Guide to Completed SSHG Novellas (HBP Era - III)
A friend had mentioned she hadn’t read a lengthy post-HBP SSHG story that matched the old classics, which left me to scurry to catch up on my reading I searched through FanfictionNet, AdultFanfiction, Restricted Section, Ashwinder, Petulant Poetess and OWLWithin three posts are listed every single completed SSHG story I could find of over 10,001+
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There are a lot of stories here I haven't read. (Although going by the summaries of some of them, especially in part 1, I suspect a lot of those are the ones on ff.net that I've seen and skipped very much on purpose.)
I assume that in this category, one is more likely, compared to the novels and epics, to come across stuff that is just not poorly plotted, but also poorly written (anything with really stupid mistakes in the summaries isn't too inviting). On the other hand, some of my favourite HGSS stories ever are on this list.
Your conclusions were interesting to read, too. I've never really read romance novels (apart from a couple of romances I had to read when I was paid to translate them - the things one does when between proper jobs!), so I'm not too familiar with the clichés, but it certainly seems that quite a few SSHG stories have been inspired by that genre.
I think I'm in general tolerant of more than you are ;-) perhaps also because I've been involved in this fandom for a shorter time, and the first half a year in particular when I went through a lot of stories in a short time, I enjoyed most everything with half-decent plot & writing. I've noticed I've started to become more critical in recent months.
It is interesting just how many of the stories rely on some outside force to bring the main couple together. I don't really mind it as a plot device (apart from rape), as long as the story around it is decent enough - and as long as the author also allows the couple to develop real feelings (and not of the "well, you've been forced to have sex once now -> madly in love" variety). I actually find it interesting to see how different authors deal with the same basic plot device and the issues it brings. But I do hope for fewer of such stories in the future - really, while I don't mind them, there's more than enough of those written to last for a long time!
There are certain things though that will make me back off immediately ... spelling and grammar which are impossible to understand, or any mention of 11 inches (or ten inches, or nine, or, well, any measurements in general - size is not a promise of good performance, or of a good fic for that matter).
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And AFF. That was pretty much a waste of time. There was only one story on AFF that I considered rec'ing and giving a star that wasn't also on one of the 3 moderated archives or an invite-only archive like Digital Quill. There are many good authors on FFN--authors who don't want to bother (or refuse to bother) with moderation. Sometimes you can even find stories started on moderated archives and left unfinished you can find complete on FFN. Like attracts like--since there are good authors on FFN, more good is attracted to it--and several stories I starred can *only* be found on FFN. But AFF? Dear God.
I left the misspellings on the summaries precisely so people would be warned away...
I assume that in this category, one is more likely, compared to the novels and epics, to come across stuff that is just not poorly plotted, but also poorly written
Yes, I'd say so, which actually surprised me. I like this story length, and it shined on the Exchanges. I think it's just that to sustain and complete a longer story, you have to have--I dunno, greater skill maybe? More imagination on average? But so much of the novellas were underwhelming. Although I'm not sure it's really a smaller percentage than the novels--it's just that the good ones among the novels tended to impress more.
I love short stories. And feel their grossly underappreciated in the ship--so I'm sorry their overwhelming number won't allow me to do for them what I did with the longer lengths.
I've never really read romance novels
I don't either. But I once saw this article on the common Romance tropes, and it was eerie how well they fit SSHG, and people who do admit to reading quite a few tell me how well the ship fits, how certain words and phrases often found in love scenes can be found there.
And yes, time makes you less tolerant. There was a time when the letters "MLC" did not induce a shudder to run through me. And actually there are stories built on those devices that are favorites. There's also the odd author that can do it brilliantly. I may hate MLC, but I adore Tyger and Meeting of the Minds. I might deplore rapefic, but I think Hinge of Fate excellent (the only good example in fact in the ship). I might not care for seeing accidental pregnancy, but love Accountable. I may roll my eyes at love potion stories, but love Auror Borealis' Compelling the Heart and Regann's Heart Over Mind.
So there are definitely exceptions. However, I can't help but feel the ship would greatly benefit if they gave those devices a rest.
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