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Post by Gwenneth on Sept 21, 2004 13:29:43 GMT -5
Hey all... I wanted to foster some discussion...so I ask this question of anyone who is interested in answering!!!
To you, what would be the perfect story? What characters would it involve? Would it be angst, comedy, both? Would it take place in Rivendell, Mirkwood, Gondor? Pre or post Rings?
Would it be highly descriptive, full of interior monologue? Or simple, to the point but still descriptive scene-wise?
What would the plot be? Mindless drabble, intricate serial killer fic, battles upon battles, kidnappings?
Perhaps what people say here, a writer will read and decide to put together the story! That way, you can get your "perfect" story written!!!
-Gwenneth
FYI...I'm a writer...looking for plot bunnies later on...but perhaps this is a way to help generate some...by seeing what the readers out there are just "dying" to read!!!
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Post by LKK on Sept 21, 2004 14:41:08 GMT -5
Oh gosh. I'm going to be absolutely no help whatsoever. You'll probably wonder why I even bothered to post. ;D My idea of the perfect story isn't defined the way you laid it out. I don't have a laundry list of items that are required for the perfect story. Besides I don't think you could say "If you write about character X and put him/her in situation Y at location Z, you will have a perfect story." It just doesn't work like that for me, anyway. But I do have certain likes and preferences that would make me more likely to read a story. How about those instead? Let's start with characters. I would prefer at least one of the major characters be a younger elf. Legolas, Elrohir, Elladan. I will certainly read stories that don't involve one of those three, but my favorite stories seem to involve them in some way. Genre: I'm not a big angst person, especially if the angst is emotional. So if a story is angsty, it needs to be lightened with humor for me. But I rarely enjoy outright silliness. I like humor that is more sophisticated. The humor may come from the writing itself; it doesn't have to be that the characters are in a funny situation. Location: I honestly don't have a preference here. Obviously given the characters I like best, some locations are more likely than others. But if you can successfully pull off a humor story involving the twins in Barad-dur, I'll give it a try. Plot: I hope when you said "mindless drabble" you didn't mean that drabbles (those 100 word fics) are mindless. Because if you did, you probably don't want to read most of my stuff. ;D I really don't have a plot preference other than it be interesting. I will say this for plotting. I get bored easily. I was reading a well-written story where the main character was captured & tortured, escaped, was captured & tortured, escaped, was captured & tortured, escaped ... you get the picture. After a while I wanted to scream "GET ON WITH IT!" and gave up. Several chapters of the same thing happening again and again, no matter how well-written, was irksome. Description v. monologue: For a long story, I prefer stories that are to the point. Interior monologue works best in short doses, I think. A mixture of the two would work well. But the longer the story, the more straight forward the descriptions need to be. Like I said at the beginning, my answers probably don't help you much. But hopefully between what you asked and what I said, we'll get a full-blown discussion going. Good topic!
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Post by Gwenneth on Sept 21, 2004 21:12:06 GMT -5
No, actually your answers were EXACTLY what I was looking to read. You told me what you like to see. It didn't have to be specific, but that is probably how MY post came off as asking!
Ah well...that's the downside of posting when you are tired. I'll answer my own little "question"...so you see what I meant...
I'd like to read a story about Legolas, Aragorn and the twins that spans time. It starts out with them at Helm's Deep (though the twins weren't there in the movie...) and then flashs back to some situation they were in when they were younger.
I don't want it to be a comedy though, I've had my fill of those for a time. I would like it to be angsty and suspenseful. Full of little tiny cliffhangers.
Obviously one location would be Helm's Deep...but the other could be anywhere.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, that is the somewhat specific answer to what I'd like to read. Now...in general...what am I usually drawn too?
Plot: Must be quick paced. I can't stand stories that go ON and ON with characters thoughts and what not. TELL me what is happening, don't keep spinning around the mind of the character. Tell me what they are seeing so I can make feelings of my own.
Location: ANYWHERE that the story can be well-told. I don't want to an Orc/torture/fight scene placed in Valinor or something! I mean, duh! (Not that I think anyone would DO that, but if you did and you read this...no offense to you...just not my taste.)
Characters: MUST have Legolas usually...and I'm keen on ones that have Estel/Aragorn... I do really like incorporating as many characters as possible...
Plot: When I say mindless drabble, I mean more like...stories about drunk elves...It's mindless drabble in my mind, BUT highly entertaining and can be VERY fun and worthwhile to read! I read mindless drabble. I read MOST anything. I do NOT read stories that are SO totally complex and filled with things from the Sil that I am not acquainted with...I will save those until I'm ready for them.
I love angst and action/adventure stories. Short comedy is good too.
So..see...this is just a what do you like or want to read or both posty question thing. *dive bombed there*
RIGHT then....now that I'm done being dumb...oh wait, I have no control over being dumb. *drat it* Please tell everyone what you like in a story if you can't think of something in specific that you would like to read.
