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Fanfiction Request
Topic Started: Jun 22 2011, 11:42 PM (1,658 Views)
Cythy
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So I hate to be the one to say this (because some of this is negative) but a few people have PMed me and spoken to me about a few issues that have happened with Fanfiction and I figured I would just post it here so that I could say that I tried!

1) If you are an author, PLEASE enable your anonymous reviewers. Season 2 is starting and if it is anything like last year, there are times that if you log into fanfiction, within ten minutes three new stories are up. I try to wait until I get to my computer to review but sometimes I just type in my name and review from my ipod from the anonymous section - and I know others do this as well. When there are so many new fictions, sometimes if you read it and can't review right away, you just forget to review it when you finally can log in to your account.

If someone gives you a nasty review anonymously, you can always erase it - if you can't figure out how to, just PM me here or on fanfiction and I can walk you through it.

2) When someone writes for you to "get a beta reader" it is not a bad thing! What it means is that your content is good but the spelling and/or grammar mistakes are detracting from your story. Personally, I can beta and I think there are a few other people who go on this site and fanfiction that beta as well. The beta readers are there to help you!

3) This kind of should go without saying but someone I know stopped posting because of this so it has to be said: If you don't like the story and are going to comment on all of the things you think are unrealistic or you don't like, just don't review! Not everyone likes every story. Constructive criticism is good but if you are just going to bash the author, it is painful and could cause the writer to stop writing. Most people on fanfiction are not professional writers - they just like to write. Also, if you think someone lost thread of their story, PLEASE don't talk about it here or on twitter/facebook/(whatever else). Privately discussing it is one thing but again, authors can see what you are writing and once again could stop writing because of the hurtful words.

4) This hasn't happened on the Rookie Blue section but I think it happened on the Human Target section - don't bash people for their reviews on a story.

5) Don't be afraid to try writing something! The Rookie Blue section is up to 600 stories from K - T and with M it is over 640. Try it, you never know what could happen - personally I barely wrote before Rookie Blue and because of the wonderful reviews I have now written many stories and writing has become a huge part of my life.

Looking forward to lots of great stories as season 2 unfolds!
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SAFan23


I think these are good tips! I just read something today where an author got a nasty PM saying their story was crap and I'm like COME ON? Who does that? Some people are so harsh. Writing is supposed to be fun!

Also, I love that the amount of Rb fic basically doubled in the past few months!
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margie311
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I would love to enable the anonymous reviews, but I HATE HATE HATE the negative ones. I havent gotten too many, but it seriously derailed me for days the last time I did. So, I guess I'll just have to be content with the reviews I do get, and watching my hits go up. I know you guys like it :D
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SoWritten
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What Margie says... I have enabled it for now, but will disable it if I get reviews that derail me. I do prefer to be able to keep on writing with fewer reviews.

It is always good to remember people about values and how to treat each other. Good post Cythy, although it is an older post (just figured that out now).
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Cythy
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So awkward, I was a little nasty when I posted this...

to comment on the comments people have made - I think people should enable anonymous reviewers because you can always delete them if they are negative. If you don't know how to, you can PM me here or on my ff account and I can walk you through step by step.

Negative reviews are definitely hurtful. What drives me crazy is when someone suggests getting a beta reader and the person totally ignores it. Beta readers are there to enhance your story, not to write it for you. I've done a beta job before where I didn't like the plot line - we want to help you make your writing better.

@SoWritten, so glad you enabled anonymous - I review M anonymously for the most part.
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SoWritten
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I contemplate getting a beta every chapter. Just because I get tired from reading the same story over and over again and start missing errors. I just don't know how to pick one :blush: There are so many!
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Cythy
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It is hard - I struggle with the same thing. I have used a beta or a friend a few times and other times I've just posted because I know that there are certain people who are not afraid to politely point out my mistakes.

Also, just to add, if in a review someone points out a mistake, you should go back and fix it. It really adds to the story.
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SAFan23


I would look at their profiles and see if they fit what you want. I'm sure there are some readers that are like hard-asses and will nitpick EVERYTHING and then there are some who will just give you tips and correct spelling mistakes.
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Cythy
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Or you could send them a PM and ask them how they edit. I've had a few people send PM's to me like that. Many beta writers don't nitpick everything - because we're not perfect!

P.S. Thanks for bringing this up, reminds me that I have to finish the next chapter for someone.
Edited by Cythy, Oct 30 2011, 08:30 PM.
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ilovesandy
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I've been lucky to have my brother beta my chapters. He writes too so we swap chapters.
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SoWritten
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:rofl: My Brother... Yeah right... He doesn't understand my love for writing, let alone my love for RB...

