Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[mare]

Hi gang!

Since we have all picked our stories, let the summer reading challenge begin!

You have until the end of August to finish reading the stories you have chosen for this summer. If the story is not finished by the end of August you are NOT obligated to finish it if it's something you didn't enjoy, otherwise it is your mission to finish reading both stories and commenting along the way.

I wanted to talk a minute about feedback and this challenge.

As far as feedback goes, you all know how important it is and it's probably one of the main reasons you have decided to participate in this challenge, so when you offer your opinions, whether they be good or bad, please give more than a "good job" on every chapter. What was good about it? Be specific because it helps the authors understand what they are doing right or wrong and in some cases, it helps them decide to finish the story or work even harder on making it better.

You don't have to leave feedback on every single chapter but you should leave it on at least every other one. For this, use your common sense. Obviously if something is less than 20 chapters, you SHOULD leave feedback on every single chapter and it is okay for an occasional "good job, I enjoyed that!" if it's just one of those filler chapters or there's not much else to say. If you are reading a long story, it's okay to leave feedback on every other chapter or every third chapter (if it's REALLY long) Just as long as you do remain vocal as you are reading.

There will be times you pick something and find you just don't enjoy it. That's okay too. I think when we signed up for this, we realize not everyone is going to like everything. That is part of the challenge, but when you leave feedback, you want to explain what it is you aren't enjoying. Is it the storyline? Is it the character development? Are there too many grammatical errors? etc... In other words, be honest without being mean about it. An "it sucks!" is not acceptable and it's also considered flaming. Not that any of you would do that, but just in case lol  

As authors, we also need to be willing to take this constructive criticism and move on. It works both ways. Obviously if you know someone is reading your story who doesn't enjoy gore and all you have is gore galore, you should be prepared for more critical feedback etc... take what they are saying in but then also realize "They hate gore so of course they aren't going to like this chapter!" lol

This is why I'd like you all to fill out the survey I will be posting in a little bit. It will help us get to know each others likes and dislikes and let you know as the author, what to expect from the person reading your story.

That's about it for now!

I'll post again at the end of this month. Feel free to start reading your stories if you'd like and don't forget to fill out the survey!

Happy reading!

updated 8/29

*carterkid CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Us Against the World
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Cinzia
Save A Prayer
Halfway There Survey Complete
Final Survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Steph


*mamogirl CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Secrets of the Heart
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Julie
The Other Side of Nick Carter
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Ritz

*DelphinaCarter CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Love Story
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Cinzia
Separate Ways
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Mare


*Carter - Orange CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
To Protect and Serve
halfway there survey complete
Final Survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Mare
Bound by Honor
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's completed by Erika
Falling In Love Again
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Emily


* Mare CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Forever
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Emily
Switch
Halfway there survey complete
Final Survey complete
Reader's survey completed by carterkid
My Safest Place
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Erika
[/color]


*RokofAges75 CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Crash and Burn
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey by Cinzia complete
Finding Carter
Halfway there survey complete
Final Survey complete
Readers survey completed by Tracy


*emily_michele CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Story of My Life
Halfway there survey complete
Final Survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Steph
The Long Road Home
Halfway there survey complete
Final Survey complete
Reader's survey complete by Mare


*Alexgirl_Ritz FCHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Four Santas too Many
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Readers survey completed by Mare
When We Collide
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by Carter-Orange

*kevmylove CHALLENGE COMPLETE!*
Falling In Love Again
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by emily_michele
Switch
Halfway there survey complete
Final survey complete
Reader's survey completed by carterkid

* means started reading
Slash means completed the story

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halfway there survey (Only to be completed once you have gotten at least halfway through your story)

Name of story:

1) Are you finding it easy to follow plot wise?

2) So far who is your favorite character and why?

3) Are you getting a sense of how it will end and if so, any guesses? (Sometimes authors get a kick out of seeing what a reader thinks will happen and how predictable they may or may not be)

4) Do you feel like the summary the author gave accurately describes the story you are reading? Would there be anything you would include or omit?

