9960 réponses à ce sujet

[YurigirlzCrush]

holy sugarfairies! my final paper of the semester is finished! and with a whole afternoon to spare! *happy dance* I'll probably do some studying later, but the fact that I'm not rushing to finish, or working on this paper until 3am, is... kind of amazing actually. and so abnormal for me!

 

but anywho... I've never actually seen Revenge. I'm not a big TV watcher aside from the shows I watch with my sisters, but most of that is reality TV. that's our bonding time. and the only true reality TV show we watch is Survivor. the rest is like... talent reality. The Voice, America's Got Talent, Face Off, Ink Master... stuff like that. the only other shows I ever watch are The Walking Dead, Lost Girl and Faking It (I used to watch Covert Affairs, but it was canceled... Curse you, USA Network!). but having said that, if my new avatar is from Revenge, it's not intentional or anything. *grins* I wish I could take credit for some deep meaning like that behind my avatar switch, but there's no real meaning behind it. that's the lovely and talented Chloe Grace Moretz. I just love her eyes. she has gorgeous eyes. and I felt like a change from my anime avatar I was using everywhere.

 

and now... yet another question for today... I was reading some tips for aspiring novelists on this one site after I finished my paper... and under "five common mistakes" for amateur novelists I came across something about how every scene should advance the story in a meaningful way, and how if a scene did not somehow add to the main plot line, it was unnecessary and should be cut. for some reason, this bothered me a lot, because it went on to say how even if a scene offered a wonderful chance for character development, if there was nothing happening that moved the plot forward, it was unnecessary and didn't need to be there. so I had to wonder...

 

am I in the minority in thinking that character development is more important than the plot? is this a symptom of my love for slice-of-life type stories? I can sit and read ten chapters of a story that is about nothing other than two characters getting stranded in the wilderness together, and how they get to know one another and become close during that time. the point of the story might be them getting back to civilization, but I don't actually care if they ever reach civilization again or what trials they have to face. I enjoy the interaction between the characters and their evolving relationship. but am I wrong? are all the scenes where nothing happens other than them talking and getting to know one another really "pointless fluff and therefore wasted space"? because if so, then apparently my favorite part of most books is pointless filler... *frowns*

 

I really hope that's not the popular opinion. because if so I have no chance of ever being a successful writer. half of my stories will end up being "pointless fluff" because that's my favorite part of almost everything I read.

 

 

hmm... sorry. I have no story snippets I feel are worthy of being added in honor of top post. I haven't been working on my ME story lately, and everything I've recently written is rough draft. *pouts*

[MrStoob]

I'd proffer that if the tale IS about those relationships in any way, then such scenes DO progress the plot.  If I dropped all the 'fluff' from my work, I personally think it'd make for some pretty dry reading.  Anyway, it ignores the existence of classic 'comic relief' scenes that have been included since the ancient Greeks wrote tragedies, and favoured by a certain Mr Shakespeare (who basically re-wrote Greek tragedies, but that's another matter...).

 

And grats on your productivity.

 

Edit: thought of the day: did Shakespeare basically write fan fiction...? 

[Seracen]

Characters vs plot is a unique balance, and everyone has a different opinion on it.  Personally, I never really cared for slice-of-life, though I understand the appeal.  On the other hand, I also dislike stale characters who just coast through the story, however dynamic it might be.  I prefer having both.  Having said that, I enjoy writing dialogue and drama much more than I do action scenes, which is the opposite of what it used to be.  Not to say I CAN'T write an action scene when I'm motivated to do so.  Still, style is style, and you should write what makes you happy!

 

Back in the day, stories were just stories.  There's nothing to say that one is any more legitimate than another, other than popularity and acclaim.  Having said that, I think the purists would call Shakespeare's works "adaptations," much like Akira Kurosawa's work was a send-up of Spaghetti Westerns, which were send-ups of classic stories (King Lear, for example).  I think "fan fiction" is only a term b/c of modern copyright laws.  In any other era, it'd just be called derivative fiction.  A prime example is anything involved with the Lovecraftian universe...a myriad of authors all contributing similar stories amidst a common backdrop (and each one considered a legitimate addition to the lore).

