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

[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.