacing and the right mixture of elements when I sit down to write fanfiction, but when I go to write original fiction, whatever comes out of it turns out incredibly cheesy. I can't really put my finger on why, but when I try to write original fiction, its pacing is too fast, its plot devices are stupid... just everything about it is wrong. *shrug* But I'm trying to resolve that, and I'll get it eventually.

In the meantime, for the most part, I love working on my fanfiction as I'm working on it. It usually takes a couple of months for me to see it as less-than-decentfic, and by that time, it usually doesn't matter because it's finished. I don't have to deal with it after that point.

Misheard Whisper June 26th, 2009 7:14 PM

Yay! Activity! oh dear god i has no lifes

I like writing both for various reasons. Original fiction, I have much more freedom. The ability to write about whatever I want without having somebody say "Hey! X told Y in Episode 237 that he would never do Z!" or "X never behaves like that!" is a great feeling. Also, my genres aren't limited. Admittedly, I could do a Pokemon fantasy story, but it would be awfully difficult, especially if I wanted to include magic.

Fanfiction, on the other hand, is a way to express myself in a different way, showing appreciation for this great fandom I find myself in. It can also be easier to write with boundaries, too; I often branch out wildly in originalfics. Also, writing chapter-by-chapter fanfiction gives me a feeling that there actually is some point in writing the next chapter, especially if I get a couple nice reviews.

So, sitting on the fence, as I so often do, both have pros and cons, and both are fun to do.

*falls off fence*

Original fiction 4eva!

{Swan} June 26th, 2009 7:29 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

I know Valentine said it was terrible of her to say, but I'm feeling terrible for saying this in the Fanfiction area ^^;;

I much prefer writing original, simply because it's mine. I'm not saying Fanfiction is wrong, I've tried it a couple of times and I'm going to try it again for the 7 day 7 K challenge, but it just doesn't feel as much as my own as the stories and plots I come up with myself. Some are cheesy and generic, but sometimes I find myself thinking of something that is pretty original. I have something of a lack of patience though, because when I'm done planning everything for a story I've usually already come up with something else.

The two plots that I've gotten furthest in planning and am going to try to write are set in a modern time. One of them in a universe where everyone can shift into an animal, but that the prey are being hunted by the Carnivores. The other is about incarnations of the Greek gods that are being chased by enhanced humans, created by a backfiring punishment.

I enjoy toying with fanfiction also, because sometimes you just feel like placing someone equivalent of you in such a world. What I do hate are canons. I'm not quite sure why, but I cringe away at a fanfiction or roleplay where canons are being played or written, especially those cheesy ones where the lead always ends up with a well known canon, such as Riley or Ash. Cringe.

It is easier, I have to admit, to play around with a universe that is already created. Saves you from having to come up with the birds and the bees of said universe. It's better for if you don't want to dedicate as much work in the story but still feel like sowing together a decent to good story.

This is my opinion though, so don't hit me if you love canon fanfics!

Bay June 26th, 2009 8:08 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?
Right now at the moment, fanfiction. Like Jax, for some reason I too can come up with decent ideas for fanfiction, but for original fiction the ideas are just weird. XD I would love to try my hand at original fiction once more, but with my busy schedule and a few more fanfic ideas I want to do, not sure. :O

And as for Fahrenheit 451...that's an even more funkier book! :O I couldn't even understand what happened at the end.

Misheard Whisper June 26th, 2009 8:14 PM

It's . . . it's alive! *maniacal laughter that lasts nearly half a minute before degenerating into a helpless fit of distinctly unhealthy-sounding coughing and hacking that just about rips my throat out, all the while leaning backwards with hands upraised and fingers spread into claws*

Spoiler:
I love spoiler tags
Spoiler:
lol click the next one
Spoiler:
and the next one
Spoiler:
this is getting old now
Spoiler:
isn't it?
Spoiler:
Last one, I promise
Spoiler:
I'm a moron.

I need a life. Srsly.

Dagzar June 26th, 2009 8:28 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?
I like doing both. For original fiction, I love creating these worlds and the characters that populate it and I have no restrictions of what I can and cannot do. On the other hand, fanfiction is all about stretching the boundaries and finding interesting ways to go around them, something that I love doing.

So… meh. I can’t choose. <_<

Citrinin June 26th, 2009 8:32 PM

I've never tried fanfiction before, so original fiction wins by default. :P However, I'm currently planning out a work of fanfiction that I'm quite excited about. :)

Lash June 26th, 2009 8:32 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

I prefer to write fanfiction. Original fiction is just too challenging for me at times, and I'm no where near as creative with it as I am with fanfiction. Like Dagzar said, "fanfiction is all about stretching the boundaries and finding interesting ways to go around them", something I too love doing.

icomeanon6 June 26th, 2009 9:17 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

Actually, I'd have to say original fiction. I think it's because I can actually share original fiction with people I know in real life (I would never, of course, tell anyone in real life that I write fanfiction). When you can bounce ideas off of someone face to face, I think your ideas end up being more polished.

Also, I constantly worry about the restraints that come with fanfiction, in terms of how far from canon I can wander and still have it be Pokemon. When I started writing my first fic, I admittedly wasn't well learned in Pokemon canon at large. I was just getting back into Pokemon after not touching the stuff in five years, and I had an idea for a story and went with it before I realized that I hadn't done enough research. My knowledge was very limited to Generation I, and I wasn't even aware that Kanto and Johto were actually connected. Needless to say, fanfiction has taught me the importance of being familiar with your topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentine
It always feels like I can come up with half-decent ideas with the right pacing and the right mixture of elements when I sit down to write fanfiction

With me it's the exact opposite. With fanfiction I always feel like I'm walking on a bed of nails and that the fandom will find my ideas n00bish, sacriligious, or both.

Citrinin June 26th, 2009 9:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icomeanon6
Needless to say, fanfiction has taught me the importance of being familiar with your topic.

I agree, and also in many forms of Original Fiction, I constantly find myself needing to have a great deal of knowledge about some aspect outside of writing in general. The current fanfic I'm planning is grounded in the knowledge I gained from research into an original short story I wrote for school a couple of years back. That's what I love about writing - you can draw in outside knowledge from basically anywhere. ^_^

Yuoaman June 26th, 2009 9:28 PM

I prefer writing Original Fiction, it allows me to be as creative as I want, and not be restrained by the canon of pre-fabricated universes. Though I'm easily frustrated when I have to try and research trivial things like the weight of leather armor XD

Bay June 26th, 2009 10:17 PM

Since everyone else is talking about restrictions by canon and whatknot...

Actually for me, I still have to research both when writing original fiction and fanfiction. Since I wrote historical fiction and mystery stories in the past, I would have to research a lot of historical background and also some police stuff. For fanfiction, depending on which fandom, lots of times research on some items, people, places, and powers (if the fandom has characters using superpowers, like Naruto, but goes same with which attacks the Pokemon can learn). I don't mind too much though as sometimes I actually have fun researching into those things. Time does fly fast though after finishing doing my research. XD

Citrinin June 26th, 2009 10:24 PM

I agree with you, Bay. Certainly a lot of research is done in a lot of original fiction.

The Canon restriction is one I find to be interesting. It seems to act dually: the canon restriction acts as a safety net, allowing you a fully functional universe to operate with, but at the same time prevents you from writing anything monumental, despite the ability to write some really neat stuff.

Feign June 26th, 2009 10:30 PM

That's why I like my tweaks, I pull things from canon, but I add some spice and zest (yes I know they are basically the same thing). Perhaps I should write a parody one day... I remember I helped RP a parody of the first matrix, let me see if I can find it.

