Discussion You Know You're a Fan Fiction Writer When...

You get a negative review and you go off on the reviewer explaining how they were totally wrong and there was not a single mistake in your story.

I swear I only did that twice...

 

Oh, I'm sure! Although, it's not like I'm hiding, my sign-in over there is the same as it is here! And I know that you know I've reviewed part of your story over there.

 

To leiamoody and others complaining of the lack of reviews: it's probably not the best way to say this, but I'm kind of relieved to see people that I know are talented are also a bit discouraged with the lack of reviews here. It really seems to be an overall trend, though it hits the non-L/M fics the hardest. I'm lucky enough to have picked up a regular reviewer and some (apparently, though who can tell?) repeat readers, but like pretty much everyone here would like more positive reinforcement. Of course, that's something that you have to take into account when writing OC fic; it's never going to be the most popular. The double curse of unfamiliar characters and the overhanging spectre of Mary Sue. I decided to write an OC fic anyway because that's the story that holds my interest as a writer. That and I have trouble finding the voice of canon characters, always worrying that I'll get them wrong. With original characters, I feel like there is more room for exploration.

 

OC fics are tricky where reviews are concerned... we write those because we love 'em, and share 'em because it's a story to share. If someone else loves it... fantastic! And there is more room to explore, because you are introducing the audience to the character, rather than working with someone everybody knows.

...when you have to show certain things only in really broad flashback about your OC because you're writing to comply with board rules.

 

I am so guilty of that one, even though I have yet to write a real fic........

 

Re - lack of reviews. We had this discussion over in the 'Pet Peeves' thread, as its especially hard as we can see 'footieprints' both at FF.net and here - people stop by but don't say 'boo', and you as a writer really get the self whammy of 'Well, is it any good after all?'

I guess in the end, 'you know you're a fan fic writer if you keep writing anyway... '

I recently went on a little writing tear where I manage to 'bang out' (read as - wrote like the possessed by the characters as I became) two of which made it to the boards - the other, well as only the first and last paragraphs are 'board friendly', had to stay over at FF.Net

ETA - interesting little quote from Fran Anistasio (a guy from the band 'Phish promoting his play on Sunday Morning - he likens music and its writing to food, and I absolutely agree with him...

 

You spend 3 months procrastinating and about a week actually writing.

 

^ This

I'm so guilty of this it's not even funny...I'm a notorious procrastinator...

 

Procrastinator. Procrastinator. Me? No, I'm not procrastinating at all. *launches into a long speech about the history of procrastinating* Procrastinator sounds weird after you've said it a lot of times.

 

^ What happens when I post when I'm supposed to be sleeping.

 

Get to sleep then!

 

You know you are a fanfic writer when after procrastinating when it comes to writing and then spending hours in this forum instead of sleeping...you finally fall asleep only to have an erotic dream about one of your Original Characters.

Not that has happened to me...I'm just saying...if that did happen...you are probably a fanfic writer.

 

*blushes very brightly* Erm.... I am....guilty of this...but, it's very rare, thankfully...

 

Then you might be a fanfiction writer.

 

Yep! I've got more fanfics mentally then I can count!

 

You daydream thousands of different situations and fics you can write, but never really get around to writing any of them.

 

You realize you can spend all the time you want on a story, because this sort of writing is not work and there's no deadline *pets latest story*

 

Unless you have OCD and then you are going crazy that you haven't finished the damn thing!!!

 

Oh noes! That takes the fun right out.

 

It is worse when I do fan art. I sometimes get to a certain point and say, "Meh...it's good enough." I am too impatient.

 

A wise old artist once told me, "The hardest part about doing art is knowing when it's finished."

 

When an awesome idea comes to mind, you spend ages fleshing it out mentally, but forget a big part of it when you finally get a chance to write it down.

 

Great art is never finished; it's only abandoned.

 

Oh a definite -like- on that one!

 

Oh. My. God....
Stolen from the E7 boards - Honest, not a single tiny spoiler, but funny as hell... Fan Fic writers can relate...

Micheal Arndt is having trouble writing E7