I joined to post fan fiction but apparently people don't like them.

[on:]

Is that the general consensus? I've written a (oh horror of horrors) trilogy but now am loathe to post since it seems people don't like them.

If I were to post, is there one format that's preferred over another, such as traditional narrative over a script? Mine are in the latter, each with 5 sections. What are the content limitations? As far as language goes, the worst thing that appears is damn and its variations. I guess I'll find out whether that's acceptable or not with this post. Are there folks who do enjoy reading fan fiction?

Thanks for any guidance you've got.

[Reply #1 on:]

About scripts:

Well..I do not think they work too well.
After all: A script is basically not a narrative medium by itself, but rather a tool: Something that helps you to create a movie/TV episode/theater play/whatever....but not something that tells the final story itself.

So, the novel like narrative form is imhO the preferable medium. With them, people often make one mistake: You can write down what characters think/feel, and this aspect is often overdone.
Especially Fry/Leela scenes can get REALLY sappy that way. Also, the show does usually not incoporate the persons feelings/thoughts in such a direct way, so adding them will most often not be Futurama-y.
E.g. no one in the show will say/think (s)he feels happy/sad/whatever. Their facial expression and demeanor will tell you that.

I think the most suitable style is the Funny Fantasy/Funny Sci Fi style, in the tradition of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Robert Asprin.

[Reply #2 on:]

They used to be all the rage on here, not anymore

[Reply #3 on:]

Fan fiction is always terrible.

[Reply #4 on:]

Fan fiction is always terrible.

It depends on the person who writes it.

[Reply #5 on:]

They used to be all the rage on here, not anymore

It's true, fan fiction isn't a popular thing on this board anymore. That doesn't mean you shouldn't post it, because we will all read it and be happy to give you feedback, it's just not a common thing on PEEL.

[Reply #6 on:]

Fan fiction is always terrible.

This is Freako! You don't have to pay any attention to him.

[Reply #7 on:]

Fan fiction is always terrible.

This is Freako! You don't have to pay any attention to him.

This is Xanfor, he has some flamboyant personal issues.

[Reply #8 on:]

Don't worry about Freako, he's the Resident Fanfic Hater.

And we all have issues. Welcome to PEEL.

As for the form of your fic, what Herr Hein said pretty well covers it. Scripts don't read well, they're what is given to a performer to bring a story alive. Narrative form is also my preference.

[Reply #9 on:]

If you post it people will read it.  Some of us still like fan fiction.  It's just that there aren't many people writing anything right now.  You might not get as many comments as you would have 5 years ago either, but nobody is going to chase you away from PEEL with torches and pitchforks. 

[Reply #10 on:]

*cough*

[Reply #11 on:]

I'll definitely read any that are posted.  Hell, it was through reading soylentOrange's Green Storm Rising (which is fucking awesome btw) here on PEEL that got me into reading and eventually writing my own.  You'll have better luck over on fanfiction.net though.

[Reply #12 on:]

*cough*

What?  I said 'nobody'.  I guess I could have said 'Freako', but don't those two words mean the same thing?

Nah, I kid.  I don't even pay enough attention to know who you are.

[Reply #13 on:]

No, you're right. I am nobody.

[Reply #14 on:]

Anyhow. It's not that there aren't any people who don't like fanfiction. It's just that 95% of fanfiction is shit.

If yours is good, then I urge you to post it. If it's not, then you should probably work on it a little before you do. As for the script format, I don't personally find it as engaging as a novel or short story format, but that's just me. I've seen good and bad examples of both styles.

Mostly bad. I mean it when I say that 95% of fanfiction is godawful excrement. If yours isn't godawful excrement, then I say post it. Of course if it is, and you post it anyway, then you'll at least get some useful pointers as to what to do differently the next time (as 95% of fanfiction writers aren't deterred by their fanfiction being worse than bowel surgery with inadequate anesthetic).

[Reply #15 on:]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I figured the fan fiction decline was probably because new episodes were being released, sort of serving as a passive disincentive to come up with your own story lines. I've written mine long-hand on paper and am in the process of typing them up, editing as I go. I've been working on them for a few weeks, so I'm not in any great hurry to put them up before everything fits logically even though that puts the drafts at risk of being destroyed by my 15-month old daughter. She's in the all-out mimicry stage where she wants to do anything she sees adults doing, including scribbling on any available writing surface. If the pen goes through the paper, so much the better- more shreds means more toys!

Thanks again.

[Reply #16 on:]

I was really enjoying this fan fix piece it even made me laugh in Several parts at the beginning.  Sadly the fry leela interactions felt long and was laborious reading to get through.  You writing isn't bad by any means but your format and fry/ leela talk needs some revising.

TLF:  this is the fan fix I speak of
(http://www.peelified.com/Futurama-Forum-6/Topic-23262-0-Its_a_fan_fiction.html)

[Reply #17 on:]

 Damnnnnnnn!!!!!! I posted in another dated thread!!!!! Arrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply #18 on:]

There's nothing wrong with bumping an old thread if you've got something to add to the discussion. Double posting is more likely to annoy people.

And besides, this isn't really that old anyway.

[Reply #19 on:]

This one isn't so old - also, what fan fic you responding to?

(also, use your edit button ;D)

[Reply #20 on:]

Ugh, yes the final segment is laboring out in the land of Google Docs. They switched up some stuff and I have been busy working on the weekends on real life things instead of my story. It's all done I've just been putting off the editing.

[Reply #21 on:]

Well I'm looking forward to the end.  BTW is a twist of some sort in order cause I feel one is necessary.

[Reply #22 on:]

Is that the general consensus? I've written a (oh horror of horrors) trilogy but now am loathe to post since it seems people don't like them.

If I were to post, is there one format that's preferred over another, such as traditional narrative over a script? Mine are in the latter, each with 5 sections. What are the content limitations? As far as language goes, the worst thing that appears is damn and its variations. I guess I'll find out whether that's acceptable or not with this post. Are there folks who do enjoy reading fan fiction?

Thanks for any guidance you've got.

There are definitely some people that don't like fanfiction.  Then there are people who don't care much for fanfaction.  Then there are people that do like fanfiction.  Some of the people in the final category would probably enjoy reading your fanfiction, and some of them might even critique it.  The people in the middle category won't visit your thread much, and if the people in the first category do, you could pretty easily ignore them.  This forum is for posting fanart and fanfiction, so it's the perfect place to post your work.  Nothing holding you back.

[Reply #23 on:]

Thanks, Winna! Sometimes you are quite whimsical and non-linear in your posts and I don't understand what you've written, but that one is easily digested. I'll try to wrap up my final installment over the weekend. With what looks to be a wicked hurricane headed our way, I won't have much outside to occupy my time.

[Reply #24 on:]

I usually give most fanfictions a try. Most of them are pretty bad, but it's the occasional ones that are brilliant that keep me sticking around. I have my own little set of fanfic rules that helps me decide, but I'd never discourage anyone from posting theirs. It helps keep the fandom alive.

[Reply #25 on:]

I agree with winna. Most folks that stop by won't have much to say in response after they've read your stuff. That doesn't mean it was hated or anything, it just means they read it and went about their day. I think if you want attention for it you should end up over at Tumblr... Those folks seem to get wild and crazy over fics that're reblogged a lot regardless of how good they are.