Absolute Chaos Discussion Boards
Fic Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: mare on April 04, 2007, 11:12:48 PM
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Because i'm in one of those moods lol
What are some of your biggest pet peeves when it comes to writing fanfics, reading fanfics or anything else in general?
:P
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Good question! LOL
One of my pet peeves has always been people who can't write in proper English (that includes mechanics). I'm more accepting of authors who don't speak English as a first language, but it is sad to me how many people there are who are college age or older and don't know how to properly punctuate a sentence. Writing is a talent that can be honed with practice and experience, but the mechanical aspect of it is something that can simply be looked up (and should have been learned in school) - so posting a story that is all in one big run-on sentence paragraph (a worse-case example) is just LAZY. Even if you can't remember all the rules, for god's sake, just look at a book and try to model your formatting after how that book is formatted. I'm teaching my 3rd graders how to proofread the stories they've been writing for me, so there's really no excuse for an adult to be posting stories that contain more mistakes than an 8-year-old's first draft.
Another pet peeve is when writers constantly beg for feedback, threaten not to update unless they get feedback, whine about the lack of feedback they get, or shamelessly and desperately plug their stories all the time in hopes of getting more feedback. That's such a turn-off to me; I just find it annoying. First off, I think we should be writing because we enjoy writing, not because we want to be praised for something. But of course, everyone likes feedback and having people read their stuff, so plug your story once, put a link in your signature, have a good summary to go with it, and if the story is interesting enough, you shouldn't have a problem getting someone to read it. And then when someone DOES send you feedback, you'll know they actually enjoyed the story and weren't just giving you a pity review.
Sorry if I sound like a bitch tonight LOL; I don't mean to be, but I spent most of the day on a bus full of noisy 8th graders, and I'm tired, so maybe I'm just cranky. ;)
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Sorry if I sound like a bitch tonight LOL; I don't mean to be, but I spent most of the day on a bus full of noisy 8th graders, and I'm tired, so maybe I'm just cranky.
yup, that'll do it! lmao
and I agree with everything you said. I'll have to compile my list tomorrow because i'm too tired to think straight right now.
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my biggest pet peeve, and i have to echo julie here...is when authors end their chapter with something like reviews make me write faster...or the best one...i'll post faster if i get more reviews. gah! i feel like i was just being told by a teacher for doing something wrong whenever i read that, lol...and then it just make me not want to review, lmao.
i dont mind stuff like 'reviews are love', i think those are cute. but once it come across as 'threatening' i gets on my last nerves.
oh and huge chunk of paragraphs, and when dialogues arent separated.
My fics are normally unbetaed, so i might be on some ppl's pet peeves list, lol.
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The feedback thing is at the top of my list as well, even though I do think we have all had a moment when we have done something like that. Especially at the beginning of our fanfic writing careers lol Although i'm with you mers. When people threaten not to write anymore that's so much worse.
I mentioned this before but i'll say it again, I won't read stories where the writer's constantly whine about no feedback. Doesn't matter if it looks like the best story in the universe, just like I don't ever give into kids who cry to get their way. Maybe it's the teacher in me, I have no idea.
One small pet peeve of mine which is soo silly it's almost embarassing but those damn stars on AC. I wish they would go away altogether because it bugs me beyond belief when you get nothing but glowing reviews but yet your star count goes down. In my case and a lot of other peoples it's always the same person lmao. All it takes is one person to give you a 9 instead of a ten and your count goes down. Doesn't matter how many reviews you have and people have to actually go out of their way to do it too since they are automatically set to ten. I don't think it would bother me if I got a 'well could have been better' or 'not your best' but when they say wow that was amazing! then give you an 8 or something, drives me bonkers.
lmao like I said, no idea why that bothers me so much.
Same thing about paragraphs being separated and dialogue etc...
Oh of course I have to say people who just stop updating their stories without even an email to their readers saying they are taking a hiatus. It bugs me because as readers we invest our time in their stuff, the least they can do is let us know they aren't going to continue anymore.
In the same vein, writers who never respond to their feedback. I think it's rude. It takes five seconds to send a thanks for the review. If you don't take the time to do that, then why should you expect people to take the time to review your stuff?
okay I think i'm done, for now at least. :) lmao
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oops! let's see, I'm on Julie's pet peeve list cause I SUCK at mechanics!!! I have a horid problem with run-on sentances. I rewrite sometimes but thats kind of like the blind leading the blind -lol I also made Mare's list with the whole leaving my fics... uh-sorry to anyone who was reading those ones! (although recently I did go back and try to fix them and left a note... so maybe I'll be forgiven)
Anyway, let's see one of my biggest pet peeves has to be when a story is written like you're typing in messenger. Things like "u r" instead of "you are" and such. It's one thing if your writing an actual messaging conversation (though it still kind of bugs me then too) but if the whole story is written that way, I'm pretty sure you're like 9 years old and I stop reading.
other than that? pretty much everything that's already listed. (which is bad cause I'm guilty of half of it...) And Mare, don't feel bad about that star thing, it drives me crazy too! Like I got one review once that said how awesome it was and how they couldn't wait to read more and then she gave it 3 stars? I don't get it either... At least tell me what you're really thinking. If you think it's crap, I want to know, just be specific so that I can go back and make it better.
