Fan-Fiction Discussion (Including Harry Potter Fan-Fiction)

[Beatifically]

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions

1. What type do you generally like to read?
a) Marauder-Era (Marauders and Lily's era)
I love reading the Marauder era. I can only read oneshots of other eras. I can't read any fanfiction with the trio without getting irritated because I always spot authors making them OOC. Even the few good ones I've read do this. I also read the Marauder era because it's so mysterious and there's more room for imagining things. Anything goes.

2. What do you like better?
a) Storyline Fan-Fiction (Sticks to the storyline JK Rowling herself intended)
I like things that are canon. I can't read fanfictions written before the latest book came out without getting irritated. I'm really picky when it comes to fanfiction. I rarely can enjoy AU. I once read one that had Harry go back in time to the Marauder era and it was disgusting, as in I was nauseated. I won't say what it is, though - it's not family friendly.

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
a) General
b) Romance
c) Action
d) Comedy
e) Other
I like all of them. I like reading General (which is usually fanfiction depicting the Marauder's years), romance (Lily/James! ), action (which is rarely done well in fanfiction, but oh well, it's my favorite genre in books), comedy (Marauders are perfect for this!) and other. Other is dark/angsty which is really enjoyable to read when I'm in the mood for an intense fanfiction.

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Good grammar/spelling, a unique plot, a story that doesn't clash with what is canon, and characters that are in character. If it doesn't sound like a lot, it is because I'm very picky.

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Everything I said above.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
Yep. I've never finished one fanfiction, though. Now that summer is here, I think I will. *crosses fingers*

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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)
I won't answer any of these questions because I've never been satisfied with fanfiction outside the HP fandom.

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C) Other Questions

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
A lot. Marauderettes, cliches, poor grammar and spelling, OOC, and anything outside of canon. I could write five pages on this, but it'll take forever and I don't want to bore anyone with it.

[Dandinigirl13]

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?[/b]
A lot. Marauderettes, cliches, poor grammar and spelling, OOC, and anything outside of canon. I could write five pages on this, but it'll take forever and I don't want to bore anyone with it.

Totally. I hate cliches and poor spelling and grammar!

Now, this may seem odd to you guys but out of canon stuff doesn't bother me. I dunno why...

It's just, it's their fanfiction, they can do whatever they like with the world they're using. No matter how many people write the fanfics it will never rival JKR's stuff in any way, so I see it as an opportunity for an author to mould the world they're writing about to adjust it into their own plotline. It should'nt be such a big deal imo...

But JKR will never be rivalled by a fic!

The only thing that I see as going a bit too far in the 'out of canon' area would to have say, Harry in the marauders era or something...'cause that's slightly impossible. If a person was alive in that time period I don't see it as annyoing or there's anything wrong with 'tweaking' it a bit.. ..it's not real, after all.

maybe I'm just mad, huh?

OOC? Is that original characters? I don't mind them either... I perfer the author to have introduced something new to the world. But then again it's a matter of opinion...

I HATE it when fics or stories have no description, though...

[Drusilla]

I like reading well-written fanfics, but what kind (romance, comedy etc) I enjoy also depends on what the book/movie/TV show the fanfic was based on, was in the first place.

As far as HP fanfics go, I really like 'missing moments' fics of any kind (comic, drama, romantic etc) and funny ones. And I like some Marauder-era fanfics. There's not too much else I can read, really.

I do read fanfics based on other series, but the only criterion I go by there is that they should be well-written. Good grammar, careful spelling and keeping in character are a must.

[RemusLupinFan]

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions
1. What type do you generally like to read?
a) Marauder-Era (Marauders and Lily's era)
b) Hogwarts Era (Harry and Co. In Hogwarts)
I read fan-fic on both of those eras. I don't ever read anything that's set in the next generation.

2. What do you like better?
a) Storyline Fan-Fiction (Sticks to the storyline JK Rowling herself intended)
I basically stick to storyline fics, though I will read fics that are partially AU. It basically depends on how big a deviation from the storyline - if it's too different, then I won't read it. But if certain smaller details are different, I may read it. In general I like stories that are of canonical events, but are written from a different character's point of view; or stories that fill in some missing bit that we don't get to read about in canon.

