Question to all Fanfic Readers (or Writers)

[phillipthefrog]

After having various discussion with people, my beta including, I am curious to ask all fanfic readers as to WHY they read fanfiction and HOW they read fanfiction and if it differs from how they read your more traditional forms of fiction/literature. It might seem like a strange question. I read all the comments on the story and unlike many other

Comments

[haruxsaya]

For me, reading fanfic kind of helps me also as a writer. I haven't written and posted much here myself, but when i read, I kind of try to pick at things to see what kind of techniques and other styles each writer I read from has. Also read for enjoyment. For me, I really like your ideas, your writing style, and the way you string along your 'beads'. It may seem weird get but a little joyous when I see that some of my favorite writers, you included, post something new. Which kind of makes me want to write some more and post them, but I'm more shy about what I post than anything.

[phillipthefrog]

I have a problem with wanting to write when I read. It makes it somewhat difficult to stay on one task longer than hour. There are many things people can do to become better writers (and everyone can become a better writer) and chief among them is reading and "stealing" things. XDD I guess a better way of putting that is like how you said, observing techniques and styles which are really just ways in which you can get what you want across.

You shouldn't be too shy to post! Everyone has critics-everyone and I've heard people that I think are geniuses called idiots and a whole slew of other insults. I think too its an important part of becoming a stronger person, being able to be insulted and not letting it crush you. For me personally, I used to be extremely sensitive to insults. ^^;

[haruxsaya]

I'm in a writing class at my college and the teacher encourages to write and post things. I have posted some stuff before, but it just never ends up on here. I'm still trying to better myself as a writer. So I am a little hesitant on posting. But I will get around to it~!

[veroxion]

I usually won't read fanfiction unless it's good, mainly because it's still a form of literature and I wouldn't read a shit novel unless it's enjoyable. I find with a lot of fanfiction in general, it's about the pairing and there's nothing wrong with that. A lot of novels focus on one or two characters. Just with fanfiction, it tends to be about the relationship in general and not the two people involved as characters. Which to be honest, is rather dull and I find myself unable to enjoy a story with two mary-sue characters. For small things, such as drabbles or oneshots, it's not so bad and hardly noticable but when you find yourself reading a long multi-chaptered story, it gets rather boring

[phillipthefrog]

Overall, yes, at the end of the day, it's personal and I think the best sort of literature can appeal to all people-those who like more "literary" fiction and those who just want a good story or interesting characters.

But I know what you mean about feeling like you are over thinking it. I really enjoy it when the readers get worked up over things (sounds mean like this) but what I'm getting at is, I like it when readers question the actions of the characters or disagree with one another because isn't that how life is? Sometimes too, isn't it true that when you are writing, certain ideas dawn on you?

[veroxion]

That's pretty much it.

I like it when readers disagree with a character sometimes. I think some of authors try to make their characters likable, whether they come off as mary-sue or not, I find that rather annoying. For me, it's not about making a character likable or even for readers to relate to them in terms of actions or feelings, but just making them interesting and giving them quirky traits and faults. But that's just me.

After all, no one's perfect and I find it intriguing when readers disagree with actions or their opinion changes about them. It's just like that in real life, anyway.

So I absolutely love it when readers comment on these things, whether big or small. I really enjoy reading their opinions on it and discussing it, haha.

[juuu_chan]

I read fanfiction because yes, It seems it could be very realistic, and it's always easier to follow a story then

[phillipthefrog]

I agree with your point about how some things can be beautifully written and yet not supported by an equally strong plot and vice versa. I think it's important not to get caught up on how beautifully something is written. Personally I find that if I try to write as truthfully and as honestly as possible, the beauty will come out naturally. In other words, writing beautifully isn't my intention. To portray the characters as humanly as possible is and the beauty is the result of the beauty of a characters themselves. (I must sound long winded there! I hope my point came across)

[juuu_chan]

I know what you mean, and I think it works out in your writing! I can see the characters have their own colour, they're unique!
For me, when I write the thoughts of a person I try to make them think like me, since for me writing is another outlet (next to art and music) for my emotions. I want the world to see how I view the world. And sometimes I can get a little carried away.
I have to say, I do try to use more difficult words then I would use in real life, also because I love some words and I don't have it clear exactly why I'd want to use them.
So when writing I try to think of certain kinds of sentences, making it pretty difficult, cause when I write everything seems logical, but when I re-ead, I always find myself confused..:P

[ashley_regret]

I've been reading fanfiction for the past 5 years and not even once i asked myself why XD well, i think it is because i can relate to the characters in a different way from the rest of the books i read. I only read yaoi of the couples I like and I guess it's because i'd like to imagine them in different scenarios or to try to understand the real person through someone else point of view since i wont be getting the chance to talk to the jrockers i like anytime soon, for example XD

[corkaczarownicy]

Why i read fanfictions?huh good question. Cause im Reader(there observing included too.and getting carried away attached to some characters) romantic and it fells good(?). Sometimes its just a pure enjoyment - this such a good feeling on the tip of tongue( if its correct to say) butterflies in the stomach. guess case of feelings(and thoughts.and joy of plotline, fantasy, imagination) and probably thats what i mainly read for.And there is a hunger and impatience - others times i find myself reading hm stuff not-so-good and yeah my reading manners could be better. Its horrible but yeah i skip some parts- not just porno ones .i mostly just follow my feelings so it sometimes hapenns when im not interested in exact plotline scene etc. Its kinda disrespectful not to listen everything what author want to say (diferrent story different person unic worth) but also its sometimes happens when a story is just ..too good. And i dont feel in mood for that, not prepared fo its content, message (simply its just lazy procrastinating part of me.