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

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Koeli

@Koeli

Channel Moderator

+ 16

Posted: 13 years ago

#81

Ok now my answers as a writer

Why do you read our stories?

-People read your stories for passing their time.

-genuinely love reading stories

-People want to fantasize

-People want to come out of their monotones world

-they want to feel light -hearted at the end of the day and smile forgetting what's happening in their personal life.

I mean any writer that you choose to read here and have been reading.

-people chose writers according to their thought process, if they connect with the story they will definitely connet with the writer and vise-versa. someone will read your story till they enjoy reading it later just stop doing that if they dont like the later parts. i feel a writer is successful not by the amount of like that she/he gets, also not how many comments she get. i think it is more about how many readers have you able to hold back at the end of the story. thats how i would like to rate a writer.

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

the writer should be able to convince the readers with very promising chapters no matter what is the genre of the story. the script should be absolutely apt to impress the readers. cliff hangers doesnot work for long time. its the essence of the story that matters.

How important are things like spelling and grammar?

I cannot comment as i am grammatically challenged. but personally if you ask me i dont think it should stop anybody from writing their thoughts. This is not something one should be ashamed off. Accept your flaws gracefully, have the urge to become better but continue how you want to. because at the end of the day what matters in I-F is people should love your writing. If someone decided to overlook your flaws and continue the journey then you are the gainer at the end of the day.

One thing which i want to mention in hindi is 4oo likes 23 pages comments and 5-6 pages of spamming for updates for a story written by a grammatically challenged person "Boss kuch to baat hai na? aise hi koi kisika likkhai pasand thodi karega?" I feel grammer and spellings are important but to an extent what matters is creativity.

You have something thats why people read your stories right? so one shouldnot forget that.

I would like to end my comments here.

But before that i would also like to mention its always to take good advice from people and try to implement it if you feel that will help in your growth. Dont ever put anyone down intensionally or unintentionally because at the end of the day even you lose your respect. Never get demoralized, know your flaws and give it a try. Kal jo tha woh aaj bhi rahega if you are honest. 😊

Whenever there is a war between mind and heart "Heart" always wins coz it doesnot have any pros and cons.

---DEVI a very good post. thanks Appy

Edited by Appy_Indy - 13 years ago

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YOUR FACE

@PersieV

Rocker

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

#82

Originally posted by: Kalyaani
People,
Please this has to stop, we started this to understand why one reads fan fictions and it has turned ugly. Kindly bear in mind we have impressionable people reading the thread and we are surely not setting a fine example.
I apologize in advance if this advice is unsolicited, but this has to end. When someone asks you not to be intimidated it is not only by others on the forum but by the prospect of taking part in a discussion.
Devi here wants to understand what a reader wants and hence started the thread and Rafa wanted to discuss what she does not like in some stories as it did not appeal to her sensibilities. You both write and hence you would understand, every single reader interprets what they read the way they want. At the risk of sounding repetitive I request you to end this here. I have participated on both threads and would like to say this; there is nothing that is absolutely correct or wrong, it is subject to one's view, to each their own. Don't force yours down my throat and I will not to the same with you.
It all started with the word "not" and I use it again, please do not continue this.
Thank you for reading this bit and sincerely hope this argument stops here. I do wish those who want to share their views on the subject to continue, not only on this thread but that of the pod cast too.
- Kalyaani

I agree this isn't going to to get us anywhere, we could go on for hours and days and opinions still won't be the same. So it would better to stay on topic.

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Anaya S.S

@nabnab

Navigator

+ 3

Posted: 13 years ago

#83

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

Because I like being able to connect with the writer and interact with them. I can also read while I'm supposed to be working ;)

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

How important are things like spelling and grammar?

There has to actually be a story. Stories with the basic elements of writing such as a sound grasp of grammar, punctuation and spelling (especially when things like spell checker exist FFS), believable, developed characters and an actual plot. If the writing reads like a text message I don't read beyond the first few lines, because I read for my entertainment, not because I want to be an analyst and spend my time trying to decipher the crap.

The fact that a writer does not appear to bother at all with their work is a huge turn-off for me. Things like silly fonts and font sizes and awful colours that hurt the eye are basic problems with the layout which drive me away regardless of the content. If a writer cannot even be bothered to correct the spelling they suggest to me that they do not respect their work enough to make it correct before they post, so why on earth would I treat it with any respect. I don't bloody care if English isn't your first language; spell-checker is free for all to use.