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One small pet peeve of mine which is soo silly it's almost embarassing but those damn stars on AC. I wish they would go away altogether because it bugs me beyond belief when you get nothing but glowing reviews but yet your star count goes down. In my case and a lot of other peoples it's always the same person lmao. All it takes is one person to give you a 9 instead of a ten and your count goes down. Doesn't matter how many reviews you have and people have to actually go out of their way to do it too since they are automatically set to ten. I don't think it would bother me if I got a 'well could have been better' or 'not your best' but when they say wow that was amazing! then give you an 8 or something, drives me bonkers.
First off, I agree with all the ones you said. I forgot about the authors who randomly stop updating and don't even have the decency to explain why - that's a huge pet peeve to me too.
Also, about the stars thing... yeah, that bugs me too! And like you said, if someone left a review with some warranted constructive criticism and gave you a lower rating because of something they pointed out in the review, okay. Whose story is really a perfect 10 anyway? No one is perfect. But when everyone is giving you 10s and someone comes along and gives you a 7, along with a review that simply says something to the effect of "Awesome story!"... WTF? If it was so awesome, why did you only give it a 7? I'd at least like to know. Is there something specific I can improve on, or was it just a personal preference?
Another time a girl gave me a 9 instead of 10, just enough to knock me down to 4 1/2 stars, for a chapter where one of my characters went into preterm labor at 23 weeks... and her review was like, "I was born at 30 weeks and am fine, so I'm not as scared for her as I should be." So in my reply, I thanked her for the review and then pointed out that in terms of development, 23 weeks is a lot different than 30, and most babies born that early would not survive. She left me another review and explained that she thought the character was 33 weeks. But I still only have 4 1/2 stars because of her misread. Lame. :P LOL But at least I know why she gave me less stars... even if it wasn't a valid reason... LOL
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oops! let's see, I'm on Julie's pet peeve list cause I SUCK at mechanics!!! I have a horid problem with run-on sentances. I rewrite sometimes but thats kind of like the blind leading the blind -lol I also made Mare's list with the whole leaving my fics... uh-sorry to anyone who was reading those ones! (although recently I did go back and try to fix them and left a note... so maybe I'll be forgiven)
Aww Kelly, I wasn't thinking of you!! I need to read your stuff on AC, but based on 00Carter, I think you're a great writer!! I don't remember a mechanics issue with your writing, and I'm the one who proofread it LOL. Trust me (and I'm sure you already know this), I've seen much worse!
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^ lmao i'm glad i'm not alone. I wonder if people realize you can tell how many stars they give you?
See that's the thing for me too. It bugs me because it seriously only does take ONE review to have that happen. For Why I have over 500 reviews and only one of them knocked me down to 41/2 stars lol I just felt so defeated because there was no constructive criticism attached. But I have noticed this person tends to do that to whoever they review. I can always tell they did once I see those stars go down lmao
I should just shut up because i'm grateful they are taking the time to read and they could just not say anything so it's nice of them to take the time to review. It's just annoying lmao
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Aww Kelly, I wasn't thinking of you!! I need to read your stuff on AC, but based on 00Carter, I think you're a great writer!! I don't remember a mechanics issue with your writing, and I'm the one who proofread it LOL. Trust me (and I'm sure you already know this), I've seen much worse!
No worries Julie, I'm sure you weren't. :) I just have this thing were I can't stop pointing out my flaws... I think it's more for me so that I remember to try and make it better next time. But that probably in itself belong s up on this list... maybe I should stop doing that.
But I'm flattered that you feel that way about my writing, especially considering that I've only written the one scene for 00Carter so far. Well that and Brian's extra... anyway thanks hun thatmakes me feel special comming from you. Did I ever tell you that my husband said your scene in the first epi was his fave? He said it was the most well written, and honestly the man is very talented and puts anything I can do to shame so you should feel special. ;D
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Did I ever tell you that my husband said your scene in the first epi was his fave? He said it was the most well written, and honestly the man is very talented and puts anything I can do to shame so you should feel special. ;D
Yes you did, and I was so flattered by that!! Tell him thanks again! That is really cool. ;D
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I had no idea we can know how many stars we're given.. lol.. enlighten me!