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
a) General
c) Action
I like mainly action/adventure type stories, though general friendship stories are nice too. Occasionally I'll read comedy, especially if it has to do with the Marauders being 'up to no good'.

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
An interesting, well-written story that doesn't deviate too much from the original storyline; characters behaving like they do in the books - ie, no out-of-character characters; stories that focus on the main characters or characters that are favorites of mine.

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Characters or storylines that deviate too much from the original; Mary Sues; stories with no plot; stories where very implausible things occur.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
No, I'm a terrible writer.
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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)

1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
Well, I don't like to write fan fic, but I'll read fics of other fandoms that I'm interested in.

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Good grammar/spelling, characters and storylines that are relatively similar to the original (as I mentioned above), plots that are logical and interesting.

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Poor spelling/grammar, unknown characters, basically the things I listed above for what I don't like to see in an HP fan fic.

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C) Other Questions

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
Basically all that I listed above in the "what do you not want to see in a fan fic".

[Moriath]

Originally Posted by Drusilla

I do read fanfics based on other series, but the only criterion I go by there is that they should be well-written. Good grammar, careful spelling and keeping in character are a must.

That's one of my major requirements, too. That and the format. If I can't decipher the text because it's all in pink italics size 7 then I won't read it.

[Beatifically]

Another thing I can't stand about fanfiction is summaries that say something along the lines of, "I suck at summaries but plz read this!!!" Or authors that say "I must have 110 reviews before I post another story."

Originally Posted by Dandinigirl13

[b]Totally. I hate cliches and poor spelling and grammar!

Now, this may seem odd to you guys but out of canon stuff doesn't bother me. I dunno why...

It's just, it's their fanfiction, they can do whatever they like with the world they're using. No matter how many people write the fanfics it will never rival JKR's stuff in any way, so I see it as an opportunity for an author to mould the world they're writing about to adjust it into their own plotline. It should'nt be such a big deal imo...

But JKR will never be rivalled by a fic!

I'm just so picky so I need things to be in canon. So I don't want to read about the Marauders having some unknown person as the Transfiguration professor when it's supposed to be McGonagall.

What bothers me most about going outside of canon is when the characters are OOC. It's the main reason why I avoid anything in the trio's era; they butcher the characters. I've been unfortunate to have read some stories describe Hermione as a seductive, materialistic person rather than who she is. I can't stand it.

The only thing that I see as going a bit too far in the 'out of canon' area would to have say, Harry in the marauders era or something...'cause that's slightly impossible. If a person was alive in that time period I don't see it as annyoing or there's anything wrong with 'tweaking' it a bit.. ..it's not real, after all.

That actually falls under another category of fanfiction - AU, Alternate Universe. I can handle reading AU, but I never read crossovers or anything that has my basic pet peeves (grammar, spelling, & characterization errors).

OOC? Is that original characters? I don't mind them either... I perfer the author to have introduced something new to the world. But then again it's a matter of opinion...

OOC means out of character.

[DancingMaenid]

I don't mind AUs, but I do prefer that they fit the story and make sense. The problem I'd have with a story about Harry being in the Mauraders is because Harry, being James's son, couldn't have been around then! And I wouldn't see much point to an AU where nothing at all was similar to canon, such as a story where Harry and Ron are lifeguards on a California beach and Hermione is a swimsuit model. On the other hand, it's plausible that Voldemort might have chosen to go after Neville instead of Harry or something along those lines.

[kala_way]

Originally Posted by DancingMaenid

I don't mind AUs, but I do prefer that they fit the story and make sense. The problem I'd have with a story about Harry being in the Mauraders is because Harry, being James's son, couldn't have been around then! And I wouldn't see much point to an AU where nothing at all was similar to canon, such as a story where Harry and Ron are lifeguards on a California beach and Hermione is a swimsuit model. On the other hand, it's plausible that Voldemort might have chosen to go after Neville instead of Harry or something along those lines.

For me, if it's going to be AU I'm fine with it as long as it's stated. I like to know what I'm getting into. I don't care if someone likes Sirius and wants him to not be dead in their fic as long as they say something like "Sirius never died and was rescued from the curtain of death by Remus, woohhoo! on with the story" I just don't want to be reading along and suddenly Cedric is new Flying teacher.