Obviously I'm not against people posting stuff that doesn't meet my standards as a reader and I'm also not against other people reading and appreciating said standard of work.

I also strongly feel that people have the right to leave constructive criticism wherever they want to, and writers should take it in their stride and be appreciative of the fact that somebody has bothered to point out not only the flaws but also the way to improve upon them.

Anaya

Edited by nabnab - 13 years ago

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-publicenemy-

@-publicenemy-

Navigator

+ 6

Posted: 13 years ago

#84

Originally posted by: glassdoor
First off did they actually have a post like "How Not to write an FF"? 😊
I did not go through the entire post but I had an inkling it was funny.
So this is a most interesting topic. And it has got me started. So you have no choice but to bear with me.

I believe a Fan Fiction is a healthy expression of fanaticism. I am a newbie writer. So may be my views are redundant and have already been rehashed to death. But I would like to say it anyway.

I had not read many FFs before I started writing and just on a lark my fingers went to the keyboard and started typing. It was an awesome experience for me but for my poor readers it was torturous. They could not understand what they have been hit with or what to make of me. I made the lead character of their beloved pair a negative character and an unapologetic one at that. People said they will hit me with a rod and murder me and all that. That's besides the point.

Coming to the actual point, I look for boldness in a writer. Someone who is not afraid to experiment. There are a few FFs that I read which made me yawn. No originality at all. The story has to be at least almost original. Satires of existing stories or popular stories retold in a novel manner is also fine. But the characters have to be well planned and charted out. And I don't enjoy explicit adult content.

I love unpredictability. I am an avid reader of novels. So I can't bring myself to read something in SMS lingo or too much Hindi. A little bit here and there is fine. As long as I don't get lost in translation. But it should not make me squint.

By the way why do I feel that this is a serious discussion and I might not have made the best first impression. But I have typed so much now and so going to post it anyway. 😃

Au contraire, a great first impression. Now I am totally curious about your unapologetic bas***d of a lead-turned-villain...

-D

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Nameera

@Nmyra

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 13 years ago

#85

Originally posted by: -publicenemy-

"The comments regarding 'maturity' were because in the one previous time I interacted with her on the forum, she skim-read a post I made and then got needlessly angry, emotional and aggressive. I'll admit- that was a personal dig. I couldn't help it and if there's one thing I do apologise for, it's that."

That is the exact comment. Where exactly does it say who she took a dig at other than the threadmaker?
Additionally, you have a very distinct tendency to speak for others. I would encourage you to make your own points (in a civil manner, please).

-Devi

I'm sorry but how was I less than civil? Just because I dislike something you've done, doesn't make saying it less civil. And as for speaking for others, given the person I've spoken for doesn't object I fail to see how that has anything to do with the point.

Either way, the quoted portion of the conversation 'maturity dig' -- I am going to assume you haven't read the whole discussion Rafa is talking about so I understand how you would misinterpret it, but (and I do mean this as civilly as possible) your reply based of it is presumptuous and leading. You talk about 'targeting' as if you know it happened. But you don't you are presuming and poorly at that -- the Pod-Cast was General and furthermore on Appy's thread Rafa even explained why she posted her POV on her story and not one of the many other FF's of similar ilk.

In short - you are reiterating a conversation to make it sound the way you want it to sound by taking it out of context. Very un-cool.

Cheers,

Nmyra

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AngelTeen

@AngelTeen

Stunner

+ 8

Posted: 13 years ago

#86

Great topic. :)

Well, I read stories which attract me first of all by its title (if I dont already know and like the author) and in that it is important as to how they have spelled the title and arranged it (that is to say correct use of capital letters etc).

After that it depends on the idea, the way it is taken forward and the language of the story which includes spellings. I, as a writer, write both in Hindi and English on IF (with translations provided) so either language I am comfortable in.

The themes that attract me are romance, angst, family dynamics and sometimes a well woven suspense. The story can be dark, serious, mature or lighthearted, funny, comedy - either works when dealt with properly. Also they can have Arnav and Khushi as we know them or as AU but of course in the case of the latter, the characters have to be defined even better so as to be able to make a connection with them.

What makes me stay is how the story is progressing and if it manages to hold my attention. And I am not a prude about mature scenes but I prefer them to be aesthetically done with a certain semblance to the story and not just thrown in haphazardly for the sake of it.

