Intermission - Genres

[kriadydragon]

If it seems I instigate a lot of dicussions about fanfic, it's because writing is a favorite conversation topic for me that I don't get to discuss often among friends (mostly family that live several states away) and talking about fanfic helps narrow the topic. I've found that I've learned quite a lot with these discussions when it comes to writing - not just fanfic but also books - especially concerning what 'not' to do, which is probably just as important as what 'to do'.

Anyways, on to the discussion.

I wrote a kid fic a few days  back, and though it got lovely reviews, I also came to discover just how disliked kidfic usually is (with so many confessing to being hesitant on reading my story because it was kidifc.) It got me wondering  - what other genres are not so favored or that people are growing tired of? I wanted to do a poll but I really don't know what the other disliked or overdone genres are beyond KidFic and OC centered stories (I also didn't want people who write such fic feeling bad about it). Keep in mind I'm not talking about the annoying things authors do in a story (as discussed in my previous entry). I'm talking about stories that are more specifically categorized beyond Het, Slash, and Gen. KidFic, AUs, Kink, genderswitches, Darkfic, Fluff, uh... that's all I can really thing of in terms of such categories. I've probably left a few out.

And are they disliked because they're done too much or disliked because they're always poorly written? Or something else all together? I know something I always personally stay away from is Trinity tags. They're everywhere, and usually chalked full of McKay angst and Sheppard being a jerk.

Please understand I'm not writing this because I think these genres should be snubbed. Heck, I wrote KidFic knowing how most try to stear clear of it. Sometimes it helps to understand people's pet peeves with things. Take KidFic for example. The reason most don't seem to like it (according to what some poeple have told me) is because the stories always end up being too cute, and/or with the characters acting totally out of character whether as adults or kids. When I wrote my KidFic, I first sought out KidFic to see what others had done, then wracked my brain for what hadn't really been done (or done all that much.) If you're going to write a story in a disliked genre, the least you can do is stay clear of what's been done to death in that specific genre.

Comments

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

Argh! Trinity tags are one of the banes of my existence! Hatesssesss them, we do, yes, precious, we hatesssesss them!

Alrighty, aside from that, I like kidfic, as in the characters as children. I'm not so keen on kidfic, as in the characters having children (though, irnonically, I'm sorta writing one.) I like some AUs that stay within the basic universe. I despise AUs that take the characters names and stick them on people and places that have nothing to do with the basic universe.

Hmmm, let's see, what else...aside from categories like slash, ship, MPreg.

Well, I do like cute, fluffy stuff (since you noted that's what people dislike about kidfic.) I don't like stories that do deal properly with fallout, physical or emotional. I don't like 'Liz goes offworld and gets into trouble.'

I HATE HATE HATE HATE being written into a story unless is VERY cleverly done (I've seen it

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

Ooops, hit post comment unintentionally.

(I've seen it done once, so far, in which it amused me rather than thoroughly irritated me.) I dunno that this is a common thing in stories, but it seems to happen to me a lot (probably because I nag people so much for stories.)

I strongly dislike strong male character is estranged from father/character's father hates him sort of things.

I despise backgrounds that don't make psychological sense in terms of who the character grows up to be.

I LOATHE practical jokes -- in stories, in life, anywhere. Fred and George Weasely pull it off in an entertaining fashion, everyone else should just LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE! Especially in a place like Atlantis... Sheppard, the responsible military commander that he actually is, would NOT be amused, let alone participate.

What else... Hmmm... I know 'em when I spot 'em in a summary, but it's hard to think of things off the top of my head. Still, I imagine I think of more to ramble at you about again soon.

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

I meant to say: I don't like stories that don't deal properly with fallout, physical or emotional.

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

I'm not overly fond of stories in which Caldwell and/or Kavanaugh are despicable. I know there's some tension between Caldwell and Liz and Caldwell and Sheppard, but for the most part they are all professionals and act accordingly. As for Kavanaugh, I know he's a git on the show, but he's not an evil git, just a conceited one. At the end of the day, he's comes through (coming up with the idea to blow the hatch in 38 Minutes, helping boost the signal in Critical Mass.)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Wow, so many things. Mpreg! That's another one I forgot. Yeah, I'm not a big fan of fic where they are given a kid unless it's in a unique way (kid was adopted offworld, cloning was involved) but if it was because one character knocked another up, then no thanks.

I avoid Kavanaugh completely. I tend to make Caldwell a bit of a grouch but never a jerk.

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

I don't have a particular genre that I stay away from per se. Your kidfic was brilliant, and I've read some really great AUs. I struggle with things that stray from canon. If I know a character would never do that, say that, act like that, the story is ruined for me. I tend to stay with writers I know or stories that have been rec'd by folks I trust.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I try to do the same since I'm pretty much canon only except for the occasional AU, but curiosity does get the better of me. Which always ends badly. Some people don't know how to rate or categorize their stories properly.