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If you just click on one of your stories on AC, it should show how many stars each chapter was given through reviews. I don't think you can see specifically what each reviewer rated you, but if you have a chapter that only gets three stars, and only one person reviewed it, you know that that person must have only given you 6 out of 10.
For example... http://accidentalchaos.net/viewstory.php?sid=5354 That's my story Broken; if you go down to Chapter 140, that's the chapter that only got 3 stars. The reviewer wrote "Best story yet!" and gave me a 6 LOL.
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Actually Julie is right. I think it's one of those 'oh i'm a mod and that's why I can see it' type things lol
Sorry about that.
But yes, by process of elimination you can kind of tell who is giving you less stars.
You can go from 5 to 4 1/2 if anyone even gives you a 9 instead of a 10.
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I hate the stars... It's kinda the equivilent of the smiting for the stories.
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Oh of course I have to say people who just stop updating their stories without even an email to their readers saying they are taking a hiatus. It bugs me because as readers we invest our time in their stuff, the least they can do is let us know they aren't going to continue anymore.
In the same vein, writers who never respond to their feedback. I think it's rude. It takes five seconds to send a thanks for the review. If you don't take the time to do that, then why should you expect people to take the time to review your stuff?
I have stories I haven't updated in awhile, and the ones I know it will be awhile, I stick notes on the summaries and in my profile to be fair, so if they read it, they are warned. The only time I didn't leave a note was for Divisions of Reality and thats because at the time, I thought it would be updated, until the collab finally fell apart and then I put in the AN what happened and how I was doing it on my own.
I've sometimes in the beginning of my fanfic career not responded to reviews, but as I've been in it longer, I got a LOT better about it lol. I make a point to respond to everyone now.
My biggest pet peeve is, honestly...see ing what is actually a creative and good story idea, get ruined by well...bad writing in the sense that it doesn't flow well, not the best mechanics and it jumps around too much. I don't claim to be the best at mechanics, I try, but I know it lol...but you can always tell when someone doesn't try. And when its a good idea being destroyed like that, it kills me lol.
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I hate the stars... It's kinda the equivilent of the smiting for the stories.
LOL I agree but when it comes to the actual site I don't feel right about changing things. But i'd be happy if they went away.
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My biggest pet peeve is, honestly...see ing what is actually a creative and good story idea, get ruined by well...bad writing in the sense that it doesn't flow well, not the best mechanics and it jumps around too much. I don't claim to be the best at mechanics, I try, but I know it lol...but you can always tell when someone doesn't try. And when its a good idea being destroyed like that, it kills me lol.
Me too! I always ugh when I see a great idea get killed behind tons of mistakes and misdirection. LOL I forgot all about that!
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Me too! I always ugh when I see a great idea get killed behind tons of mistakes and misdirection. LOL I forgot all about that!
Seriously, cause I'll read it...see it slowly die and it makes me wanna shoot them! Cause its a great idea and they're killing the helpless muse! Poor muses lost in senseless deaths...
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Seriously, cause I'll read it...see it slowly die and it makes me wanna shoot them! Cause its a great idea and they're killing the helpless muse! Poor muses lost in senseless deaths...
LOL I know! I always secretly want to write it the way I want it to go at that point and in my head I usually do.
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LOL I know! I always secretly want to write it the way I want it to go at that point and in my head I usually do.
you should do it one of these times... maybe they'll take the hint and learn how to write a little better in the process. haha. It's not being Tajna (is that her name?) if you make it way better right? -lol
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you should do it one of these times... maybe they'll take the hint and learn how to write a little better in the process. haha. It's not being Tajna (is that her name?) if you make it way better right? -lol
And change the characters the title, and fix around the basic plot, no.
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I just read through this whole thread and all of you pretty much nailed every pet peeve I've ever had. I have to admit, though, that I am guilty of being one of those feedback-hungry writers, but I'm trying to quit! I swear, I am!! For me, it's one of those stupid self-esteem things that sort of carries over from my offline self (though most people don't see it, so maybe it's not that bad), but, yeah, I'm pretty much over the whole I need reviews so that I can feel better about myself bit. Sorry about that, though!
I guess the only ones that I haven't seen yet are certain dialogue styles that annoy me, and the lack of knowledge about the fact that Orlando is in the middle of the state of Florida. So, if Nick lives in Orlando in your story, he can't have the ocean in his backyard (unless it's manmade!). Sorry..that always bugged me. But, the dialogue things that bother me are when Baylee (who is nearly in kindergarten!) speaks baby talk and when people (usually in romances) call each other these sickeningly sappy nicknames. Okay, seriously, I don't mean to come off as really nitpicky and mean, but Baylee is almost 5, and I haven't met a kid over 3 who talks baby talk. So it annoys me to no end when Baylee does that in some stories. Also, while I think the guys might call their girlfriends/wives/significant others "baby," I really don't think they'd go around calling those women "sugarplum," "baby doll," or whatever. Honestly, I get tired of reading that chapter after chapter after chapter. It's too much for me to handle LOL I'm not sappy, though I write romance!
