38 réponses à ce sujet

[MissMaster]

-Yes I know characterness is not a word but you know what I mean.

When it comes to the Mass Effect fan-fiction community I have seen a strange trend when it comes to FemShep. Why do people feel the need to write such a strong female protagonist in such a way that diminishes her and make her act like a 15 year old girl?

I have read dozens of fanfics (most being Garrus/ FemShep) but only 2 out of dozens portrayed her as a strong woman. I'm always running in to fan-fiction that has the same series of events.

On Horizon Kaidan tells her he cant trust her and then she transforms in to a crying screaming teenager who is lashing out because she loved Kaidan and he broke her heart.

And the sad thing is most of the fics are good until Herizon.

Am I the only one that thinks that Shepard a woman who is almost 30 years, who saved the galaxy and who was brought back from the dead would not have a hissy fit over a man who she slept with once.

-Also why do FemShep writers feel the need to say that Kaidan was the only one she had ever been with...that is just...unrealistic. Once more she is almost 30 and you really think that is the first time she had ever been with anyone? Come on.

Sigh/

Those are just things that I feel are out of character when it comes to ME fan-fiction. What are somethings that bother you?

Modifié par MissMaster, 13 juin 2011 - 03:12 .

[Severyx]

One thing that bothers me is a reader that expects every individual Shepard to be the same as their own.

It seems to me like you should be reading something other than FemShep fanfics. If it's bothering you that much, then there's no harm in bypassing that and going for something that you enjoy more. Each author is entitled to write their fic how they see fit. How that stacks up to your personal requirements of who should be who is not their problem. Each Shepard you read about is the Shepard of the writer, just like how you have your own vision of who (s)he should be.

That said, I have a problem with Shepard fanfiction to begin with. Since Shepard is a character defined by the individual player, and I have my own idea about who Shepard is, I avoid reading any Shep fics in general because I'm not really interested in finding out what each person's Shepard is like. That's my personal opinion on the matter. I don't complain about how non-canon their characters are, since they have the liberty to do what they will with the characters, possibly to the chagrin of the original creators. I go and write my own characters.

Anywho, there are alternate avenues to enjoying Mass Effect works if you find you don't enjoy the general portrayal of the characters in those stories. There are a lot of works that focus on minor characters, or stories set in the Mass Effect universe with entirely original casts and plots. If your issue with fanfiction is that you feel each portrayal is too out of character, then why not read about characters that are new, so that you don't already have a pre-established view on who they should be?

Modifié par Severyx, 13 juin 2011 - 08:06 .

[Tachai03]

Personally, I feel when writing any sort of ShepardxCharacter fan fiction, Shepard should not be given a direct name, or given his/her "canon" name: John/Jane. Also, Shepard's alignment should be Paragade/Renegon, and should behave like an adult. It's strange to have, let's say, a very mature paragon Shepard, and then reading a fic about a totally 'hardcoareee i hate lyfe omg'  renegade Shepard, and vice versa. At least, that's how I feel. There are a lot of variables out there, and I feel placing Shepard in the middle makes it easier for other readers to substitute their own Shepards in the story.

That's just me as a writer, however.

Modifié par Tachai03, 13 juin 2011 - 10:05 .

[JoeLaTurkey]

I agree with the previous posts on being hesitant when it comes to Shepard in fanfiction.

Shepard is an avatar - an empty shell or piece of clay for us to mold into our own character. This is fine for individuals playing him/her in the game, but I'm not really sure it translates that well to fanfiction, as our playing experiences are so different we're inclined towards our own Shep and the actions of one so different may put us off.

I prefer reading and writing fics that focus on minor Mass Effect characters.

[Made Nightwing]

My problem is not that SHEPARD is sometiems portrayed OOC, it's that most of the time, a lot of the characters are majorly OOC as well. Here are a few that suffer the most.

Miranda: Most of the time, she's portrayed as an evil **** with no redeeming features at all. You can expect to find her 'torturing innocent aliens', or 'authorising atrocities' every five seconds. While I don't doubt Miranda did some morally reprehensible things during her time as a Cerberus agent, this is not who she is.