EDIT: Okay I found it. It contains some adult themes (despite the fact that I wrote it quite a few years ago, haha. So I'll post it on my blog here.

Citrinin June 26th, 2009 11:22 PM

Of course, I imagine most fanfiction would have to involve tweaks (probably additions or justified modifications rather than removals) to canon. That way, even though it's fanfiction, the story can be more your own rather than a half-half effort by you and those who designed Pokémon. :)

Feign June 26th, 2009 11:47 PM

Yep, makes sense. Of course with the fanfiction though, people have to tread a little more carefully in respect with canon.

Of course this could go with OF too, as research would be crucial.

When I wrote my two fics so far, I watched a few anime episodes, both to do with aura and various characterizations and such. Thus one of the reasons I enjoyed writing the Zombie one. XD

Citrinin June 26th, 2009 11:49 PM

Yeah, I imagine there does reach a point where you can tear canon too far apart, but luckily the Pokémon universe is flexible enough to allow us to add our own Pokémon, regions, and various events. Just look at the number of fictions on here that don't follow the standard game-style pattern. :D It's quite incredible, really.

*hylian*sakura* June 26th, 2009 11:52 PM

I prefer original fiction. Cus it just basically comes from my own mind. And I can develop my own worlds. AND I don't have to worry about getting critiqued on how well I do someone else's idea. Cus sometimes I get carried away and the characters could get changed... So original stuff is better for me.
But some people are just brilliant with fanfics! Just not me.

Feign June 26th, 2009 11:52 PM

Lol indeed, though it is hard to tell which side has more, the ones that have the morning of getting a pokemon full with a complete breakfast (theeeeeeeeeey're great, sorry had to do that). Compared to the rest of the fics.

Plenty of those fics probably also being quite explict >.> Shipping...

Shrike Flamestar June 26th, 2009 11:53 PM

I like original fanfiction the best. :D Basically where I take only the core aspects of what is Pokemon, the parts shared across all forms of canon, while disregarding anything else that is specific to any one single canon. If I couldn't use all my original concepts, well... I'd probably write even less than I do now. In some of what I write (I'm looking at you, TRINITY) the only linking point to Pokemon at all are the Pokemon themselves, with everything else being completely and radically different (TRINITY doesn't even have any battling or trainers in the traditional sense due to backstory reasons, for one). TFC on the other hand, while having many similarities to a more traditional Pokemon setting, ends up radically diverging with all the source energy (aka magic) and angel nonsense.

<Rambling>
Oh, and swords. They both have swords actually, and in both cases they make just as little sense. In TFC the bad guys use them because they hurt more, and the main character uses them because they literally appear out of thin air in his hands. Plus, he's a bad shot with a gun. In TRINITY they're rarely used at first, but later on become more common as they can bypass the hybrid shields that hunter drones use. (Energy-nanoblades, specifically. Think of a lightsaber with a solid core composed of nanites, or the Dragon's Tooth Sword from Deus Ex if you know what I mean. The combination of the kinetic motion of the blade itself plus the energy overloads conventional kinetic, energy, and hybrid shielding but not the more advanced phase shields) Tashima is also fond of fighting with them in the Cybernet but that's okay as who wouldn't want to try fighting with words in a virtual reality where your personal skill doesn't matter? But that all okay to me, and the rule of cool agrees. Do you get the idea that I like swords and the detail I've put into the TRINITY technology?
</Rambling>

So yeah, in short and without the rambling I don't think the magic, swords, cybernetic stuff, and spaceships in my fics exist in normal canon (Aura is close but not quite the same as what I have, and there have been a wide variety of airships but no true spaceships) so I'm sure some people would get in a fit over me calling my stuff fanfiction, but so long as I have Pokemon in them I'm pretty sure they're still fanfics by most standards.

Lash June 27th, 2009 2:24 AM

Well, I just posted my first fanfiction in awhile, first good one overall, here.

Before this, however, I was writing another fic that I'm sure would have been deemed good. I had the first and second chapters done, but I didn't post it at all. Out of this, comes a question.

Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?
Like I said, I already had two chapters in with the fic I was writing, and there was a couple of times I planned on posting it. But, somehow, it kept getting delayed up the ass. Recently, I called it quits.
I probably will get back to it one day when whatever projects I have going on now are finished.

JX Valentine June 27th, 2009 6:25 AM

On the subject of restrictions, I'd like to note one thing. While I know original fiction is the more respected form of literature (and requires its own research and its own brand of creativity), it also comes with its own restriction: the element of disbelief. As in, your reader will follow you wherever you take them, but if you do something like violate the laws of physics, you'd better come up with a decent explanation that fits the world of your story. Otherwise, it just doesn't work. So, in a sense, original fiction is bound only by reality. Once you acknowledge that, you work with it to get over that and connect to the reader without sacrificing the tone of your story, if that makes sense.

Meanwhile, fanfiction has a pretty obvious restriction in that you can't violate canon (which is the reality of that franchise) without a good explanation. It's really more or less a lot like working with the reality barrier in original fiction, though, except you tend to work closer with it in fanfiction. Don't think of it like "this is canon, and I have to work around it to get my fic to work." Think of it like "this is canon, and I have to use it to get my fic to work." There's a subtle difference in that the first idea means you see canon as a barrier to which you add tweaks or which limits your creativity, whereas the second, you creatively use canon in order to suit your needs. For example:

- A bad author does not acknowledge canon, so his Professor Oak snaps at his grandson because the author doesn't understand that the canon character acts a certain way.
- A mediocre author acknowledges canon but sees it as a limitation or a crutch. Therefore, the only role Professor Oak serves in his story is as a Pokédex/starter Pokémon dispenser. Professor Oak is usually never seen again.
- A good author knows canon well enough to know how to play with it. Therefore, the fanfiction has Professor Oak as a main character, investigating ancient Pokémon in ruins recently found in Sinnoh that are not necessarily canonical. Professor Oak is accurately in character in this fanfic, and the location of the ruins (along with the species of the Pokémon in them) is believable enough to pass without making someone feel as if the writer is forcing something to be in a nonsensical location.

In other words, canon is there, and it may feel like a crutch, but really, it doesn't have to be. It's a lot like trying to write a story about your friends in a real city. You need to know both, yes, but creativity should really jump beyond that and build up from the foundation canon (and basic reality) provide, not fall back onto facts as a safety net, if that makes sense. You don't even necessarily need to create your own parts of the world or otherwise avoid canon characters or places in order to get creative. The principle works in fanfiction in franchises where there isn't as much flexibility as there is in Pokémon as well.

Point is, all too often, I see the "canon is a safety net" argument and the "canon restricts my creativity" one, but it's really not supposed to be like that unless you're not entirely confident in your use of canon. If you are, then you really can produce something that can be as good as or better than published original fiction because canon is nothing more than the same kind of reality obstacle that original fiction experiences. Knowing how to use it requires a brand of creativity that's slightly different from working with original fiction (where pulling sparkly vampires straight from your ass will get you loved by millions of angsty teens), but it's not like fanfiction is inherently a less creative or less possibly revolutionary venture than original.

(However, it does mean that the impact fanfiction makes on a population tends to be restricted only to the fans of that franchise. This is the only way fanfiction will never be as "monumental" as original.)

Sorry for the rant. I really do respect original fiction equally to fanfiction. Writing is writing for me, and there's such a thing as good and bad writing in both. Likewise, yes, original fiction allows you to establish your own laws, but, as I've said before, that can only happen if you take the time to clearly define those laws because otherwise, you really can't suspend the laws or facts that already exist in the real world.

That aside...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lash (Post 4793355)
Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?

