Why Do You Read Our Stories? [PAGE 15!] - Page 6

Why do I read 'your' (to infer other IF author's, since I don't really read you, no offense) stories?

- The same reason I read anything, because I love learning. Every book I have ever read has taught me something, I bring the same philosophy with me when I read an FF.

See, every story is more than just words strung together to roughly draw out a scene -- real literature, real writing is about much more than that, it's about skill, and effort, but most of all about respect.

I don't know if you have ever been a trained dancer -- but I'm sure a lot of people here have, as a once trained dancer let me tell you one thing we are taught to do even more than train, and that is to respect. As a ballerina, we take as much care with our shoes as we do our pirouettes, and in Indian classical our ghungurs as much as our mudra's.

This actually brings me to my second point – grammar and spelling.

- Another major thing I check, before or rather as I read is whether an author is coherent or not. I'm not saying the grammar has to be flawless, but in my personal opinion sms-language in a story is about as low-grade as you can get in fan-fictions, only marginally better than plagiarized work.

And no I am not taking digs at anyone. I just happen to find it a poor portrayal of talent and about as inspiring as…well I actually can't think of anything uninspiring enough, huh…

What else do I look for, provided the aforementioned category is fulfilled – I look for witty dialogues, character depth, and an actual storyline instead of random smut all over the place. Once again I read because I the stories and characters teach me something, random smut with bad grammar is basically equated with general retardation in my books. Nothing to learn, well unless I go the Edision route and say what not to do…

What else…hmm…intelligent storyline's, consistency, and most of all a dedication to one's work I suppose. I'll add more as it comes to me.

Now if you don't mind me asking --- Honestly --- Why do you have such an issue with honest criticism? In my opinion anyone who is open to praise must by default be prepared for criticism as well, I notice you don't follow that philosophy, why is that?

Cheers,

Nmyra😊

I happen to pick stories at random. I came across your stories at random devi. But I am glad I did. Spelling and grammar plays a very important role for me. I really get put off if the grammar is not right throughout, am not talking about the 1or2 mistakes. Also when I read a story if I really like it I can visualise the scenes and if I can do Tht I stick to the story! Hmmm what else. Yes I do not like txt language when I read stories, even though i use it when i post ccomments, does not suit story writing! I would love to read passion, romance, humour!. I think Tht is from my end. Hope Tht helps.

hi Devi
thank you for this thread that lets the readers give their point of veiw about what constitutes a successful FF.
I for one stayed away from FFs for months after joining forum ( GF)...the ones i did venture into did not leave me impressed. if u ask me why i have read similar opinion in another post... over indulgence of intimate scenes without proper plot or delicacy.
then i stumbled across Liz's Break Up and Jaz's Home coming. And wow was i hooked?
even now i don't read many FFs, it is mostly due to my preference to feel the weight of the written word in my hands. Visit to library once a fortnight is a habit i can't break.
okay what i prefer in FFs...
a strong story line and good characterisation.
tolerable grammar... i prefer english translations of hindi dialogues... i do understand the hindi but reading hindi written in English takes an extra effort that acts as a put off at times.
no heavy SMS lingo... because each device their own particular set of short forms.
no overindulgence of intimate scenes just to increase the no. of likes. i prefer intimacy to occur as a natural progress in the story.. something that adds beauty to the story and please not too descriptive or in words that makes you feel you need to read something really beautiful, urgently, to clear your mind of images the scene leaves you with. i have noticed lovemaking in most FFs amount to lots of biting and agression... may be the intepretation of romance has changed ...but i prefer the soft touch and can't write anything else.
i read the FFs of the shows i watch.
there is no limit to creativity... i don't insist my needs be met...


that is it, i think😃

Interesting debate...

CLARIFICATION - I think after reading a few responses, I am beginning to understand what may have triggered the debate. In the interest of full disclosure, I want to state that I admire the writers who can use the language well. I certainly aspire to be a "clean" writer like them and look up to good language skills in order to help me improve my craft. Thats the voice of the writer in me. (did i just stick my hands into a hornet's nest, again!!!, I admire the girls responding here, some of whom I secretly follow 😉 -> arisai, nmyra, publicenemy all of you, you are excellent writers and serve as great inspiration to other writers)

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

I start reading an FF if I discovered the story to be intriguing, or if a friend highly recommended it. However, thats no guarantee that I will continue reading the FF. The plot has to thicken, the characters need to be well-fleshed out, and the story must resonate with my sensibilities to hold my attention.