Ashley: Honestly, it's hard to find a fic where she ISN'T OOC. The more extreme Tali fans like portray her as getting super jealous, like a teenage high schooler, of Tali/Shepard and trying to break them up.

[JoeLaTurkey]

Made Nightwing wrote...

My problem is not that SHEPARD is sometiems portrayed OOC, it's that most of the time, a lot of the characters are majorly OOC as well. Here are a few that suffer the most.

Miranda: Most of the time, she's portrayed as an evil **** with no redeeming features at all. You can expect to find her 'torturing innocent aliens', or 'authorising atrocities' every five seconds. While I don't doubt Miranda did some morally reprehensible things during her time as a Cerberus agent, this is not who she is.

Ashley: Honestly, it's hard to find a fic where she ISN'T OOC. The more extreme Tali fans like portray her as getting super jealous, like a teenage high schooler, of Tali/Shepard and trying to break them up.

Amen.

But I have to say, I think amplifying a character's traits slightly is forgivable in parody/humour fics. 

[Made Nightwing]

^Agreed, but not in fics that are trying to be serious.

[skcih-deraj]

I know exactly what you mean man. I have yet to read a good femshepXGarrus story (I find most utterly puketastic) and your right once again Shepard would not throw a fit over some man. And the Horizon thing is one of the reasons I'll stop reading a femshep story.

Though I'd like to think that the femshep story I wrote doesn't fit in your catagory. (Unless angry, has been in prison for ten years, bitter and has her eyes on taking over the terminus systems is what you mean.) But anyway not all femshep stories are all bad, just the majority featuring: Garrus, Kaiden, Thane, Jacob... you get the point.

[mineralica]

"Virgin Shepard" started from the same place with canon virgins Tali and Liara - to make an accent on how unique this feelings are for character. But while for Tali it sounds rather justified considering the problems with linking suits and Liara is very young for her race, virgin 30 years old space marine is... disturbing at best.
For OOC VS - it's very common for them to be portrayed as jealous to Shepard's fame, ignorant, stupid, etc, just to make an excuse for Shepard to jump to another person's arms
EDIT: forgot my most hated type: Shepard and LI as Mary and Marty Sue saving the galaxy from Reapers without any help

Modifié par mineralica, 13 juin 2011 - 10:46 .

[wilhelm Screamer]

No type of fanfiction could possibly be worse than TaliXLegion...

OHGODGETITOUTOFMYFACEITBURNS!

[Shinobu]

I've read quite a few Garrus/FShep fics and for the most part enjoy them. I don't particularly like the weepy FemShep ones, but can see why people write them (she trusts Garrus enough to drop her "commander facade" sort of thing). I'm also not so into "jealousy" fics (Garrus is jealous of Thane, FShep is jealous of Kelly...), but respect others' desire to read/write them.

I find the things that tend to bug me are things that are "fanon" -- stuff that is repeated so much in fics that it is taken as "the way things are." For example, I don't know where Garrus' "flanging voice" started, but "flanging" is not a word. Also, a "flange" is a piece that is stuck on at right angles to something. I can only assume the originator meant "plangent" and everyone else just went with it, but it's pretty much used in every Garrus fic out there. Other fanon conventions: Garrus has blue eyes, Turians purr, touching foreheads is the Turian equivalent of confessing undyling love (Shh, it's a secret!). I don't mean to disrespect anyone who uses these conventions, because it's easy to assume they are canon from reading others' fics, and other than these nitpicky details most Garrus fics are quite well written. I just wish someone would break the mold, you know?

As for Shep, I like both personalized (named/described) Sheps and universal (unnamed/not described) Sheps as long as the story is well done. I'm not much bothered by Mary Sueism because Shepard IS Mary Sue -- the only one smart and strong enough to save the Galaxy. Blind Shep-worship by the other characters does bug me, though.

EDIT: I stand corrected on the "flanging" voice. It is a word and is canon.

Modifié par Shinobu, 15 juin 2011 - 04:28 .

[CheeseEnchilada]

 Writing Shepard is difficult. S/he seems to straddle the line between avatar and a character in his/her own right, and it makes personalizing Shepard a bit difficult. Any story where I see Shepard break down into tears always makes me feel strange; on one hand, everyone creates their own Shepard. If their Shepard is emotional, then that's okay. On the other hand, Shepard in the series is seen struggling through impossible odds, and shows nothing more than a little fatigue. Where do you draw the line between your Shepard and the Shepard?