Oh yes. There's a number of them, some of which are actually recent. For example, there's supposed to be a sequel to Bloom about Bill's other sister (not Rose -- the one closer to Bill's age and the one who lives in Fuchsia) and how she felt growing up in his shadow, but the backstory felt like an angstbucket. I liked the main story, though, because it involved expanding Johto's mythology and because it had drama and character death and plot twists like whoa. But I never really finished it because of the blinking backstory. I might, however, after rewriting it for the umpteenth time, in part because I promised Astinus and half my LJ friends list I would.

For another, more recent example, there's a little fic that was basically a string of short scenes that portrayed five times Bill got angry (which, as far as I know, never happens in canon). I wrote up to the fifth time and then stopped because it was my 7Day7K, I failed, and I couldn't think of what else would get him pissed. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the other four times (especially the last one, which was so messed up it was all around fun to write), so I might push myself to figure something out and then post it later.

And for a third, I started writing an original trainer story (gasp, shock, horror!) in which a bubbly, happy-go-lucky kid gets involved with Missingno (not in the way that you think... and no, not in the gutter, either) and inadvertently is about to bring down destruction to the entire world (basically, the opposite of what every new trainer seems to do) because he's an idiot. Might go back to this one because I thought the idea was hilarious. (I was also half-asleep when I thought of it.)

Yeah, that comment I made a couple of pages back in which I said Bill was featured in about 90% of my fanfiction? Wasn't kidding.

Giratina ♀ June 27th, 2009 7:53 AM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

Fanfiction, hands down.

For whatever reason, it's just easier for me to come up with decent ideas, characters, plots, and what have ye is I have a base of sorts to leap off of. I can twist and skew the original-fiction worlds however I want to, but sometimes I find it a lot easier to do something with an already-established series: go more in-depth to something unexplained, write a continuation, or just write a good old-fashioned Trainer story. Whatever it is, it's a lot easier to come up with when it's in Pokémon form because I have something to branch off of. This makes coming up with good ideas that much easier, and the only original fiction plot I've come up with is really not that good. xD

Bay June 27th, 2009 8:11 AM

Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?
The original version of "Nothing, Everything." There were a lot of ideas in that fic that I loved, like this whole Ho-Oh/Mew debate (this was before much of D/P news came out), one Absol that stalks on some people, clues the dead person wrote, the development of this one weird couple, etc. However, I stopped because there wasn't too much character development, the story is getting to be too much like Da Vinci Code, and wasn't sure where I'm going with the middle of the story. However, I managed to get back to it (and even finish it) after playing D/P and reading the description of the plates. I just went back to the drawing board and came up with new characters and a new situation (although I brought back some ideas from the original NE ^^; ). I love the changes I did, although I wish I had incorporated some old ideas somehow. XD

Another fic is "Through the Lenses," which is basically about a Pokemon photographer (think Todd Snap from the anime) who managed to take a picture of a legendary Pokemon, but then after that many things happened. Stopped writing it because the characters didn't developed much and hadn't thought too much of the plot beforehand. I might actually go back and write it as a one shot, though. Heck, I might even have Todd Snap as the main character of the one shot since I love that guy a lot. XD

Dragonfree June 27th, 2009 1:42 PM

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?
I... really wouldn't say I prefer either. I mean, when I write today it is generally fanfiction rather than original fiction, but I do not feel this is because I actually inherently like fanfiction better; in fact, I like to think that the kind of fanfiction I write (i.e. original characters involved in original plots in the canon universe) is really only trivially different from original fiction. The fanfiction slant in my writing lately is primarily for three reasons:

1) In (Pokémon) fanfiction, I actually have an audience that will read my work.
2) I am already writing a couple of ongoing pieces of fanfiction which I already have an idea of where are going next and thus it is generally easier to continue with them than thinking up new stories.
3) These ongoing pieces of fanfiction are something I constantly think about in my free time, allowing me to develop my plot ideas. Though I have original fiction ideas as well, those are less developed and thus I spend less time thinking about them. Essentially it's a vicious cycle that keeps me writing my fanfiction: it's already developed enough for me to seriously think about the plot, and that allows me to develop it further.

Thus, I have basically only seriously written one piece of original fiction in years ('Rebirth', a short story for my writing class, which I think I posted here but I'm not sure), but that's not because I actually prefer to write fanfiction. As I said, I don't even think of them as being fundamentally different enough for there to be any such thing as a preference for me.

(I do know that I prefer not to write traditional fanfiction, i.e. fanfiction about canon characters from a work of fiction - I have a really hard time satisfying myself that I've gotten each character's voice down right. The only canon character I've published any sort of writing about is Ash, and in both cases he was aged, giving me an excuse to let his voice have changed in the intervening years.)

Venia Silente June 27th, 2009 7:08 PM

Yay so I'm back. Instead of working in my thesis, I've spent two long nights jolting down to ODF a flurry of ideas.

On the topics so far...

Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?

I have. It's from the times I was into the Saint Seiya fad (believe it!). I don't know why I never got back to it, but most probably I never will. The Pokémon and Final Fantasy fandoms consume most of my creative time.

Speaking of which, there's a Pokémon work I wrote some time ago that I recently felt like revising. I've said this before, but one of the reasons I write "hidden" (wsith a penname and such) is because of the bad image some of my favourite fandoms have where I live. Particularly Pokémon. But what am I to do... Thus I spent some time writing for "no one" and it's kinda difficult to justify that I spend so much time planning times that never "seem" to see the light.

But, to make things short, yes I do write things that never see the light despite how confident I am with them. And I intend to get back to them. Some day.

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

Well, being specific, I've never wrote something that is strictly categorized as "original fiction". I love fanfiction because it allows me to expand on the things that I feel about the canon, and to try and explain myself and others why I do like or do not like certain elements instead of just sticking with a "it's the way it is". Rather than a restriction such as the painted edges in a sports field, I tend to see canon as the giant bulbs that light up the stadium and the stands. The field, the world of a fandom X, has these rules that may be very obvious or covert, but as long as there are basic principles that I can follow to derive and interpolate information, I feel I can move safely in that universe.

Knowledge and capability-wise, I think I stand somewhere in what Valentine calls the "mediocre author". I know my stuff, and if I don't then I know how to do my research (such as here) which is one of the good things people say I have. I know at the same time, however, that unless my mind goes on a craze while I am doing something else, I am actually unable to do something interesting with whatever research I may have done. Which is a pity because one does not plan these stuff...

Then I can sit and write some things, but my mind still goes on expanding on what is currently my greatest problem -- because of my thinking mechanism, most of the things I end up working in are actually backstory. And if I don't somehow get them out of my head I feel like I just can't continue.

But even through they stall me beyond belief, I also feel these sudden bursts of creation actually help me because they force me to think back and try to straighten things up by revising where did this strange idea X come from?

Such is the kind of thing that happened recently. I was trying to tidy up a backstory that was left hanging in the back of my head, then after an interesting discussion a couple of pages ago in the Lounge, and thanks to help from Valentine, Giratinasaur, and others I may be forgetting, I spent the two nights of fast-paced writing and came up with this. A piece of work I've called “Sixth” about a Pokémon recovered from a fossil. The announcement is here. Again, thanks to Valentine et al for their collaboration.

And yeah, I just Shamelessly Promoted Myself. Hey, I take the chances I have.

And, unlike the other things I've wrote so far, I expect this to be "original" enough in the "fanfiction" category while most other things I write kinda follow more closely what the games/series anon provides. Such as my Final Fantasy fics which are essentially retellings of the middle part of the games, or Elusive Goals where I'm essentially revisiting the Indigo Conference Tournament. or the Saint Seiya fic I talked about either, which was simply a why the Sagittarius Cloth changed shapes... Lame, isn't it?

txteclipse June 27th, 2009 7:23 PM

[Fanfiction vs. original fiction question]

I actually haven't seriously written any original fiction, except maybe a school assignment here or there. So I guess my answer is fanfiction. It's not that I don't think I could write original fiction, it's just that I haven't tried yet. XD

...Dangit, now I kind of want to. Hello backlog, my old friend. *jots down note*

Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?