Bah...I probably made everyone's pet peeve list now with that tirade, so I'm sorry. It's kinda been bugging me for a while with some stories, so I figured I'd just say it. If I just blatantly offended anyone, I'm SO SORRY! I still love all the lovely writers here!
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And change the characters the title, and fix around the basic plot, no.
That's how I get a lot of story ideas! I'll read a story that has a good idea behind it, but it's either not good or just not what I expected it was going to be like, so I take the basic idea and try to write the story I had envisioned when I read the summary.
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But, the dialogue things that bother me are when Baylee (who is nearly in kindergarten!) speaks baby talk and when people (usually in romances) call each other these sickeningly sappy nicknames. Okay, seriously, I don't mean to come off as really nitpicky and mean, but Baylee is almost 5, and I haven't met a kid over 3 who talks baby talk. So it annoys me to no end when Baylee does that in some stories.
Good one!! I haven't read that many stories with Baylee in them prominently yet, but along the same lines, I see that a lot with Aaron too - people write him as if he's still a naive little boy. If he's actually supposed to be 7 or 8 in the story, fine, then it's okay for him to act like a child. But I see so many where he's a teenager, and he speaks and acts like he's in first grade. Maybe that's why I usually don't like to read about Aaron.
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I hate the stars... It's kinda the equivilent of the smiting for the stories.
Yeah, it really is... if everyone really rated stories tough and gave 10s sparingly, it would be different, but I think most people only review stories they like well enough to review, and if they like it, they give it a 10. Then there's the few that will go and give people a lower rating just to smite them, and those are the ones that mess it up.
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Yeah, it really is... if everyone really rated stories tough and gave 10s sparingly, it would be different, but I think most people only review stories they like well enough to review, and if they like it, they give it a 10. Then there's the few that will go and give people a lower rating just to smite them, and those are the ones that mess it up.
eh, I just don't make the effort. I think the stars are stupid so I leave a review and click submit. The stars are automatically set to ten, so everyone I review gets 10 stars from me. How's that for sparingly? haha
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you should do it one of these times... maybe they'll take the hint and learn how to write a little better in the process. haha. It's not being Tajna (is that her name?) if you make it way better right? -lol
I highly doubt i'd be able to make myself actually do that. I mean I do it all the time in my head as i'm sure we all do. Read a fic and think wow I would have it happen this way instead etc... and TV shows goodness I do it a lot with those too! I would feel like I was plagerizing if I did it for real. i'll just stick to my silent fixing and head shakes. :) lol
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eh, I just don't make the effort. I think the stars are stupid so I leave a review and click submit. The stars are automatically set to ten, so everyone I review gets 10 stars from me. How's that for sparingly? haha
Same here Kel! It's too much of a process for me to determine if a story is a 7 or an 8. Everyone gets 10 cuz I just disregard the stars all together. I think my actual feedback about the story is what's the most important and useful. And if it makes you all feel better I don't think I've ever seen a 5 star story that completely blew me away. Honestly, the BEST fiction on AC I find are the 4 1/2 star stories which I believe most of us fall in. I try to look at it that someone actually cared enough to change the number from 10 to something lower and for them to have that kind of response to a story even if it is negative, they must be sucked into the story even if its because they absolutely hated it. Those are the readers that even though they thought it was crap will prolly continue reading to see if it gets any worse. If they really hated it and couldn't care they just woudn't even take the time to review right?
Can't you also though rate a story and NOT leave a review? Cuz then you wouldn't be abe to tell who rated you, right?
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I agree with a lot of the pet peeves. It's embrassing to think that I used to do a lot of those things too! :-[
In my first fic, I thought nothing of writing a sentence like, "OMG! I'd luv 2 go out wit u 2!" I used a lot of 2's and r's and u's and yea... Its quite embarassing lol Sarah also cracked me up with the pet name thing because in one of my first stories I SOOO had Nick call the female lead "Babydoll." Man was I fan fic cliche or what? LOl
I went through the review phase. Even a little bit w/ UMS in the beginning before it really caught on a steady fan base and for those who are frustrated with lack of readers UMS didn't really start getting a following until it was about 20 chapters in. I used to really get frustrated about lack of feedback, but now I'm a lot more understanding. I'll still say something like Oh I worked really hard on this part and would love to hear what everyone thinks of it, but I won't be like If you don't tell me I'll never write again LOL
Nowadays my biggest problems are answering reviews and updating sooner. I am VERY busy right now, but if its going to be a while between updates I try to post Authors Notes explaining that I'm working two jobs and going to school, so finding time to write can sometimes be difficult. I think my readers are prolly tired of excuses by now! lol As far as reviews go, I do try to answer most of them, but if you just write Great story! Update soon! Chances are I'm not going to respond to that. I only respond when someone makes an interesting point or goes over and beyond the generic "great job!"