So yeah...thats what holds my attention in the FF world. :)

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tanurocks

@tanurocks

Voyager

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#87

hai devi...nice post and a good question...

y do i read the stories?...hmm.

the story line,the depth of characterization,language i mean the beauty of writing.some stories have the elegance and beauty of a poem. how well the words can carry emotions,some stories have the magic to take the reader in the story.

btw i only read stories in English or a story with English translation.

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arisai

@arisai

Inactive

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

#88

Originally posted by: -publicenemy-

Ah, see, this is the unfortunate part. I was not impartial to begin with; in fact my initial response to your podcast was proof as much. I have always been quite impressed with your writings; you have a very good sense of humor and a way of putting forth an idea that is refreshing. The other girl, on the other hand, is someone I have not had any interactions with. So, if I were to have a bias towards anyone, it would have been to you. Sadly, that has shifted quite dramatically in the span of a day.

If we go at this like this, Rafa, we could go on for a while. My intent in creating this thread was to give a fair representation of the entire reading masses; not just those who appreciate well-written stories. I would like to continue on that goal. Thus, please PM me if you have any further thoughts relating specifically to this issue. But feel free to share on the thread about your thoughts of what you look for FFs in general. I am not going to respond to your friends, as that would make this into a battle field. Like I said, PM me if you have any further thoughts.

-D

This wasn't supposed to be a battle. I have no intention of starting a war with you with PMs.

I genuinely appreciated you telling me of your experiences yesterday and if you ask my friends, I fully took on board your advice to be less blunt and consider where others might consider words behind which I intended no malice to be deliberately offensive when offering critique, if I bother offerring it at all.

This thread however specifically called us out and made us sound as though we're some sort of Elite Club who think we're better than everyone else and look down on others and I took offence at that whether you intended it or not. As you quoted me, I'll end with a quote from you before I leave this thread- I don't want to divert it any further:

Originally posted by: -publicenemy-

While your message was valid, the way in which it was conveyed diluted it to the point that there was no option left but to react defensively.

-----------

I much prefer humour and debate to arguments and accusations, but single me and my friends out, none of us will shy away.

Out of respect to you, however, as this is your thread I will henceforth stop commenting here.

Edited by arisai - 13 years ago

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Sheesh

@glassdoor

Navigator

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#89

Originally posted by: -publicenemy-

Au contraire, a great first impression. Now I am totally curious about your unapologetic bas***d of a lead-turned-villain...

-D

Au contraire, 😕 Is that french...

And oops I gave the plot away. Actually the hero is a very good guy. Believe me. He is not a villain at all.

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varshapan

@varshapan

Navigator

Posted: 13 years ago

#90

this is a very apt question especially now when the forum seems to be discussing how to write and what not to write.

well for me there would have to be some basic rules if one is expecting to put up a story on a public forum and then expect it to be read:

a) gripping plot: you can have a great start which hooks your readers but if you are not able to sustain the momentum and take it to an exciting climax (even if it is the clichd happily-ever-after) you have a dud on your hands.

b) fairly good language / writing skills: in the age of mobile phones, sms lingo could be the in-thing, but i definitely do not want to read a romantic passage like this - he ws gng 2 kiss her pink lips bt she hd turnd arnd 2 chk on who ws calng her. - that just about kills any romance which anyways was bombed when she turned around! also, i don't mind if the writer is not well-versed with english. there are writers here on the forum who have written most of their stories in hindi (english text). and some of them have been equally good. but there again, i would not like to read grammatical errors, the obvious ones being the gender mistakes.

c) well-etched out characters: if your story is going to be 50-100 or more chapters long, then you might as well work hard on developing your characters along with your plot. it just doesn't do to read all the characters behaving out-of-character or even in the straight-jacketed manner - they are either characterless or black & white. there's no fun in reading such a story (for me). shades of grey are just great to take a story forward.

d) research on the background: a well-researched setting makes the story that much more interesting. for example, your own FF, Kalarikkal House, makes me live the place, the house, the environment in which the characters breathe. it adds that much more depth to the story.

e) references to popular culture: another interesting aspect of story-telling is to make it plausible and believable. one small but important way of doing this, apart from all the above, i believe, is to bring in elements from popular culture of the era the story is set in. here again, i would like to illustrate it with your other FF, Lavender, where batman and nightwing and catwoman make appearances and lead the story further.

i guess, that would be it. and these are also the very reasons why i read the stories that i read here on the forum.

thanks for asking us... :)

varsha