Why Do You Read Our Stories? [PAGE 15!] - Page 5

My interest in reading fan fictions on India Forums rose because of my interest in the characters of Arnav and Khushi from IPKKND and because I enjoy reading fiction. I will confess that I originally chose those stories that seemed to have the most views and the most comments - I used that as a barometer simply because of the sheer number of stories that are on the forum. Now I focus on those writers whose style of writing and whose depth of story I most enjoy. Even if their stories do not revolve around the characters from IPKKND, I will still follow the story because of the quality of the writing that I have come to expect from the author. That certainly is the case with your story "Before I Fall Again." From time to time, the title of a particular story will catch my eye and I will be tempted to follow through.

I will only follow those stories that stay true to storytelling as opposed to slapdash and cliched archetypes. The style of writing is also important - some people are just better with words than others. It's not only important that you have a good story to tell but how you tell it.

Grammar and spelling are very important; if the author is going to use transilteration for hindi or any other indian language or dialect, then translation is of the utmost importance. I have struggled through some of the stories on India Forums despite poor grammar and spelling because the underlying story was compelling. However, I have not gone back to those authors' other stories because the style of writing did not make reading a pleasant experience.

Hope this was helpful and Happy Reading!

For me concept and grammar hold the most importance, but sometimes I dont mind overlooking grammatical errors if the concept is interesting and the story maintains a steady pace.
A fanfiction needs to capture me in ythe very first chapter, I don't want to sound arrogant but I've been reading fanfictions for years now and by just the first few lines of the story, I am able to get ab idea of how it will move ahead and whether I will ever enjoy it or not.
What I look for in a fanfiction is strong characyerization, smartly written scenes, the correct amount and type of details. I personally do not enjoy vague descriptions of scenes, even the positions and slight movements of characters are important to me.
I enjoy lavender and kalarikkal house because the concepts are fresh and intriguing, they are different stories and I enjoy the pace you maintain in your work. I enjoy stories which have a direction, when the writers make the story unpredictable, and they know how much dragging a normal reader can take.
At the same time, along with intense and beautifully written stories, I, as a reader need some refreshing or you can say slightly predictable or rather "happy" stories too, ones that are light and much less complex, but still very well written and preferably grammatically correct!
After these is a compromise, when I let go of my insane want for correct grammar and give into some nice concepts, a rare thing, yet enjoyable once you get the grasp of the story.

However, there are always stories that you stalk and also ones that you don't.

p.s. nice topic. i hope my input helps :)

edited :

the title, its the most important thing, if the title isnt atractive enough, I will never open the thread in the first place, and years of skimming through the forum has given me special powers *wink*

font, easy to read font is attractive, the size of the font irritates me if too large, also florescent bright colours are a big no.

I read only Armaan riddhima and arnav khushi stories so unfortunately I don't bother with other characters, however i did once read a story on maan geet and I still don't believe it, it was a fantastic fanfiction and the author was pure brilliant hence I was hooked!

basically, its all in the writers hands

Devi,

I started reading FF's because they showcase my favourite on-screen characters into a new plots n storylines.
The writing styles of several authors does attract me.
The story should have grippy storyline n cliff-hangers are able to make me addicted n stick to the story, though I hate them.
I prefer light-hearted stories. But, I like serious one's too n read them keenly.
I do not like when authors made a drastic change in a character at the end of the story. I.e. Some characters r narrated as very arrogant, ruthless etc. and at the end they r left only with lovey-doveyness. If the character's lover side flourishes that does not make it must that all other features have to dissapear. If he's made loving to loved one's n hard to the others then his character remains intact n I really appreciate that.
But, I am not protesting , only giving my views. Its upto the writer's how they like to convey the character's charectaristics.
Even, most of the stories with this alteration r awesome n I am not denying that.
My only requirment is that the contents of the parts n pov of the characters should be evident n easily understandable.
So, grammatical mistakes do not affect me at all. Even I am not good at literature. Neither English is my 1st language nor I am blessed with gift of the gab.
So, I read the stories because I like them n I have different reasons for liking every individual stories I read.
-Shuchi.

