(These thoughts on Fan Fiction were written in 2011, i’m publishing them almost word for word -just a few grammatical errors corrected- for fun.)
In this one I’m going to talk about some fan fictions, making a more contrasted example of how a story keeps its pull and how one loses it.
Dreaming of Moons
This story has that almost perfect beginning; witty and fluid dialogue, spot on characterizations, weighty yet appropriate vocabulary and a plot that showcases the best points of the characters.
The highlight of the story is probably the 3000 or so words before the sex scene. The leading man and his lady have been with us for a while, we have seen them interact with the world and interact with each other.
All of it comes to a climax(no pun intended) in the sex scene, which is not romanticized and feels very in-character. After that point and up to his birthday gift, the story is not at it’s best point but it’s still very darn good.
It is when Balthier and Fran arrive at the Tomb of The Forgotten Lady that this tale loses it’s luster and starts to spiral down. I won’t go into detail, there’s no need.
The story ends on a good note, though wrapped up in too few words. But that mediocre plot twist took the story’s overall greatness away.
Now, the beginning two thirds of the story have undeniable greatness, and are a clinic on characterization. But the last part of the story just can’t keep up the excellent pace and isn’t interesting enough to keep this story in hallowed air.
Now let’s “try” to rate it.
I’ve never rated a story numerically before, so there.
Prose: 4
Shrewd dialogue, engaging observations/thoughts and no mistakes seen at a glance.
Characterization: 4.5
Balthier is nigh impossible to fault, and since we experience the story through his point of view, it’s not for a lack of exposure.
On the other hand, while Fran is mostly pretty good, there are some smiles and attitudes that feel out of place.
Plot: 3.5
Before the Tomb: 4
After the Tomb: 3
Nothing to be said….
Arcana(feeling, prime/climax, structure, etc….): 3.8
Really, apart from that lull later on… this story is pure greatness. The feel and essence of it once it ends…. the way the plot fit into the characters, the characterizations and the excellent dialogue.
Man, this is a very good story. But falls just short of greatness.
Overall: 3.95
Now, let’s compare this to a story that is indeed pure greatness, one that feels not like a story but a tale.
My Sister Rosalie
Prose: 4.5
I am partial to mid 1900’s English… so that may be unfair.
Plot: 4
Rosalie kidnaps Bella and they are living on a cabin, in the middle of the woods, on winter with only the two of them. It’s been like this for almost 40 chapters.
And it hasn’t been boring One. Single. Time.
Every little thing moves us forward, or gives us a better look into the past. The happenings, the…. let me just stop and get to the main reason why this is pure awesomeness.
Characterization: 5
I’m not going to use hyperbole, but it hard not to.
This is the gold standard.
Bella circa 1930’s couldn’t be more Bella if she tried. She just does it, and it’s not all up on your face… it’s an understated greatness.
And then there’s Rosalie.
Nothing understated about this bad bitch.
She is just…. ok, let’s stop. I can’t come close to explaining at this time of night. Let’s leave it at:
Top 2
And she may be the number one character i’ve read on fanfiction.net
I’m saying Top 2 because I don’t want to discard all possibility and call her perfect. But I can’t recall a character being this her own and not the writer’s.
Which is close to the highest level you can take a character to.
Arcana: 4.5
Not even going to bother, this shit hits prime at about chapter 13 “Haute Couture” and does not stop. And let me remind you it’s now at chapter 56…. so there.
Feeling you ask? -.-
Structure? -.-‘
Let’s just move on with this.
Overall: 4.5
I’m not going to tell you to read it. I don’t have to. Just… yeah.