What do YOU want in fan fiction
By
Blackdove_EU,
Posted on: 2006-07-01 04:05 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
Good questions, here we go. (Mind you, it's late and I'm tired.) (I added numbers for clarity 
) I have taken that by MMO-Fanfiction we mostly mean fan fiction with original characters set in CoX universe, not for example Statesman/War Witch fic.
[ QUOTE ]
1. What do you like to see in a piece of fan fiction?
2. What puts you off reading the stories published on the boards?
3. What types of story do you like and is there a specific genre that you feel fits well within the COH/COV universe?
4. What mistakes do you think have been made in the past (no names please, unless it's your own 
)?
5. If the story was provided as a PDF (so that formatting could be maintained like a proper book) would you see that as a benefit or would it put you off reading the story?
6. Do you prefer serialisations or one self-contained story, no matter the length?
7. Given that we are concerned with writing for the COH/COV universe, how close to the action in game do you expect a story to be?
8. How much artistic leeway do you, as a reader, allow the writer to have before you give up on a story?
For example: A story has Statesman in and reveals something about him that is not mentioned anywhere else, nor is likely to be again.
[/ QUOTE ]
1. Same as in any fiction - good story, good writing, sense of wonder, good ideas. In general fanfiction I like seeing characters doing things outside the official canon, alternative realities and the works. But that doesn't apply so much in MMO-fan fiction. In MMO-fan fiction, I like the stories that make the world seem more alive. How is the everyday life? What does the city smell, feel and taste like? How is the life of a hero there? For example there was story posted of a reporter doing some kind of tv-show. That was great.
2. Bad grammar / formatting. It might sound petty, but if the writer doesn't bother to go through the trouble of presenting his story in readable form, why should I bother to read it? Although I think that is quite rare problem on these forums. Second pet-peeve is Mary Sues (basically idealized characters that are perfect in almost anyway, and quite darn good at the rest of it.) I like my fiction flawed and edgy.
3. I like all kinds of stories. For CoX, I think light humor mixed with drama works best for me. Long and detailed Salvatoresque fight-scenes bore me to tears (but apparently have wide audience still). Superherogenre for me has been lot about personal drama, ethical and moral dilemmas presented with/through action.
4. I guess most of the usual mistakes. Bad grammar, typos, repetition and so on (And I do them all )
5. I would most likely not read PDF story, unless it has been recommended to me, or by writer I know is good. (My browser doesn't like pdf's that much, and it's a slight annoyance to open them.)
6. Whatever fits the story better. If it's on shorter bits, it's easier to start to read. If I do start reading a longer story and it's good, I'm likely to read all of it at once, where seriealized I might just read one chapter.
7. Not close at all. It can be describing ingame events or totally out of game mechanics.
8. It depends how the story is done, but generally I don't like meddling with the big lore figures in more than superficially. Statesman revealed to like brownies with raisins is fine, Statesman revealed to like leather-wearing japanese men not so. But it can add a lot to the story / immersion of the world through the story to have some of the lore characters make appearance in the story.
Also to note: Background stories often are quite different creatures from more "short story" like fan fiction stories. They serve specific purpose, to tell the hero's origin in short but informative form. More like infodump or reference guide. Of course background story can be made into more proper short story and that's nice but not IMO required. So, when reading background stories I take that into consideration.
That's that. Hope it was a bit helpful.
Pyranha
Thank you so much for your reply. I was begining to think that no one would. I know there are quite alot of questions there
Everything has been taken on board as well and I intend to be thinking about these points as I'm writing. 
[ QUOTE ]
How much artistic leeway do you, as a reader, allow the writer to have before you give up on a story?
For example: A story has Statesman in and reveals something about him that is not mentioned anywhere else, nor is likely to be again.
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolutely none.
If it's not your character then you shouldn't change them unless the creator gives his/her ok. Stick to canon for official characters (powers, personalities and relations), anything else feels like fanwank to me. You don't know if you'll be directly contradicted in the next issue of the official comic book.
This also goes for how the general public views these characters. While the Surviving Seven may come off as arrogant, whining or [censored] in the comics the general public loves/respects them.
And NO Mary Sues. Nothing destroys an otherwise good story as easily as that. Except maybe bad spelling and grammar.
[ QUOTE ]
If it's not your character then you shouldn't change them unless the creator gives his/her ok.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not changing is fine. There is currently too much written about the 'cannon' characters to write anything interesting about them in particular.
I have a story worked out, but it needs a big finish and it needs to involve a piece of information that need never be heard of again. It's not something that would ever be contradicted. it's something that would happen to a 'cannon' character and doesn't even need to be known by them.
Would that be something that puts you off a story?
What do you like to see in a piece of fan fiction?
When I read something I want to be entertained. I want it to be worth my while. It can be comedy, drama, action pretty much anything as long as its done with quality and good writing skills.
What puts you off reading the stories published on the boards?
Bad formatting is the first indication that it might not be good. Grammar should be at least in the ballpark. Likewise with spelling. Capital letters, sensible sentences. If I get a feeling, correct or not, that the writer didnt care about the text enough to appeal to readers the non-caring is induced to me too. If they cant be bothered to spend their time making their stories look good, I wont be bothered to read them.
Tragically also length is an issue. I dont have all that much time to just read so I risk it easier with shorter stories. The tragedy lies in that I expect most people to behave in similar manner at least to an extent and I can write damn long pieces myself.