Originally posted by: karmachameleon

Devi,

Thanks for making this post. Much needed post right now. I was thinking of making a similar post myself and I was glad that someone took the initiative to make one. After the much heated discussion few days back about How NOT to write FF - I am so happy you made this thread.

Now, here is my answer...

Why do you read our stories? And by us, I mean any writer that you choose to read here and have been reading.

Why do I read stories? I like to read in general, so when I see an interesting title - I like to see what is it about? If I can get into it with the first chapter/prologue then I am in. Coming to IF and reading the work here is just merely for fun/stress buster. I don't live here, I don't breathe IF, I have a life outside of IF, hence I am NOT going to sit here and make a list of DOs and DON'Ts on a FF. It's not that serious. Majority of people who are here - writing or reading is merely for fun - I am assuming.

What are your requirements for choosing and sticking with a story?

For me - personally, I don't quite have a requirement. Lot of people decide to read a certain work by checking the amount of likes replies to that particular post - that doesn't work me. I will tell you why - if a certain 'author' if I may use that term - has been writing for a long time then they tend to have a fan-following and regardless of what they write - many of their followers tend to read their work and LIKE it and REPLY to it. So being said that - my requirements for choosing and sticking to a story is ONLY one - if it totally grasps my attention and when I get impatient to read the next chapter. That's it! No matter who wrote it and how many LIKES it got or even the replies.

How important are things like spelling and grammar?

Personally - It's very important to me. When I post something - I tend to proofread it as many times as possible. As I have mentioned earlier in that very 'heated' discussion (you know what I mean) that spelling and grammar is one of my pet peeves and it totally gets to me - BUT - just because that's my requirement - again, as I mentioned it earlier, I can't/will NOT demand a writer to fix their work just because I can't seem to read it. At the end of the day - it's my choice of I want to read it or not. If it's too crappy for me to read - then I will simply click the back button and move on - because - again, it's not that serious. For people who really want to read excellent work - go on Amazon.com and read all The New York Times Best Seller - I hope you won't be disappointed after reading those books/stories.

Bottom line?

I DON'T LIKE IT - I DON'T READ IT.

P.S. Here, I am referring I - as in any/all authors.

I am NOT getting paid for all the time and effort I invest in writing here - and believe me, it's LOT of time - I am simply doing it for fun - so as a reader, if you don't like my work - the best thing to do - DO NOT read it and don't tell me what to do - A very simple American way of saying it If you are not paying me, you can't tell me what to do.

No offense to anyone...

Constructive criticism is apprecitaed - but in a civil manner.

-KC

@bold : well ur last 2 line caught my attention... becasue thts wht my point is... RES to extend my comment here

I started out on IF mainly to read fics since I loved reading !! slowly, as. I started discovering some amazing writers, it made me addicted to good language and gripping plots !! so yeah that's what I like in fics that I read !! But even if there are good stories that are in hindi, I read them !! But I wouldn't read trash in the name of correct language/grammar !! Basically its my need to forget the stressful real life and enjoy the 'reel' life ...it makes it easier for me to pass my day even when I am doing a boring chore !!

There should also be a question, why does one write the FF.

I read and write both. I write to put my scattered imagination in one piece. When I penn down and it gets shape, there is a satisfaction and the wandering mind get rest.

Now reading...

I read FF of couples only who are my fav... because on them only I can imagine the situation that writer shows.

I can only imagine true love or even hate between the couples I have seen. For other stories I prefer good novel.

Now why I read it.. I read it to feel my fav couples in those situation and to imagine there reaction as story go ahead.

To feel the deapth of passion they have mostly emotional.

Basically i love reading and reading different situation of my fav couples is cherry on top.

--ANU

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