The opinions expressed here may or may not jive with those of my woman.
She may feel like replying to this on her own, but for now it's my
$0.02...
Let's face it: there is a LOT of fanfiction out there, be it on this ML
or on r.a.a.c.. Unless the fic is a series I have been following such as
"Ill Met By Starlight," or "Hearts of Ice," or the like, I look for an
author I know and respect. That's not to say I don't read other peoples'
'fics, but I am picky. You have to get my attention. The story's title
is important to draw me in and risk a little time and effort on your
work. If a 'fic has no title, I delete it. It's that simple. If you
don't care enough about a story to title it, I don't want to read it.
Quite honestly, a hard to read format and poor
grammar/punctuation/spelling are the first things that will get me to
kill a 'fic.
If it's difficult to read because of poor formatting (for example: no
indentations or at least spaces between paragraphs for prose works, or
not word wrapped) I won't read it. Arbitrary? Sure. Could I be missing a
great story? Possibly. Do I want to give myself a migraine headache
trying to find out? Hell no.
Poor grammar and spelling are usually a good indication of a poorly
written story overall. You are using language to tell a story or make a
point, and if you do not have a grasp on grammar and spelling, what will
possibly make me believe you can tell a good story? I don't want to find
out, because there are enough authors out there who can do these things.
Once you get past what I refer to as "auto-delete criteria," you've
probably got me as far as reading the story with some interest. Now all
you have to do is keep it.
Things I like to see in fanfics:
Characterization- Are the characters acting and speaking the way I would
expect them to if reading or watching the original work? In the case of
an "original" work of fiction, are the characters interesting and
believable? Do I feel anything for them, be it love, hate, or at least
curiosity? Dark fics will generally stretch characterizations a bit, but
I am usually willing to accept that. I find lemons that forsake a
character's attitude, personality, and relationships with other
characters just for the sake of writing about sex to be a bore or even
worse, nothing better than actualizing a jerk-off fantasy for the
author. A big reason why I don't read too many lemons. Or self-insertion
fics.
Plot- This is a big one. Unless you are writing a spamfic, you need a
plot. This means you've actually sat down and figured out where you are
going with the story, and what you want to accomplish. Too many stories
reach for epic status only to peter out because the author has no clue
where he/she is going, and consequently becomes bored with it and drops
it. It doesn't have to be a massive, twisted, Babylon-5 or Dune scale of
plot, it just has to outline what it is going on in the story and why
everyone is working for or against the conclusion. It also helps to have
an ending in mind, that way you can work towards it without getting too
lost along the way.
Style- Prose usually works best for me. It is also what I find most
stimulating to read. I like to visualize stories in my head, and someone
who can write descriptively (without going over the top) will keep my
attention. Script format can be engaging and witty, but always leaves me
with the impression that I'm reading a television program instead of
watching it. It's also a lot harder to create atmosphere and mood with
script format, so you have to be really strong at dialogue. Which is my
next point.
Dialogue- This gets back to characterization in some ways. Dialogue
makes or breaks a script format fanfiction for me. If it is dry,
awkward, or grossly out of character, I delete the story. Dialogue
should flow well in a story, and be consistant with the people speaking.
Authors who can capture the way a character speaks will keep me paying
attention. They are also more enjoyable to read, and a sign that the
author really knows what he/she is doing. I don't mind profanity in
stories, indeed I am known to use a little of it myself, but the
excessive or needless use of profanity will turn me off to a story.
"Fuck" is a powerful word, and as long as you use it sparingly, it will
remain a powerful word. Using it every fourth or fifth word in dialogue
tells me you weren't imaginative enough to write something worthwhile,
and will probably get me to stop reading.
Idea- An original idea is always welcome, but too many 'fics were
written simply because a 60 watt bulb appeared over the author's head
and then he/she wrote it without really thinking it through. An
underdeveloped idea is just as bad as a lame idea -or worse, because
someone who could really make something of it may be discouraged from
writing simply because "someone else did it first." What constitutes a
good idea versus a lame one? Good question. That's up to the person
reading it. The best you can do is think it through before you write.
You might inadvertantly give yourself a plotline at the same time!
If you can get through all these things and have me read the whole thing
through, whether I liked it or not, you can expect C&C. I like to
receive it, and so I'm more than willing to give it knowing that other
authors feel the same way.
My $0.02,
J. Austin Wilde