Fic Talk > I Challenge You....
Let the Summer Reading Commence! :O)
RokofAges75:
The final survey
Name of story: Whatever the Night May Bring
1) When you were asked to pick a story for the challenge, what made you choose this one and why didn't you read it before this point?
I chose this one because I had been meaning to read it anyway; I started to when Mare first started posting it, but fell behind quickly and thought I'd be better off just waiting until it was finished to catch up because of the nature of the story - I knew all the cliffhangers and switching back and forth were going to drive me nuts if I had to wait for each chapter to be posted.
2) What actually was the biggest challenge for you when it came to reading the story?
Really, the same thing that kept me from reading it as Mare was writing it - the back and forth, out of order way in which it was told. Even though I like long stories, I'm not always a patient reader; I hate the suspense of having to wait to find out the solution to the mystery or the secret a character is hiding or what horrible thing happened in their past that they have yet to reveal. At the same time, I love that suspense because that's what makes the experience of reading fun; you will never catch me peeking at the back of a book to find out what happens at the end. Instead, I tend to plow through books as fast as I can so I can find out LOL. I think if I'd had a copy of this story in print or on my Kindle, I would have finished it a lot faster than I did just to find out how everything turned out, but reading on the computer and stopping to review after each chapter slows me down.
3) When reading, did you feel like it was something you really were looking forward to or more a homework assignment? Did that change once you got into it?
I was looking forward to it because it was really just the kick in the pants I needed to get me to go read a story that had been on my list to read anyway. I review what I read anyway, and I love filling out surveys, so not even those parts made it feel like homework. The only thing that might have made it feel that way at times was the fact that Mare was so disciplined about reading a chapter of my story each day, and she never skipped a day, so I felt bad when I'd go several days without reading any of hers. But I am not a chapter a day kind of reader; I tend to read more sporadically, but in bigger spurts.
4) What was your favorite part of the story?
I don't want to give away too much for anyone who hasn't read this story, so I will just say it was from the climax to the end (both ends), the climax (in my mind) being the death of a major character. That part in itself was pretty damn epic, and I like how the choices the surviving characters had to make afterwards led to two different endings, both of which I enjoyed reading.
5) Who was your favorite character and why?
Mare does a great job at writing all five Backstreet Boys, and they were so balanced in this story that they equal out in my mind, so I'm gonna go with Doppleganger Nick. He was really interesting because there were two vastly different ways of looking at him. In the eyes of some, he was a villain, but in other ways, not so much. Even though there was only one part written from his perspective, I felt that Mare did a great job of showing his feelings throughout so that the controversial choices he made were justified.
6) What about your least favorite character and why?
To be honest, I didn't really care about most of the characters who were not the Backstreet Boys. They were important to the story in that they helped the Boys and were "there" in a world that would have otherwise been empty, but I don't feel that I really knew much about any of them besides maybe Charlie, Don, their dad, and Matt. I liked those guys, but didn't care much for Randy and Clara or Sydney, probably for the same reason that Mare hates female leads - it was a BSB fic, so I was most interested in reading about the Boys.
7) If there was a sequel to this story, would be you interested in reading it?
I would probably give it a try, but I don't think the story needs one and don't think Mare is planning to write one either LOL.
8) Were you happy with the ending? Did it end the way you predicted it would?
I was happy with "the real ending." :) The other ending made me scream at my computer, but I liked that one too as an alternate ending. I would not have been happy if that had been the only ending, though! There were some things about both endings that I saw coming, but they both surprised me, too, as far as who ended up dead or not dead in the end LOL.
9) Overall, if you had to take away something from the story, what do you think the lesson learned was?
Be grateful for the life you're living and never take it for granted, because it can disappear in an instant and you could end up living in a parallel universe that completely sucks ass! LOL
10) Give us one final review that you feel sums up your experience reading this, maybe why you gave the kind of feedback you did or if you would have perhaps picked a different story from this one.
I really enjoyed this story. It kept me guessing, and it made me think. I am glad I went back and read it after it was finished because I think I would have been frustrated waiting for updates on it. I loved the two different ending strands; that was creative and fun. The feedback I gave along the way was mostly just my reactions while reading and compliments about Mare's awesome imagery, creative storytelling, and talent at writing each of the guys' perspectives. There really wasn't a lot to critique. I'm definitely glad I picked this one!
11) For the readers who did this last year and this year, which did you prefer, reading each other's stories or reading someone other than who was reading yours?
I liked the way we did it this year better, where we read each other's stories. It was nice to be able to have a back and forth discussion about each other's stories, and I think it made everyone more accountable for reading and giving feedback. If I remember correctly, we had more people bail on this last year and leave someone hanging, but this year, if that happened, you at least had the option to stop reading and reviewing your partner's story until they held up their end of the bargain LOL.
12) Any final comments or suggestions for next year to make this work even better?