A few. They're generally unfinished though, so that probably helped with me not posting them. I've got a Suicune story called Master's Touch that I like a lot, and it really only needs a bit of polish and maybe a page's worth of writing, but I just never got around to completing it.

Feign June 27th, 2009 7:26 PM

Okay so I am bored :P

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

Citrinin June 27th, 2009 7:52 PM

When I create my main character, I try to take a part of myself, and another part that is antithetical to my personality. That way, I have an interesting character who is a challenge to write, but one I as the author don't get detached from. :)

JX Valentine June 27th, 2009 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solovino (Post 4796381)
Yay so I'm back. Instead of working in my thesis,

Lulz, that sounds familiar. *high fives for procrastination*

If I may, let me take the time to just clarify something about that mediocre writer business. Mediocre writers can't write backstory because they cling to canon like an octopus because they're too afraid to think of canon as anything other than the very core of their fanfiction, rather than a series of facts to help build the story. In other words, doing things like making up backstory is pretty much seeing canon as a jumping off point, rather than just a safety net or a wall.

So, yes.

Bad writer = "lol wut cannon?"
Mediocre writer = "I can't violate canon. Therefore, canon is my crutch and a serious limitation to my creativity."
Good writer = "I can't violate canon, but it's totally okay to go beyond it because it's only my jumping off point, not the entire lifeblood to my fanfiction. Therefore, WHEE!"

Also, your fic ad on the other thread is shiny, so therefore, I've added it to my long list of Things I Will Eventually Get To.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feign (Post 4796458)
When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

It's usually personality, if anything at all. For example, Viola of MKD (*pokes it repeatedly with a stick*) is shy, sheltered, somewhat gullible, and has her bursts of temper and monotone boredom. Like me in real life, pretty much. Veronica is a bossy pervert, Sebastian is just bossy, and the Trio are a bunch of sick egotists.

But generally, I try to avoid basing characters off myself, partly because it doesn't feel right to me and partly because in reality I'm a rather boring person to write about.

Feign June 27th, 2009 8:11 PM

by the by if anyone can get over 87% on a research essay, having completing it 3 hours before it was due (with research already complete), then please contact me, and I will give you praise!

As to answer my own question, I think if anything, my characters would usually have the same colour hair, and sometimes too be a bit shy.

txteclipse June 27th, 2009 8:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feign (Post 4796611)
by the by if anyone can get over 87% on a research essay, having completing it 3 hours before it was due (with research already complete), then please contact me, and I will give you praise!

You won't learn if we do your work. You can pull it off on your own, trust me. First and foremost, though, you should probably stay away from the lounge, and the internet in general for that matter.

Ugh, I sound like a parent.

[Self-insert question]

I give all of my characters at least one of my characteristics. Helps me relate to them.

JX Valentine June 27th, 2009 8:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feign (Post 4796611)
by the by if anyone can get over 87% on a research essay, having completing it 3 hours before it was due (with research already complete), then please contact me, and I will give you praise!

I'm friends with a handful of psycho-geniuses offline who did this for a number of their college papers.

However, I take twenty-four hours to get the same effect, so sorry.

Feign June 27th, 2009 8:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txteclipse (Post 4796671)
You won't learn if we do your work. You can pull it off on your own, trust me. First and foremost, though, you should probably stay away from the lounge, and the internet in general for that matter.

Ugh, I sound like a parent.

[Self-insert question]

I give all of my characters at least one of my characteristics. Helps me relate to them.

Noooo I lives thar! *pouts like a child*.

Then again, I'm the kind of guy who likes writing under stress...

Not sure how that might affect quality though, then again, one could wonder what would have happened had I actually taken the time to write it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentine (Post 4796682)
I'm friends with a handful of psycho-geniuses offline who did this for a number of their college papers.

However, I take twenty-four hours to get the same effect, so sorry.

I find that English essays aren't has involved as other subjects, in terms of research/writing amount, as at least for me it comes naturally. I wouldn't call myself a psycho genius though. I'd probably label myself as a "hyper-procrastinator" lol

Citrinin June 27th, 2009 8:41 PM

Depending on the difficulty of your courses and the particular essay, 87% could make you a psycho-genius. :P "Hyper-procrastinator" says nothing about intelligence.

ANARCHit3cht June 27th, 2009 8:43 PM

Feign, I could do the essay, but I won't. Most of my greatest works have been completed moments before the deadline.

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

Personality, if anything.It feels awkward placing me into a story, nothing is too fantastic about my life. Just your everyday average Joe..

Feign June 27th, 2009 8:48 PM

Haha XD nice. The particular research essay I mentioned was one in regards to "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Jane *Something* (no not Austin).

Forgot to mention earlier, but I tend to have a really wild imagination, while not necessarily as an original sense, it is interesting to look at something at a 3rd person perspective, when not actually having the source material in front of you.

JX Valentine June 27th, 2009 8:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feign (Post 4796685)
I find that English essays aren't has involved as other subjects, in terms of research/writing amount, as at least for me it comes naturally.

My friends that I was referring to are government and computer science majors. XD

But I, meanwhile, get distracted by shiny objects on a frequent basis, so.

As for English essays, in college, they tend to get a bit harder because you really have to pull analysis out of your rear and make it sound good, logical, and not-so-redundant. Looking up criticism usually helps, as does actually paying attention to the days when your class is going over the material. So, yeah, in high school and earlier than that, it's not as bad. College (though it depends on which school you go to)... might not be as much.

Feign June 27th, 2009 9:19 PM

Yeah the research portion did help me a lot, and I think, taking it as your own, helps too. That is to say, if someone thinks x story was a dream or something or basically something other than you believe. I like how I can also use evidence to point it out as being real. And it definitely helps if you have a prof, who recognizes that as long as the essay has its proof, that he or she cannot be bias in that matter, especially if they had researched that topic in the past, and had already come into conclusion with it.

On another note, in the back of my head, I am planning to do another one shot similar to that of my zombie one. I am trying to think of a good disaster to culminate the pokeverse, and so far I have come up with Nuclear fallout, and ice age. This isn't to rewrite a zombie plot, but rather to set up a new disaster. I just find that both examples thus far, seem to be *too quick*.

Hmmm perhaps I could do something like an ice age, only that, instead of just affecting one side of the planet, everywhere else is affected too. I mean you can't have an ice age without some serious hotspots, I'd imagine? (Am I correct in saying that, I'm not that scientifically knowledged for that). Perhaps I should not confuse myself on weather mechanics and find something easier.

Dagzar June 27th, 2009 9:23 PM

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)
It’s pretty easy to not to let my characters look like me or have my past, but personality is a whole different manner. I’m starting to notice that even if my character doesn’t act like me at all (not having my polite and quiet temperament, for example), they have the little quirks that make me, me or have some of my beliefs.

{Swan} June 27th, 2009 9:40 PM

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

People think it's strange, but I never create my characters to myself. On the contrary, I probably have no character that resembles me, I try to get as fas away from myself as possible. I think it's because of the challenge, but also because I like not being myself for a little bit. So, no, I never deliberately put anything from myself into the characters.

bobandbill June 27th, 2009 9:43 PM

English essays? Bah, now you've reminded me of my practise ones that need doing. D=

Have you ever written a fic that you were confident of that never got posted? If so, why? Do you think you will ever get back to it?

Nope.