I guess "The Perfect Story" wasn't the best title for the discussion, but in a way...if you look at it right...it is your perfect story if it has everything you llike and look for in it...maybe...*cringes at her own stupidity*
*slinking away to go hide*
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Post by Joee on Sept 22, 2004 12:58:57 GMT -5
I don't know if I've read very many "perfect" stories, just because for me, being perfect would incorporate everything I love and, as other authors cannot read my mind, they often add things that I might disagree with. Although this will not stop me from reading the story (unless it is something huge like killing off Legolas ), it ruins the definition of perfect for me. But as that was not what you asked, let me get one with the rest of my answer. A really good story for me would definately involve Legolas, and I would probably like to see the twins thrown in there too. For genre, I prefer action/adventure/drama type stories, but I also like comic relief thrown in too. Angst is fine as long as it doesn't go on and on and on... For the setting I do not mind where it takes place as long as the characters have a reason for being there. For example, if Legolas, Aragorn and the Twins were traipsing through The Shire for no reason, I may get a little annoyed at that. And for the time frame, I prefer pre Ring fics. I find that the characters are more free. Not to say that they do not have duties (for example, I'm sure that Legolas had matters to attend to as Prince of Mirkwood), but in post Ring fics, Legolas is Lord of Ithilien and Aragorn is King of Gondor and they both seem tied down by duties (in my mind anyway). So when I read fanfiction, I'm reading it to relax and escape from the real world so I don't usually like to see people who are tied down with duties and who are now serious, instead, I prefer the carefree (well, somewhat carefree) days of their youth. For description, I like to be able to picture the place that the author is describing in detail. However, there is a point when enough is enough. When the author continues to go on about the lanscape I find I tend to skim through until I find where the story picks up again. I like interior monologue, however, as I said for the decription, there is a point when enough is enough. I find that interior monologue can be a really useful tool for helping the readers see how the particulaer character views the situation that he (or she) find himself (or herself) in. It is also a useful tool in providing comic relief in serious situations. But, when an author uses up half her story in internal monologue instead of progressing the plot, it can be very tiresome. Which now brings me to my next point. One of the things that really annoys me is an extremely slow moving plot. Slow moving plots are fine if occasionally something new happens I would say at least every other chapter, if not every chapter. but when characters are left in the same situation for chapter upon chapter with nothing new happening, I tend to become bored. What I like in a plot is simple: something that keeps me guessing. Battle are fine, kidnappings are fine, serial killer fics are fine, as long as there is something new and exciting. I've read a LOT of stories out there and once you've read the same plot five or six times with nothing new, it become very boring. So, to sum it all up, I prefer younger carefreee characters. I shouldn't be thinking that he shouldn't be out there because he has too many duties to attend to. The plot should keep moving. Descrptions and internal monlogue are fine, but don't dwell on them for too long. And most importantly, be creative! If this means that you go against canon but your story is full of surprises and unexpected twists, then do so. I would rather read one exciting AU story than five boring, strictly following canon stories. Hope this helped. Good topic.
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Ceana
Light-hearted Elfling
Posts: 4
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Post by Ceana on Sept 22, 2004 17:19:41 GMT -5
I like the "filler" stories. How did Legolas get to be such a good archer kind of things. What was it like for Aragorn to live with Elves? Gandalf as he first arrives in Middle-earth. A well written plot envolving something that Tolkien only hinted at or wrote very little about would be a perfect story for me. Jocelyn's "A Nudge Out the Door" is an excellent example of "filling in"...it's about Legolas before the Council. It's a darn good read and you come away thinking..."Yah, Tolkien would approve."
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Post by dawtheminstrel on Sept 22, 2004 17:30:03 GMT -5
I love Jocelyn's story! It's what made me decide I wanted to write fanfic.
I like pre-quest stories too. I like the tension that comes from knowing these characters' future even when they don't. We know what they're moving toward and that gives every action a special quality, I think.
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Post by Joee on Sept 22, 2004 17:38:22 GMT -5
I absolutely love Jocelyn's story. It was the very first story I ever added to my favourites and it made me love Legolas even more than I thought possible. That would be an example of a perfect story for me. Pleanty of plot twists, constant plot development, and a combination of action and humour.
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Ceana
Light-hearted Elfling
Posts: 4
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Post by Ceana on Sept 22, 2004 19:28:17 GMT -5
I know what you all mean. After reading "Nudge" I was amazed I got to read such a great story for free! I would actually have paid to have read it. And since she was one of the first authors (TreeHugger, JastaElf, Jenolas, you too Daw) I read, I fell in love with FanFic from then on.
;D
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Post by Gwenneth on Sept 22, 2004 20:05:04 GMT -5
Hmm..Jocelyn's story is that good, eh? Perhaps someone could direct me to it so I can take a look? I always like a good read.
