Spiral Knights - What do you look for in Fan Fiction?

What do you look for in Fan Fiction?

13 replies [Last post]

Tue, 12/09/2014 - 22:16

Hexlash

For a fan fiction that you submit apps towards, what makes you want to submit an app and read?

What sort of things draw your eye when you look at prospective fan fictions?

What makes you want to read a fan fiction?

I've seen many adequate fan fictions die from lack of interest. Some really good authors don't let the lack of attention and persist writing (my kudos to them). I just want to see what the community would like to see in fan fictions, maybe help boost the readership and lower the death rate for fan fictions (can't remember any that actually survived until the end).

Tue, 12/09/2014 - 22:46

Feline-Grenadier

Hnnh...

A solid plotline, to be sure, and what you mentioned.

What helps is something that extends or drives Spiral Knights to a more in-depth level, bringing characters to life when in-game, the interactions are actually very dry. Live characters, good imagery, and an engaging world makes reading an adventure. Writing a good story in general that could function on its own as a standalone is the standard needed for most fanficts today.

Tue, 12/09/2014 - 23:19

Ember-Break

Hm... I suppose if I were to boil it down...

In my opinion, it'd be how versatile the story (as well as the writer) is capable of being.

Fan-Fics usually die to, as you said, lack of interest. I personally think this is because of Climax-vs-Setup in reading. I don't know what the actual term is in writing, but that's what I call it. If I were to explain it, I'd point to a Light Wave. Think of the Crests as moments where reaaaaally good action happens (Climaxes, or at least action-developments which keep the reader's attention), and the Troughs as the buffer time between a successful climax and a new arc.
In order for a Fan-fic to live a long time... It needs Arcs -- note I added an "s" at the end, so more than one. And while there are times when there is no need for a buffer time to happen (like multi-step action developments (the thing that's coming to mind is something like Bleach which has almost instantaneous back-to-back battles, which lead to a climax, then start with a medium length Buffer -- I didn't watch the full thing... But one of the Arcs early on has this aspect)), constant action without rest makes the overall action lose its special quality unless they're FLAWLESS (Like extremely detailed and planned out) or do something REALLY ORIGINAL (like if the writer made an anime-version of the entire fan-fic -- voices and all). But seeing as neither of these things can really be realistically expected of writers, the result of constant action results in either a very small work of literature, or one where your sense of ecstasy while reading becomes dulled. Neither of which are very good in the end.

Another example of a multi-step action development story would be something like Kill la Kill, which had little-to-no buffer periods, and essentially ended in a "blaze of glory".

But getting back from animes and to Fan-Fics: The Climax-vs-Buffer timing brings a problem. Fan-Fics lose readers VERY quickly when they're in the buffer periods, especially early on, and if there's constant action, the Fan-Fic's time in existence is quite short (unless, like I said, it's extremely good). If you don't mind a short Fan-Fic, then just make the graph that I presented act like an escalator.

But if you plan on a longer one, if there's time taken to set up a new arc, even if a fan-fic made it further in the story, people may leave. Like if the writer did a really good job at the exposition of the story, but sucked when it was time for action to start. Or if a giant climax just ended and the writer has a rough idea of where to go... But can't seem to make the initiation for the next chain of events leading up to the next Climax come out.

Hypothetically, if a story managed to make it like... 3 months into it, and still had readers' attentions, it could use buffers all it wanted, because by then checking the forum post for updates would become a force of habit. But that also depends on how often the OP posts...

This is, once again, my opinion on how all this stuff works. But there are shown change in readers when things are in Climax-zones or Buffer-zones with larger works of literature that are updated by-weekly... So it should pull through here. The only difference is the number of people who come on the forums just to read.

Oh, and that's another thing. If I were to make a guess, I'd say there are (and call me out if I'm being unrealistic) less than 100 people who visit the Treasure Vault just to read Fan-Fics, or even RP's without participating. Ah, and I'm meaning the English one, just so we're clear.

---------------

As for submitting Apps, so long as we have proper guide-lines on how to make Apps, and if I have the time, I'll make an App.
RP Apps are limited, because I need to take my time to control the character, Fan-Fic Apps require on the writer's attention.

I have an example of a Fan-Fic which was being set up with unclear descriptions of how Apps should be presented... But For the writer's sake, I will withhold that information unless people really want to see it.

But anyways, the key there is "if I have the time". I'd imagine time is the same for others as well, but possibly for a different reason.
For others, it's probably a question of confidence in the writer continuing the fan-fic past apps. This is probably so that the would-be-App-Submitter doesn't waste their time writing an App that never gets used. I don't mind my App not being used... I bookmark each Fan-fic I make an App for, and if my app isn't used, I'll recycle the app in another Fan-Fic after making sleight revisions.

Tue, 12/09/2014 - 23:19

Midnight-Dj

Well, my Project Retribution season one had an ending to it, of course the story continues in Project retribution season 2 after the epic cliffhanger I left off at the end of season one.

Probably the one of the most important thing in a fan fic is the characters, they are the backbone to any story, if your readers don't give a snipe turd about your main characters, then your plots and the background you established will be forgettable to say the least. That is why I always focuse on only two or three characters in my fan-fic, yes, things do turn a bit linear but atleast these characters are well fleshed out through flashbacks, dialouges and their own actions. I much prefer giving one character enough spot light for the readers to care for her/him as suppose to spread out the spot light to point a that no one is highlighted.

Are the characters in my story over the freaking top? Yes, I will tell you right now that none of my fan fic main characters are average Joe or Jane, Desna and Affraiel are simply your ideal 90' action movie hero material, always have one liners and epic moments of badassery. Is that cliche? Yes, but I also discovered that way too many fan fic writers tried to make their character hipster and normal, hence why, at least what I believe, it makes characters like KV-103 stands out from the rest of its machinaut companion, becuase when everyone around you tries to be normal, when you do something cool, you stand out.