Well, I've written stories that I haven't posted, but not fanfics. And... yeah!

Do you prefer to write fanfiction or original fiction? Why?

Hmm. I don't really know if I definitely prefer one over the other or not - I find both fun, really, with their pros and cons. I do find the canon thing to be a sort of interesting challenge, but with parodies there's no need to be too much for a sticker for it (although I do try to keep characters in... well, character after all - or leastways as much character as they were given for starters). I guess it varies from time to times as well - if anything it depends on my mood and what I feel like writing.

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

Hmm... idk, really. In fanfics looks aren't it, I daresay (canon character, and a Houndour XD), and the personalities... vary a bit too. Some may have a few similarites to me, but they're not really all too similar to myself, I have to say. Same for the life experiances part. XD I normall just come up with the character's identity, looks, etc without thought to myself - if it comes along I may use it, but I don't search for it there in myself. If that makes sense.

Bay June 27th, 2009 10:37 PM

Heh, when writing essays, I usually try to get them done a couple days before the deadline so that I can have time to have either my TA or one of my friends have a quick look and then do the final edits. One of my TAs even looked through my rough draft essays during lecture and would give me pointers on how to make the essay better right after. XD

There was only one time I did an essay last minute, but it's only because I had work, one other essay, calculus homework, and a midterm to study. >.> The funniest part is when I turned in that essay, I was one of only two people in the whole class that have the essay completed and then the TA said the due date will be during the final instead. XD And oh, that essay I have to watch two movies and compare and contrast them. XD;

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)
Most of the time the characters will have the same personality as me. However, I have Bunny from NE almost the same height as me. XD

Misheard Whisper June 27th, 2009 11:39 PM

Shizzle! I go to a movie, and I come back to an explosion of activity!

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

The main character of my current baby is nothing at all like me. He's self-assured, confident, and lusts for adventure. I do, however, have trouble identifying with him. D: I also often give my characters my hair colour. Dunno why. *is loopy*

Citrinin June 28th, 2009 12:11 AM

I don't know about anyone else, and I'll rarely do this with the main character, who I like to be flawed, but I'll often design a character that has many qualities that I wish I had. Namely, he/she has has similar goals in life that I have, but are working towards them/have achieved them, even unrealistic ones. :P

Lash June 28th, 2009 4:59 AM

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)
For my current fics character,the characters name is the same as mine, he shares the same love for music I do.
And, he is a bit of a dumbass, yet another one of my traits.

Dragonfree June 28th, 2009 6:05 AM

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)
Mark of the Quest for the Legends shares... one aspect of his backstory with me, which is having an encounter with constructive criticism that eventually inspired him to do better. That and his trainer ID is my Gold and Yellow IDs spliced together, but I don't think that really counts. In other respects, I wouldn't really say he's anything like me. (This gets annoying when my mom starts reading the story and is absolutely convinced that if my main character considers his parents to be overprotective, that must mean I do, because STORIES ARE NEVER FICTIONAL.)

I don't really think I tend to make main characters anything at all like myself on the whole. For one thing, I prefer to write about boys while I myself am a girl, and most of my main characters are dark-haired while I am blonde. Personality-wise, even when I'm trying to write a self-insert the character turns out nothing like me. It's at most the characters having some life experiences I might have had, and I don't really think I can think of any examples of that from my current work other than Mark.

Citrinin June 28th, 2009 10:15 PM

Hmm, this is something I've found myself doing recently with my fic, and I'd like to know how common it is.

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?
I do. I find myself constantly replying to reviews and trying to discuss with the reviewer how I could make things clearer/better. Maybe it's just because of my lack of experience and the considerable experience of some people who have looked over my fic, but I really enjoy hearing reader input onto how I could change things, and discussing their opinions with them.

Misheard Whisper June 28th, 2009 10:39 PM

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?

Absolutely. I always like to review my reviews, so to speak. It's good that you see this, so carry on doing it. I enjoy chatting to a writer. It shows that they actually care about the feedback they're getting and don't just skim it and ignore it. TL;DR XDDDDDDDD

That sort of thing sickens me. I've been horribly treated for my reviews in the past, and I never reviewed that author again, and never will. Writers need to respect their reviewers just as much as the reviewers need to respect them. Then we have a nice dynamic going on, and people feel more comfortable. As a result, the creative juices flow and relationships form. I like to establish a cross-reviewing policy. I review you, you review me. That way, we both get reviews. I never ask for a review in my posts, though. Just imagine- "i reviewed ur dum story now revew mine or i egg ur house lololololololol kthxbye"

I don't know where that came from. The depth of my depravity amazes me sometimes.

Citrinin June 28th, 2009 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparkling Dragon
That sort of thing sickens me. I've been horribly treated for my reviews in the past, and I never reviewed that author again, and never will. Writers need to respect their reviewers just as much as the reviewers need to respect them. Then we have a nice dynamic going on, and people feel more comfortable. As a result, the creative juices flow and relationships form.

Had I not rep'd you such a short time ago, I'd rep you again for this. You are absolutely right, and I can remember when I was young, I would go crazy when my parents would praise my work. I didn't know whether or not they sincerely appreciated it, and they'd always declined to give me feedback. Coming here, however, has got me some excellent feedback, and I can see in my short time how important the writer-reviewer relationship is. ^^

Misheard Whisper June 28th, 2009 10:53 PM

That's just the thing. People complain about the anonymity of the internet, but it doesn't mean you can be a total jerkass just cos nobody knows who you are. PokeCommunity, people.

OK, I'm gonna stop with the try-hard stuff now, but the point is there and open for discussion. Good topic, Citrinin.

Bay June 28th, 2009 10:59 PM

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?
Yes, many times. Sometimes I would ask my reviewers why they like this part or if there is a way to slow down the pace of the story. Also, sometimes I would put a couple "Easter Eggs" so I ask if they could find those eggs. :P My reviewers would also ask me questions and I would answer them.

I think this is also why I actually enjoyed reading fanfiction more than novels now these days. I can talk and become friends with the writers here. :)

Misheard Whisper June 28th, 2009 11:03 PM

Oh, I love putting Easter Eggs in my fics. Often they're ones nobody but people who actually know me would get, but sometimes they're slightly less obscure. I love confusing readers.

You know, my first three fanfics, three RPs, and a novel which I soon dropped, all had a main character (or in the case of the RPs, just 'character') with the same name, Kenji? The one in my chaptered fic was called Kenji Sasaki, which is where my first PC username came from. Funny how things work. I no longer use Japanese names unless the story is set in Japan. I was such a n00b.

Citrinin June 28th, 2009 11:09 PM

If by Easter Eggs you mean subtle foreshadowing, I'm trying to do that with my fic at the moment. I love foreshadowing of both the obvious and subtle kinds, and I get really excited when I read a book with that in it. ^^

Feign June 28th, 2009 11:29 PM

Easter eggs doesn't just have to be foreshadowing ;) rather, it can be subtle unimportant objects.

Like:

"The character glossed over the room searching for a pen, looking at the pokeball clock among other things."

The Pokeball clock, of course being featured in the first episode. It is much easier, however, to include easter eggs in games or movies. Basically something visual. That way the character does not have to mention it, and the viewer might get a hearty laugh.

Take the Matrix for example. The book safe (double meaning) where Neo kept the computer software is labelled as Simulation and Simulacra, which is loosely based on the matrix. The book safe adds the touch because the hollow inner is basically what the matrix to a human really would be.

Appearntly WoW has tons of Easter eggs too.