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

None. Its a function of my time and availability. A good recommendation from a friend goes a long way in getting my attention. I know some writers of the forum for a while and I know they produce excellent work, I tend to go back and fish out their work once I can find time.

How important are things like spelling and grammar?

They are not central to my reading experience. I am not an English major. The last time I tried to follow grammar was in high school and it was eons ago. (don't ask me how old I am). Language serves the purpose of communicating ideas and thoughts and as long as it does so without confusing or losing the reader, its fine by me. Again, the tolerance threshold may be different for different readers, so what I say is by no means applicable to other readers. There are readers who will demand higher standards from their writers, and its perfectly alright. Every reader has a right to choose and select the material to read strictly according to their preferences and tastes.

finally, a writer must write because it gives them pleasure to write. If you don't hold commercial aspirations, then write all you want, there will always be a reader who enjoys your work. This includes writing about sex, incest, BDSM, or what not. If that is what floats your boat go for it and trust me, you will find a readership. Of course, on India Forums, you follow the rules of India-forums, not because those rules are golden and above reproach, but because those rules are what the site administrators decided to adhere by. There are a few subjects I would never read about, especially those that go against my grain and value system, so your treasure may be my trash.

The writer in me wants to get better by following good examples, the reader in me wants to read good stories. That is a dichotomy that does not always neatly reconcile

End of long speech.

Originally posted by: nikita_88

Interesting debate...

I read and write both and I know that when I write it takes me forever to put my words across because my words never match my imagination, so it is a task and anyone who writes it good or bad it is an attempt to get their words through on paper.

When I read I am hoping to connect with something in the story, so either the concept or the characters. My favourite writer on IF, every time I finish reading her update, I am always at a loss for words because her description and the intensity she brings to each update is truly outstanding because you totally feel the characters journey.

With all the stories here, what matters is the effort someone puts in and grammar is the one thing that annoys me because it is the little mistakes that can easily be corrected so like the wrong past tense like runned, instead of ran it is picked out if you read it out aloud. But it is usually like the odd one mistake in an update, so I usually let it go but if a story has too many I either point it out or leave it and move onto reading something else. I am not to picky about it though cause my grammar and spelling at times is questionable.

As for reading a overall terrible written book, it happens in the real world, you see it with autobiographies, happened to me I read one where the person's first language was not English it was weaker with grammar and vocabulary but it was still a good story to read. Also in my opinion you can see the difference in writing when you read Twilight and Harry Potter,(I hated twilight and was ready to fling it across the room for how badly it was written) yet they are both as popular, just cause some is a weaker writer doesn't mean they don't have the right to publish or show the world their work. And as it says practice is what makes us better writers and I can say that for myself from my first work I wrote to what I write now. I think what counts is the story!

Originally posted by: -publicenemy-

Please do not feel intimidated to share. One of the things that I have noticed on other threads debating similar issues is that the individuals who have a good grasp of the language use it to poke fun or crush the opposing arguments and it is painful to observe how unbalanced the playing field becomes in such a situation. So, even if you feel that English is not your forte, please contribute your thoughts and I will clarify it if necessary.

You have heard our podcast, clearly, so you know what makes me read something and what makes me want to stop reading it.

Having said that, I think this part of the post was unnecessary and a little catty to be honest. You could have stopped at "Please do not feel intimidated to share.", but you chose to include the rest of it in, and we both know that the people it was directed at are smart enough to know that they are the people being referred to.

I personally feel like you are doing exactly what you seem to dislike. Do you think reading that last paragraph, any of the people you are referring to would be comfortable to comment on this thread without being apprehensive of being misunderstood? Even if they do, do you think they would feel like their opinions matter?

Originally posted by: arisai

As someone with a good grasp of the english language, when I use correct, formal, 'proper' english to reply to somebody who doesn't, I do not intend to 'crush' them. Nor does anybody I know. But neither will I start speaking down to them because that would be like directly calling them stupid and incapable of understanding me.

Originally posted by: BlueMystique

You have heard our podcast, clearly, so you know what makes me read something and what makes me want to stop reading it.

Having said that, I think this part of the post was unnecessary and a little catty to be honest. You could have stopped at "Please do not feel intimidated to share.", but you chose to include the rest of it in, and we both know that the people it was directed at are smart enough to know that they are the people being referred to.

I personally feel like you are doing exactly what you seem to dislike. Do you think reading that last paragraph, any of the people you are referring to would be comfortable to comment on this thread without being apprehensive of being misunderstood? Even if they do, do you think they would feel like their opinions matter?