9962 réponses à ce sujet

[lillitheris]

Finally got a semi-satisfactory section break created for myself…stupid thing keeps stripping things off, so it needed something that took a total of three lines. Settled on:

< p style="text-align: center;" >⁚< /p >< p style="text-align: center;" >~o〜O〜o~< /p >< p style="text-align: center;" >⁚< /p >

(Unicode ⁚ is U+205A and 〜 is U+301C.)

…

Does anyone actually use the community features on FFN? I know fainmaca’s got polls going, at least… I was briefly pondering on creating a forum just in case, but I suppose chances are fairly slim anyone‘d use it, so…

[lillitheris]

Also, hey, we got to 3000! I’m going to celebrate with some…hmm, let’s see what I have…pickles?

[fluffywalrus]

I made oatmeal raisin cookies today, but they didn't turn out like I hoped. I think my mom is a wizard or something because she does the same things I do to make them and uses the same equipment basically, and hers are just magical and mine are...underwhelming.

But yay 3000!
As for community options on ffnet, I don't think I'd ever use them. Didn't really notice them until recently.

And I think Batarian women would probably be better off without hair on their heads, imo.

[gearseffect]

Hey everyone I'm back and I've been on a creative roll, I am planing to dumb lots of new Fanfic Content in a short period of time. However I will stagger it out so as I don't flood my readers at once.

Anyway that's not the issue I am hung up on, the issue I am hung up on is Ashley Williams. Now Jake Shep didn't romance her EVER. But Ashley is a very important character and friend.

So I am not getting into writing the areas of Breaking Points that tie in and are in ME3. However this now leads me to a big problem, I despise the make over that BW gave Ashley in ME3. I hate it, I envision classic Ashley, with her hair in the bun, and I hate her casual ME3 outfit the Miranda Sexed up stupid blue catsuit.

That being said that I hate everything about ME3 Ashley's look, and what not I have found myself in a pickle of sorts. I find that when describing/writing Ashley I write her as ME1/ME2 looking Ashley. which I want to do. However I'm afraid that by writing her as classic ME Ashley, I may upset some of my readers because there seems to be a great many dudes who see nothing wrong with ME3 Ashley and in fact some even seem to prefer ME3 Abomination Sexed Up Ashley to classic (My True ME canon) Ashley.

So as you can see I'm in a bit of a bind here, I can't just avoid her looks either, considering the Mars scene and stuff I have plans for with that. I want to write her as classic Ashley, MY ME Ashley, but I'm afraid of upsetting some of my readers by doing so. I know that I'm gonna write Ashley as classic Ashley, I just am worried that by doing so I will upset some readers, I mean I have her hair written as being in a bun for the scene when you first meet her again in ME3, as you see I am in a bind.

Do you think I should put it in my Author's Notes about how I wrote Ashley as my Ashley which is classic Ashley not ME3 Ashley? I am in a bind here on how to go about handling that because I hate that thing being called Ashley in ME3, her make over and stuff.

As you can see I am in a pickle here and any words of advice and wisdom I can get would be greatly appreciated, as far as how to handle things given I write Ashley as my Ashley.

Thanks for any advice or words of encouragement on writing Ashley as not looking like ME3 Ashley, and writing her as classic looking tanned skin, brunette, bad@ss, @sskicking action chick Ashley, you know the classic ME look.

Which reminds me of Michelle Rodriguez ohhh Michelle your are the only reason I went to see Avatar in theaters, yes Michelle's bad@ss powers, sweaty hotness in action scenes has the power to make me go see even the dullest movies I'd never otherwise see.

Okay back on task
Thanks for any advice or words of encouragement on writing Ashley as not looking like ME3 Ashley, and writing her as classic looking tanned skin, brunette, bad@ss, @sskicking action chick Ashley, you know the classic ME look.

[fluffywalrus]

I think a quick note in the author's notes would work to inform readers of your decision. I don't think reverting her appearance will rub anyone the wrong way.

Hell, if by some strange miracle I ever get to ME3 timeline stuff, my Ash will be a bit different than ME3 Ash in how she treats Shep, having worked out their issues over correspondance and the odd visit throughout ME2 and the time between ME3. Just didn't see the point on her as she is in ME3, really.

And I wouldn't think twice about making those edits. So I don't know... I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Modifié par fluffywalrus, 19 juillet 2012 - 12:56 .

[Obsidian Gryphon]

On FFN community features, I don't use them at all. Hardly find anything interesting in there.

What's the 3000 about?