Citrinin June 28th, 2009 11:37 PM

Ah, I see what you mean. :)

I'm familiar with the term in software, but the only parallel I could draw with that and writing was foreshadowing. :P

Feign June 28th, 2009 11:52 PM

I've seen a wide aray of shows where they do show objects, almost purposely but end up being red herrings. Often times those are kids shows >.>

But there are some good ones out there that are significant.

*goes to bed*

Venia Silente June 29th, 2009 12:28 AM

I though Easter Eggs means something like a hidden treat, a seemingly unimportant object only for the more avid or knowledgeable gamers to check. I'm not exactly familiar with how the concept is portrayed in writing, except that is similar to an incidental allusion or a "forgotten in the background" kind of reference, I'm more familiarized with the easter eggs for games (debug room, music test, things like that).


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGHHHHHHH Ninjaed during preview!!!! whatever, I'm just going to keep talking.


If it is more closely to an allusion, then no problemo: I always take the time to include one or two hidden references to the Pokémon games, or to current news during the time of my writing, or some other hidden things that require going to the Outside World to grasp. Like, for example, in the first chapter of "Elusive Goals" I put some references to Fire Red & Leaf Green (Tiksi, TR's infiltration of Silph Co., ... ), my most recent work "Sixth" has a reference to Esperanto being the universal language used by humans and a partial and more hidden reference to GSC/HGSSGSDS for those who know where to look. Oh, and a movie and meme allusion. Hax, even my Final Fantasy fics have one or two hidden references per chapter...
But since no one reviews me unless I poke'em (sorry, personal rant) I have no way to know if anyone did get those references...

Going by the definitoin you're getting, Feign, there are several examples of Easter Eggs (or something similar) on TV, but most of them are kinda mixed with product placement.
Going closer to the concept of allusion I'd guess the closest thing to a game-like Easter Egg would be a scene that is later revealed, or known before, to have been shot only once, or with no extras, which is what is called an "ad-libed take" I think. Or having two characters who are family and their corresponding actors are too. Or having crew members veiledly appear or be referenced during the show, like a scene of "24" where a Fed puts up pictures of a suspect and it is the producer of the show. You know, things like that...

Another kind of allusion is the "actually the real world" approach, like in the very first episode of NCIS that gives us the Air Force One and a President of the United States who is very obviously Bushy-Boy (yes, filmed circa 4 BO ~Before Obama~). But that is less EasterEgg-like and more please-the-general-audience stuff.

Oh whatever. Changing subject...

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

Their quirks and skills, their personality, mostly.

There's not much to do when it comes to "life experience" because it is something that should greatly vary between our world and the Pokémon world. Skills, on the other hand, allow me to better interact with the character and understand how does he want to do stuff.

As of personality, it is something that somehow ends up imprinted on my characters anyways so I don't worry too much about that, as long as it's just some basic similarity and not a copy-paste of my psyche (which is not a good thing to paste).

Now I should really go sleep. It's not like I'm going to suddenly sit down and start working on my thesis anyways...

bobandbill June 29th, 2009 3:55 AM

Quote:

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?
Ayup, to varying degrees (depends on the review itself, I suppose - if it's a simple one-liner, it's a simple response likewise, usually, unless I want to know more...). I eventually get to the reviews one way or another.

And Easter eggs? My fic is filled with them. I've got a number of such things, and various types in-jokes as well, and even a thing where there's a pastry - or pastry-related item - mentioned within each chapter of mine.

...yeah, that's probably weird, but kinda fun to do as well. Many movies as well as mentioned like to use Easter Eggs at times (look at the Pixar films - there's all sorts of references to other movies they made), and also games have those as well (first one I can think of is Super Paper Mario, which had many references and easter eggs coming from the 2nd Paper Mario game).

They're good fun, have to say, and may even help keep or get the reader's attention some more. Or help to slip in a joke in an otherwise straight-forward scene which doesn't have much room for the comedy aspect... but that's more for when you actually want comedy, I suppose.

Dragonfree June 29th, 2009 6:20 AM

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?
I like to, but often I can't think of anything interesting to say - I mean, if they make a lot of constructive comments I can usually reply with my intentions with whatever parts they criticize and ask how I could do them better and so on, but if they just review quoting a bunch of lines they liked, I'm never sure what to say besides "Thanks for reviewing". It's easiest to get some sort of dialogue going if they have speculation or something like that, but they usually don't. :/

About easter eggs, I have a few in The Quest for the Legends - most notably, in the recent League chapters, we've seen three trainers that have had one-chapter appearances before in the fic, while the main characters only actually recognized one of them, leaving the others as something for observant readers to pick up on.

Giratina ♀ June 29th, 2009 6:58 AM

For Easter Eggs, I didn't include too many in Metal Coat. However, there was a scene in the original draft where a couple of characters discuss such things as The Murkrows, and something about an Arbok, Moltres, Raikou, and Aerodactyl. I don't know if I kept this part in the PokéCom edition of the fic, but those were all references to my early days of Neopets roleplaying, where I used a younger verson of one of the main characters quite frequently, and he had tiny robotic Pokémon running around.

JX Valentine June 29th, 2009 7:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citrinin
Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?

All the time. It's really just polite, and if a writer can say more than just a thank you, it means more to the reviewer. It means that the writer not only read the review carefully, but they got some meaning out of it. (Sometimes, doing this is impossible simply because there's such a thing as one-liners, but hey. For longer stuff, it's usually courtesy.)

As for myself, I like hearing what people have to say about my work. Sometimes, in replying, I clarify points that they might have missed. In other times, I might verbally go through a process of trying to think and modify my ideas so they can see that, yeah, I'm really working on the points they brought up. And other times (like the numbers of times Skunter, Shrike, and I totally were talking about AEM and not Stargate or whatnot, whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis), it's just friendly conversation about what I'm writing about. Or a vague cousin of it, anyway.


On the subject of Easter eggs, yes, they're not necessarily foreshadowing. (In fact, they're usually not. Easter eggs tend to be irrelevant to the story unless they're also a Chekhov's gun.) They're actually more or less just subtle use of allusion or general inside-jokes.

That being said...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobandbill
And Easter eggs? My fic is filled with them. I've got a number of such things, and various types in-jokes as well, and even a thing where there's a pastry - or pastry-related item - mentioned within each chapter of mine.

*high fives* 'Course, you're also working on a parody, so referencing everything ever just adds to the amusement. Or I just have a really weird sense of humor. In any case, if you end up with an Easter egg that's obvious product placement, I would love you.

And if we're all talking about Easter eggs in our fics, I've stated repeatedly that Anima Ex Machina's entire purpose is to constantly reference the sci-fi genre. I mean, when one of the main characters is a reference to the source of one of the most well-known quotes in sci-fi/horror movies (and possibly 80's movies at all), you just know where that's going. (Maybe I should make that completely obvious by having her actually use the quote. *strokes chin in thought*)

Quote:

...yeah, that's probably weird, but kinda fun to do as well. Many movies as well as mentioned like to use Easter Eggs at times (look at the Pixar films - there's all sorts of references to other movies they made),
And don't forget Disney itself. Belle (Beauty and the Beast) in the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) in Aladdin for example.

Just had to input because there's dirtier references in Disney as well, so talking about this makes me grin.

Bay June 29th, 2009 9:22 AM

Yeah, by Easter Eggs I mean moreso in-reference jokes. For instance, in chapter seven of NE,

Quote:

"Well, I think Jenny is a beautiful name," Bunny stuttered. She was not sure how Jenny would react.
Can you see the Forrest Gump reference? XD

Another Easter Egg I did is a reference to another fic that also has the plates as somesort of main conflict. XD

Quote:

And don't forget Disney itself. Belle (Beauty and the Beast) in the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) in Aladdin for example.