[MrStoob]

I seem to have lost my '2'.  I had to contact support to get it there in the first place due to account nonsense.

 

I wish they'd been more clear with what the account was when I made the initial one for the ME2 DLC (via Steam), I had no idea that that was actually an Origin account too so I inadvertently made a new account for ME3 and so I am in this dilemma.  On Steam I have ME1 and ME2, on Origin my ME2 is one account and ME3 on another.  Annoying.

[YurigirlzCrush]

*grins* I know the feeling. I'm too lazy to fix it. I somehow got one account for this site, one account associated with my Xbox gamertag, one associated with my PS ID, and one online from playing TOR. and I refuse to go through all the stuff involved with consolidating it all. so I should have just about every badge imaginable on here but I don't and never will. too much hassle. I can't.

[MrStoob]

Have ads been removed from ff.net now?  I'm not seeing any at the mo but the 'space' where they used to be is still there so I'm not sure.

 

Did we all enjoy the furore about mods over at Steam?  At least they admitted it was an ill-judged move.  It'll happen but as it is now, it's too soon for that modding community.  IMHO, they need to organise themselves first, thrash out their boundaries and then come back to the idea.

[Seracen]

Yeah, I signed the petition.  A tip jar, or "pay-as-you-like" system would have worked better.  As for linking accounts...man...I had to deal with that a long time ago, but I did it so I could be sure to redeem all the DLC I was supposed to get for my various limited editions, haha!

[MrStoob]

Someone did post a few stats about mods, something to the effect of:

Number of DLs: 10000

Number of 'Thumbs Up': 100

Their point being that if users can't even be bothered to return to give a 'Thumbs Up' for content that they like, why would they 'donate' anything?  I doubt, also, that the nexus modders are rolling in green due to their donation systems.  Like I said, too soon for that particular community.  Comparisons were made to the Flight Sim mod community, who do charge (and quite heftily) but their work is apparently exceptionally professional and well made.

 

Happy Saturday!

[Seracen]

That's just the way people work, unfortunately.  Looking at the views on my fanfiction, I am averaging a whopping: 1 review in 650 views (newest one), 1 review in 1700 (oldest), and 1 review in 1600 for my largest story (technically it's a better, but one person is responsible for 40 reviews).  That's just FanFiction, the feedback on Deviant Art is little better, and on Ao3 it's darn near nonexistent!

 

While I'd love to get paid for my work (fanfiction or mods), it raises too many copyright issues when you throw in a mandatory paid model.  Bioware would likely object to me garnering money for my fanfiction.  Also, consider how 50 Shades had to be reworked from its initial form as a Twilight fanfic.  As one who has done mod work as well, what Steam was trying to do would eventually have tied the hands of fan creators, as well as the gamers who played those mods.  Also, I (and many others) didn't understand what the "Donate" button on the Nexus even entailed (actually, I didn't notice that it existed at all).  During download, a popup window for payment could show up, allowing for $0 if desired, but this would bring better attention to it, in my opinion.

 

The alternative (as Valve tried to implement it) is simply garnering ill-will and opening one up for exploitation (case in point, I am utterly perturbed that I now won't be able to play the new Arissa 2.0 mod - as much a result of Valve's shenanigans as the bile-filled fans, of which there are sadly too many).  It's Bethesda's "ME3 Ending," and there are pros and cons to both sides; but I doubt anyone would object that this recent debacle was a case of poor implementation.

 

Speaking of endings...I may have said this before, but I think I'm done with writing for the Mass Effect universe altogether.  I still enjoy reading other's stories (and will continue to be active with the thread), but I can't motivate myself to write any (ie: put my Shepards through the ringer, lol!).  Perhaps 3 years of writing ME3 fanfiction has burned me out?  Perhaps I just need to take a break, and try a different fandom.  Or perhaps I've achieved catharsis with the lore, and can move on to other things.  Part of me is considering taking up my original stories, but that's a lot of work!

