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Hi AC/FICTALKers. If you see this (11/12/2024) please see new post in General Discussions about Open Doors OTW Organization for Transformative Works) offering to help preserve the AC archive and let me know your thoughts:

https://absolutechaos.net/fictalk/index.php/topic,3415.msg125627.html#new

Poll

Which quality is more important to you when reading a story?

That it's entertaining
That it's entertaining

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Author Topic: Realistic vs. Entertaining  (Read 83519 times)

RokofAges75

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Realistic vs. Entertaining
« on: July 12, 2007, 07:43:15 PM »
Readers... when reading a fanfic, which is more important to you:  that the story be realistic, or that it be entertaining, if not always realistic?

Fantasies and other stories that aren't intended to be "realistic" don't count in this. 
Think of a realistic fiction - would you rather it seem totally like real life, or is it okay to pump up the drama to make it more entertaining, even if some of the realism is sacrificed?  Do you mind reading stories that have so much going on they almost feel like a soap opera (but are still well-written and definitely entertaining), or do you avoid them for more realistic stories?

Vote and discuss. :)
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2007, 07:55:47 PM »
Okay... so if my favorite genre doesn't count...

I think it's better when it's more realistic... Because honestly, the more it seems like a soap opera, the stupider it tends to get....

I mean, there's something for some mysticism... But honestly, soap operas ought to be saved for soap operas. That's what I think, anyway...
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MellzBellz

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2007, 07:56:05 PM »
It really depends... I mean i admit sometimes when I'm in the mood I like a drama filled story with a lot of soap opera twists, but it depends on how its written. I do like stories that are SOMEWHAT realistic. I don't want to read about evil twins and people coming back from the dead for instance... But give me love triangles and affairs and crap and some good (not overly cliched) baby drama I'll read. If characters act in a way thats not realistic, (for instance a female character not at all being at least a tiny bit angry that she's been cheated on) I tend to lose stock in it.

I also prefer characters to be a lil more realistic. I'd rather read about REAL people then stories where the main female is an actress, model, heiress etc unless its integral to the plot.
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RokofAges75

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2007, 08:16:22 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 07:55:47 PM
Okay... so if my favorite genre doesn't count...

Sorry LOL.  But fantasy and stuff like that really ISN'T realistic in the first place.  Doesn't mean it can't be a great story, but I would say if you're reading that genre, you're already looking for something entertaining compared to something that's just like real life.
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2007, 08:19:48 PM »
Quote from: RokofAges75 on July 12, 2007, 08:16:22 PM
Sorry LOL.  But fantasy and stuff like that really ISN'T realistic in the first place.  Doesn't mean it can't be a great story, but I would say if you're reading that genre, you're already looking for something entertaining compared to something that's just like real life.

True. :)

But there's a difference between fantasy and unrealistic reality.
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~*Dee*~

People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.

From "And Now, Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey

RokofAges75

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2007, 08:34:30 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 08:19:48 PM
True. :)

But there's a difference between fantasy and unrealistic reality.

Exactly.
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2007, 08:47:26 PM »
I mean, I read a fanfic once where there was a bus crash, Nick was kidnapped, and had cancer...

It was a little too much for me. :D
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~*Dee*~

People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.

From "And Now, Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey

mare

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2007, 09:10:14 PM »
Another good question. I voted realistic. The thing is with fanfic having to do with real people as opposed to say, a movie or TV show fandom, I think it's important to keep the characters as real as possible. Entertainment is fine but when it gets a little out there it crosses the line from entertainment to like you said Julie, soap opera-ish which to some people may be enjoyable but to others (like me) not so much lol





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mare

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2007, 09:12:23 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 08:47:26 PM
I mean, I read a fanfic once where there was a bus crash, Nick was kidnapped, and had cancer...

It was a little too much for me. :D

lmao wow all in one fanfic? *hopes i'm not the one who wrote it*

And even though it's disturbing all those things could potentially really happen. lol (especially if Nick had my luck)  :P
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2007, 09:16:41 PM »
Quote from: mare on July 12, 2007, 09:12:23 PM
lmao wow all in one fanfic? *hopes i'm not the one who wrote it*

And even though it's disturbing all those things could potentially really happen. lol (especially if Nick had my luck)  :P

All in one fan fic. It was a really long time ago... I don't think you did.

They could... That is true... But it just seemed so unrealistic that they would. If I remember correctly... His kidnapper diagnosed his cancer. :D
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~*Dee*~

People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.

From "And Now, Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey

mare

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2007, 09:19:45 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 09:16:41 PM
All in one fan fic. It was a really long time ago... I don't think you did.

They could... That is true... But it just seemed so unrealistic that they would. If I remember correctly... His kidnapper diagnosed his cancer. :D

LMAO!!! Wow well if you're going to get kidnapped by someone, at least it was a doctor?

I know I didn't write it. I actually haven't tackled a terminal disease yet.
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2007, 09:22:57 PM »
Quote from: mare on July 12, 2007, 09:19:45 PM
LMAO!!! Wow well if you're going to get kidnapped by someone, at least it was a doctor?

I know I didn't write it. I actually haven't tackled a terminal disease yet.

I think his kidnapper was a rabid fangirl. :D

Well, you should definitely make a rewrite of the above mentioned your next project then. ;)
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~*Dee*~

People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.

From "And Now, Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey

RokofAges75

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2007, 09:44:45 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 08:47:26 PM
I mean, I read a fanfic once where there was a bus crash, Nick was kidnapped, and had cancer...

It was a little too much for me. :D

And it wasn't a comedy? LOL
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RokofAges75

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2007, 09:45:54 PM »
Quote from: nicksgal on July 12, 2007, 09:16:41 PM
All in one fan fic. It was a really long time ago... I don't think you did.

They could... That is true... But it just seemed so unrealistic that they would. If I remember correctly... His kidnapper diagnosed his cancer. :D

LMAO!!!!  The kidnapper diagnosed his cancer...

What's sad is that I probably would have been enthralled with that story back in the day. :D
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nicksgal

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Re: Realistic vs. Entertaining
« Reply #14 on: July 12, 2007, 10:03:52 PM »
Quote from: RokofAges75 on July 12, 2007, 09:44:45 PM
And it wasn't a comedy? LOL

If I remember correctly... It was a drama/suspense....

I don't get it either. :D
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~*Dee*~

People think it would be fun to be a bird because you could fly. But they forget the negative side, which is the preening.

From "And Now, Deep Thoughts" by Jack Handey
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