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

I understand. I was reading a wonderful story yesterday by an author that I know occasionally writes slash but is usually very good at noting it. Oops. It was mostly implied, but still, it was listed as gen.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm pretty much a gen gal since thinking about this post I seem to be pretty narrow on my reading habits...mainly because of time restrictions. If I only have a little bit put aside to read, than its going to be stuff I really like.

I don't read deathfic.

I tend not to read kid!fic mostly because its the characters interacting with children and for me that's boring. Also turning into kids just isn't for me, though your fic proved otherwise, but I think thats a rarity in the fandom.

I won't read fic where the emotional or physical whump would be too traumatic to overcome in a decent amount of time.

I don't like overly dark fic where the reader is roasted over the coals for a long time and the ending is 'realistically' dark as the result.

I am not an AU fan or future fic fan. AU as in we changed the events of an episode or stretched things along, no issue with and I enjoy. AU as in The Genii rule the universe, Atlantis was destroyed, or John and Rodney are soldiers together on earth just strays too away from canon.

I will try to find the time to read Sholio's “The Light of the Fading Sun” because I know it'll be good, but I need to be in the mood to read that type of fic.

I don't read slash or romance, though I've read a tiny bit of UST or pre-slash as long as its not too heavy. However, every once in a while I get in the odd mood for light romance, not fluff or roses and all, but maybe a well written fic that still has h/c with some realistic sexual tension perhaps.

I also try to avoid slave fic but yet again there are a few exceptions.

I guess I'm picky. I do know one thing, I was reading a fic by a pretty well known writer that was highly rec'd, but I was stopped cold my Ronon's characterization and just the brittle, cold feel to the story. It was well written and expertly researched but the overall tone of it threw me off. If you're interested feel free to e-mail me, but I won't discus it here.

Interesting topic.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I like AUs that stick close to canon (like ltlj's Retrograde verse.)

What I don't like in any fic is when they have the characters do something that they would either not do on the show or not do, period (like threesomes *shudders* That's just nasty smut, even if there are no details, just hints that it happened). I don't care if it's an AU where the characters are slightly altered, I can't stand crap like that, it's just so wrong on so many levels.

I don't want to say too much about Sholio's fic since it will give too much away, but let's just say it ends up sticking closer to canon than you first realize. Just stick it out for a few chapters and you'll see what I mean. Very interesting what she pulled off, and clever.

[kontiki.livejournal.com]

I have read almost every genre around. I have no "never reads" although I do have some "seldom reads". I seldom read death fics, kid fics or dark fics. But, I also have favorite stories in the "seldoms" also. I am my own censor. If I start a story and it's not working for me, I move on. I have one never ... I never flame ... the awful piece of dreck I am skipping over usually has someone totally in love with it. IDIC. Having said that...What I am looking for is: "does it ring true"? Are the characters IN character? Are the story premises believable? Does the author hook me in? Is the STORY interesting? I am not a snob. I have read stories that are masterpieces of structure, grammar and spelling and hated them. I've read stories that flunked structure, grammar and spelling but grabbed me and held me spellbound because they were well told stories, if poorly presented (yes, I vastly prefer well told, well presented stories) I have no trouble with there being a number of stories that have a similar theme, some times I even go looking for stories along similar themes, 'cause that's what I'm in the mood for. The one thing that kills a story for me faster than anything is to center the story around certain specific facts and then get those facts wrong. Bottom line? Don't worry if there is a bunch like it already, if you have your own vision, go for it. I'm going to be looking at for it's own merits not for how it compares. Although coming from a favorite author never hurts .

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

It's not so much genres being overdone, but done in the same way that I think is the problem. Personally, I like kidFic, but I've run across quite a few that have such similar plots that I get them mixed up.

But I still like them as long as the story has a good, interesting plot. I'm with you on the story vs. structure. The majority of my favorite stories aren't grammatic masterpieces, but they're great stories. A lot of my least favorite stories are well written and plotted, but of the kind of stories containing the kind of stuff I either don't like or find unbelievable.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

mary sue! when suddenly the lead character adopts (usually a girl) or suddenly has a long lost sister, cousin, neice etc show up erg

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

The hatred of Mary Sues is universal. What I don't get is (unless the writer is new) why the writer attempts it in the first place. If they've been in the fanfic game for a while then they should know better then to stick some picture perfect female or male into a fanfic (although they probably don't realize it's a Mary Sue. Sometimes I think it's subconcsious for most people).

I find them at their worst when they're a love interes, but having them be a niece or sister is just as annoying.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

i think that most of the time its young writers, just getting in to fan fic but ever so often the seasoned ones let one slip...lol

i think they are usually written to amuse the author themselves or their friends and are not really meant for a larger audience except for the faint hope that someone will find their story genius

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I always say that if you're writing a story mostly for yourself and a tight group of friends, then it should be posted on a personal journal or Blog, not a public place like FF.net. Especially if it's the kind of story that is mostly unpopular (Sue driven fics). Mostly because it's hard enough to slog through the crap, and because you get burned less that way.

I think very few authors are skilled enough to base a fanfic story around an OC of some kind and make it work. Especially the younger writers. Personally, I wouldn't even risk it.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

couldn't agree more!