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LMAO isn't it nice to see how much we have grown as writers by reading everyone elses pet peeves? I know i've done some of this stuff too.
I remember one of my biggest pet peeves when I first started reading fanfics was when Kevin would call Nick baby. But then I have done that MORE than once in my fics and once I found out he really did call him that, it didn't bother me anymore.
Also I hated the Frick and Frack thing and was always like "Why the hell does everyone do that?" and then I found out it was for real lmao that's what happens when you write AS you become a fan and not because you are already one.
I agree with the Aaron talking like he's five thing too (even though he acts like he's five) And when Nick would act waaay younger than his age in a lot of fics as well. Like he'd be 14 but Kevin would be carrying him to bed and patting his back. It's okay if he's sick I suppose but not just as a nightly ritual lmao
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And when Nick would act waaay younger than his age in a lot of fics as well. Like he'd be 14 but Kevin would be carrying him to bed and patting his back. It's okay if he's sick I suppose but not just as a nightly ritual lmao
LMAO yeah, I'm all for the brotherly relationships and cuteness, but that's just weird.
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And when Nick would act waaay younger than his age in a lot of fics as well. Like he'd be 14 but Kevin would be carrying him to bed and patting his back. It's okay if he's sick I suppose but not just as a nightly ritual lmao
*dies laughing*
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God, I don't even want to THINK about how many of these I 'used' :(
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God, I don't even want to THINK about how many of these I 'used' :(
well then that means you can only get better, right? ;D I'm sure we all started out doing a lot of these things.
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LMAO isn't it nice to see how much we have grown as writers by reading everyone elses pet peeves? I know i've done some of this stuff too.
I remember one of my biggest pet peeves when I first started reading fanfics was when Kevin would call Nick baby. But then I have done that MORE than once in my fics and once I found out he really did call him that, it didn't bother me anymore.
Also I hated the Frick and Frack thing and was always like "Why the hell does everyone do that?" and then I found out it was for real lmao that's what happens when you write AS you become a fan and not because you are already one.
I agree with the Aaron talking like he's five thing too (even though he acts like he's five) And when Nick would act waaay younger than his age in a lot of fics as well. Like he'd be 14 but Kevin would be carrying him to bed and patting his back. It's okay if he's sick I suppose but not just as a nightly ritual lmao
I used to ALWAYS play off on the Frick and Frack thing, to the point of cheesiness lmao. Thankfully I got better with that and use it like it would be normally. And play off it a lil, like having Brian call Nick Frackolas :D
And yes, Aaron always seems to be a baby which...yeah he's not anymore. Which is why I don't read Aaron fics.
LOL@the idea of Kevin carrying Nick to bed every night when he's too old and not sick, that sounds like a cheesy porn...
Odd pet peeve of mine, is, even if I don't read it, when I see incest slash. One time I saw some with Nick and Angel...and then there's Brian/Kevin...which is ew. Nothing against anyone who writes slash, props to those who does...but incest slash? no.
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Odd pet peeve of mine, is, even if I don't read it, when I see incest slash. One time I saw some with Nick and Angel...and then there's Brian/Kevin...which is ew. Nothing against anyone who writes slash, props to those who does...but incest slash? no.
Oh WOW ???
I don't think I've ever seen BSB incest, but, now that I know it's out there, I think I'm gonna steer clear LOL I remember seeing incest/slash in the Supernatural fanfiction all the time, which they've cheekily named "Wincest" and that creeps me out..which is why I don't really read SN fic. Even I have my limits ;D
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??? Do the pet peeves count if your writing your first fan fic??
I've just started one and I believe I do at least half if not more of the peeves in my story.
I do read alot of fan fic and get ideas on how it's presented and grammar etc but I think my main problem is keeping a good flow to the story.
I tend to get an idea while I'm writing (I don't have a plot just basic ideas and try to fill in the gaps as I write) and mush it into the story and occasionally go off track.
What would be the best thing to help?
(little info, my brain has a huge imagination but it nevers sticks to an idea for long and I'll forget it unless I reread over my story to get back on track)
I agree with all pet peeves everyone's mentioned (with the incest not a fave or anything but if you've ever read VC andrews you'll find that incest pops up in a few of her stories so it doesn't bother me until I think about that these are real people)
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??? Do the pet peeves count if your writing your first fan fic??
