What grabs you when you read a OS, SS or a FF? - Page 3

Originally posted by: delena90

Hey Laila!

So i have literally been looking all day for this post and I finally found it...YAY!

What draws me to a story?-

1. My absolute must for any SS, OS and FF I read is that the plot needs to be original...and it should have a plot! I detest writers who lift their story lines from movies or books they may have read. It shows no originality or creativity and that's a big red mark for me.
2. The second is language. I am in complete agreement with havok shere. Grammar, good sentence structuring and spelling is absolutely essential. The minute the language is out of whack the joy of reading it disappears.
3. Content- I don't mind any tone of the storytelling as long as it's told well. It can be angsty, romantic, funny, sad...anything as long as it's written well. The big draw in these stories would be if they are written realistically and well...adult. I appreciate writers who don't try and portray love as a sweet emotion...because romantic love is not...and it's refreshing to read people write these characters as flawed people. Also when writing the stories, I prefer the writer allows me to feel the "mitwa moment" whatever they maybe in the story rather than inserting the words mitwa moment. To me that is lazy writing. It's a cop out from actually describing the feelings between the two characters which as a reader I do not appreciate.
4. Portrayal of characters- For me this is key. I like all my characters to be strong. Whether they are evil, good or bad they need to be able to hold their own. They have to be characterized well so that you understand their motivations to do things rather than just being told that so and so is good and so and so is bad. Zoya being portrayed as a woman who can stand up to any man and stand up for her rights and principles is an absolute pre-requisite for me.
5. Love Scenes- They are not a must for me in a story but if they are being written I would rather not have Zoya be the docile little wall-flower. Women aren't fishes during sex. While sometimes romantic love scenes make sense within a story sometimes they don't and the writing needs to reflect that.

To answer the question of who i like to read-

Anything written by Dee (adeeti10), havokhotline, Fizzi and Smileystar,

I also enjoy CutieloveChocs and Starstruck's parodies and OS work. There are a few more but I can't remember them right now. I'll update it when i do :)

Originally posted by: Laila2009

When I see the numerous OS, SS and FF, I am always delighted to see what imaginative and creative ideas the viewers of this show have conjured up. Here are some of the offering that attractive met to a fan fiction;

1. Wit and comedy

Writers who are able to offer a natural element of wit and comedy definitely have a lot to offer; some of the writers on this forum (and I will add their names later), have done a remarkable task of keeping me thoroughly entertained. I will post my favorite ones here later this weekend.

I agree. I like the narrative to be interspersed with comedy, good repartee, and realistic dialogue.

2. Insight into the characters mind.

I love story lines that are able to dig deep into how the character thinks. It doesn't have to be funny here but with emotional depth. I welcome stories that are able to let us enter into how Asad and Zoya think and keep them as real as possible.

A must, it helps explain the character's perspective! Why Asad did what he did for e.g.

3. A confident Asad.

While I don't necessarily need to have Asad as a tough macho guy, a rona dona, weak and inexperienced Asad does not do it for me. Several writers have given us a tough, take charge Asad - Adeeit, Delena90, Fizzi havot, all have done a fab job here... and so have the ones who names start with 's'. A confident Asad is one who does not get jealous and is not afraid of a guy looking at girl cause he knows he has her and is not afraid of loosing her.

Yup, I like my male protagonists to be confident but I do like them to be human, vulnerable. Not needy, insecure unless there's something from their past that clouds their judgement.

4. Romances that do not end at "I love you"

I enjoy the fan fiction that takes the love story of Zoya and Asad beyond their confession of love. As a reader, a rushed confession of love or one that does not take the story a step further does not leave me fulfilled. I find the romances of Asad and Zoya as a married couple highly entertaining. Fizzi does an amazing job here. Adeeti and Delana are also briliant in this area at keeping the romance going after the 'i love you.' And Chahat (?)

Haha! Yup, the romance must go on! I love you is just the beginning!

5. Keeping Zoya likable.

Very important. if you make her look ugly; she is not going to be an interesting read. One story ha her appear so selfish that she demanded an outfit from Nighat - turned me off the whole story as did another one where she throws water at Asad for no apparent reason.

Lol! Zoya has to be one of us, someone I can relate to!

6. Bringing in other characters from the show

Great work here to those fan fiction writers who can use the other characters on the show - Avenging Angels (I think is the title) did that very well.

I'm not too particular about this. I like Dilshad and najma and avoid the others!

7. Consensual sex and no violence.

It does not matter how erotic you want to take your story but make sure the sex is consensual and violence is not a part of the story line. Story lines that condone violence and slapping are an immediate turn off.

Violence if glorified is a turn off! A strict no no! And the consensual sex thing is a given. No negotiations on that!

8. Creative ideas and descriptive writing.

Very tough to do, any one who does this has won me over.

Tough yes! But worth the effort!

9. Keeping the characters real.

Keeping the true essence of the characters but still taking some liberties if fine...but keeping true to the character as much as possible - that's always the best.

Not so particular about this... In fact, I like it when people change the characterisation and experiment.

10. A bit of hot romance

I am all for a bit of hotness in the story line but Asad standing there with uncontrollable erection doesn't always sit well with me. It makes him look weak and so I cringe when I read it. Even some of my favorite fan fictions have had Asad with this problem.