[Drussius]

3000 replies in this thread! Huzzah!

[dpMeggers]

fluffywalrus wrote...

I think a quick note in the author's notes would work to inform readers of your decision. I don't think reverting her appearance will rub anyone the wrong way.

Out of laziness, I'm quoting flufffy (sorry). Basically this. If you think Ash should look more like ME1/ME2 Ash, go for it.

I've run into a problem of my own working on Conversation. Spoilers follow, so if you havn't been following and want to, look away now.

*Spoilers*




Damon Shepard has the Sole Survivor background. It's established in chapter 1 that his best friend/comrade R.J. dies on Akuze. Now R.J.'s younger sister Tess is on pretty good terms with Shepard, he comes around for Christmas dinner, she treats him like an adopted brother or cousin or something similar. So Shep comes back from Akuze without R.J. ... and she isn't reacting in my head. Up until this point Tess has been the easiest character for me to write, and all of the sudden I'm drawing a blank on how she'll react to the fact that her best friend just walked out of hell without her brother. There's just...nothing there. I don't know if she's sypathetic, I don't know if she's seriously pissed, I don't know if she's depressed. It's like she doesn't exist anymore. I've never experienced writer's block like this before. Usually I know what I want to do, it's just a matter of getting it on paper. This is...something new entirely. And it's incredibly unpleasant. I don't know what to do. Thoughts? (Not so much on how she'll react - not asking anyone to write her for me. Just on how to get past this.)


* End Spoilers*

Spoiler free version: worst case of writer's block/ character non-cooperation I've ever experienced and ARGH.

[Sweawm]

dpMeggers wrote...

*Spoilers*

Damon Shepard has the Sole Survivor background. It's established in chapter 1 that his best friend/comrade R.J. dies on Akuze. Now R.J.'s younger sister Tess is on pretty good terms with Shepard, he comes around for Christmas dinner, she treats him like an adopted brother or cousin or something similar. So Shep comes back from Akuze without R.J. ... and she isn't reacting in my head. Up until this point Tess has been the easiest character for me to write, and all of the sudden I'm drawing a blank on how she'll react to the fact that her best friend just walked out of hell without her brother. There's just...nothing there. I don't know if she's sypathetic, I don't know if she's seriously pissed, I don't know if she's depressed. It's like she doesn't exist anymore. I've never experienced writer's block like this before. Usually I know what I want to do, it's just a matter of getting it on paper. This is...something new entirely. And it's incredibly unpleasant. I don't know what to do. Thoughts? (Not so much on how she'll react - not asking anyone to write her for me. Just on how to get past this.)


* End Spoilers*

Spoiler free version: worst case of writer's block/ character non-cooperation I've ever experienced and ARGH.

I think that would be the defining moment for that character. You want a reaction that seems natural and normal. I was writing some emotional trauma in my fiction recently, and I've made a number of decisions on just how such scenes would play out. I know especially how hard it is to write such scenes and it is usually where I get writer's block myself.

What I usually do to overcome the block is to just sit down and try to speed through the section that's got me jammed, perhaps rewrite it if it dosn't go the way I desire. If you can't even write then, then I think you might have a serious problem with your story because somewhere in your mind, you know that the scene won't be good at all. Rewrite the story to better bypass that scene. Maybe Shepard dosn't have the courage to come face to face with Tess, so the whole scene is left to a later date.

[gearseffect]

Ahh glad to see I was just thinking which lead to worrying haha good to know.

@Fluffy You have been cranking out the chapters of flotsam like no tomorrow I think last email notification I got from FF.net updating me, said you'd just posted chapter 9 or did you make it to 10? I am way behind in reading Flotsam, I think last chapter I read was 3.

For some reason the other day (meaning several weeks ago) I was doing a ME3 MP match on 360 and the gamer tag of one person reminded me of your BSN name, it was SeductiveWalrus (spelling my not be right with caps in there and there may have been a few numbers too), anyway it sort of reminded me of your BSN screen name.

As for everyone else thank you for the advice

[Lilivati]

I guess I'm looking for some help and I'm not quite sure where to go.

My fanfic: Mass Effect: Beginnings

It starts shortly before ME1 and then chronicles those events from the perspective of my Shepard. I basically wanted to go deeper with the story, and I am having fun writing it, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Going too deep into it? Too much dialog? Following the story too closely? I don't know.

Any insight anyone could offer would be appreciated. I'm sort of new to the whole fanfic thing.

Modifié par Lilivati, 19 juillet 2012 - 02:38 .