I've just started one and I believe I do at least half if not more of the peeves in my story.
I do read alot of fan fic and get ideas on how it's presented and grammar etc but I think my main problem is keeping a good flow to the story.
I tend to get an idea while I'm writing (I don't have a plot just basic ideas and try to fill in the gaps as I write) and mush it into the story and occasionally go off track.
What would be the best thing to help?
(little info, my brain has a huge imagination but it nevers sticks to an idea for long and I'll forget it unless I reread over my story to get back on track)
I think that when writing a story you need your basic plotline first and foremost. You need to figure out the key idea of the story and then build around that. When I started writing UMS I knew I wanted to do something a little darker and more realistic about relationships and I wanted to have two past lovers coming together again and trying to make it work a second time around. Sounds really skimpy and vague right? Well, once you get your basic plot down then you should start to plan your main events. Important ideas that you want to use in your story to back up your plotline. You may want to jot them down in a timeline of sorts. And if you keep getting new ideas thats fine because as you get them you can plot them on the storyline and eventually your story begins to grow and the pieces come together like a puzzle, at least thats what I find. I also like to think of my story in arcs. For example (I'll use my story again since I know you're familair with it) Chapters 31-37 are the Christmas arc where Nick comes home with Alyssa for the holidays. Now i'm on what I call the LA arc, where Alyssa is in LA visiting Nick... I think its easier sometimes w/ a larger to story to break it down section by section like that.
And about the VC Andrews incest thing I find it tolerable in her stories for some reason too. At least in Flowers in the Attic I kind of could see why it happened, being locked in an attic through your teenage years with all those crazy hormones... She at least tries to write about in a way where you see how it is inevitavble I guess. But yea... I REALLY don't wanna read any BSB incest.
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??? Do the pet peeves count if your writing your first fan fic??
I've just started one and I believe I do at least half if not more of the peeves in my story.
I do read alot of fan fic and get ideas on how it's presented and grammar etc but I think my main problem is keeping a good flow to the story.
I tend to get an idea while I'm writing (I don't have a plot just basic ideas and try to fill in the gaps as I write) and mush it into the story and occasionally go off track.
What would be the best thing to help?
(little info, my brain has a huge imagination but it nevers sticks to an idea for long and I'll forget it unless I reread over my story to get back on track)
I agree with all pet peeves everyone's mentioned (with the incest not a fave or anything but if you've ever read VC andrews you'll find that incest pops up in a few of her stories so it doesn't bother me until I think about that these are real people)
Congrats on writing your first story! And you know, I almost think everyone has done at least two of those things when writing their first story. The more you write, the better you'll get. As far as advice, Mel gave you some great ideas there. I agree with everything, most importantly, make sure you have a grasp on how you want the story to go before you move ahead. Nine out of ten times people don't complete their fiction is because they don't fully think it through. (Yes I made that statistic up lol but still...i'm sure there's some truth in that!)
Good luck and welcome to the club! :D
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Congrats on writing your first story! And you know, I almost think everyone has done at least two of those things when writing their first story. The more you write, the better you'll get. As far as advice, Mel gave you some great ideas there. I agree with everything, most importantly, make sure you have a grasp on how you want the story to go before you move ahead. Nine out of ten times people don't complete their fiction is because they don't fully think it through. (Yes I made that statistic up lol but still...i'm sure there's some truth in that!)
Good luck and welcome to the club! :D
hey Mare! Did you know that 96.8 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot? -lol
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^ no, but four out of five dentists have mentioned that before! lol
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;D Thanks heaps Mel and Mare, given me heaps to think about for when I write.
I think I'll have to buy a notebook for all my ideas coz all the little scraps of paper I have floating around, over and covering my desk is getting intense.
Truthfully I'm not very good with words, pretty much can spell anything you give me without hesitation but make me spit out a sentence and I make Nick look like Enstein!
When I started my story it was a movie in my head and now I'm trying to write it out into a story which as you've read about makes it hard lol but I've kept all the words of wisdom I've read and hopefully my story can improve 10 fold!
@ Mellz - I'm the same with VC, when I read Flowers in the Attic for the first time it made me cry with what happened, all the hardships and heartbreak they went through, I wouldn't have blamed the brother, hormones are terrible especially during teenage years!
LOL you girls are a crack up ;D
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??? Do the pet peeves count if your writing your first fan fic??
I've just started one and I believe I do at least half if not more of the peeves in my story.
I do read alot of fan fic and get ideas on how it's presented and grammar etc but I think my main problem is keeping a good flow to the story.