I hope we do it again this year, and if others agree, I think it'd be a good idea to pair people up again like you did this year.
13) Any final comments for the author?
You rock, Mare! Keep writing fanfic!! ;D
mare:
The Writer's Survey (To be completed once the person who is reading your story is completely finished reviewing it!)
* This is the chance to let your reader know how you felt about the experience. Same deal as the one above. Be honest, be fair and be ready to explain if you are asked a question.
1) Do you feel like the person reading your story, gave it a fair shot?
Absolutely! Julie was great during this whole process.
2) Did you take away anything valuable from the feed back given to you from the person reading your story?
Most of Julie's feedback was in reaction to the things going on in the story but just knowing she was understanding what I was trying to accomplish and getting the things I was hoping people would get, made me feel great.
3) Did anything the reader say to you, make you reconsider things you have written and change or correct things?
No, but this story was finished before she started reading it lol
4) Are there any questions you'd like to ask the person who read your story?
Nope, we kept a pretty steady dialogue going throughout so anything that needed to be asked, was. At least on my end lol
5) Any final thoughts or comments concerning the reading challenge and the person who read your stuff?
Julie, you were really great! I always looked forward to reading your thoughts on chapters and loved when you picked up on the things I so wanted people to pick up on. Your feedback was thoughtful and always insightful, even for the filler chapters when there wasn't all that much to say, you still managed to pick something out and I really appreciate that, so thanks!
6) Would you consider doing this again next year?
Of course lol
mare:
--- Quote ---3) When reading, did you feel like it was something you really were looking forward to or more a homework assignment? Did that change once you got into it?
I was looking forward to it because it was really just the kick in the pants I needed to get me to go read a story that had been on my list to read anyway. I review what I read anyway, and I love filling out surveys, so not even those parts made it feel like homework. The only thing that might have made it feel that way at times was the fact that Mare was so disciplined about reading a chapter of my story each day, and she never skipped a day, so I felt bad when I'd go several days without reading any of hers. But I am not a chapter a day kind of reader; I tend to read more sporadically, but in bigger spurts.
--- End quote ---
Aww, I was worried my over anal-ness when it came to my own reading was going to make you feel pressured to review me! Sorry about that. I was hoping you'd slow yourself down and even told you to a couple of times. I just knew your story had 90 chapters so that's why I went with the chapter a day thing. I told you guys, I have a problem with that! LOL
And thank you for all your comments! I really enjoyed having you as my reading buddy this summer! :)
Rose:
The Writer's Survey (To be completed once the person who is reading your story is completely finished reviewing it!)
* This is the chance to let your reader know how you felt about the experience. Same deal as the one above. Be honest, be fair and be ready to explain if you are asked a question.
1) Do you feel like the person reading your story, gave it a fair shot?
I do, especially since Lore knew going in that it was going to be a tearjerker.
2) Did you take away anything valuable from the feed back given to you from the person reading your story?
Most of her feedback was good and reactionary, it showed me she got where I was going with things I'd do in the chapters. Just because I know what the character is doing or thinking doesn't mean the readers do. Since I knew she was reading it for this, her feedback was good in letting me know I went about it the right way.
3) Did anything the reader say to you, make you reconsider things you have written and change or correct things?
Not really, but that's because it was already finished lol. That and she really was giving positive feedback in how I did things. So I see no need to change it.
4) Are there any questions you'd like to ask the person who read your story?
What would you have thought if I kept going and showed Nick's complete degeneration to the end? I explained why I ended it the way I did, but some people have asked before about it. I wouldn't mind getting your thoughts on that Lore.
5) Any final thoughts or comments concerning the reading challenge and the person who read your stuff?
Lore, your feedback has been great! I wasn't sure what to expect cause in some ways that story was my baby because it was my first "different" (compared to past stories) story I've done in awhile. I'm glad you were paired with me because I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
6) Would you consider doing this again next year?
Yep!
RokofAges75:
--- Quote from: mare on July 28, 2012, 06:07:08 PM ---Aww, I was worried my over anal-ness when it came to my own reading was going to make you feel pressured to review me! Sorry about that. I was hoping you'd slow yourself down and even told you to a couple of times. I just knew your story had 90 chapters so that's why I went with the chapter a day thing. I told you guys, I have a problem with that! LOL
And thank you for all your comments! I really enjoyed having you as my reading buddy this summer! :)
--- End quote ---
It's okay! I reminded myself of that, that you were stuck reading a story twice as long as the one you wrote, so it made sense for you to pace yourself that way. I definitely didn't rush through it; I read at the pace I would have if I was just reading it for fun outside of the challenge. But I wanted to make sure I got started early and reviewed something at least every few days so I wouldn't get nagged! :)
You're welcome, and back at ya! I've been enjoying your reviews along the way and am looking forward to your overall comments when you're done reading. :)
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