This is why I choose to write about minor characters, like Kolyat. No one is emotionally attached, so you can interpret their character however you'd like.

[DoNotIngest]

I've only read fanfic about Sheploo, who is perfectly fine, even with his Rapeface >_>

[MissMaster]

mineralica wrote...

"Virgin Shepard" started from the same place with canon virgins Tali and Liara - to make an accent on how unique this feelings are for character. But while for Tali it sounds rather justified considering the problems with linking suits and Liara is very young for her race, virgin 30 years old space marine is... disturbing at best.
For OOC VS - it's very common for them to be portrayed as jealous to Shepard's fame, ignorant, stupid, etc, just to make an excuse for Shepard to jump to another person's arms
EDIT: forgot my most hated type: Shepard and LI as Mary and Marty Sue saving the galaxy from Reapers without any help

Ew. I hate that.

I can see Tali being a virgin and maybe Liara but FemShep? No lol.

Also a lot of people have said that people don't like reading Sheps that are different then hires , but I really don't mind at all as long as Shep is at least someone in character.  I mean sure some Sheps would be upset about Kaidan but not to the point of not being able to command her ship and crying every three seconds.

As for Shep's first name in fics, I kept her in game name (Quinn) but I don't mind reading fics where Shep has her default name.

[MissMaster]

Shinobu wrote...

I've read quite a few Garrus/FShep fics and for the most part enjoy them. I don't particularly like the weepy FemShep ones, but can see why people write them (she trusts Garrus enough to drop her "commander facade" sort of thing). I'm also not so into "jealousy" fics (Garrus is jealous of Thane, FShep is jealous of Kelly...), but respect others' desire to read/write them.

I find the things that tend to bug me are things that are "fanon" -- stuff that is repeated so much in fics that it is taken as "the way things are." For example, I don't know where Garrus' "flanging voice" started, but "flanging" is not a word. Also, a "flange" is a piece that is stuck on at right angles to something. I can only assume the originator meant "plangent" and everyone else just went with it, but it's pretty much used in every Garrus fic out there. Other fanon conventions: Garrus has blue eyes, Turians purr, touching foreheads is the Turian equivalent of confessing undyling love (Shh, it's a secret!). I don't mean to disrespect anyone who uses these conventions, because it's easy to assume they are canon from reading others' fics, and other than these nitpicky details most Garrus fics are quite well written. I just wish someone would break the mold, you know?

As for Shep, I like both personalized (named/described) Sheps and universal (unnamed/not described) Sheps as long as the story is well done. I'm not much bothered by Mary Sueism because Shepard IS Mary Sue -- the only one smart and strong enough to save the Galaxy. Blind Shep-worship by the other characters does bug me, though.

Hum. I have read some hot Garrus jealous of Thane fics, that seems to be a big one in the Garrus fandom. But most play out like a high-school drama. Yuck.

And the whole undying love thing is ew. I don't get why Garrus and FemShep can't just have sex? Why does it have to be love right off the bat? I mean sure it's fine if it progresses o love but the first time.

Garrus : "Shepard I have loved from you the moment I saw you!"

Shapard : "I feel the same for you, Garrus."

Garrus: "Be my life mate."

Shepard : "Sure."

PURRRRRRRRR

Come on.? Why can't they just "like" each other being love in it right away kills the fic for me.

Modifié par MissMaster, 14 juin 2011 - 05:34 .

[GuardianAngel470]

I haven't read any of the fics that you may or may not be referring to. In fact, I make a point to avoid any fanfiction that has any sort of romance.

However, I can come up with a few reasons why people would write their Shepard that way and why certain characters act certain ways. I figure it has a lot to do with age.

Fanfic writers who write their Shepard as weepy might be young enough that that is common for them. This would extend to the way romance in general and the sex life of a 30 year old soldier are portrayed. If the writer is young, or if the writer is emotional/a virgin, I can easily imagine them writing things like that.

Just my opinion though, no need to go spreading it around.

[MissMaster]

GuardianAngel470 wrote...