I tend to get an idea while I'm writing (I don't have a plot just basic ideas and try to fill in the gaps as I write) and mush it into the story and occasionally go off track.
What would be the best thing to help?
(little info, my brain has a huge imagination but it nevers sticks to an idea for long and I'll forget it unless I reread over my story to get back on track)
Honestly, the best advice I could give you is to just keep writing. :) I think experience will definitely help with what you're struggling with. The more you write, the better you'll get, and the more aware you'll become of how to set up a story. It's hard to totally plan a story out before you write it - I use outlines, but I didn't always, and even now that I do, I still incorporate ideas I get as I'm writing the story. I can't possibly plan out every aspect ahead of time.
My other tip would be to try outlining. When you get an idea, try to plan the basic structure of the story - beginning, middle, and end - and then fill in the gaps as you come up with more ideas. But if you figure out where the story is going to go before you even start writing it, you'll always have some kind of road map to follow, and that will help you keep on track.
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I left my post before I read the other replies, but it sounds like we're all on the same page with advice. :)
Moppy, another thing I was going to say is that I do all my outlines on the computer... I just start a Word document and keep a running outline going there. It's mostly just a list of events that I want to happen in the story and other notes for myself. It's nice to have it on the computer cause I can edit it all I want without it looking messy. The only bad thing is that if my computer would crash, it'd be gone. But so far I've managed to escape that happening while I'm actually writing the story.
Notebooks come in handy too though. I keep a little one around that I jot ideas down in when I don't feel like getting on my computer (like if I'm half-asleep in bed LOL).
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Actually I already write in Word and keep it up2date saved on a disc too (just in case ;)) and I actually bought a little notebook, and BOY it's the best bloody thing ever. I've already filled up 15 pages with ideas for the story but now have to incorporate it into it without messing with the plot.
Thanks again girls heaps appreciated. ;D
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And when Nick would act waaay younger than his age in a lot of fics as well. Like he'd be 14 but Kevin would be carrying him to bed and patting his back. It's okay if he's sick I suppose but not just as a nightly ritual lmao
See I would only do that in a slash fanfic, or if Nick is like 'special' in a story.
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Because i'm in one of those moods lol
What are some of your biggest pet peeves when it comes to writing fanfics, reading fanfics or anything else in general?
:P
A big peeve of mine in fanfiction would probably have to be all the profanity. Especially the "f" word. I just can't stand reading works with that word in it.
Now, non-fanfic pet peeves would have to be finding shopping carts scattered throughout the parking lot when the place to put them is right there! Now, granted, there are most likely some people who are in too big a hurry to make the hundred-foot trip to return the cart, but there came a day when my family and i saw three empty carts in a parking space. Ee-gads, man!
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A big peeve of mine in fanfiction would probably have to be all the profanity. Especially the "f" word. I just can't stand reading works with that word in it.
Now, non-fanfic pet peeves would have to be finding shopping carts scattered throughout the parking lot when the place to put them is right there! Now, granted, there are most likely some people who are in too big a hurry to make the hundred-foot trip to return the cart, but there came a day when my family and i saw three empty carts in a parking space. Ee-gads, man!
LMAO I hate the shopping cart thing too! It's always my luck... I think I've found a good spot, and there's a freaking cart in my way! Grrr!
As far as profanity in stories, I think sometimes it's needed to really give you a feel for a character... i.e. Cindy in Kelly's story Not Your Average Cinderella Story. Girl cussed like a sailor, but that was HER, and it immediately separated her from the typical female lead of a Bsb fanfic. I don't think she would have been as believable if she hadn't had the potty mouth LOL. That's just my feeling on it, but I agree that profanity gets old after awhile.
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lol thanks Julie. I actually always got tired of the language in NYACS especially since I never use it. But I modeled Cindy after a friend of mine and that's just how she was. But I always found myself wanting to dial back the language in that one. And non of my other stories are littered with bad language at all. the occasional curse here or there, but thats it.
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My new pet peeve is sales at Victoria's Secret.
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how is that a bad thing?
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My pet peeve, non-fanfic wise, is those people who have to have the last word and who have to prove to you that they're doing something so much more amazing than you could ever do in your entire life. Like I care...?
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Because the other customers push you and take bras out of your hands.
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LMAO I am now picturing some crazy woman stealing a bra out of your hands.
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It happened twice, actually. lol
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LMAO!
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Maybe I am just a case to be pitied? :( lol
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that's really sad, Dee. *pats you on the head and gives you a cookie*
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What kind of cookie?
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What kind do you want? LOL
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A tasty one?
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snickerdoodles ... mmmmm....
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Dee, what about a variety pack of cookies? Chocolate chip, sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin, double chocolate chunk, M&M cookies, etc. All of that sounds pretty tasty to me...
