What makes a good story

[C.Gholy]

What in your mind makes a good story?

For me the main focus should be the characters. Do they act realistic and can you feel for them?
Decent grammar and spelling, you would like that as it makes the fic a little clearer.

[Pickle]

It has to be clear. Very clear. As much as I like descrition, if I can't follow it, I don't want to read it.

And directly into fan-fiction, I believe in characters acting in-cannon. I hate it when they do not!

[Butterscotch]

pickle said:

And directly into fan-fiction, I believe in characters acting in-cannon. I hate it when they do not!

I second that. I find out of character-ness distracting.

Spelling and grammar should be decent. A few mistakes are fine, but things like Internet acronyms and smilies should be avoided. (I shouldn't have to say that but I do ¬_¬)

It sounds a bit strange, but I really enjoy HM fanfics that don't focus on Jack/Jill or an OC. I really prefer fanfics that are about the various residents of Flowerbud/Mineral Town/Forget Me Not Valley etc. There are so many characters with stories to tell! I'd much rather read a story about Cliff trying to woo Ann than a story about Jack trying to woo Ann.

Also, I don't like "stories" written in script format. I find it hard to focus on stories written like this

[moko]

yeah, like butters, i enjoy reading stories about other characters besides jack and claire. but maybe that's because in most of the hm fics i've read, they've made them into a mary-sues. god, i hate mary-sues.

also, when it comes to fanfiction, i'd prefer a unique storyline. there are so many overused storylines (like having one person thinking they're boy/girlfriend is cheating on them because of a misunderstanding, like seeing someone else kissing them and thinking the feelings are mutual). i'd just prefer something that doesn't have them get together right away (that's just unrealistic) or be such a lovey-dovey, perfect couple who's love will never be swayed and all that sh*t. i'd like to think the fic i'm currently mentally writing is not like those kind of stories, but i guess i can't be too sure (though it is kinda hypocritical, since it's starring claire). *shrugs*

anyway, spelling and grammar is always good, and so is having the characters in character. i don't mind the characters being a little out of character (since in games like hm, the personalities of characters can't really get too developed), but nothing over the top or exaggerating.

[May]

I think a good FanFic definitly needs detail...and conversation. Many FanFics I've read are only paragraphs of actions and setting, with barely any conversation, and some are pretty much all conversation. A good FanFic, In my opinion, would need a good amount of both.

I agree, it needs to be clear, and good grammer and spelling.

[Breann-Chan]

For me is the plot of the story. If it doesnt have a decent plot no ones going to pick up the book. I think the characters and vocabulary is also good. Right now my Sotry T.S.C focuses n the world of magic and the chinese Gods. Its Semi-religous but doesnt have a Religous feel to it.

See i try my best to make storys people would want to read. My dreams is to become a Famous Author. ^^ Maybe do some children books and some teen books.

Themes and Morals are alos important. ^^

[zero]

a good story to me has to have a plot that grips you, intrigues you without giving away too much info. Spelling and grammer are badly needed, since no story can survive with runon sentences and never-ending paragraphs. Also, the characters have to each have their own unique personality and stick with it through the story, unless something major happens and gives them a 180. Trying to make things subtle but giving it clearly away is no good at all.

[Banika Conchita]

I think good description, how I believe:
Bad:"She walked over to her black bike.
Good:She trotted over to her shiney black bike.
And not overloaded like:
She slowly and gently walked, carresing the pavement in each step, over to her old, rusty out of style bike which could barley be of any use at all.

Maybe in one sentence, but the story would take to long to read if you describe every little thing they do.

[Butterscotch]

Also, the characters have to each have their own unique personality and stick with it through the story,

You bring up a good point. I touched on keeping characters in character in fanfics, but it does apply to orginal stuff as well. I'm sure we've all seen a movie/TV show/book etc. where the characters weren't acting the way we know they're supposed to be.

unless something major happens and gives them a 180.

Too some degree, yes. People do experiance life-changing events that leave them forever changed. But even that should, if possible, reflect a character's personality. If you establish early on in the story that a character doesn't cope well with change, then having a 180 personility change makes sense.

It's also often better to have gradual character development. Say Jack starts out immature and lazy. Instead of one huge event that makes him mature and a hard-worker, several events that build character might be more interesting. Or not, it depends.

She slowly and gently walked, carresing the pavement in each step, over to her old, rusty out of style bike which could barley be of any use at all.

Witness Mary-Sue in action! XD

[zero]

Takashi(my OC from my currently titleless Original seires) is for sure going to make some huge changes to his personality. As well as several other Main characters. The changes will be low-key at first, but it'll show as the chapters wear on.

[Juxapose]

I feel that a good story has a good plot.

Spelling and grammar are important in understanding the story. We all make them, it's unavoidable, but making as few as possible is definitely a plus.

I also feel that being a bit original is also key. Most of the games have the chars say one or two lines in the game, and nothing about their past or personality. As writers, we need to fill in the blanks, but not get too carried away. Some things need to make sense, and in character. But it's okay to go slightly off character to make things more interesting.

I also feel that being unique is also important. Just wriiting a journal about what you did in a game is not very interesting. Also, doing things exactly how the game portrays it can get a little corny. Yes, the strawberry is bigger than your head in the game, but should you really apply that logic in a fanfiction?

[Butterscotch]

Another thing: I've seen quite a few fanfics where the characters "sweatdropped". Anime style sweatdrops are a visual gag that doesn't translate well to prose

[moko]

yeah, i've seen the same thing with someone "falling down anime style". it really just doesn't have the same effect. <_<

[Pickle]

So I read this horror story. Well, a horror fan fiction. It was great because it went into such detail about how grotesque things looked.
I know before I said decrition was not important as clearity. But the deiscrition that story gave...it was breathtaking.

[Rozewater]

hyuugasakura said:

I think good description, how I believe:
Bad:"She walked over to her black bike.
Good:She trotted over to her shiney black bike.
And not overloaded like:
She slowly and gently walked, carresing the pavement in each step, over to her old, rusty out of style bike which could barley be of any use at all.

Maybe in one sentence, but the story would take to long to read if you describe every little thing they do.

While I understand your point, sometimes people don't go into enough detail. They go though things too fast and it's not realistic. Detail and helping you visualize things is very crucial. And also, I would like to note, I agree that people often put too much dialog. A healthy balance is necessary.