Question for Fan Fiction readers...

I'm curious to hear from folks who enjoy reading the fan fics what kinds of things you like to see in the stories and what kinds of things turn you off? Being both a writer and a reader, I am curious to know what others look for and what they shy away from. For myself, I really like a story that is believable first and second I like ones that show the characters develop over time as the relationship grows. I especially like those that give you glimpses inside the character's heads and show what they are thinking. I also have to like the characters and be able to relate to them. And humor is important too.
What I don't care for so much are ones where the story itself is thin or the characters seem shallow and I like a little "drama", but not constant adventure. I'd rather see the characters and the relationship grow.
What are others' favorite elements and turn offs?

Opester wrote:

I'm curious to hear from folks who enjoy reading the fan fics what kinds of things you like to see in the stories and what kinds of things turn you off? Being both a writer and a reader, I am curious to know what others look for and what they shy away from. For myself, I really like a story that is believable first and second I like ones that show the characters develop over time as the relationship grows. I especially like those that give you glimpses inside the character's heads and show what they are thinking. I also have to like the characters and be able to relate to them. And humor is important too.
What I don't care for so much are ones where the story itself is thin or the characters seem shallow and I like a little "drama", but not constant adventure. I'd rather see the characters and the relationship grow.
What are others' favorite elements and turn offs?

Hi Opester,
First of all, I LOVE "sauna"! The character development and the story line are fantastic. Though "Lainie'" turn surprised me (we all want Richie to be happy). I guess my turn ons are the same as yours, as for the turn offs.... I hate slash fic!!! Just can not see "our guys" doing something like that. Also, do not present any real life characters (wives, children, family) in a negative way. I understand that guys "single status" has to be explained some how for the story, but some writers go a bit too far...
Hope this helps. Sorry if I'm "running on" a bit ( did not have any coffee yet :)

Bayaderra wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Opester,
First of all, I LOVE "sauna"! The character development and the story line are fantastic. Though "Lainie'" turn surprised me (we all want Richie to be happy). I guess my turn ons are the same as yours, as for the turn offs.... I hate slash fic!!! Just can not see "our guys" doing something like that. Also, do not present any real life characters (wives, children, family) in a negative way. I understand that guys "single status" has to be explained some how for the story, but some writers go a bit too far...
Hope this helps. Sorry if I'm "running on" a bit ( did not have any coffee yet :)

Thanks Bayaderra! It's really nice to know that you like the Sauna-I never expected to still be writing it all this time, but the story just keeps coming. I forgot about slash fic-I think I try to repress my first memory of reading one of those by mistake, LOL! I remember being stuck with that image in my mind for hours, eeewwwww. I agree with you totally!

I'm a fan of "Sauna". Love it by the way! I hate slash-fic. I get turned off by the story when the girl gets pregnant; don't know why I just lose interest. If it gets to be too long, lose interest there too. I love drama! My favorite fan fiction's are set back in the 80's but will read from any era.

Jovi Babe wrote:

I'm a fan of "Sauna". Love it by the way! I hate slash-fic. I get turned off by the story when the girl gets pregnant; don't know why I just lose interest. If it gets to be too long, lose interest there too. I love drama! My favorite fan fiction's are set back in the 80's but will read from any era.

Thanks, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the Sauna even tho it's long! I don't particularly like the pregnancy story line either but I think it's more because it gets overused. I like the ones with unique plots or aspects to them that give it a different twist. I thought of another thing I dislike too-the ones where the male character is always fawning over the heroine or that go on and on about how beautiful she is-a little goes a long way and seems more realistic and effective when it is thrown in occasionally. And this is just me, but boy do I hate it when the heroines always where thongs, LOL! Trish will never where a thong!