[fluffywalrus]

Lilivati wrote...

I guess I'm looking for some help and I'm not quite sure where to go.

My fanfic: Mass Effect: Beginnings

It starts shortly before ME1 and then chronicles those events from the perspective of my Shepard. I basically wanted to go deeper with the story, and I am having fun writing it, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Going too deep into it? Too much dialog? Following the story too closely? I don't know.

Any insight anyone could offer would be appreciated. I'm sort of new to the whole fanfic thing.

A new Pre-ME Shep fic? WHOOOO
(If you cannot tell, I am a huge fan of these kinds of stories, I love learning abot other Shepards).
I'll give it a read I'm fluffywalrus here, but on FFnet, I'm thedeadflag (someone took my precious username...)
I'll try to give some opinions on the questions you asked in a review.

But so long as you're having fun writing it, you're good. Everything else, all the technical and structural stuff...that can be worked on later if necessary. The important part is that you enjoy the process.

gearseffect wrote...

Ahh glad to see I was just thinking which lead to worrying haha good to know.

@Fluffy
You have been cranking out the chapters of flotsam like no tomorrow I
think last email notification I got from FF.net updating me, said you'd
just posted chapter 9 or did you make it to 10? I am way behind in
reading Flotsam, I think last chapter I read was 3.

For some
reason the other day (meaning several weeks ago) I was doing a ME3 MP
match on 360 and the gamer tag of one person reminded me of your BSN
name, it was SeductiveWalrus (spelling my not be right with caps in
there and there may have been a few numbers too), anyway it sort of
reminded me of your BSN screen name.

As for everyone else thank you for the advice

Haha, oh SeductiveWalrus. That's a pretty great name
And I haven't been cranking out chapters THAT often. Usually once a week, sometimes more, but it's rare. I do almost have chapter 11 done, though. So I guess there's that. And like I say to everyone, my chapters are up, take your time to read them, they aren't going anywhere.

dpMeggers wrote...

Spoiler free version: worst case of writer's block/ character non-cooperation I've ever experienced and ARGH.

Well, it's kind of interesting, you know? I've had this one really sensitive scene in my mind for months, and I was really really worried about how to do it, and I was kind of in a similar place as you. I racked my mind over how each character would react and sometimes it was a jumble of emotions I couldn't unknot. Sometimes I just felt a void...not nothing, but...I don't know. it's hard to explain.

Then about three weeks ago, I was ling in bed trying to fall asleep and I started thinking about one of my characters, because someone had sent me a PM and wanted a bit more insight from them, and that had me thinking about their journey through my fic, their life through the history of the story... and when I got to where the plot was headed, to that scene, I just connected with that character and felt what they'd feel.

And it's not like I hadn't done thought exercises like that before, but this time it worked. It gave me direction.

Maybe you just need some more time? Just keep trying to get into her head, past what you already have written about Tess. Maybe that will help?

Can't really offer much else. I hope you get through it

Modifié par fluffywalrus, 19 juillet 2012 - 02:53 .

[Sweawm]

Lilivati wrote...

I guess I'm looking for some help and I'm not quite sure where to go.

My fanfic: Mass Effect: Beginnings

It starts shortly before ME1 and then chronicles those events from the perspective of my Shepard. I basically wanted to go deeper with the story, and I am having fun writing it, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Going too deep into it? Too much dialog? Following the story too closely? I don't know.

Any insight anyone could offer would be appreciated. I'm sort of new to the whole fanfic thing.

I'm not usually into the Sheperd fics at all, but this is fantastic. Dialog is great, the story is fine. I found no bits I skipped over because of lack of interest. I believe this may beyond my skill to critque. If you continue with quality such as this, you'll do fine.

[Drussius]

Lilivati wrote...

I guess I'm looking for some help and I'm not quite sure where to go.

My fanfic: Mass Effect: Beginnings

It starts shortly before ME1 and then chronicles those events from the perspective of my Shepard. I basically wanted to go deeper with the story, and I am having fun writing it, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Going too deep into it? Too much dialog? Following the story too closely? I don't know.

Any insight anyone could offer would be appreciated. I'm sort of new to the whole fanfic thing.

Welcome! I will certainly add your fanfic to the list of fics I plan to check out. However, even though I post in this thread frequently, I'm still a relative newcomer. I have a long list of fics to read from the many wonderful writers here. I will get there eventually, but I can't add much insight right now. Just wanted to say what I see has already been said. As long as you're enjoying writing the story, that's the most important part.