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I like..... *thinks* Thin Mints. ;D
Ooh, variety pack.
Wait, I remembered what my favorite cookie is. lol White Chocolate Chip Macadamian Nut.
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I like..... *thinks* Thin Mints. ;D
Ooh, variety pack.
Wait, I remembered what my favorite cookie is. lol White Chocolate Chip Macadamian Nut.
hey thats my favorite too! :D
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hey thats my favorite too! :D
DUDE. all 3 of us are in love with white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! They're just so yummy, and my favorite are the kind from Costco (the wholesale place). Yum. Now I wish I had some...
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*high five to you both*
I adore the ones from Boulder Baked, they're nummy. :)
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AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Is it so hard to read the rules before you post banners? is it? I mean IS IT?
Sorry, I had to vent and live up to my banner hating reputation lol
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AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Is it so hard to read the rules before you post banners? is it? I mean IS IT?
Sorry, I had to vent and live up to my banner hating reputation lol
I didn't do it! It wasn't me! I SWEAR!
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AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Is it so hard to read the rules before you post banners? is it? I mean IS IT?
Sorry, I had to vent and live up to my banner hating reputation lol
I hate them too, no worries! It amazes me how so many illiterate people manage to write fics... I mean... incredibly talented, wonderfully literate member-folk whom I love dearly!
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AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Is it so hard to read the rules before you post banners? is it? I mean IS IT?
Sorry, I had to vent and live up to my banner hating reputation lol
I like the new policy. :D
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AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Is it so hard to read the rules before you post banners? is it? I mean IS IT?
Sorry, I had to vent and live up to my banner hating reputation lol
Wasn't me either! The banner for the story I actually remember to update is 200 x 200 exactly.
*squishy hug*
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I like the new policy. :D
Thank you! lol :)
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I think the next step should be posting the perpetrators' pen names in the news section of AC. Then we can all go "BUST-ED!!" They post arrests in the newspaper, so why not?
I can't tell if I'm kidding or not. :D
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I can't tell if I'm kidding or not. :D
LMAO I love you Julie!
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eh, works for me lol
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I think the next step should be posting the perpetrators' pen names in the news section of AC. Then we can all go "BUST-ED!!" They post arrests in the newspaper, so why not?
I can't tell if I'm kidding or not. :D
Don't give me ideas, that just makes Mare have to talk me out of them lol
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LMAO. Please do it.
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I hate to be the voice of reason :D but that would just hurt feelings, piss people off and eventually create more work for our beloved moderators because they wouldn't be moderating a website anymore, they would be moderating fights.
Are y'all really looking to invite the drama? LOL That's the one thing I love the most about AC is the lack of drama!
As much as I would love to see banners disappear all together, I think deleting the ones that don't follow the rules is punishment enough, and the idea about deleting stories after a second offense would certainly get the point across. Publicly pointing them out would just be mean haha. Unless that's what you're going for? lol I know how Mare likes to pretend she's evil sometimes. Oddly enough I can totally see her and julilly both sitting in a corner together cackling together as they deviously hit the delete button over and over.
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Could the delete button look like one of those big red detonation buttons?
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Whatever you want. lol
I was sure Mare would talk her our of it before it got that far. lol
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No worries Kelly, we would never do that although it drives me insane when grown people refuse to follow simple rules. lol
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No worries Kelly, we would never do that although it drives me insane when grown people refuse to follow simple rules. lol
lol I'm sure you wouldn't REALLY do it. (though I would laugh my butt off if you did.)
ps... if we're writing fan fiction we can't be all that grown up now can we? lol.
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true true
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ps... if we're writing fan fiction we can't be all that grown up now can we? lol.
IT'S MY ART! *runs away crying*
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IT'S MY ART! *runs away crying*
And you're a fan fic Picasso! *hands you a pint of Ben and Jerry's*
its my... I don't know what it is for me but I can't seem to live without it lol.
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since i'm pretty much done with writing I guess I am officially grown up now lol *sniff* with some child like tendencies. There we go. I just diagnosed myself.
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And you're a fan fic Picasso! *hands you a pint of Ben and Jerry's*
its my... I don't know what it is for me but I can't seem to live without it lol.
*eats ice cream* Are you saying I make odd, and strangely put together fics?! Is that what you're saying?!
What I'm writing right now is a little odd actually (and not what I should be working on)
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*eats ice cream* Are you saying I make odd, and strangely put together fics?! Is that what you're saying?!
What I'm writing right now is a little odd actually (and not what I should be working on)
lol no, that's just your skewed Canadian way of thinking. :D
I was actually calling you a much loved genius.
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Either way, it means she shall be worth millions after her death. lol