Also, what do you people think about AU versions of scenes in the movies? I did one about Legolas being wounded at Helm's Deep...tried to make it actually fit into what happened in the movie...so that after I finished, it would just flow into the rest of the movie.
I was thinking to do one of the battle of Pelennor fields...I have had a request to do that and some pretty good reasons why it could have happened...
What do you think?
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Post by Joee on Sept 22, 2004 20:14:31 GMT -5
Jocelyn's story can be found at www.fanfiction.net/s/603915/1/I was thinking to do one of the battle of Pelennor fields...I have had a request to do that and some pretty good reasons why it could have happened... It sounds like it would be interesting. Go ahead and write it then remember to give us the link
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Post by Gwenneth on Sept 22, 2004 20:23:04 GMT -5
THANKS Joee!
Know what? When I visited the link I realized something...
I've READ this story! AND I loved it! I can't believe the irony there! You all were saying it was wonderful, I didn't recognize the name, but I'd read it!
Oh you are SO right, that was a beautiful fic....so inspiring, I wish I could write such a wonderful story!
Thanks for helpin' me out though! ;D
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Ruse
Light-hearted Elfling
Are you sure it isn't time for a colorful metaphor?
Posts: 19
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Post by Ruse on Sept 24, 2004 13:22:25 GMT -5
Hmm. My idea of the perfect story. Plots: I also don't like to be kept 10 chapters on one single hour. I love action/adventure if it's going to be long, take me to different plot points. I love angst...I really do, but I have a sensitive plausibility meter that goes off when the characters have 20 things go wrong with them at once. Horrid bad luck stories just don't do it for me. I love drama and surprise. I like when characters are surprised, like in a bad way or a good way, either way. Don't ask me why. I like what-if stories. I like the stories that explore what could have happened if, say Galadriel took the Ring...or something like that. I like the characters to stay in character, of course, but see them handling different situations. Characters: Elrond...I adore him. I love when he's the center of attention. Also Aragorn...and sometimes I'll enjoy a good Legolas story as well. Setting: I don't generally care as long as the story is enrapturing. Put Elrond in a den of Orcs or a Nazgul in Rivendell if it can be plausibly done. It's all good. Genre: Angst...drama...dark. Stuff like that. Comedy is good too. I don't go for a heavy h/c factor that drags on forever unless it's really, really interesting. Story Mechanics: I like a good decriptive of the settings, little things like what color Elrond is wearing, Aragorn's hair falling in front of his eyes, the architechual beauty of Minas Tirith. I tend to skip over lengthy fight scenes or lengthy scenes dealing with healing or caring for. Now, I realize they're necessary...I despair over writing fight scenes because I hate them, but I do understand the need for them. Overall: I've been enamored of the idea of an evil Elros somehow being alive, by magical means or trickery...and being defeated by his brother. I even run an RPG with that as the premise, but I'd still like to see it done by an author or, if all else fails, writing it myself. Now I know canon Elros wasn't necessarily evil, he's dead because he was a mortal and so on, but even the most impossible things can come to life if someone can think up a plausibly reason. *steps off the stage and drags Elrond with her* ;D
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Post by LKK on Sept 24, 2004 16:17:33 GMT -5
One thought about torture type angst .... I have a strong practical streak in me. Reading torture stories where the hero is continuously subjected to torment after torment with no time to recovery between, I will reach a point where my practicality will kick and I say "he should be dead by now, for Pete's sake!" I don't care how heroic the hero is or how much more people of the hero's race can withstand (thinking of the elves), there's always going to be a point where the hero should be dead from what's happened to him. Hm, that comment is more geared to what should be avoided in writing the perfect story.
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Post by Gwenneth on Sept 24, 2004 19:46:42 GMT -5
QUOTING RUSE HERE: "I like what-if stories. I like the stories that explore what could have happened if, say Galadriel took the Ring...or something like that. I like the characters to stay in character, of course, but see them handling different situations." (Dunno how to do the "official" quoting...)
I too like what-if stories, which is a recent development because I have begun writing sort of what-if scenes from the movies.
Also, Ruse's idea of an evil Elros...VERY intriguing. If you don't write it, I sure do hope someone does! What an idea! Heck, I got bunnies hopping around from that one already!
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Post by Deana on Sept 24, 2004 21:18:30 GMT -5
As for me...the perfect story is one where Legolas suffers misfortune in some way, LOL! (Read my stories and you'll see what I mean, LOL!) BUT...I want a happy ending. I can NOT deal with his death, lol. I wrote a story where Legolas is hurt right after the oliphant scene in ROTK, Gwen. It was fun, lol! If anyone wants to read it, this is the link: www.fanfiction.net/s/1805159/2/Poor Legolas...when you and I, (and several dozen other people LOL) get our hands on him, I bet he wishes he WAS dead, lol!
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