I haven't read any of the fics that you may or may not be referring to. In fact, I make a point to avoid any fanfiction that has any sort of romance.

However, I can come up with a few reasons why people would write their Shepard that way and why certain characters act certain ways. I figure it has a lot to do with age.

Fanfic writers who write their Shepard as weepy might be young enough that that is common for them. This would extend to the way romance in general and the sex life of a 30 year old soldier are portrayed. If the writer is young, or if the writer is emotional/a virgin, I can easily imagine them writing things like that.

Just my opinion though, no need to go spreading it around.

That is true.

[AnimaTempli101]

I don't really read a lot of FemShep fan-fic but those I have read fall prey to those problems. However I don't see a problem with it, if it's properly executed, for example the idea is enforced that Shep presents a cold front but is warmer in actuality. As to other squadmates acting OOC I never really cared, save for this one time when Tali and Ash had a full blown catfight when they realised they both had feelings for Shep. Luckily it didn't last long as Ash came face to blast with a nuclear bomb.

PS Turians actually do have a flanging effect to their voices. Look at the wiki. And look up flanging on wikipedia.

[Shinobu]

AnimaTempli101 wrote...

I don't really read a lot of FemShep fan-fic but those I have read fall prey to those problems. However I don't see a problem with it, if it's properly executed, for example the idea is enforced that Shep presents a cold front but is warmer in actuality. As to other squadmates acting OOC I never really cared, save for this one time when Tali and Ash had a full blown catfight when they realised they both had feelings for Shep. Luckily it didn't last long as Ash came face to blast with a nuclear bomb.

PS Turians actually do have a flanging effect to their voices. Look at the wiki. And look up flanging on wikipedia.

Hot damn, you're right. I stand corrected.

[AnimaTempli101]

You'd be surprised how many people either don't notice or don't know what to call it.

[Emerald Rift]

Some fanfics make me cringe when they turn female Shepard into a weepy little girl. I think its an insult to the character especially when you have a strong female lead. This might have something to do with the authors age and such as GuardianAngel470 pointed out.
But I have read some really good ones where they have nailed Shepard perfectly but these ones are like finding a needle in a haystack.

[Bugsie]

I tend to only read fanfics recommended to me, and to be honest I prefer seeing Shepard (m or f) as a character who redirects the focus onto other characters, if you understand what I'm saying.

There are some extremely well written femSheps (lol not mine though,  she is the biggest Mary Sue out there and I actively try and avoid having her as a focus) and some that make me scratch my head and go wtf?  

One of the best femShepxGarrus fics (IMHO) is E Tenebrea Et Lux, by MitisVenatrix (co-authored with LunaMax1214).

What I do detest is taking established characters and making them so ooc and unbelievable you are again left scratching your head. AU fics are the exception, but the good ones are rare.

Personal dislikes include (oh does not include crack fics but supposed 'serious works')
- Anything where Miranda is 'punished' and presented as stone cold bitch.
- Tali is jealous (usually not written by Tali fans but by haters who've got it in for Talimancers).
- Resurrecting Nihlus or Saren for romantic interludes with femShep.
- femSheps acting like hormonally challenged teenagers.
- Hate is love, shipping fics.
- Any shipping with Legion.

No. Just no.

[Made Nightwing]

Buggirl70 wrote...

I tend to only read fanfics recommended to me, and to be honest I prefer seeing Shepard (m or f) as a character who redirects the focus onto other characters, if you understand what I'm saying.

There are some extremely well written femSheps (lol not mine though,  she is the biggest Mary Sue out there and I actively try and avoid having her as a focus) and some that make me scratch my head and go wtf?  

Ah, in that  case, allow me to shamelessly plug two of my fics to you. Changing Fate, where Miranda and Jack come from the same canon origin, but ended up in opposite places, Miranda given to the Teltin Project, Jack being taken in by Cerberus.

http://www.fanfictio...1/Changing_Fate

Predators...well, people keep telling me it's the best one I've ever done, so I believe them.

http://www.fanfictio...289/1/PREDATORS

[Bugsie]

I'll take a look Made Nightwing!

[kglaser]

I can take just about anything except OOC-ness. Then I rage out.
(AU's excepted)