 

Granted, I'm more for large and sweeping "epics," as opposed to short stories, so that could be why I'll likely never go about a certain pagecount for an ME fanfic ever again.  Anyway, does anyone else feel this way?  Like they have a limit on just how many stories they can devote to any fandom?

[YurigirlzCrush]

I'd just be happy to be able to concentrate on one story. my passion for writing bounces from story to story and there's nothing I can do about that. *ponders* well, I guess I could sit and force myself to try writing a certain story, but if I'm super-inspired to write one story and have no desire at all to write another one, why not work on the one that inspires me? *shrug* this is how I managed to write a half-dozen chapters so far for like six different stories. but it's also why I'm afraid I'll never actually finish one.

 

so... no. I've never reached a point where I'm done with a fandom. *grins* obvi.

[MrStoob]

so... no. I've never reached a point where I'm done with a fandom. *grins* obvi.

 

 

Anyway, does anyone else feel this way?  Like they have a limit on just how many stories they can devote to any fandom?

 

My passion for my ME sequel has seriously waned.  I'm not sure if that 'head space' even exists any more...  I seem to have plenty to say on other franchises but ME, I dunno.

 

Excellent discussion between TB, the author of SMIM (static mesh improvement mod), and the guy who runs/owns Nexus.  It's like someone said, "Shhhh, the grown ups are talking."  It's long but very informative/considered.

[Seracen]

For me it was never a question about modders getting paid.  Those who create quality content deserve it.  My issue was the side-effects of monetization.  I never endorse a mod until after playing it; and as mods don't undergo the same verification as DLC, I certainly wouldn't pay before playing it.  Furthermore, the inevitable copyright and DRM issues would further confuse the use and implementation of mods down the line.  Moreover, I can't begin to tell you how complicated it is getting all the pieces to work.  I ran into a situation where I couldn't even use my own mod, simply b/c of all the conflicts.  Installing and configuring mods on a new Skyrim install takes me about 2-3 days per fresh install...without fail...even with mod managers (which might have raised issues with aforementioned DRM).  The paltry 25% cut for the modders was insulting (regardless of what "standard profit share" is, or the "100% of nothing is $0" argument)...especially when the most game devs of yesteryear would originally have sued modders for trying to turn a profit (and forget about mods that took from other IP's).

 

I liked Jim Sterling's video on it:

 

However, most egregious were the feelings of betrayal across the community (on both sides)...and the resulting ripple effects caused nothing good.  It really didn't help that this whole issue initially smacked of the same tired and cloying business practices that made DLC such a toxic subject.  A lot of folks were comparing mod sales to Youtube ad-sharing.  But it's a messy subject...because if one can turn a profit off of modding...why not fan fiction, or any number of other venues?  I appreciate there will be differing opinions from mine, but I really don't want to go any further in depth about this issue.  Passions run high, and I don't want to step on toes and relegate this thread to the abyss.  So I'll move on...

 

At any rate, I had a chance to meet TotalBiscuit.  A bit long-winded at times, but that's his job.  A great guy though, intelligent, very personable, and not arrogant at all (at least when I met him, I can't speak for other's experiences).  It's unfortunate some of the garbage he's had to deal with, not least from "fans" and other gaming personalities (like Moviebob).  He's managed to stay engaged with the fans and courteous regardless, and I'm glad his health seems to have improved.  He deserves it!

 

Another writing related question: how often do you all use author's notes (whether at the start  or end of chapters)?  Do you find that they tend to invite more feedback?

[MrStoob]

 

Another writing related question: how often do you all use author's notes (whether at the start  or end of chapters)?  Do you find that they tend to invite more feedback?

Thank God.  For Jim.  I do personally enjoy the British ex-pats (TB, Jim, Yahtzee, etc) who do gaming current affairs / critiques, even when vitriolic they are more even handed and considered than a lot of commentators out there.

