Because the commentary never stops
Mar. 22nd, 2004 01:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
azuriteAnd Mer never shuts up, but you all knew that.
Lil Perfect Sin says: Is it just me, or most of the SetoxAnzu fics always have the same storyline: Anzu is always hired by Kaiba, Kaiba falls in love with Anzu, Anzu has a dark secret of some kind, Kaiba has a dark secret as well.
o_O I hate it, because she's right. That's just what I did with WDKY, isn't it? I mean, the tragedy thing was somewhat cliche as a general rule anyway, and many anime fandoms have that one egocentric, snappy, [rich] bastard who every girl loves to hate. He's always the perfect one to pair up with the most stubborn, friendly, girl in the series.
Look at...
Usagi x Mamoru
Miaka x Tamahome
Momo x Kiley
Kagome x Inuyasha
Akane x Ranma
o_O Coincidental? I THINK NOT!
>_> But all this looking over WDKY has got me shaking in my shoes. Maybe I should take a break from it after 9, and post some of the other YGO fic ideas collecting dust in that shriveled up organ known as my brain. I know I have a lot of the ideas for future chapters already plotted out... but there's something missing that I had at the beginning of the story that I just don't have anymore. That and, I need a beta. I really, really do.
Okay, so with WDKY, yeah, Tea does get hired by Kaiba, but that plot fades... and doesn't make a solid comeback until Part 10/11. Kaiba doesn't just "fall in love" with Tea; it's one of those angsty, annoying "processes" (get a parent to say "processes," in that parental-tone, and you'll see what I mean) that takes time. He goes from being confused over his attraction (not even knowing it *is* attraction) to annoyance (that Tea isn't attracted to him back, as far as he can tell), to more confusion (when Tea responds "negatively" to his "advances"). And later... well, you'll see. And as for dark secrets, Tea's "dark" secret is the focal point of the plot, and isn't a secret (really) at all-- it's the death of her parents. I suppose her "dark" secret is her living with Kaiba, but the only people who don't know that are her friends-- certainly not Kaiba. Maybe her affection for Kaiba? But then, even Mai and Serenity know about that. Kaiba's dark secrets... well, his past (where Gozaburo Kaiba was involved), but that's revealed in Part 8. His own affections for Tea, and... ???
Is it cliched enough?
Mero's been trying to wade the treacherous fic waters alone, thinking she's all good, but noo... I'm drowning here...
Lil Perfect Sin says: Is it just me, or most of the SetoxAnzu fics always have the same storyline: Anzu is always hired by Kaiba, Kaiba falls in love with Anzu, Anzu has a dark secret of some kind, Kaiba has a dark secret as well.
o_O I hate it, because she's right. That's just what I did with WDKY, isn't it? I mean, the tragedy thing was somewhat cliche as a general rule anyway, and many anime fandoms have that one egocentric, snappy, [rich] bastard who every girl loves to hate. He's always the perfect one to pair up with the most stubborn, friendly, girl in the series.
Look at...
Usagi x Mamoru
Miaka x Tamahome
Momo x Kiley
Kagome x Inuyasha
Akane x Ranma
o_O Coincidental? I THINK NOT!
>_> But all this looking over WDKY has got me shaking in my shoes. Maybe I should take a break from it after 9, and post some of the other YGO fic ideas collecting dust in that shriveled up organ known as my brain. I know I have a lot of the ideas for future chapters already plotted out... but there's something missing that I had at the beginning of the story that I just don't have anymore. That and, I need a beta. I really, really do.
Okay, so with WDKY, yeah, Tea does get hired by Kaiba, but that plot fades... and doesn't make a solid comeback until Part 10/11. Kaiba doesn't just "fall in love" with Tea; it's one of those angsty, annoying "processes" (get a parent to say "processes," in that parental-tone, and you'll see what I mean) that takes time. He goes from being confused over his attraction (not even knowing it *is* attraction) to annoyance (that Tea isn't attracted to him back, as far as he can tell), to more confusion (when Tea responds "negatively" to his "advances"). And later... well, you'll see. And as for dark secrets, Tea's "dark" secret is the focal point of the plot, and isn't a secret (really) at all-- it's the death of her parents. I suppose her "dark" secret is her living with Kaiba, but the only people who don't know that are her friends-- certainly not Kaiba. Maybe her affection for Kaiba? But then, even Mai and Serenity know about that. Kaiba's dark secrets... well, his past (where Gozaburo Kaiba was involved), but that's revealed in Part 8. His own affections for Tea, and... ???