Tue, 12/09/2014 - 23:49

Critzer

Hai der Hex, Its been a loooooooooooong time :3

Im looking for that old fan fic you did a long time ago, you know what i mean >:3

Though i have to agree, they live and die regularly. The thing is because people dont participate as much as they would in lets say an rp.

Wed, 12/10/2014 - 19:45

Keepscaite

When starting out, the plot

When starting out, the plot isn't too important to me. I just try to be optimistic and hope that the author has the whole plot all figured it out.

Thr concept and world-building is most important at first, the concept needs tp draw me in, and the world needs to be fleshed out enough before I'd be willing to make an app.

Afterwards, the first chapter needs to be engaging, a cheap way to do this would be to hint at a major event that's going to happen further in the future. Failing that, the author's writing style has to be interesting to get me to keep reading.

Wed, 12/10/2014 - 21:19

Hexlash

A Wolver's Purpose

@Feline-Grenadier (not at all Vinny): Well, that's the challenge, isn't it? I'm just wondering how someone does that kind of thing, successfully. Though I never really did consider driving the depth of Spiral Knights further. That's definitely something I'll consider. It is pretty interesting when in-game characters are brought to light from a fan fic author's perspective.

@Ember-Break: But you see, light is not a wave, thus everything you say is invalidated! >:O Just kidding, just kidding. :3
Everything you brought up makes sense, I especially agree with that "Goldilocks zone" of buffer and action time. However, this formula brings the restriction that you mentioned. How do you maintain interest at the same time as getting the action and buffer times balanced? And I totally know what you mean by a force of habit!

EDIT: There actually isn't any other Treasure Vault. I was disappointed to discover this, but it seems English is the only language forum that has this kind of stuff.

@Midnight: Well of course you're the exception! XD But you're right. If reader's don't connect with players, they wont feel compelled to find their fates. Though what you said about keeping a small host of a few characters to maintain player interest is true. Too many characters, or ones that are too average don't really get attention. Unless you're GRRM. Then you make people freak out over every character =P

@Critzer: When I saw you I freaked out, I was all like, "Oh my dog! It's Critzer! I haven't seen her in forever!" I believe you are looking for this. What I don't understand is why my fairly shabby and mediocre fanfic got so much attention at the time. I certainly didn't deserve the massive 'fan' base. It's great to see you back, and I hope you stick around :3

@Keepscaite: Huh. It's really great to get a more opinionated perspective. It helps to know what kinds of things you, individually, like. The major event is quite insightful and makes a lot of sense. Wonder why I never thought of it before? o.O

Thanks for all your replies! Hopefully this will help future fan fiction writers :D

Thu, 12/11/2014 - 20:05

Critzer

Im back for a bit

Yeah Hex, im back but only for the rp/fanfic. I want to do an rp but honestly, most are to far in for me to understand or others are like "Just hop on in, no form req!" It just feels dirty not making an app.... Also i was implying that you continue it and finish.

Thu, 12/11/2014 - 20:09

Critzer

woops

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 08:58

Valorai

Heart of Valor

Originality. I cannot tell you how many fics I've seen that have the exact same setting. In my opinion, that's what makes a fanfiction die.
What makes me want to submit an app? The hope that it'll be in a story for more than a week, before the thread is graveyarded.

Sat, 12/13/2014 - 13:59

#10

Davjo

Oh look I actually remembered something

I actually intended on checking the forums more often to see if you post, Hexlash, but I somehow forgot about that.
Anyway, some of us were still hyped up for that fanfic that died out, but we would surely all be ready to post an app for a new one of yours. I will certainly be excited to see more from you.

Sun, 12/14/2014 - 19:48

#11

Critzer

Davjo :D

Critzer graps Davjo while holding a sign "We want more Hexlash!!!!!@!@!@!@!@!@!@!"

Sun, 12/14/2014 - 20:00

#12

Xxpapaya

The papaya likes

Life in characters, situations that people can relate with, an interesting storyline, a unique narrative voice. Oh, and cake, don't forget the cake.

Mon, 12/15/2014 - 01:48

#13

Keepscaite

After apps have been made,

After apps have been made, keeping interest going is the next big challenge. As someone already said, churning out chapter after chapter rapidly would be preferable, but is for the most part, unrealistic.

In my experience, it's best to make medium length updates at fixed intervals. Say, you make a minimum of 2000 words per chapter, and you feel comfortable with updating once a week. This way, if you finish early, you'll have more time to check your chapter, work on future updates, or just have time to relax.

Posting updates sporadically as soon as you finish them is NEVER a good idea.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining interest is making sure the interests between you and the applicator aligns. More often than not, an applicator will get... ahem, butthurt should you portray their character in a way they deem unacceptable.

This is unavoidable, since you can't really expect two different people to have synchronized ideals. But should such a thing occur, the answer is NEVER to retcon the previous action that you made, but to talk it out with the applicator (via PM) to reach a satosfactory conclusion.

And should the applicator prove himself/herself an insufferable prick, it's okay to just kill his/her character off and just get on with it. Remember, it's YOUR fanfic afterall.

It's always good to take suggestions, but not always good to implement them. Remember to keep a reign on your story. Occasionally, a reader will make a suggestion that you think is great, and then you implement it immediately, only to realize that it messes with a future event that you already had planned.

A solid, fore-thought plot is always best. Failing that, short episodic 'arcs' can work too.

Sorry about the rant.

Search

What do you look for in Fan Fiction?