Just had to input because there's dirtier references in Disney as well, so talking about this makes me grin.
Haha, I remember Belle from that movie. And also...XD;

walasaka June 30th, 2009 6:58 AM

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)

Thought I may as well get involved :p

Generally I try to avoid making them resemble me too much. For example Mo in Remembering the Horror is nothing like me - he's a hard-ass who has grown bitter over time. I'm a little cynical in life, but I'm not particularly tall or strong and certainly not bitter.

Then again, I'm not a veteran!

What I might incorporate is something that's a part of my life, like the fact that I'm pretty good at different languages, or that Mo is from Austria, like I am. Just that I give it a Japanese name so that it sounds more like a different region of the Pokemon world rather than a real country (at least to people who don't speak Japanese). I've never liked real world crossover fics, I prefer it when you're in that world, forgetting about real life.

Establishing a dialogue with my reviewers? I would if there were some :) (hint hint)

Easter eggs: I try to put in a few that people will get, but whether they actually do remains a mistery.

I'll give you a question :)
Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?

Dagzar June 30th, 2009 8:23 AM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
I plan them completely. Not only do I vaguely know what happens in every single chapter of my fanfic, but I also have the chapters all titled. Last time I tried writing a fanfic without planning, I made gigantic plot holes and kept changing what I wanted in my plot so I sometimes accidently spoiled myself.

Bay June 30th, 2009 8:36 AM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
I plan my fics, but not full blown planning. I would just think about the beginning and end, a few ideas I would like to put in, and causes for certain conflicts. The middle part is where I don't plan so instead I used that part to build things off towards the ending. Sometimes I surprise myself. XD

Misheard Whisper June 30th, 2009 10:14 AM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
Option b). I fail at planning - if I ever try to plan a fic, it comes out sooooo wrong.

JX Valentine June 30th, 2009 6:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walasaka (Post 4806370)
Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?

A little from column A and a little from column B. I tend to have a rough idea of where the story is going, and I make notes about all kinds of random things to keep in mind for later. However, when I actually sit down and write a chapter, it's not unusual for me to just pound on the keyboard a lot and crap out a chapter. I usually don't make chapter-by-chapter outlines or anything like that simply because I inevitably forget I even made an outline for what I wanted to do in the chapter. And if I don't, the chapter just sounds forced, or I completely lose interest in writing the chapter that way. *shrug*

Citrinin June 30th, 2009 8:01 PM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
I think I'd be lost if I didn't plan a little bit. Every bit of foreshadowing has a plan behind it, and I have a rough idea of the plot. But, on the other hand, I also think it wouldn't be exciting for me if I didn't get to make up twists and turns as I went along. So, a bit of both. :P

Lash June 30th, 2009 8:20 PM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
I mainly plan all the events that are going to be in the chapter, make a way for everything to tie together in a logical sense, and how the ending events will relate to the next chapter without being completely confusing.

When you're writing what you planned/bashing the keyboard, do your ideas often change?
Yes. For the recently posted chapter 2 of my fic, I originally hadn't planned on my main character getting a PokeGear, and I planned the antagonist to meet him in a much different way. Nor did I plan that battle at the end that wounded his Hoothoot and Cyndaquil.

¡Chucho! June 30th, 2009 8:40 PM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?

I used to have a plan on an OpenOffice document, but then I decided that it was pointless since I keep it all in my head anyway.

Bay June 30th, 2009 10:17 PM

When you're writing what you planned/bashing the keyboard, do your ideas often change?
A LOT, even when I already have a chapter ready. :O For instance, Chapter 13 of NE I wrote before I posted the story, but after I posted Chapter 11, I suddenly got a better idea for Chapter 13 after looking through some episode pictures of the Kanto Grand Festival, so I completly rewrote that chapter. XD Another example is I originally didn't plan to have the huge chase scene in Chapter 16, but after watching both National Treasure movies and Eagle Eye, I went with it and got praised for one particular scene that was inspired by Eagle Eye. XD

I still get inspiration even after finishing a fic. XD

ANARCHit3cht June 30th, 2009 10:28 PM

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?

If I am writing for a contest, I'll probably plan, but most of the time I look away, slam my fingers down and see what comes out. I have the general idea, but usually nothing else. Or, I might just free write, which is random writings that are usually no longer than a paragraph or two.

Misheard Whisper July 1st, 2009 12:57 AM

Because nobody's posted in the 7Day-7K thread since I last did, I'll just drop a note in here saying that I've reached 7011 words, as of last count. I made it, and it's only Wednesday!

Citrinin July 2nd, 2009 1:42 AM

The fanfiction lounge inactive for over 24 hours! This cannot be!

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
My greatest weakness is probably my description. I don't know how it turns out, but I always feel awkward when writing it, either that I've written too much or too little. :\ I think I've improved over the years in this front (when I was a small child, naturally, my description was lacking, and then when I learned its power, I would describe in such an excessive and overly verbose manner that it would detract from the rest of the story). I think I'm managing to strike a better balance, though.

Lash July 2nd, 2009 2:44 AM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
Carelessness. Half of the grammar/punctuation/spelling errors escape my eye, even on the occasion where I proofread. Another weakness is Pokémon battle description. Most of the battles in the chapters I have posted right now are short and not entirely descriptive. So, that's something I'm going to work on, and will get a chance to later on in the chapter I'm writing right now.

RedJ July 2nd, 2009 8:16 AM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

My descriptions. I totally suck at them. I think that part of that is that in the back of my mind, I don't want to waste time describing something, I just want to get to what's going on. But I can't do that, now can I? >> That, and coming up with character names. Original names- I don't like using overly used common names, because they bore people most of the time(at least that's how I've seen it- and I myself am less likely to read something where every character has a name like Tom, Dick, and Harry)


Also, on a random note, I have a question- I have a Spanish speaking character in a story I'm writing. So of course I'm going to have him talk like he's Spanish. But while typing the word "Senor", I noticed it looked odd, and that there should be a ~ or something like that over the 'n'. So...does anyone know how to do that?

POKEMON_MASTER_0 July 2nd, 2009 9:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjacketalchemist (Post 4814383)
Also, on a random note, I have a question- I have a Spanish speaking character in a story I'm writing. So of course I'm going to have him talk like he's Spanish. But while typing the word "Senor", I noticed it looked odd, and that there should be a ~ or something like that over the 'n'. So...does anyone know how to do that?

I've had the same problem while trying to type in Spanish. Although a bit time consuming, you can use the following combinations for accented letters/punctuation:

á ALT+0225
é ALT+0233
í ALT+0237
ó ALT+0243
ú ALT+0250
ñ ALT+0241
¿ ALT+0191
¡ ALT+0161

Hope this helps!

Misheard Whisper July 2nd, 2009 10:25 AM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
Writers' block My battle scenes, I would have to say. Pokemon battle scenes, that is. Torn, I found easy because the battle scenes were actually battle scenes, with guns and stuff. But I know they still need work. The focus was really on the psychological side of the story, anyway.

txteclipse July 2nd, 2009 2:11 PM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

Hmm. Probably dialogue and character building. I'm never completely satisfied with how my characters' interactions unfold, and I always second-guess myself. I also go out of character once in a while, which is something I really need to work on.

Oh, and pacing. The Chronicles starts out really slow, and has more really slow parts interspersed throughout the rest of it.

Legendarian Mistress July 2nd, 2009 3:44 PM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

My greatness weakness is poor description.

ANARCHit3cht July 2nd, 2009 4:55 PM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
I have a lot of flaws and weaknesses. For one, my vocabulary is very mundane despite the fact of my knowledge of lots of words. Hmm... I guess that you could say my greatest weakness is not using my full potential/being able to pull up bits of knowledge at the right time.