 

I only usually add author notes when it's a scenario that needs a bit of 'set up'.  For example, in my trilogy arc fic I toyed with letting Liara become a full Hallex addict after some experimentation during Shepard's absence (Nyxeris' influence), but that wouldn't have been conducive to the overall tale.  I had, however, already written some scenes where Shepard catches her in the act in some dark area of the Citadel and the fallout thereof.  I posted it in the oneshots but did put notes about where the arc had come from.  In another, I did 'rule 63' on Bioshock: Infinite; Brooke DeWitt saving Elijah Comstock, so a short note just to explain my reasonings.  Other than the odd scenarios like that, or maybe which particular piece of music I was referencing if not said explicitly, I'd like to think that notes are not required.

[MrStoob]

A rare request, if I may.

 

I like to write a little enigmatically, so the reader has questions that I can answer later as it were.  However, I don't know if I'm being <i>too</i> vague or not.  Although writing for a knowing audience, I wonder if my work sometimes leave too much to the imagination or assumptions that we're all on the same page.

 

So, has anyone time to have a quick read of my short works 'Bio-shorts' please?  6 shorties, they're only a few hundred words each.  Funnily enough, the first one has author notes at the start.

http://archiveofouro...hapters/1872652

 

EDIT: it's Bioshock FF btw.  See?  I'm at it again, assuming stuff... lol

[Seracen]

A rare request, if I may.

 

I like to write a little enigmatically, so the reader has questions that I can answer later as it were.  However, I don't know if I'm being <i>too</i> vague or not.  Although writing for a knowing audience, I wonder if my work sometimes leave too much to the imagination or assumptions that we're all on the same page.

 

So, has anyone time to have a quick read of my short works 'Bio-shorts' please?  6 shorties, they're only a few hundred words each.  Funnily enough, the first one has author notes at the start.

http://archiveofouro...hapters/1872652

 

EDIT: it's Bioshock FF btw.  See?  I'm at it again, assuming stuff... lol

 

Posted my commentary for the story at the website, since it's rare enough to get such feedback there, lol!

[MrStoob]

Posted my commentary for the story at the website, since it's rare enough to get such feedback there, lol!

You are most kind, sir.

 

It hadn't even occurred to me that Comstock might be inferred, TBH.  That said, and in the vain of the source, I meet leave that ambiguity intact. lol

 

If I italicise the dream bit, then the reader knows it's a dream from the off.  I did intend a little 'what's going on?' from the reader until it's made (so I thought) clearer by the closing lines.

 

The former Little Sisters, yes.  We have the woman who wants to make a positive change and bring up a family, the one who views the world more cynically, and the one who just didn't cope well at all.  The other shorty, I just liked the idea that Eleanor would seek out her former sisters (she was in or around the first 'batch' as far as I can work out), so yea, they're not really intended to go anywhere plot-wise but just to explore their feelings on the matter a little.

 

Lamb/Ryan.  It was my feeling that if I set the scene any greater, then it would basically tell the reader what the last action would be; her incarceration.  It wasn't really explained in-game what specifically happened to Lamb in the events leading up to Fontaine's attempted takeover, so I wanted them expressing the extremities of their views (and Sofia's hypocrisy) just prior to that final implied clang of the cell door.  That said, of course, if it didn't have the desired effect, I'll probably have a look over it.

 

Edit:

Was it clear enough that Martha and Henry are Splicers?

 

Oh!  RE: your comment about Jack/Booker.  From the BAS DLC, it could well be inferred (and has been by some) that Jack is AU Elizabeth, as she's on the plane with temporal buzzing all over the place.

[YurigirlzCrush]

*stares at recent posts* hmm. I know nothing about whatever you're talking about. but... I think the answer is clearly 42. *nods* yes, definitely 42.

 

so... a procedural question. I think. *ponders* the story I'm currently inspired about and working on between studying sessions is about a very innocent romance between two young girls (aged 12-13... appropriate material for their ages, of course... innocent crushes whatnot) and then the two meet again under very different circumstances like 10 years later. I'm currently writing it all chronologically, meaning starting with their time together when they were young, and then I'll skip ahead to the later meeting and aftermath. but if/when it's done enough for posting, I am thinking I may have to reorganize it dramatically. maybe shift their meeting as adults to the very beginning and then go back to explain all the backstory or something...