Hmmm lets see. I really like a story to have a lot of romantic not just erotic content. I've yet to see a fan fic where the woman doesn't just jump into bed with Jon although I am sure many women would. I think the chase is half the fun. I think it would be a great twist on normal fan fics.
I don't like spiritual matters in fan fics. Not everyone believes the same and it can be offensive even though it isn't meant that way.
I am reading the Sauna and when the whole spiritual thing came around I walked a way from it for 3 weeks. I still don't like it but am giving it another chance. It is well written and I loved it up until then. I am just trying to be honest here.(my opinion)
Too much sex is also a turn off for me. You can do it just so many ways and times before it gets old. Not saying no sex but 3x in one night... I have yet to meet that man! lol (sorry honey)
I am very appreciative of all the great fan fics out there. Slash Fics...
NO WAY!!! SciFi Fan Fics aren't my thing either.
Good old romance with strong characters and story line... that's what I like.

jbjdiva wrote:

Hmmm lets see. I really like a story to have a lot of romantic not just erotic content. I've yet to see a fan fic where the woman doesn't just jump into bed with Jon although I am sure many women would. I think the chase is half the fun. I think it would be a great twist on normal fan fics.
I don't like spiritual matters in fan fics. Not everyone believes the same and it can be offensive even though it isn't meant that way.
I am reading the Sauna and when the whole spiritual thing came around I walked a way from it for 3 weeks. I still don't like it but am giving it another chance. It is well written and I loved it up until then. I am just trying to be honest here.(my opinion)
Too much sex is also a turn off for me. You can do it just so many ways and times before it gets old. Not saying no sex but 3x in one night... I have yet to meet that man! lol (sorry honey)
I am very appreciative of all the great fan fics out there. Slash Fics...
NO WAY!!! SciFi Fan Fics aren't my thing either.
Good old romance with strong characters and story line... that's what I like.

OMG, I had to look to see if I had written this post!! I totally agree here. In as much as I enjoyed The Sauna, I too walked away when the spiritual aspect came up. That was too weird for me. While it hooked me in with the scene in the Sauna, that just isn't what I like to read either. I like romance to lead to the sex. It was just too too too....ummmm....can't form it into words except for "hello I'm Jon" & they both ripped their clothes off (or their towels in this case! LOL!) You're a great writer but that just wasn't my cup of tea. Can't wait to see more of what you put together tho! Please don't be offended, this was just my opinion. I'm a sucker for romance! Ask my husband! LOL!!

Hey folks, I really appreciate the comments. I understand that Wicca isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that's cool, but it is a core element of the story and one of the things that I think makes it unique and it is in there throughout, but far from every chapter though some sections required elaboration for folks who are unfamiliar with the beliefs. When I started writing, all I intended to write was the first chapter (like a biscuit, so to speak) but it took on a life of its own after that, LOL. The story is actually more romance than sex as I agree that can get dull, but I had a lot of it in the beginning given the audience I was initially writing for when it began. To me, it's more about the struggles a couple would go through and the evolution of the relationship far beyond the initial attraction, and the development of the characters.
It's great that there are so many different kinds of stories out there (except the slash which I could have lived without being exposed to, LOL) and I love those with unique themes and threads that tie them together. I'm not a fan of babies, but I still enjoy the ones where they are prominent characters as long as there is a bit of everything mixed in and I like the characters-the one thing I can't get past myself in a story is once i begin to dislike the main character and sometimes that happens.
I really do appreciate hearing from folks and the comments people leave on the Blog really mean a lot as it is so encouraging to hear what resonates for others. Otherwise it feels like I'm the only one reading, LOL! So I really do want to thank folks for all the comments here and on the Blog itself and keep sharing the faves and turn offs-it's great to hear all the opinions from everybody!
And now I need to leave for a bit and get to my real job...ugh...fantasy is so much more fun sometimes!

Boy, I am so glad you started this topic! There are some GREAT fan fics out there and I get sucked in and read barely without breathing until I get to the last page written. Then where are others that I get about 10 pages into and almost scream "OH COME ON!!" and then I am OUT the door, metaphorically speaking. I've been writing also and everything said here is a great help in knowing what people like and don't like. As always, opinions are just that, but working in the general outline of what people like is more likely to get your story read.