JX Valentine July 2nd, 2009 7:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citrinin (Post 4813778)
What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

Probably a combination of my inability to spot my own mistakes and my tendency to think the events of my writing are absolutely clear. For example, in AEM, I mention that Cozmo is dead, but then I mention that Veronica might be looking for him. What I meant was that Veronica might be looking for him because she doesn't know whether or not another character is aware he's dead. It connected up in my mind because I didn't realize I wasn't giving enough information to help it connect up in the readers'.

So, in other words, just an inability, regardless of how much time I spend, to see my own work from a reader's standpoint.

And, yeah, pacing. My beginnings are always slow as crap.

BeachBoy July 2nd, 2009 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narcissus Secret (Post 4815703)
What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

I don't always clarify or grab the proper imagery right through my description, something I definitely need to work on. Because if the reader's confused, who can enjoy it? So yeah, it's just the... transfer of what I got specifically in my head to the paper/keyboard so they know what's going on that's critical.

Legendarian Mistress July 2nd, 2009 8:25 PM

Spoiler:
“Unit one, attention!” Lieutenant Colonel Gray barked at her soldiers while walking briskly out from Vermillion City’s army base. The tall, brown-haired squad commander shouldered an XM8 as she scrutinized the officers the next morning. “Oh eight hundred hours was when I received a call from the Fuchsia City Gym Leader. He informed me that Professor Oak has been taken hostage.”

A few of the soldiers let out a collective gasp when they heard this, but otherwise remained silent.

“What you will do, as a unit, is launch a rescue mission to retrieve the Professor. The enemy consists of one ninja and his partner Pokémon, as well as four grunt guards. Be wary of the main opposition. As a supervisor, he prefers to use smoke bombs and stealth techniques, rather than be a combatitive ninja. Are your orders clear?” The commander asked, raising her voice in order to be heard as an MH-53 Pavelow landed nearby with its blades whirring furiously.

“We’ll wipe out the resistance and have the Pokémon researcher back as quickly as possible,” the unit’s soldiers shouted smartly back.

Lieutenant Colonel Gray motioned to a second helicopter, the UH-60 Black Hawk, which was waiting to take off. “Get ‘em up, get ‘em up, get ‘em up!” She shouted to the pilot, as the soldiers boarded the transport aircraft.


If people could give me their opinions on this scene from an upcoming chapter, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Astinus July 2nd, 2009 10:18 PM

I'm on a slow computer, so I will only be answering the questions that are on the current page for me.

Do you establish a dialogue with your reviewers?
Yes I do, only because to me, it feels like the proper thing to do. (And apologies to Bay for not responding to her review.) The reviewers took the time to read the fic/chapter and to leave a review saying what they (dis)liked about it, offering advice, and even asking questions. In return, I can respond to whatever they said about the chapter, starting off with a thank you for their time.

When creating your main character, what part of that character (might) resemble you the most? (looks, personality, life experience etc)
To answer the question in a round-about way, I'll say that all the characters that I write share a quality with me.

To actually answer the question, one of my main characters is similar to me in nearly every way; another shares my introverted quiet side; and the other pretty much just shares my annoyance at his husband. Haha.

Do you plan your fics or just bash at the keyboard? If you do plan, how?
I start with the scene I can imagine in my head, sit down with my notebook in hand (I always have one with me), and write. From there, I figure out if there can be more added to the scene, and either write the appropriate back story or the rest of the story.

For example, I imagined (actually dreamed) a scene of one of my Pokemon fics, wrote it down, and figured that I could use it as a climax of a multi-chapter fic. From there, I started writing the story that takes place before that, with my only goal in mind as getting the current story there.

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
Plotting anything further than the first chapter. I'm also picking up the habit of not describing anything, even the characters. (I blame the fact I now write more fanfiction for a canon that has no description in it because the author is not a visual thinker, and managed to pick up the author's writing inadvertently.)

-

As for Kanto Lover:

Spoiler:
Quote:

Are your orders clear?” the commander asked
Quote:

“Get ‘em up, get ‘em up, get ‘em up!” she shouted to the pilot, as the soldiers boarded the transport aircraft.
Quote:

the unit’s soldiers shouted smartly back.
Use context to describe how the characters respond, rather than adverbs. It's understood (to me personally as a reader) that the soldiers are a.) intelligent, and b.) spirited, and c.) neat. (Three definitions of "smartly", according to Merriam-Webster.) Since they are shocked at the fact that someone important is taken, they will be more willing to go ahead on this mission than if it was just a simple "storm the base!" mission. So they will respond to their orders in a spirited manner.

The "furiously" to describe how the helicopter's blades are rotating isn't needed. The helicopter is prepared to take off. Of course its blades are going to be going that fast.

Quote:

The tall, brown-haired squad commander
I don't know the rest of the context, so I won't comment on whether it's appropriate to describe the character in this one scene or not. But I will say that you shouldn't come out with the description like that. Integrate it into the narration so you don't smack the reader with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by example
A lock of her brown hair escaped from her military cap. She tucked it underneath while still explaining the mission.

This way, the physical description blends in with the narration. It doesn't stand out, disrupting the flow.

Just from a quick read-through of the scene, and without the context for the rest of the fic, I can't say much else. Just remember that this is what I personally see wrong with it, and aside from the grammar, you should always wait to see what other people say, and weigh what they say with what you know of your story, and respond accordingly.

Swift! July 2nd, 2009 10:32 PM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)

Sometimes I forget to describe things properly and then, when I go back to fix it, I have to re-word nearly eveything. It's quite annoying. :[

Citrinin July 4th, 2009 4:04 PM

Time for a new post-maintenance topic. :D

How much inspiration for your story do you get from your day-to-day lives?
While my plot is distant and dystopian, and therefore receives no inspiration from my day-to-day life, my characters are often inspired by people I meet (including myself). I like to include bits and pieces of people I meet in my characters, usually from two or three people, and then adapt the new character to the story's setting. I'll often get something very interesting from that.

txteclipse July 4th, 2009 5:18 PM

How much inspiration for your story do you get from your day-to-day lives?

Everything seems to be inspired from my daily experiences, somehow. My mind appears to create material from apparently unrelated and completely mundane things. I don't understand it at all. I wrote the majority of my earlier chapters of the Chronicles after coming home from work, for instance. Maybe I was so bored that my brain started occupying itself with story writing.

Astinus July 4th, 2009 5:31 PM

How much inspiration for your story do you get from your day-to-day lives?
Not much, actually. I use my writing to actually escape from the outside world, and so there's nothing related to what I experience in my stories.

The one exception, however, is I tend to find that my one true pairing periodically reflects a friendship I have.

Misheard Whisper July 4th, 2009 5:40 PM

How much inspiration for your story do you get from your day-to-day lives?
I like doing this. I recall once, driving along on the way to a friend's place, we passed a big, dusty moor with very few plants on it. Of course, it was on the side of the road, behind a wire fence, and had half a dozen car skeletons in it, but it was still wonderful setting inspiration.

Then occasionally, somebody (myself included) will say something, and I'll make a mental note of it in order to slot it into a story somewhere. I often go for walks as well, to see people and places, hear noises, smell the flowers, and let my mind be free!

/poetry

Bay July 4th, 2009 6:44 PM

What is your greatest weakness as a writer, whether in fanfiction or in general? (Other than writer's block)
Grammar. I always have tense errors and awkward sentences riddled in my stories, even after I check the chapter four times already. However, I'm improving that little by little.

How much inspiration for your story do you get from your day-to-day lives?
All the time. XD I get inspiration from movies, games, real life, news of the games, the anime, etc. Just today I got inspiration for doing a 40's-esque party scene while watching this one black and white film on TV. XD


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