Nah, I'll figure something out!
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Fantesstic
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Those are some good tips Cythy, some of them also apply for fanvids. I recently got a reply on one of my videos saying: stupid video! I deleted the reply, I can handle criticism, but stupid video is just a lame reply. I contacted her and asked her why she felt that way..of course she didn't reply. So constructive criticism is fine :)
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secretk
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Yes, really good tips. I could add more.

1. Every writer should be prepared for negative feedback. That's the most normal thing in the world. We don't all share the same brain, we see things differently. So constructive feedback should be appreciated. We are not professional writers, so it's only normal to do some errors.

2. If there is something annoying in fic is the grammar mistakes. The story might be compelling, but numerous typos can turn me off. So use beta readers and spell checking. The readers will appreciate your efforts.

3. Before posting fic, think about the summary. The summary is one of the most important parts. People choose to read a story based on recommendations or summary, so it should be done well. Enough to spike interest without spoiling the story. You can be ambiguous enough without making it absolutely unclear.

4. If some reader doesn't like your character or the way your story processes don't delete their post, try to explain your characters actions. I really appreciate when the writers know why their characters act the way they write them.

5. There is nothing wrong when someone sees something in your story that you don't or didn't intend to write. That's the fascinating thing about writing.

6. If you plan to do long fic, warn the readers. If you plan to include violence scenes, warn the readers. If you plan to write out of character behavior, warn your readers. Basically you should warn the people. There are two reasons for negative feedback - wrong expectations and soft sport for bashing. If you warn readers, they won't have wrong expectations.

7. Avoid Mary Sue characters. If you are afraid that you can go there, then check out in the net - there are enough online tests that can tell you if your character is Mary Sue or not.

8. Do research! If you want to depict a character with emotional baggage then check out real stories. It's like the undercover operation - you should keep it real. Don't write something that no one would do without a good reason. You want the characters to be real, not dolls. So they have to have some motivation, some desires, some fears. It's normal this way. No one is perfect, so don't make them.

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Uno nunca sabe para quién se baña :lmao: !
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Cythy
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Just to point out - when negative feedback is for constructive purposes I don't see the issue but when someone writes "your story stinks, are you posting reviews for yourself" I think you should delete it - and if you as a reader just can't get into the story, you don't have to review. I've spoken to a few people who stopped posting because of NASTY negative reviews that were not constructive
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SoWritten
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secretk
Feb 9 2012, 07:21 AM
Do research! If you want to depict a character with emotional baggage then check out real stories. It's like the undercover operation - you should keep it real. Don't write something that no one would do without a good reason. You want the characters to be real, not dolls. So they have to have some motivation, some desires, some fears. It's normal this way. No one is perfect, so don't make them.

Now this is a thing I can only agree on. It's a reason I stay away from procedural stories. I don't have the time to do research at the moment.

Anyway, this goes for anything. I recently read a story where the writer had Andy suffering Morning Sickness from a couple of hours after having sex, knew the baby's sex by 8 weeks and more stuff that was near impossible pregnancy wise (and later baby wise). That really annoys me. It makes the whole story so unrealistic.

Just, you know... Invest time and check things out.
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Cythy
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That is also why I try to leave dates out of my story when possible. I actually sent someone a PM once telling her that I liked the story but refused to review because she had her character knowing she was expecting one week in (and I once ripped someone's story apart while I beta'd for her because of that - she never asked me again but I couldn't just ignore her incorrect facts).

Certain medical facts I'm okay when authors play with - I've done it - but the pregnancy ones drive me crazy
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secretk
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Well, there is a slight difference between playing around with medical facts and twisting them in the story and using them completely wrong.

I know that I'm cruel reader, because I'm perfectionist. There are certain things that I can pass, but there are others that are ridiculous. The pregnancy thing is definitely something that burns my eyes, because it's just normal thing and a 5 minutes search in the net (not to mention the fact that it has to be learned in school) can give insight about the process and how can be depicted. Even if the author hasn't been pregnant, it's not that difficult to check the facts. Even my male friends how the things work and when it's normal for a woman to know that she's pregnant.

Now, if Andy was an alien and their pregnancy lasts only a month, then I can find this as normal.

In some way I pick the fics that I read the way I pick the shows I watch. It's not about being realistic in the sense of showing the real world. I love sci-fi shows and they are clearly not realistic, but they can have mythology that sounds logical. The point is that in the fics/series environment the things should seem logical and natural.