Is it cliched enough?
Mero's been trying to wade the treacherous fic waters alone, thinking she's all good, but noo... I'm drowning here...
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Isn't my Bakura avy hot?
Date: 2004-03-22 12:04 pm (UTC)Beta? Beta, you say? *raises hand avidly* Ooh, pick me, pick me! I volunteer! I adore being a beta-reader and seeing as how my current beta-ee hasn't sent me anything to actually go over in a long while, I'd be happy to fill the position. That is, if you'll have me! *^_^*
Re: Isn't my Bakura avy hot?
Date: 2004-03-22 11:11 pm (UTC):D I love volunteers! >_> Just, I've never had a beta before, so I have no idea where to start or what to do. It's not like I can just dump my stuff on you and go "Here, fix this." o_O I'm kinda stuck here. I'm used to turning stuff into teachers, because they get PAID to correct my work. ^^; So...???
Uhuh...
Date: 2004-03-22 10:26 pm (UTC)*inhales deeply* There is no escaping 'cliches'. What you're talking about dear, is actually 'archetypes,' which is a natural part of writing. You're never (well, I don't want to say 'never'...but it's highly plausible that you won't) going to write a story that isn't going to use elements from stories you've read before. It's a very complicated thing to explain, but I suggest you do research on it if you're interested. As a writer, this is something you need to know (look at me, the English geek... the reason I know so much is because I'm going to be majoring in this stuff next year. Arggh!) because it's actually quite motivating. Consider it a challenge--- a spin on cliches and archetypes. Weee!
To be honest, I find it hard to spot the cliches in WDKY---well, maybe the obvious one where Tea goes in to live with Kaiba for one reason or another (a lot of people are ripping that plot. o.O Even myself, somewhat.)
I would rather you wouldn't take a break from WKDY simply because *I've* been shaking in my shoes waiting for an update, but if you think that this is something you need, then I guess you'll have to take time off.
But I think your problem is easily fixable. Instead of taking a break from WKDY completely, why not just do some revisions, neh? Collect your thoughts, exterminate a few typo-demons and tweak whatever you need to tweak. It's not a bad fic at all! Every one sometimes has to look back and do revisions... hell, I still have a nasty grammar problem that I can't seem to fix.
You've really got a good story going on here, Az. Cliches/Archetypes...you're never going to escape from them. I had the misfortune of throwing a hissy fit mid-way through a fic whenever I realized that I wasn't being completely 'original.' There's no escaping it... The only thing you can do is pretty much put your own twist on things, as you're doing now :)
Again, I feel as if I'm somehow responsible for you having thoughts like this about your story. I apologize profusely. Honestly... I only wanted to help :/
Re: Uhuh...
Date: 2004-03-22 11:15 pm (UTC)And know that I'm not the type to take a flame and bawl about it, or say, "I'm never writing again!" BAH! I've been writing fanfics since 1997, and I've never let flames or concrit stop me. :) I do write for an audience, however, and so I seek to do the best job I can-- and then get better. Who doesn't want something great to read? Besides, the better a fic is/gets, the more praise is heaped on the author, and an ego-boost is better than chocolate at times. o_O
Ah, archetypes-- I suppose I do recognize a few of them; storylines really don't come out of nowhere anymore, do they? I mean, for everybody, it's "been there, done that" in some manner or fashion, isn't it?
As for revisions, YES, I have many pages of revisions to do. Nothing completely story-altering... but I have a changelog I'm adding to constantly, and several notes I took when rereading the first few chapters (when I got *that* bored).
Btw, you have helped! A great deal! ^_^ And if you want to help more, please do!
Oh, and write more of your own fic!! :O
Re: Uhuh...
Date: 2004-03-23 04:20 am (UTC)Since 1997, hmm? S'about the time I started writing too. ^_^ What got you started?
For me, it was Mummies Alive. lol. I loved that show to death when it came out... too bad it was cancelled :(
Re: Uhuh...
Date: 2004-03-23 02:01 pm (UTC)Beta beta beta!
Re: Uhuh...
Date: 2004-03-23 02:44 pm (UTC)I think you know the email.
no subject
Date: 2004-03-23 09:38 am (UTC)