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Post by Siskin on Apr 17, 2007 0:26:39 GMT
There are appropriate places to use epithets, but throwing them in willy-nilly because of some mistaken belief that using the characters' names gets repetitive is not how to do it. With the use of pronouns and a decent variance in structure, particularly with dialogue, names never get repetitive. There's just no need for it.... For the most part, I agree with you. The only time I really run into trouble is when I'm doing a conversation between two characters of the same gender and the conversation does not have much accompanying action.
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Post by Fall of Normality on Apr 19, 2007 7:02:07 GMT
Ooo...pet peeves...
Let's see. I really find it annoying when people write in the present tense. Now I know that there are plenty of good writers out there that can employ it correctly and in a manner that is stylistically appealing, but there are far more people out there who think that's how they're supposed to write. There is a very big difference between using present tense briefly for emphasis and using it throughout the entire story. I can't think of any good examples right now, but suffice to say that it bugs the crap out of me. Maybe I've been brainwashed from years of English teachers drilling that into my head, but still...
I also can't stand it when people randomly use exclamation marks. Exclamation marks are meant to be used, but not in every other sentence (which I admit I do when I write emails or something...haha). If you can't get your point across without resorting to wantonly using exclamation marks, it's time to review your writing capabilities.
Last one (for now). I'm not sure if it upsets me more or makes me want to laugh more when people use words incorrectly, especially more advanced vocabulary. It's better to use the correct meaning than to try and use a so-called "big" word incorrectly.
Whoops...that turned out to be a essay/rant/thingamabobber. Comes with being an English major. It makes you critical of everything. Eh...
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Post by piedflycatcher on Apr 22, 2007 16:58:06 GMT
I have to agree with everyone's points on punctuation and grammar. Bad punctuation drives me up the wall. Every time I see a mistake, it throws me that little bit off the story. Too many errors and I stop reading. It's amazing how many fanfiction writers seem unaware of how to punctuate dialogue.
Fall of Normality, I agree with you except for writing in present tense. I don't see what's wrong with writing in present tense, if it works. Most stories work better in past tense, but with some present tense can be really effective. Maybe it's because you've seen so many bad stories in present tense that it puts you off? What I find more annoying are stories which switch tense randomly. That's really off-putting.
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Erissa
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Pretty boys are FTW.
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 7:37:23 GMT
I don't really have a problem with what tense a story is in, as long as it flows, helps bring out the scenes and is grammatically correct.
Hehe I did find some sentences that turned out funny because writers use more advanced vocabulary incorrectly. Vocabulary isn't something I'm strong at though, so I use the dictionary a lot.
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Post by piedflycatcher on Apr 23, 2007 8:45:09 GMT
That's why a thesaurus is not always your best friend. It annoys me when writers have obviously replaced simple words with fancier ones at random, and most of the time the new words don't quite fit. You really should know what a word means before you use it.
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Erissa
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Pretty boys are FTW.
Posts: 630
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 9:14:57 GMT
A thesaurus and dictionary should be your best friends. Together with a good BETA reader.
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2007 9:36:16 GMT
Those three together should technically make a good fic, but I doubt a lot of people use all three, or even two. Or like Pied suggested, they throw in words that don't fit purely for the sake of it.
The thing about a thesaurus is, it doesn't give you exact synonyms of a word - that's why when I'm using one, I look up the word afterwards. If you were looking for a different word to 'party' for example, 'disco' might be listed, and they're obviously two different things.
(I don't know why I'm so keen to talk about a thesaurus).
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Erissa
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Pretty boys are FTW.
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 11:26:48 GMT
Yeah I get what you mean Lily. That's why a thesaurus works best with a dictionary. Sometimes I'm lazy though, so thank God for online ones because I was never good at flipping dictionary pages and finding words in an instant.
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Post by piedflycatcher on Apr 23, 2007 11:35:45 GMT
Using a dictionary and a thesaurus is so simple. There's no excuse really, when you can easily look up words online.
But even if your spelling, grammar and punctuation is perfect and your work has been checked by a beta reader, that doesn't necessarily a good story make. The plot and characterisation could easily be poor.
But yeah, it does annoy me when authors can't even get basic mechanics right.
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Erissa
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Pretty boys are FTW.
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 12:00:00 GMT
The plot and characterisation could easily be poor. Yes true, which is why a good BETA should help you with plot and characterisation as well. Err and the author should make an effort to improve obviously...
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Post by piedflycatcher on Apr 23, 2007 12:20:05 GMT
Yes, very true, but betas can't do everything. Betas aren't there to do your work for you. (I'm sure you agree with this, but I'm just saying.) Sometimes the plot and characterisation are so poor that they can't be salvaged, and the whole thing would have to be completely rewritten.
Sometimes I read a story and I think, what a brilliant idea! And yet the execution is sadly lacking. In those cases, a good beta could improve the story, but I always get the nagging feeling that the whole thing would be far better in the hands of a different, more talented author.
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Erissa
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Pretty boys are FTW.
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 12:41:50 GMT
I agree with you mostly. It depends on when you start working with the BETA then, some people go through the plot and characters with a BETA before they even start writing and some ask their BETA after writing every chapter. Obviously if you write something that's over 5 chapters and you give it to a BETA then to criticise about the plot/characters, there's not much you can do without rewriting parts if not all of it (if it's bad).
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Post by piedflycatcher on Apr 23, 2007 12:55:26 GMT
If only all writers could find such dedicated betas. Most of the fanfiction I've written is unbetaed. I find the comments my beta gives on one of my stories very helpful, but she doesn't recommend major changes. Mostly it's just small edits. I find her help most useful for discussing ideas and inspiration.
Also, you know how some people thank their betas in their author's notes? And yet quite often their work is average and riddled with typos. I wonder if it's the beta not doing their job properly or if the author just ignores their comments.
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Erissa
SOLDIER Third Class
Pretty boys are FTW.
Posts: 630
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Post by Erissa on Apr 23, 2007 13:34:00 GMT
There are such dedicated BETAs. Found some in OA, but yeah probably a rarity. Psst Pied that's because you're already a good writer.
I think there are some authors that actually ignore their BETA comments and it's a rude thing to do; even if you don't agree you should explain why and thank them anyway.
Most fics out there are average actually (ignoring the downright asinine); I have no problem with that as long as the writers are working hard to improve. I can count the number of times I found very good fics.
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Post by sienna03 on Apr 30, 2007 22:29:57 GMT
Hmm, seems I'm to be stoned much sooner that I thought.
I don't have many pet peeves when it comes to fan fiction. I'm a firm believer in that writing should always be viewed as a learning process (an exercise in creativity, if you will). Because of that, I find all the focus on apostrophe placement and such to be, well, silly. The point of writing is to tell a story: to make both a point and evoke emotion. Personally, I get a bit annoyed with those who place restrictions on an activity that frees me.
Of course, an author should always strive for the highest form of perfection, but if a sentence fragment seems more appropriate than a complete sentence, I should hope that they go for it.
In essence, I appreciate those who un-proof their work as long as it contributes to style. Otherwise, get a beta.
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