So, thanks so far to all who gave ideas. Keep 'em coming!!

Cammy.. do you have one posted for us to sample?

Aw man - ROFLMAO! I swear I wasn't doing a plug for mine, Ms. Diva, but I do and (deep breath) here's the link *oh lord, time to sink or swim*:

http://sunstreakedscorner.blogspot.com/

Story is called John Francis, set in late December 2008

I will just be over in another room, with a brown paper bag in my hand for a while...LOL!

I really like a good story where there is a twist involved-something unpredictable that I didn't see coming. I like the spiritual stuff in the Sauna as I learn something too about a subject that wasn't familiar. It sort of makes the sex stuff more meaningful and more than just sex (which is always good!)I like most of the stuff I've read out there that are well-written, but I wish sometimes people would use grammar check as it gets annoying when there are a lot of typos.

Personally not into slash, and I agree, I am a sucker for the romance, and meaning behind a story, while I think great sex scenes are awesome and we all need to read that once an awhile, its all good ;)

Personally for me, I am undecided whether I like stories about Jon and Dot, I mean its real etc but to me the point is its fantasy fiction, and I just feel weird reading too much about his real family in a fiction way, just me though.

I find it interesting how people write Jon, I think most people do get him, and we assume what he's like, but its honestly really interesting to see the different phases of Jon.

Really only got back into writing this year, well fist time fan fiction writing but its all very good fun.

Cammy61 wrote:

Aw man - ROFLMAO! I swear I wasn't doing a plug for mine, Ms. Diva, but I do and (deep breath) here's the link *oh lord, time to sink or swim*:
http://sunstreakedscorner.blogspot.com/
Story is called John Francis, set in late December 2008
I will just be over in another room, with a brown paper bag in my hand for a while...LOL!

I really like your story. I already read it. I also have read all of the others. I am ready for more stories. I like alot of romance and not so much sex.
When it comes to the sex part I just skip thru it. Keep them coming. Thank You

Mine is here, its got some sex but I like to think I am writing a nice romance lol as I am a sucker for it.

http://jbjfanfic.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-le...

Cammy61 wrote:

Aw man - ROFLMAO! I swear I wasn't doing a plug for mine, Ms. Diva, but I do and (deep breath) here's the link *oh lord, time to sink or swim*:
http://sunstreakedscorner.blogspot.com/
Story is called John Francis, set in late December 2008
I will just be over in another room, with a brown paper bag in my hand for a while...LOL!

OMG!!! This one is yours!!! LOVE IT! I really like the way "your" Richie is developing in this fic. Keep posting new chapters please!

Bayaderra wrote:

<quoted text>
OMG!!! This one is yours!!! LOVE IT! I really like the way "your" Richie is developing in this fic. Keep posting new chapters please!

Thanks so much! I love Richie in this story too, he just keeps "talking" and I keep writing what he says! I usually add 1 to 3 chapters a day and this is a very long ongoing story, so we'll see. Thanks for those who have read or stated this story. If you're just coming in, I know it's a lot to catch up on, but at least you won't be waiting for chapters!

Bounce wrote:

Mine is here, its got some sex but I like to think I am writing a nice romance lol as I am a sucker for it.
http://jbjfanfic.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-le...

I love this story. I just got caught up. Thanks keep them coming.

milliejbj wrote:

<quoted text>I love this story. I just got caught up. Thanks keep them coming.

Aww thanks, glad you are enjoying it, that's what its there for :)

Cammy61 wrote:

Aw man - ROFLMAO! I swear I wasn't doing a plug for mine, Ms. Diva, but I do and (deep breath) here's the link *oh lord, time to sink or swim*:
http://sunstreakedscorner.blogspot.com/
Story is called John Francis, set in late December 2008
I will just be over in another room, with a brown paper bag in my hand for a while...LOL!

I love the John Francis story, but you already know that babe! I try to leave detailed comments for you as i know how much I appreciate it when people do the same for me.(And I appreciate your comments on mine-always nice to find a kindred soul!)