 

I was just wondering how you handle mixed past and present material in general if/when you include it during your writing? do you write the past material as it becomes relevant? or do you write it all in advance and then use it (maybe with modifications) as needed? oh, and secondary question, how would you handle a huge time jump in your story? like a 10-year gap between events?

[Seracen]

You are most kind, sir.

 

It hadn't even occurred to me that Comstock might be inferred, TBH.  That said, and in the vain of the source, I meet leave that ambiguity intact. lol

 

If I italicise the dream bit, then the reader knows it's a dream from the off.  I did intend a little 'what's going on?' from the reader until it's made (so I thought) clearer by the closing lines.

 

[snip]  That said, of course, if it didn't have the desired effect, I'll probably have a look over it.

 

Edit:

Was it clear enough that Martha and Henry are Splicers?

 

Oh!  RE: your comment about Jack/Booker.  From the BAS DLC, it could well be inferred (and has been by some) that Jack is AU Elizabeth, as she's on the plane with temporal buzzing all over the place.

 

No prob, I hope it was helpful!  I figured the Splicers were Splicers.  I haven't really done that many vignettes, so I wouldn't worry overmuch about it.  It's just your approach.  If anything, the only one I'd really change is the few minor points in the last chapter.  But that's just MY approach.  You should gauge it according to YOUR tastes!  Regardless, excellent work within a short amount of time!  

 

 

[snip] I was just wondering how you handle mixed past and present material in general if/when you include it during your writing? do you write the past material as it becomes relevant? or do you write it all in advance and then use it (maybe with modifications) as needed? oh, and secondary question, how would you handle a huge time jump in your story? like a 10-year gap between events?

 

It depends on how you want the story to flow.  Some find it easier to write chronologically.  Myself, I look at the central story.  If I have to mix past and present, I italicize my dreams and flashbacks, usually at the beginning of a chapter.  However, if I do an entire chapter that time skips (or sections therein), I make sure to indicate it with "a week ago," or "ten years later" at the appropriate points.

 

As for a ten year gap, I might do an interlude chapter.  Just a short blurb with a few sequences to set the table, then "10 years later" on the first chapter after the time jump.  But that's just me.  As I told Stoob, do whatever your style dictates, what YOU are most comfortable with!  I found long ago that writing something I didn't want to (much less in a manner I didn't want to) resulted in a work that NOBODY wanted to read.  The author must first be happy with their own work.  That isn't to say we aren't the most critical of our own work, but at least the approach is something that we own.  Beyond that, let the work speak for itself!  Have faith in yourself (I do!  Remember I've read some of your stuff  )!

[MrStoob]

 I meet leave that ambiguity intact. lol

*might

 

Tsk.  Who's this joker who thinks he's a writer?     Not sure how I ended up typing 'meet' but my mind has been elsewhere recently.

 

Flashbacks and time jumps, eh?  I've had a few of them in my musings.  I won't ramble except to say that my personal opinion would be that a flashback should(?) either answer a question or pose a question, if it's not just to have a peek at a character's past.  And of course, what Seracen said.  Whatever you do, do it with conviction and it will be good.

[Seracen]

*might

 

Tsk.  Who's this joker who thinks he's a writer?     Not sure how I ended up typing 'meet' but my mind has been elsewhere recently.

 

Flashbacks and time jumps, eh?  I've had a few of them in my musings.  I won't ramble except to say that my personal opinion would be that a flashback should(?) either answer a question or pose a question, if it's not just to have a peek at a character's past.  And of course, what Seracen said.  Whatever you do, do it with conviction and it will be good.

 

Hah, my muscle memory always causes spelling errors.  Sometimes, I look at my fingers as soon as I make the typo, and shake my head, lol!

