Reviews & Ongoing Fics.
Jan. 9th, 2011 11:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lightofdayeI don't use this thing enough, at all. That's two seperate thoughts by the way. This isn't about my thoughts on how to review on going fics. (Though that might be interesting. Generally, I'd do one review for everything already posted and then one review for each update if I felt i had stuff to say)
So reviews. What makes a good one. Well correct spelling and punctuation is essential but that goes for everything. My problem when review, I feel, is a tendencany to concentrate on the negatives; what I <i>didn't</i> like, the niggling little questions I have about the hows and whys. And while anything I don't mention I probably thought was good or excellent still the review comes off sound like I didn't like it.
Take this Harry/Cho story: http://community.livejournal.com/smutty_claus/140125.html
I really quite like it. Its got strong characterisation, an interesting plot line, sexy sex, what more can you ask for? But when I got to try an write a review for it. All I could think to say was that the ending seemed a little rushed and I wasn't keen on it returning to the canon pairings. In the end, I didn't leave a review, simply because I couldn't find the phrases to say what I liked about it at the same time as what I thought the flaws were and come off with it sounding positive.
~~~
Anyway ongoing fics. I've got two on AFF (http://hp.adultfanfiction.net/authors.php?no=1296881124) and I think I'm almost beginning to hate them. Trying to grind my way through the plot while at the same time trying to think of new ways to put in the smut. Plus the more ongoing fics you have the harder it becomes to update them in timely fashion.
So I put one on hold, to try and get the other one hammered out and completed. Now this one's a sequel and when I re-read the first fic in that series. I just start wondering 'Why am I writing a sequel? That endings perfect! Open yes, but still perfect.'
I think the problem is. I like to write on inspiration. I think up an idea or even just a scene and work from that. The problem with on going stuff is it just takes me so damn long to grind through the plot to the 'inspired bits' that by the time it's time to write them they've lost their shine. Maybe I should just write them but then it would be even harder to write the surrounding bits and anyway, I find even more difficult to get going if I start in the middle of a scene.
So reviews. What makes a good one. Well correct spelling and punctuation is essential but that goes for everything. My problem when review, I feel, is a tendencany to concentrate on the negatives; what I <i>didn't</i> like, the niggling little questions I have about the hows and whys. And while anything I don't mention I probably thought was good or excellent still the review comes off sound like I didn't like it.
Take this Harry/Cho story: http://community.livejournal.com/smutty_claus/140125.html
I really quite like it. Its got strong characterisation, an interesting plot line, sexy sex, what more can you ask for? But when I got to try an write a review for it. All I could think to say was that the ending seemed a little rushed and I wasn't keen on it returning to the canon pairings. In the end, I didn't leave a review, simply because I couldn't find the phrases to say what I liked about it at the same time as what I thought the flaws were and come off with it sounding positive.
~~~
Anyway ongoing fics. I've got two on AFF (http://hp.adultfanfiction.net/authors.php?no=1296881124) and I think I'm almost beginning to hate them. Trying to grind my way through the plot while at the same time trying to think of new ways to put in the smut. Plus the more ongoing fics you have the harder it becomes to update them in timely fashion.
So I put one on hold, to try and get the other one hammered out and completed. Now this one's a sequel and when I re-read the first fic in that series. I just start wondering 'Why am I writing a sequel? That endings perfect! Open yes, but still perfect.'
I think the problem is. I like to write on inspiration. I think up an idea or even just a scene and work from that. The problem with on going stuff is it just takes me so damn long to grind through the plot to the 'inspired bits' that by the time it's time to write them they've lost their shine. Maybe I should just write them but then it would be even harder to write the surrounding bits and anyway, I find even more difficult to get going if I start in the middle of a scene.
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Date: 2011-01-10 07:34 am (UTC)I agree that the dedication and drive necessary to keep a multi-chaptered fic going when you're relying on inspiration to get you through can be really challenging. I've been doing several one-shots lately, for fests, and the upside of those is that at least when you finish it, it's done, you can move on to something else. However, what I find so lacking about that format is that I like to explore ideas, and trying to do it in 15000 words or less rarely works for me. An interesting development when you're writing a WIP over a long period of time is that your thoughts on the plot, character, ideas, everything, virtually change from month to month. I think back to my thoughts and hopes for a story like Snorkacks when I started it almost two years ago compared to how I feel now, and the change is pretty dramatic.
So, I guess the only advice I can give is that you should be writing to get something committed to paper that's been locked inside of you, even if it is wrapped in the guise of a fanfic about wizards, and that will help you to see it through--that desire to express a part of yourself. If you're not feeling the story anymore, then there's no need to continue with it. This is fandom, after all, the landscape is littered with unfinished 'novels'. Don't heap too much pressure on yourself.
One thing I really appreciate about your reviews, Daye, is that you bring to light those details that most wouldn't bother with. If there's an inconsistency with canon, you are quick to draw attention to it. And you're not just looking at the overall arc of the story and plot, but things that make the piece so singular. It's always helpful to have a nice balance of criticism in a review. I wouldn't beat yourself up over your supposed 'negativity'. I always look forward to your comments on my writing.