Of course not all reviewers are like me, so there are fics for everyone. I do however think that the more serious story (not the fluff ones) need some research. Especially if someone writes the canon show in the universe of the show. Then it has to have its police elements and that definitely means some prior reading.

What I hate most however is something that most readers love. I hate when the things happen too fast, I so not believe in love from the first sight. I hate when it takes 2 weeks for some couple to know that they love each other. They can like each other, but love? That's such strong word, you can't love someone you don't fully know. Wrong medical facts that are not that known is somehow fine, but characters interaction that make no sense is something I can't pass.
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whatariot


secretk
Feb 12 2012, 08:00 AM
Well, there is a slight difference between playing around with medical facts and twisting them in the story and using them completely wrong.

I know that I'm cruel reader, because I'm perfectionist. There are certain things that I can pass, but there are others that are ridiculous. The pregnancy thing is definitely something that burns my eyes, because it's just normal thing and a 5 minutes search in the net (not to mention the fact that it has to be learned in school) can give insight about the process and how can be depicted. Even if the author hasn't been pregnant, it's not that difficult to check the facts. Even my male friends how the things work and when it's normal for a woman to know that she's pregnant.

Now, if Andy was an alien and their pregnancy lasts only a month, then I can find this as normal.

In some way I pick the fics that I read the way I pick the shows I watch. It's not about being realistic in the sense of showing the real world. I love sci-fi shows and they are clearly not realistic, but they can have mythology that sounds logical. The point is that in the fics/series environment the things should seem logical and natural.

Of course not all reviewers are like me, so there are fics for everyone. I do however think that the more serious story (not the fluff ones) need some research. Especially if someone writes the canon show in the universe of the show. Then it has to have its police elements and that definitely means some prior reading.

What I hate most however is something that most readers love. I hate when the things happen too fast, I so not believe in love from the first sight. I hate when it takes 2 weeks for some couple to know that they love each other. They can like each other, but love? That's such strong word, you can't love someone you don't fully know. Wrong medical facts that are not that known is somehow fine, but characters interaction that make no sense is something I can't pass.
We can be friends.

You pretty much just outlined all my pet-peeves in fanfiction right there. I'm a natural fact checker so the fastest way to put me off a story is to have something depicted incorrectly (And I don't me minor I mean major not unlike the "Oh my god I'm pregnant with twins! roughly 40 seconds after coitus or someone getting shot with major surgical injuries and being sent home that afternoon...) I'm not perfect and I don't use a beta because I suck at deadlines but I do my best to maintain accuracy. I also don't really write much that factors in procedures etc and why I will never write a story around a murder. Too much work.
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LAwoman
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secretk
Feb 12 2012, 08:00 AM
What I hate most however is something that most readers love. I hate when the things happen too fast, I so not believe in love from the first sight. I hate when it takes 2 weeks for some couple to know that they love each other. They can like each other, but love? That's such strong word, you can't love someone you don't fully know. Wrong medical facts that are not that known is somehow fine, but characters interaction that make no sense is something I can't pass.
I know why that bugs people, but I did it anyway in the stories I wrote the fall and winter after the first season because I was just so frustrated about how they ended the season, with all the great McSwarek UST greatly diminished, neither of them ever saying anything about how they feel, and having Andy forge ahead with shacking up with Callaghan, which is the worst pairing ever. So I wrote stories with either some extreme precipitating event catapulting them together or really just anything getting things started and then everything moving along WAY too fast toward being serious to work out my frustrations. I don't think I would write that way again. But at the time I just had to get it out of my system even if it made things unrealistic because they'd been through so much and hurt each other, it just seemed like you couldn't try to do a relationship the normal way. But now that I've seen season 2 and what Andy went through by rushing things with Luke and getting burned, that seems totally wrong for them.
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secretk
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whatariot I absolutely agree being friends with you :mellow: . I'm the same - if I know that I won't depict something correctly, I won't attempt writing it at all. As for beta readers I use them, but we have strange policy. Since I post every week - I send her 4 chapters and she has a month to give me back the improved version of the chapters.

I would never write procedurals, because I'm not good at it. It's better not to try doing something knowing that I suck at it.

I think that we just scared the writers :lmao: with our comments.

LAwoman when the character have some UST it's easier to be accepted. I've read stories, where the two protagonists meet each other for the first time, date, have sex and decide that they love each other for two weeks. That's too much for me.

Sam and Andy at least knew each other long enough, have worked together, had some UST, so I can pass that. But story in which in the end of the second episode Andy accepts Sam's offer, sleeps with him and in the morning he tells her that he loves her that I wouldn't like to read.
Edited by secretk, Feb 12 2012, 03:24 PM.
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