5) Has there been any big surprises/plot twists or just overall observations?

These are the harder questions, but don't be afraid to answer them. Remember we all signed on to this knowing and expecting to get and give constructive criticism.

6) If this wasn't a challenge story and you didn't have to continue reading, would you have stopped already? If so please explain why.

7) Has there been any glaring errors that have stuck out? (I'm not talking about the occasional missed period, typo or spelling/grammar errors but huge mistakes that need to be pointed out that the author might not be aware of)

8) Do you have any questions for the author in regard to the storyline, characters or plot?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Readers survey (To be completed once the person reading your story is finished)

Story:

Person reading it:

1) When you found out this person was reading your story what were your initial thoughts?

2) Did your reader leave you an adequate amount of feedback and was it helpful to you?

3) Did you find yourself going back to read your story as a result of the feedback?

4) Do you have any questions for the person reading your story?

5) Overall did you find the experience a good one or a bad one?

------------------------------------------------------

Final survey (To be completed after finishing the story you are reading)

Name of story:

1) What was the biggest challenge for you when reading this story?

2) Did you find yourself looking forward to reading as you were going along or did it feel like homework?

3) What was your favorite scene/chapter in the story?

4) Was your favorite character at the halfway point still your favorite at the end?

5) Who was your least favorite character and why?

6) If there was a sequel to this story would you be interested in reading it?

7) Were you happy with the ending?

8) Name the biggest surprise in the story and did you see it coming? (If there was one)

9) What was this stories biggest strength?

10) What was it's biggest weakness?

11) Did reading this story make you want to try another one from this author?

12) Give us one final review that sums up your experience reading this, maybe explain why you gave the kind of feedback you did or if you would have perhaps picked a different story from this one?

13) Did you prefer the way we did the challenge this year or did you like the pairings better?

14) Did the author respond to your feedback?

15) Any final thoughts or questions for the author?

[mare]

Reader's Survey

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?

6) What would make you stop reading a story?

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?

9) What draws you to a story?

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?


Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day?

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?

Romance or Bromance?

All five guys, one or some?

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?

Female centered or BSB centered?

1st person or 3rd person?

More description or More dialogue?

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?

Slash or Het?

[RokofAges75]

Reader's Survey

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?

• Cover Me With Dreams by Heidi because it's a realistic, far-from-a-fairytale romance between two strong, likable characters
• Where Can We Go From Here by Whitney because it's a classic, bromantic drama starring all five guys struggling to recover from a horrific bus crash
• Signal to Noise by Bobbi because it's a twisted suspense starring all five guys, a strong heroine, and a great cast of supporting characters

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?
I love drama and suspense with a hint of romance (usually as a subplot).

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?
I shy away from fluffy romance because it tends to bore me; I like tragic romance, but loathe romantic comedies.  I also don't read much sci-fi or fantasy because I prefer realistic fiction.

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?
Brian and Nick

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?
Backstreet Boy meets girl who has trust issues because of some tragic event or bad relationship in her past and teaches her how to love again.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?
Bad writing or boring plot

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?
Failure to follow writing conventions (i.e. many spelling/grammar/punctuation/paragraphing errors)

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?
Yes

9) What draws you to a story?
An interesting plot driven by characters I can relate to and want to root for

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?
Yes


Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day?
Present day

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?
Real, unless it's a romance

Romance or Bromance?
Bromance

All five guys, one or some?
Any of the above

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?
I prefer stand-alone stories to series and novels (of any length) to one-shots.

Female centered or BSB centered?
BSB-centered

1st person or 3rd person?
3rd person

More description or More dialogue?
I like a good balance of the two.  I would rather read something descriptive than something that's all dialogue, though.

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)
NOT!

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?
Blood and guts!

Slash or Het?
Het

[mare]

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?