[Drussius]

And just a note from me that really has nothing to do with anything. I was writing Chapter Six of my story, and realized two-thirds of the way through that the section I was writing was being written too early. I have to resolve a few other bits before I can get to that part... And so I encountered an oddity that has never happened to me before. I went from having two-thirds of Chapter Six done, to having one-third of both Chapters Six and Seven done!

[Spiritwolf1]

Woooo sits and waits for Fluffy's Chapter 11

[fluffywalrus]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...

Woooo sits and waits for Fluffy's Chapter 11

By almost done I mean within 24 hours, sooooo I'll let you snack on my cookies, though.

[Seracen]

Spiritwolf1 wrote...

I like the dread but why make it hair, do the predator thing where its well like tube things, yeah Im not the most techy person in the world. Maybe mix it with a headdress as well

Thanks for the feedback guys!  All are valid points.  The stigma of having hair when Batarians hate humans is not something I'd considered, but I'd not really fleshed out the idea of prosthetic hair, as it still seems wierd to me.

I LOVE the tubing idea, however.  Now, to think of a plausible reason...or not, I only really need to explain it the one time, as I'm not likely to have many female Batarians anyway, barring one new crewmate.

Thanks again guys!

[JadeDragonMTR]

lillitheris wrote...

I’m feeling kind of whiny today, so I’ll get this off my chest:

I’d really like more interaction with my readers. Unity has around 400 regular readers and it seems to be climbing* but I think only 7 or so different people have commented on it either on my thread here or in FFN reviews. One guy (?) leaves a comment after each chapter, and that’s always nice.

It’s not so much that I need to have a daily fix of ultra-detailed and useful reviews or OMG UR AWSUM (although a girl can dream, right?), I’d be just as happy if someone told me they hated something I wrote every day, or that they stopped reading because of X.

OK, maybe not as happy…but I wouldn’t be displeased. You know what I mean. Interaction! I’m a social animal.

* I’ve actually been keeping an eye on the visitor count and trying to observe trends and drop-offs…I have 3 chapters after which there’s a sharp drop-off. Some of this is natural erosion, and some just coincidental, but I’ve been looking at those chapters to see if there are particular problems with them that might be contributing to it.

Just found this thread on the forum, haven't read through all pages, so, sorry if someone has already said this...

I don't think it's "whiny" with what you said. The review system on FFN doesn't work at encouraging dialogues becuase other than the first review post, all subsequent ones goe into PM, which isn't effecient. It would have been very useful to have an actual forum attached to the review where the writer can interact with their readers. 

Second, you asked if you copyedit your chapters from pevious load your readers get notifications, the answer is no. You can update any existing chapters anytime you wish. Your subs only get new chapter upload notifications. If this helps.

Do you know if there is forum here or anywhere where fanfic writer can get advices on their stories, chat about technic/factual stuff, etc.?  There are a lot of stories with shepard having tortured past, but I want to write a shepard who has happy upbringing and an optimistic views, at least to start with. It would be nice to chat with people about ideas. 

[fluffywalrus]

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

Do you know if there is forum here or anywhere where fanfic writer can get advices on their stories, chat about technic/factual stuff, etc.?  There are a lot of stories with shepard having tortured past, but I want to write a shepard who has happy upbringing and an optimistic views, at least to start with. It would be nice to chat with people about ideas. 

You can discuss it here, this is basically a catch-all for discussion about writing fanfics, no matter the type or the content. Looking in the 'talk' section of related Mass Effect Wikia pages is useful too, though the community there is fairly dead IMO. 

Sheps with wondeful, happy childhoods are indeed rare. It would be nice to read more of such backstories (my infiltrator Shep had a good childhood, though I doubt I'll write another Shepard backstory any time soon).

Some Mindoir Shepard fics have lengthy, well thought out and enjoyable childhood segments, such as PMC65's "A Thessian's Whisper". I'd focus on making the mundane pivotal, as it usually is during childhoods. All these minor things that we all make such a big deal of end up just being...well, nothing important. Focus on familial relationships. Character progression through these individuals is a good idea, whether you use a parent, or an uncle/aunt. Teachers, church leaders, etc. can also be strong role models. Focus on friendships and how they evolve over the years. Focus on fun times, or key events. Maybe your character's first trip to a beach? One of your character's grandparents' visits? A cousin's marriage ceremony? Graduation and your Shep having a talk with their parents about her future aspirations? Stuff like that.