 

Good advice about flashbacks answering/posing questions.  I ascribe to the same ideology, though I never really stated it explicitly.  As for character studies, I've developed a real appreciation for them of late.  I am still loathe to make them the full brunt of the story (per my comment on slice-of-life), but they intrigue me more than they once used to.

[MrStoob]

'Forced' myself to open up the last ME sequel doc I was working on, and re-read the last couple of chapts to get a sense of where I was, where the characters were and so on.  It wasn't so bad, despite my initial 'dread'.  Had a tweak and whatnot, might even post it.  So maybe not all is lost.  I do know where it's going ultimately, just the path has (had?) become lost.  Thankfully, I have realised at a place not yet too late some aspects not yet explored that must be at some point (Haaarbiiieee!), so that might be fun to play with, the old panto villain that he is.  

 

And yes, muscle memory.  Great for twiddly guitaring, can be annoying for typing.

[YurigirlzCrush]

thanks for the advice guys! *grins* I need to gather my thoughts on the matter because for this particular story, I will have to figure out some kind of balance or editing trickery to make it work. like I said before I'm writing my rough draft chronologically so that I have the full story ready, but I think it will start very slow if I leave it as is, on the flip, there's so much childhood material (3 chapters so far with a ton left to go... I'd estimate probably nine or ten total) that I can't really squish it into flashbacks. I'm anticipating about an even amount of material between their childhood and their reunion, so if I make them flashbacks, half the story will be flashbacks.

 

and I can't really cut out the childhood material because if I did, most of the emotional connection between the characters would be gone and it would be one of those "oh hey I haven't seen you in years, but I'm experiencing love at first sight" type stories. or worse, all of the emotional connection condensed into a few paragraphs of exposition about how close they were, which again kind of defeats the point of a story that is as much about the relationship between the two as anything. love at first sight can seem romantic too, but I like relationships that build between characters gradually. *nods*

 

and I am totes with you guys on the muscle memory thing. spellcheck automatically fixes my most common ones... beleive (I know how to spell it properly if you ask me to spell it out loud, but my fingers type it that way almost every time) and I do a lot of teh also. there are other ones, but those are the most common ones for me.

 

congrats Stoob on finding your story less difficult to deal with than you were dreading. I find myself in that same position a lot since I keep shifting which story I'm working on. I almost always have to read the last chapter I wrote just to get back into the feel of the story.

 

*sigh* back to my studies. I really wish I could write right now since I'm feeling inspired, but sadly I have an exam in the morning.

[MrStoob]

I hate it when I go phonetic due to words coming faster than I can type.  All the your/you're, we're/were/where and there/their go all over the place as my brain barely considers it.  I pride myself on generally being a good speller so such things make me look like... someone who can't.  (see how diplomatic that was in the end? hehe)

 

Good luck in your exam.

[MrStoob]

Aaaaanyway...

 

Posted me chapt, and one for the cross-over madness.  I do this almost every time; prevaricate, lose faith, 'depression', dry period, re-read chapter, then end up posting it almost as it was.  I think it's probably fixing in the mind what's next before committing, but it usually goes like that.

 

On typing again, I find it almost impossible unless I'm really conscious of it, to type 'very' correctly first go.  Thanks to my Shepard, my fingers want to type 'verity'.  That said, if you believe the 'rules' that get bandied about, one should avoid using 'very'.  Don't say 'very big', say 'huge'; don't say 'very angry', say 'livid', and so on.  I do have to say though, that when I've purposefully applied this 'rule', things do generally read a little better, or at least more concisely.

 

Professor Fielding: "When I caught Gerald in '68, he was completely wild."

Gerald the Gorilla: "Wild?  I was absolutely livid!"

 

Sry, the word 'livid' always make me think of this sketch from 'Not the nine o'clock news' (80s BBC comedy show), feat. Pamela Stephenson, Mel Smith, and Rowan Atkinson.

[MrStoob]

We don't usually, but today I am.  Well it is our election tomorrow (UK) and I thought this quite humorous regardless.  And sorry, that image is much larger than anticipated.