My top three tend to change from time to time. lol

Ground Zero by Chaos because of the suspense, action and incredible writing.
Seven Days by Refuse 2 Lose I just loved the plot, action and interaction between the guys.
Can You Keep a Secret by Kat and Amy because it was a sweet and fluffy story with all the bromantic moments one could hope for.

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?

Suspense, action, drama with a little comedy thrown in.

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?

Romance and AU's. I'm just not interested in guy meets girl fics when it comes to BSB and I like to read the BSB AS the BSB so I tend to stay away from AU unless they are brothers.

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?

Nick

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?

Random girl is damaged beyond belief before she meets a BSB and he changes her life or the other way around.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?

If it doesn't seem like it was edited, the plot seems to be going nowhere or the author does not respond to feedback

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?

When stories are left unfinished without any explanation.

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?

Extremely

9) What draws you to a story?

If the summary is well written and thought out and it seems like something that might hold my interest I will click on it.

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?

Always


Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day?

Back in the day

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?

Real family, although I like no family best lol

Romance or Bromance?

Bromance

All five guys, one or some?

All five

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?

Shorter

Female centered or BSB centered?

BSB centered

1st person or 3rd person?

1st person

More description or More dialogue?

More Dialogue

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)

NOT!

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?

Fluffy kittens and sinister bunnies

Slash or Het?

Neither

[FrickingKaos]

Reader's Survey

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?

Ground Zero by Chaos, it was one of the first I'd read and it was such a good suspense. I loved the way the guys were written.

Perfection.... I can't remember who it was by, but Nick had an eating disorder. It was such a good angst/drama.

It Stays With You by Mare because it was one of my favorite suspense stories I've ever written to the point where i sometimes look for the word Mine carved into Nick's arm under the tattoos. I can't say enough about this story, it's hands down my favorite.

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading? Suspense, Angst, AU, Drama and Comedy

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?

Usually slash and romance. I write romance myself and feel if i read it, i wont be able to write it lol i am weird. As for slash, never got into it.

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?

Nick usually. I really love group stories where Nick is the main character, but I like to read him the most as he is my favorite.

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics? Bsb meets girl backup dancer and they.fall in love on tour.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?

 Bad grammar, punctuation... .not much makes me stop reading.


7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?

The cookie cutter mushy romance type stories.

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?

Somewhat. If the summary looks interesting and I've heard good things I will read it.

9) What draws you to a story?

Good summary and first chapter. good writing and storyline. Also if I've read the authors work before i am more inclined to try a new one.

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?

Always for each chapter!!!
Which do you prefer:



Stories told in present day, or back in the day?

I wish more stories took place back in the day.


Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/ family?

Depends on the story. I have no preference.

Romance or Bromance?

Bromance!!!

All five guys, one or some?

Either is fine.

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?

I like both.


Female centered or BSB centered?

I prefer bsb centered.

1st person or 3rd person?

I like both.

More description or More dialogue?

an even balance between the two.

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)

I like no list because I can use my imagination
Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?

Slash or Het?

Het

[usako]

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?

1) "Mind Games" by Amanda.
It is the very first story that I've come across when I started to know the BSB fanfic world. Love this for the plot, the suspence in every chapter and for the originality.
2) "Something Beautiful" by Pengi.
No matter how many times I read it, I still end up crying. One of my favorite FricknFrack story.
3) "Somehow, Someway" by Stacey.
I'm not much into het but this story captured my attention because it's drama and has Brian in a light that very few people had ever thought.

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?
Angst. Drama. Fluff. Hurt/comfort.

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?
Romance. Especially het, especially those story where there is a fan that met one of the guys and fall in love. Stories where all the attention is on the girl and not the group.

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?
Brian. Or Brian and Nick.

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?
Fan meet BSB and they immediately fall in love and treat her like she is the star.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?
Bad grammar. Bad plot.

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?
Angst, the more the better. Especially, stories that have like a criminal plotline (kidnapping...)