One tip is to make the first paragraph or first sentence so exceptionally good that the readers interest is caught. Publishing houses have slush piles where all submissions end up. Some poor soul checks them all out but as they cant read it all they only read the beginning. If the first paragraph or two dont say Im really really worth reading the whole first page! the submission gets tossed out. Even a good story can be a miss if the beginning doesnt make the reader want to read it all.
What types of story do you like and is there a specific genre that you feel fits well within the COH/COV universe?
CoX is about superheroes but as comic books show its not all about battling the villains. What for me makes it an interesting story is an in-depth protagonist. The lead character(s) have to have multiple sides to them to be interesting. Multifaceted personalities can yield some good drama. That drama can be embedded into a tale about an epic fight against the adversaries. If I read something about the good guys going after the bad guys Id like to know what motivates them all. Why exactly are they doing it?
What mistakes do you think have been made in the past (no names please, unless it's your own )?
It depends on the goal. Its possible to write an origin story thats no story at all, more like an infodump about the situation and powers explained. If the reader is after a story arc and doesnt find it it can be said to be a mistake. Bad formatting with [censored] spelling and grammar Ive also seen.
If the story was provided as a PDF (so that formatting could be maintained like a proper book) would you see that as a benefit or would it put you off reading the story?
If it was an option , an alternative, it would be good! I could choose to read it on the forum, or get the pdf, print it and read at home while slacking off on the sofa.
Do you prefer serialisations or one self-contained story, no matter the length?
Both work. Even if they are one-shots about the same character Id like to see the connection to previous stories. The situations affect the character in question. I dont mean any specific references to past events unless they fall into place seamlessly. Its mostly inside my own head.
Given that we are concerned with writing for the COH/COV universe, how close to the action in game do you expect a story to be?
The story can be a depiction of an In-Game mission, or pure dialogue of two characters sitting in a café and arguing about the true nature of the multiverse. For me its about the characters, not the world. The world is what happens to the characters.
How much artistic leeway do you, as a reader, allow the writer to have before you give up on a story?
For example: A story has Statesman in and reveals something about him that is not mentioned anywhere else, nor is likely to be again.
To be honest I find it in most cases boring if established heroes are used. Of course there can be a very plausible reason but by my experience all the people who served under Captain Kirk or get their orders directly from Darth Vader use the big names only because they havent stopped to think about the alternatives. Usually using especially that big name is not crucial to the story and could be replaced by someone not of such high standing. Chances are the kahunas are used to just bring glory to the protagonist.
Adding elements to said recognized heroes is one step further to the land of improbabilities. It gets easier for the suspension of disbelief to fail and the story has to be damn good to work with such elements. Unfortunately that oh so rarely is the case.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If it's not your character then you shouldn't change them unless the creator gives his/her ok.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not changing is fine. There is currently too much written about the 'cannon' characters to write anything interesting about them in particular.
I have a story worked out, but it needs a big finish and it needs to involve a piece of information that need never be heard of again. It's not something that would ever be contradicted. it's something that would happen to a 'cannon' character and doesn't even need to be known by them.
Would that be something that puts you off a story?
[/ QUOTE ]
I'd say it has potential to be bad.
Ask yourself why it has to happen to one of the canon characters and what effect it will have. Would the finale be much different if a character you made up in the same or a similar organization was affected instead.
[ QUOTE ]
Given that we are concerned with writing for the COH/COV universe, how close to the action in game do you expect a story to be?
[/ QUOTE ]
Personally, I consider the combat in the game to be an abstraction of Superhero combat. Using an inspiration, for example, is the user taking advantage of a bright idea they've had in the middle of a fight.
Just because my character isn't ACTUALLY pulling lamposts out of the ground to use as an improvised weapon onscreen doesn't mean it's not happening in my head
I definately don't think any story should ever nessicarily be constrained by the game mechanics.
I know it's a little late, but...
[ QUOTE ]
What puts you off reading the stories published on the boards?
[/ QUOTE ]
Stories that are rather graphical. It's ok for the setting of a location to go into more then the nessesary detail.
I don't want to read about a sword's results, I don't think it's adding much to depict every fork of what ever being shuffled in.
The latter is rare, but I have more problems with the former. Luckily, they aren't too common either.
@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity
If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.
[ QUOTE ]
I know it's a little late, but...
[/ QUOTE ]
Not too late at all. Most of these questions are concerned with the big story I'm writing and all comments are welcomed and taken on board
The first chapter of the story I'm writing is up as well and once again, any feedback is appreciated. I am taking on board peoples opinions and still will after I have started writing the big on.
Incidentally, the big one is called 'The Idol's curse' and is a little bit film noir.
I'm writing a piece of fan fiction based on our characters, and never let it be said that I don't do my research, I'd much appreciate it if people would answer these questions. You never know, it might be useful for others as well.
)?
What do you like to see in a piece of fan fiction?
What puts you off reading the stories published on the boards?
What types of story do you like and is there a specific genre that you feel fits well within the COH/COV universe?
What mistakes do you think have been made in the past (no names please, unless it's your own
If the story was provided as a PDF (so that formatting could be maintained like a proper book) would you see that as a benefit or would it put you off reading the story?
Do you prefer serialisations or one self-contained story, no matter the length?
Given that we are concerned with writing for the COH/COV universe, how close to the action in game do you expect a story to be?
How much artistic leeway do you, as a reader, allow the writer to have before you give up on a story?
For example: A story has Statesman in and reveals something about him that is not mentioned anywhere else, nor is likely to be again.