Haha! I don't know if men walk around with hard ons in real life but it sure makes a good fantasy read every now and then!

11. Dialogue in Hindi/Urdu

My personal favorites - yes, this is tough to do if you are not a native speaker. It does not make or break a story but I do enjoy those written in hindi/urdu. I could not do that myself so I do admire those who are able too.

Makes it more real, I know, I used to do that in my old ff on the other forum but I had people writing for sub titles and then finally gave up cos it was too cumbersome!

Let me know what attracts you to an OS, SS and fan fiction - what do you look for when you read them?

Thanks and please do share...my hats of the the writers who have kept us entertained specially during the recent weeks when we were Asad and Zoya deprived.

Originally posted by: havokhotline

Okay, this is a res for now. :)

But your point number 1 is undoubtedly my priority!

Wit and Comedy have me hooked. If something's funny, I cant stop reading it. :) And I love writing it too. :)

UNRES:

Hey you! :)

Okay so, the first thing which impresses me about any story in any genre is the use of the English language, if it's written in English. I'm not talking superfluous words, just the proper use of grammar that isn't forced and wrong.

I'm a bit of a Grammar Nazi so I get annoyed when the sentences make no sense. -.-

Wit and Comedy are just my absolute favourites! :) They're lovely to read.

I like romances that dont end at I love you. :) I absolutely second you on that. I like simple yet descriptive writing.

Now steamy stuff? :) I love stories with stuff like that, specially in our forum. But the truth is, I can read stories without it. The power lies in the plot, really.

I also adore stories that tend to stick with the original storyline of Qubool Hai, the original nature of our characters. Simply because I can relate to them more. :)

My favourite stories in the forum? Three would be too less. -.-

1. ANYTHING, absolutely anything by Fizzi, Adeeti and Delena. :) I'm putting them all in one point because I read anything written by them without apprehension.

2. Oneshots by Monu_Deewani and Startruck.

3. Short Stories by Ankie and Irresistible. :)

4. Devotion by Pari. :D

Originally posted by: startruck

the grammar thing is also what i look in an OS/FF/SS

if the grammar is wrong then i lose all the interest in the story! i believe that writers should have atleast two beta readers for proof reading! 😊 if we could have a team in the forum as beta readers that would be great!

ThankYou for mentioning me! i'm glad you like my OS! 😃😃😃

Originally posted by: delena90

Hey Laila!

So i have literally been looking all day for this post and I finally found it...YAY!

What draws me to a story?-

1. My absolute must for any SS, OS and FF I read is that the plot needs to be original...and it should have a plot! I detest writers who lift their story lines from movies or books they may have read. It shows no originality or creativity and that's a big red mark for me.
2. The second is language. I am in complete agreement with havok shere. Grammar, good sentence structuring and spelling is absolutely essential. The minute the language is out of whack the joy of reading it disappears.
3. Content- I don't mind any tone of the storytelling as long as it's told well. It can be angsty, romantic, funny, sad...anything as long as it's written well. The big draw in these stories would be if they are written realistically and well...adult. I appreciate writers who don't try and portray love as a sweet emotion...because romantic love is not...and it's refreshing to read people write these characters as flawed people. Also when writing the stories, I prefer the writer allows me to feel the "mitwa moment" whatever they maybe in the story rather than inserting the words mitwa moment. To me that is lazy writing. It's a cop out from actually describing the feelings between the two characters which as a reader I do not appreciate.
4. Portrayal of characters- For me this is key. I like all my characters to be strong. Whether they are evil, good or bad they need to be able to hold their own. They have to be characterized well so that you understand their motivations to do things rather than just being told that so and so is good and so and so is bad. Zoya being portrayed as a woman who can stand up to any man and stand up for her rights and principles is an absolute pre-requisite for me.
5. Love Scenes- They are not a must for me in a story but if they are being written I would rather not have Zoya be the docile little wall-flower. Women aren't fishes during sex. While sometimes romantic love scenes make sense within a story sometimes they don't and the writing needs to reflect that.

To answer the question of who i like to read-

Anything written by Dee (adeeti10), havokhotline, Fizzi and Smileystar,

I also enjoy CutieloveChocs and Starstruck's parodies and OS work. There are a few more but I can't remember them right now. I'll update it when i do :)

Originally posted by: adeeti10

I think your post covers it all! The must haves in a good ff. thanks del for mentioning me!

How could I not? 😊

Fiz - Del - Thanks a bunch for mentioning my works, I'm flattered! 😳

Writers I've read on this forum.. And liked!

Nice post there Laila! I agree with all the points you mentioned up there 😳

Point 1, Wit and comedy is very important to me cos I believe thats what makes the readers stick to your work. A laugh or two while reading really makes my mood sometimes.

A confident Asad and a likable Zoya are reallyyy important! If I start reading an FF where the main lead's characters aren't good, it really puts me off! I absolutely adore those FFs where the main leads show shades of gray cos thats human nature! But it HAS TO BE written nicely to be pulled off with conviction!

For me the story doesn't need to have steamy and hot scenes! I can do without them. I'm more inclined towards stories that have cute, sweet romantic scenes.

Dialogue in Urdu... Hmmm... I'm a Pakistani so obviously my Urdu is really good but the only thing that stops me from writing dialoges in it is that not everyone's Urdu is good! And I can't be bothered translating every sentence in english as well 😛

Lovely Post!