On Fics & Ships

[kamiyashi]

Due to the fact that the recent post on fic shipping seems to have either disappeared or got deleted, I’ve decided to take up the topic in my own post with a slightly different angle because the potential for discussions is definitely present and I encourage a healthy debate!

Comments

[kamiyashi]

I agree, the pairing needs development to be interesting and realistic. I guess I'm just biased because I like fully fleshed out relationships that show that. It's fine to have an already established pairing, but it just feels lazy when there's antagonism involved because I want to know how they got together. :x

When I used to read fics, I got so fed up with the same boring lemons. I mean, it was pretty much Slot A, Tab B, repeat to completion. I don't necessarily think "experience" is required, because I'm not a gay man or a teen that's saved the world with a children's card game, but it does throw you out when there's that moment of, "Yeah...more research would have made this less painful..."

I'm with you on the demonizing of female YGO characters. I don't understand that at all; character bashing is just such an extreme that it makes no sense to me.

And I second you on the characterization thing! Otherwise it's just a story with characters that happen to have the same name and nothing else in common.

[Edit for spelling typo]

[kamiyashi]

It is possible to make OCs without them being self-inserts. Personally, I think OCs, when done right, are useful to a story. When I first started writing in the YGO fandom, I never wanted to include them because of the attached stigma. But when people started responding to them positively, they crept in a couple of times. I actually feel very fortunate that I haven't had anyone really hate/complain about them. I figured AA was going to get me slammed and cost me readers, honestly.

If you're altering characterization, that's one thing. But if you're just reading a story and all the sudden Yuugi is going on and on about what a bitch Anzu is, there's nothing realistic in that unless it's some bizarre AU where it better be thoroughly explained and justified. The mindless bashing is just unnecessary and it sounds like it happens with a fair amount of frequency from what I've been told--and I admit that I haven't read a YGO fic in almost four years, so I could be wrong.

[hemntjrseth]

I tend to read slash fics but I prefer ones with a lot of plot and storytelling. I admit on indulging on some PWP on occasion but I'd much rather read a fic that is engaging and interesting.

I feel that many writers discredit themselves when it comes to writing in this matter. May believe that their fics will get more views and reviews if they write short fics with little meaning, but this is often not the case. People do like longer fics that build up and expand upon ideas.

However, I will read any fic if its well written and appropriate, no matter the pairings.

I usually write whatever comes to mind but I rarely publish anymore. I don't quite have the confidence to punish like I once did. I feel that people have become more judgmental lately.

When I do write, I write late at night before going to sleep. It's a nice way to relax before bed. My iTouch and computers are full of plotbunnies.

[hemntjrseth]

I challenge writers to go beyond your comfort zone and always work to improve yourselves. You won't grow as a writer if you don't take risk.

For the readers.. try reading something new and find new authors.

[kamiyashi]

PWP just doesn't hold my interest; lemons should move a plot along or prove something about character development (in my opinion).

There's an immediacy of response that changes the way people interact in the world now and I think it's spilling over into reviews in a way? But I would encourage you to post! As you said, "You won't grow as a writer if you don't take a risk," right? <3

There is something about writing at night that's nice. I think it's because that tends to be the only time when the world is (relatively) silent.

Finding new authors is a great challenge! How else can anyone find new voices?

[hemntjrseth]

I believe there is a time for PWP and there is a time where it is inappropriate. Sticking a random lemon in the middle of a very long fic and not having that lemon develop the plot in any fashion is in my opinion wasteful.

I suppose you're right. I guess I've just become wary of critics what with all the wank in this fandom these days. I'll work on building up the courage to post again,

Writing at night is just lovely. It's quiet, serene and you can just allow your mind to unwind and for the words to flow out. It's very calming.

[moezilla]

I'm not much of a fanfiction writer because I'm content with what the series has given me.

So I suppose I'm much more of a reader then, eh? Well, alright. Don't have much of an interest or care for pairings, either. The things I like would never be written anyway. No one wants to write about all three series and make amazing, fleshed out alternate universes with appropriate characterization. Alternate universe in the Yu-Gi-Oh! fandom means to me "now they are , watch as Yugi cries and doesn't do anything at all!"

Also, relationships.

I'm really tired of relationships being the focal point in this fandom, because whenever a heavy discussion comes up it is always tied to that. I don't care about heterosexual or homosexual relationships, give me something more general. Give me Yugi and Dark Yugi working together to save the day, Anzu always backing everyone up, Jonouchi taking names and kicking butt, and Honda just doping around

[moezilla]

Now they are [insert trope here]. Silly Livejournal ated my codes.

[kamiyashi]

There does seem to be a trend of AU = Free License to Butcher Characterization. I've done one AU myself and I took great care in making sure it was as believable and true to character as possible (and I promise Yuugi didn't cry, lol).

I think relationships are present because it seems to be the primary form of bond people are drawn to. But considering the heavy friendship theme, it would make sense to have more friendship/adventure fics. Gen fics seem to be really underrepresented.

I really liked your idea of having all the YGO universes coming together, though. I think that would be fascinating if done properly! Hopefully someone is listening. ^_~

[moezilla]

When people write fanfiction or any sort of fiction, they disregard the fact they are writing individuals in a story of their own making. They see them only as characters, a mind-set you cannot have if you want to make something believable. Admittedly, I am much more of a roleplayer than I am a fanfiction kind of person; I'm not qualified to say much of anything in regards to fanfiction. But I feel as if it is something that plagues both hobbies.

Maybe! But I don't have high hopes for it happening.

[starrysnafu]

As a reader I don't really enjoy romance fic for YGO, with the exception of femslash/yuri fics, which are all too rare )': I don't feel that we miss out on platonic/general relationship development all that much; it's explored in canon. Family and friendship is there in spades but romance? that's all on us.

Writing wise, I stick to gen/humor as the main focus (pairings are simply a side-effect, not the focus)

If I could issue a challenge to the fandom, it would be to write more femslash. It's not everyone's cup of tea but I think it would be good for any writer to explore the female characters more. If you can wrack up lots of experience writing m/m or het stories then gaining a little experience with writing f/f pairings can't hurt. Or at least examine why you don't write them.

[kamiyashi]

I always thought that Anzu/Shizuka, Mai/Anzu, and Mai/Shizuka made sense in yuri terms of the original series. But they also felt the most "obvious" choices as well? There were at least multiple interactions to "justify" them.

[hemntjrseth]

I always liked the idea of Ishizu/Mai myself. It made no sense at all but they looked good together.

I suppose the fault here is that DM didn't have many female characters.

[pearlblade]

Fic 1: Evil group wants recipe to make powerful tools to bring about the end of the world.
Fic 2: Girl is kidnapped by man plotting revenge against her. Will die in a week if not rescued, because man didn't realize she was a girl. His reason for revenge has cranked up to 11. Happy fun times watching as a bunch of teenagers try to come together to rescue her. Though Yosuke is not Scooby.Fic 3: Ancient force of evil and darkness reincarnates as a barely legal aged teenage guy. Ancient force of good are now his supervisor/guardians/assassins if he screws this up. Enjoy the hijinks as cults and traitors spring up. Go Evil or go Home

[pearlblade]

(Blank sleepy stare) Huh? Oh Those. Those are the fics I'm working on.... Fics 1-4 are the fics I'm currently working on with crack descriptions. I can get you better ones if you like!