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?
Yes. 

9) What draws you to a story?
The summary. The writing style. If it's written by an author that I already know and love.

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?
I try but usually I tend to stay in the shadows because I can't find the best way to translate it. lol


Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day?
Both, though I would die for stories that deal with Brian's operation.

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?
Real wives/family.

Romance or Bromance?
Bromance.

All five guys, one or some?
All the guys.

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?
Long stories and series.

Female centered or BSB centered?
BSB centered.

1st person or 3rd person?
3rd person.

More description or More dialogue?
A balance bewteen the two.

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)
Not. A little bit is okay but I don't have to know everything.

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?
Blood and guts!

Slash or Het?
Slash.

[Carter-Orange]

Reader's Survey

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?
Ground Zero by Chaos because I love the way he wrote it, the suspense was amazing and I couldn't stop reading once I'd started.  I think it may be the first fanfic I cried reading!

Song For The Undead by Julie & Rose because even though it's not finished yet, I've been reading since they started posting it and it's right up my street.  I love zombies and gore but the story is just so good, it's not all horror, it has a bit of everything I like.

It Stays With You by Mare because again, it's a great story featuring all the boys.  I loved the suspense and was biting my nails with anticipation and nerves as I was reading parts. 

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?
Anything really, if it's a good story and grabs my attention then I'll stick with it.

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?

I don't read slash romance stuff

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?
Nick mostly, but I've read the others in the lead too.

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?
Boy spots girl in the crowd at a show and falls for her instantly.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?
Bad layout (clumped together), terrible spelling, writer doesn't respond to reviews or only to certain people.  They are the main reasons.

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?
Seeing a promising looking summary, only to click on the story and there are no paragraphs, just a clump of words.

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?
Wasn't when I first discovered fanfic, but I am now.

9) What draws you to a story?
If the summary looks good I'll click to read.

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?
Always


Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day?
Don't mind, depends on the story.

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?
I prefer fictional or none at all, but wouldn't stop reading a good story if the real ones were in it.

Romance or Bromance?
Don't mind, depends on the story

All five guys, one or some?
Don't mind

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?
If I'm enjoying the story then I don't mind.

Female centered or BSB centered?
I don't mind, I've enjoyed both

1st person or 3rd person?
Don't mind

More description or More dialogue?
I like a good balance

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)
No lists

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?

I prefer blood and guts but sometimes feel like reading fluffy stuff.

Slash or Het?
Het I suppose as I don't like slash

[emilo]

Reader's Survey

1) What are your three favorite fanfics of all time and why?
With the Band by evergreenwrite r83, and the stories associated with it.  I just love her writing style and how the characters are portrayed.  There's so much variety with a lot of subplots, twists and turns, drama, comedy, suspense, romance. There's a little bit of everything.  I pretty much love everything she writes.  

Secrets of the Heart by RokOfAges75.  This is such an original plot, and I love that while it's AU, the AJ and Brian characters are very much portrayed the way I imagine they could have possibly lived had they not become Backstreet Boys.  Also love the twist at the end.  I'd hate it if something like that actually happened, but for a piece of fiction, awesome!

Where Can We Go From Here by Whitney.  This is one of the first fanfics I can remember coming across back in the day that grabbed me from the beginning and kept my interest until the end.  It is such a classic piece of BSB fanfiction that I just had to include it.

There are so many others I love, and handful of writers here on AC that I so admire for their work.

2) What genres do you most enjoy reading?
I'm going to make up my own genre here and call it "Romantic Dramedy."  Give me a story with a mix of drama/suspense, comedy, and romance, and I'm a happy camper.

3) What genres do you typically shy away from and why?
Sci-fi and AU- I just never was able to get into the sci-fi stuff, and AU stories in which the guys don't seem like themselves really bug me.  That being said, some of my favorites are AU stories.  There only seems to be a handful of writers that can write an AU and keep the Boys true to character.  Isn't that what makes it a BSB fanfic?  Otherwise, it's just a piece of fiction with characters who happen to be names Nick, Howie, AJ, Kevin, or Brian.

