Writing Discussion 4

[kriadydragon]

Sick of these, yet? ;) Although I do apologize if you are. I've been having such a blast with them and every time I think I'm going to take a little break, topics start popping into my head - both mentioned in the lists and other topics not mentioned - that I so badly want to discuss.

The first of today's topics is geared more toward original fiction, though it could also be geared toward fanfic.

Ways to make a story as unique as you can even if it's a trope that's been done nearly to death. For example, you have this great idea for a story about a boy wizard and a magic school but you can't bring yourself to write it in fear of accusations that it's just another Harry Potter knock-off.

The second, inspired by previous discussions...

Giving your characters flaws, but without hitting the pitfall of making them too perfect or so flawed you want to strangle them with your bare hands.

Comments

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Sick of these, yet? ;) Although I do apologize if you are.

Hey, no worries. I am delighted and I am glad that you hit on two that I
asked for..............

I can relate to both of these in discussion four
There seems to be a tendency when it comes to Sheppard for part 1......ie
'been done nearly to death'............
and also the part about a flawed/perfect personality which pushes the limit
almost to camp level........

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

They say there's no such thing as original but that doesn't mean you can't make your own work unique from what's out there. In fact I think it's important to make a story as unique as possible, whether fanfic or original fic. Besides allowing the story to stand out it also keeps things interesting so you don't feel like you're reading just another "knock-off" or just another "whump."

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Besides allowing the story to stand out it also keeps things interesting so you don't feel like you're reading just another "knock-off" or just another "whump."

**NODS**
Sadly I begin a story and soon it is 'been there, done that'
It turns out to be a rehash, sometimes blatantly so........
I just move on then and often it happens very quickly
The weird part is they can be very long pieces too
And speaking of long, have you ever read a story where it seemed as
though the writer was only interested in length?
It is like a maze, no end in sight, just a lot of wandering. . .in all
different directions.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

I've read stories where it seems like the writer just won't let the story end. What I dislike about those is that a lot of times the author has this really great story, but then push it to keep going and end up with something weird. There was an M7 story I read like that. It was pretty good, but where it should have ended it didn't, and the author turned into a whump for whump's sake story. The longer it went the more ridiculous and squicky it got until I gave up all together.

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

The longer it went the more ridiculous and squicky it got until I gave up all together.

***NODS***
Been there, done that..it just keeps going and going and often in circles.......
It tires me out so I finally leave it behind.