[Drussius]

^ We talk about anything and everything here. I don't see why the people here wouldn't give you their thoughts on the subject and discuss. We talk about all sorts of weird stuff here.

As for Shepards, the reason so many Sheps have tortured pasts is because of the backgrounds available for the game... You have Earthborn, where you grew up poor and were part of a gang... You have colonist, where your colony was attacked, and your whole family killed. And you have spaceborn, which is the only one that is really likely to have any warm and fuzzy possibilities. Then you have the service histories. War hero, where you hold a pass alone against endless enemies and are decorated... but it stands to reason you were probably alone because your buddies got killed. You have sole survivor, where your whole platoon is massacred on Akuze by Thresher Maws... and you have the Ruthless, where you sacrifice most of your men to wipe out Batarians...

So you have basically one component out of six (possibly two if you work on War Hero to make it less tragic), which means the majority of Sheps are probably messed up in some way.

Still, I would be open to a Shepard with a less tragic past, if it's written well. Traumatized heroes are fine, but well-adjusted ones can be just as compelling. Tragedy isn't a requisite for a good hero.

[Icyflare]

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

Do you know if there is forum here or anywhere where fanfic writer can get advices on their stories, chat about technic/factual stuff, etc.?  There are a lot of stories with shepard having tortured past, but I want to write a shepard who has happy upbringing and an optimistic views, at least to start with. It would be nice to chat with people about ideas. 

*Coughs politely. Looks at thread's name*

Edit: That was weird. Board was down for a while. Anyways, fluffy and Drussius got to it first. Feel free anytime to ask questions and we'll answer to the best of our ability.

On another note, picked up a copy of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. Am considering using extensive confusing stream-of-consciousness techniques. Feel this is highly unadvised.

Modifié par Icyflare, 19 juillet 2012 - 09:51 .

[Obsidian Gryphon]

BSN threw a monumental snit earlier.  I had noticed the lag whenever I dropped in. Hard to wade through but they seemed to have cleaned up their mess but not before they outraged MP players.

Modifié par Obsidian Gryphon, 19 juillet 2012 - 09:37 .

[lillitheris]

@dpMeggers: Have you actually written any of those options out to see how they work? It might help to essentially put an emotion out there and see how it works with the rest of the cast. You can possibly use the reactions as a gauge of how in-character it is.

Of course, it actually is very hard to predict a reaction to such a situation—there is no correct one. You could simply pick one at random and make it work, see where it takes you. I would favor that approach to trying to graft the reaction to suit a narrative.

JadeDragonMTR wrote...

Do you know if there is forum here or anywhere where fanfic writer can get advices on their stories, chat about technic/factual stuff, etc.?  There are a lot of stories with shepard having tortured past, but I want to write a shepard who has happy upbringing and an optimistic views, at least to start with. It would be nice to chat with people about ideas.

Pretty much this thread right here, yeah  I’ve kept an eye on the forums on FFN, but they’re just so dysfunctional that it’s really hard to actually get anything sensible done there.

Eevy actually had a fairly nice childhood, though I’ve not elaborated on it that much yet. Both parents around, just your regular space military brat problems. And some issues with her temper :happy:

(All grown up, she’s decidedly on the nicer end of Paragade in game terms, just fairly…mercurial. She’ll nearly always go out of her way to do the Right Thing™, but she might rage about it the entire time, (or go with the silent treatment…))

Modifié par lillitheris, 19 juillet 2012 - 12:21 .

[JadeDragonMTR]

Thanks for the replies, everybody! As I said I just found this thread. It's wonderful!

@Fluff, I will read Flotsam, I'd love to see what your Shep is like.

@lillitheris Wow, your Shep's background and personality sound similar to mine, except mine is even more paragon, like those kids get along with everyone and would feed your cat for you if you go away on a vacation. LOL. But even though she becomes a soldier, mainly because the experience on Elysium, her main thing is she's always thirsty for knowledge. In my mind, Shep couldn't have been like she is without knowing so much about other cultures, ships, even some politics. The hard part is to get side stories like those Sheps with a past can easily get into, like an old villain. Right now, I'm having a hard time to think of an evil character who can give Shep trouble on her quest to hunt down Saren. The obvious choice would be Udina. But so many fics have used that. Would it be too ordinary? Never thought Shep would run out enemies, but the 100% paragon Shep I've created doesn't have it from her past, she doesn't even use the f-word, yet. I will read ME4: Unity as well to see what your Shep is like.

Here is my fic if you want to read it: http://www.fanfictio...In_Love_and_War

Thanks again. This is a great place!