4) Which boy do you enjoy reading as the lead?
Nick, Kevin, and like Nick/Brian stories

5) What do you think is the biggest cliche in fanfics?
Give one of the boys a terrible disease or injury.

6) What would make you stop reading a story?
Bad grammar/punctuation and poorly developed characters.

7) What is your biggest fanfic pet peeve?
See #3. AU fics that don't seem to accurately portray the Boys personality-wise

8) Would you consider yourself a picky reader?
Yes

9) What draws you to a story?
Intriguing summary, it's by an author I know and love, or honestly, a professional looking banner.

10) Do you typically give feedback when you read?
Not often, actually.  I'm way too lazy when it comes to that.  I should really work on leaving feedback, because I know how much it motivates me personally as a writer.

Which do you prefer:

Stories told in present day, or back in the day? I actually love those "in-between" stories that attempt to fill in the gaps between albums/tours.  For example, Mare's "Why I'd Do it All Again" about making the Never Gone album.

Stories featuring real wives/family or fictional wives/family?  I like to see a little of both.  Real families mixed with fictional characters

Romance or Bromance?
I think every romance should also have a little bromance.  It's the BSB we're writing about here!

All five guys, one or some?
I like to see all five at least make an appearance.

Long stories, Series, or shorter stories?
I like series if the original is one I loved.  It's fun to see the characters grow and develop over a long period of time.

Female centered or BSB centered?
I like a strong female lead that is somehow involved with the guys, but at least one of the BSB needs to be a main character as well.

1st person or 3rd person?
I like to read 1st person, but find it easier to write in 3rd.

More description or More dialogue?
Dialogue, but there needs to be a good balance.

Character list or not (Meaning a visual diagram of what all the characters look like before you start to read)
Depends on the number of characters.  If there are a lot, you need that or you just get lost trying to remember who's who.

Blood and guts or fluffy kittens and bunnies?
Blood and guts leads to fluffy kittens and bunnies. I'm a sucker for Happily Ever After.

Slash or Het?
Het

[RokofAges75]

Just jumping in to say I'm really finding these reader surveys interesting.  I know we've all talked about our fanfic likes and dislikes across the board, but I really like the "this or that?" questions and how everyone's answers are different.  A this or that survey for everyone to fill out, in another thread outside of the challenge, would be fun to see.  (We've probably had one at one point or another, but if so, it's been awhile!)

Also, thanks, Emily, for mentioning Secrets, and Steph, for Undead!

[mare]

I should just copy and paste this one in the general thread for everyone to fill out for fun lol

Maybe I will come up with one tomorrow.

[mare]

Well it's officially June so the challenge is ON!

I know some of us have already started to read and review which is great! Everyone else, it's time to start your stories. You can choose the best way for you to get through them, whether it be one at a time or back and forth. Make sure you are leaving feedback at the end of the chapters.

Also, use this thread to post comments and questions about the stories you are reading as you are reading them.

Three of you still have not filled out the readers survey yet so get on that as well:

Erika, Chris and Ritz

Ritz will be on vacation until the end of June so she will not be reviewing until that time, so whoever has Ritz as a reader, just be aware of that.

I will be checking in again at around the 15th!

Thanks guys and Happy reading!!

[Carter-Orange]

Well I'm just over halfway through To Protect And Serve and I have to say, I'm absolutely loving it!  Child serial killer stuff isn't my usual kind of thing (any other serial killer I'm fine with lol), but this is so well written and the storyline really hooked me from the start.

[mare]

Thanks, Steph! I'm a real psycho lol

[FrickingKaos]

I have started reading Separate Ways, I am maybe two chapters into it. Love Story, I think I am on chapter two.

[Carter-Orange]

Thanks, Steph! I'm a real psycho lol

LOL