Even super-AU is ok, though I don't read it very often. I've read some really interesting ones where the characters go to Germany or Australia or France or the US. Really I'm happy for people to try any sort of genre or subject as long as they bother to write a clear description, so I can decide if I want to read

Punctuation mistakes I can handle and even some amount of grammar mistakes, but using completely wrong words is what really annoys me. Using 'brake' instead of 'break' or 'wonder' instead of 'wander' or 'incite' instead or 'insight' In oneshots I just overlook it, but if you're going to write a long chaptered fic a good beta is a must!

[RemusLupinFan]

Originally Posted by kala_way

Punctuation mistakes I can handle and even some amount of grammar mistakes, but using completely wrong words is what really annoys me. Using 'brake' instead of 'break' or 'wonder' instead of 'wander' or 'incite' instead or 'insight' In oneshots I just overlook it, but if you're going to write a long chaptered fic a good beta is a must!

Yes, that is quite annoying. I also get annoyed when there are no capitalizations and the wording/writing is sloppy. That's what usually causes me to stop reading right away. I don't read a whole lot of fan fic, so if I'm going to spend my time reading something, it had better be decent. After all, if the author didn't spend enough time to make the story good and edit it properly, I don't feel obligated to spend my time reading it!

[Drusilla]

It's out-of-character actions and words that bug me more than other things, unless the story is very obviously a crack!fic or a parody of some kind. And the odd spelling slip-up can be forgiven, but demonstrating a total lack of knowledge of the rules of English is the fastest way to get me to stop reading in three lines.
I've written fanfic myself, and I know how tough it can be to ensure that a story flows the right way, but surely some effort is not too much to ask for?

[PureBloodGirl]

1. What type do you generally like to read?
c) Next-Generation (Future Generations of kids)

2. What do you like better?
b) Alternate Universe

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
b) Romance
c) Action

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
A good story, of course. Something that is very original, but sticks to the basic story of Harry Potter.

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Ideas being overused. People can overuse ideas for fan-fiction easily, but you've gotta put your mind and you entire imagination into an idea before you write it. Not just go off and steal someone's idea and try to make it your own.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
I've only written one.

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1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
Except for Harry Potter, the only other fiction I've written fan-fiction for is Doctor Who.

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same as the above. Something that is original, but sticks to the main plot of the original fiction.

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same as the above. I also do not like to see too many spelling errors and punctuation mistakes. They annoy me very easily.

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1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
Look below...

Originally Posted by Drusilla

It's out-of-character actions and words that bug me more than other things, unless the story is very obviously a crack!fic or a parody of some kind. And the odd spelling slip-up can be forgiven, but demonstrating a total lack of knowledge of the rules of English is the fastest way to get me to stop reading in three lines.
I've written fanfic myself, and I know how tough it can be to ensure that a story flows the right way, but surely some effort is not too much to ask for?

I agree. It bothers me when I go onto fanfiction.net and there are these fan-fictions that do not whatsoever go along with the characters or even the fiction that they are writing about. If you are writing fan-fiction, you should at least stick to the original story, just a little. Especially with the original characters.

I can ignore grammatical errors if the story is really interesting, but if it's your typical not-so-original fan-fiction, I can't let it go. I am a perfectionist when it comes to reading and writing and if the writer cannot use a beta or look over their work at least two times, it becomes very bothersome.

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions
1. What type do you generally like to read?
Voldemort love stories are always hilarious . I used to like Post DH but before Next Generation quite a bit too, but then they got rather boring.

2. What do you like better?
I like fanfiction that's unique but not quite alternate universe. Most of it has to be canon and it has to fit in and stick to what's in the books but still be creative at the same time.

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
I'll read anything except serious romance where it's all lovey dovey, unless if it's voldy romance, in which case it's just funny

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Well, I like stuff that's generally well written, I don't mind a few spelling and grammar errors as long as it isn't too riddled with them. As mentioned above, stuff that's unique. I don't mind reading stuff that isn't British and has a more American flair as long as the characters are in character and there isn't too much that is out of the HP universe

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
I hate slash, where all the characters are out of whack, unless it's comedy. Alternate Universe usually bothers me too.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
Only 2, one of which i'm pretty ashamed of now

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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)

1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
I only write Harry Potter fanfiction, but i suppose I wouldn't mind writing Dresden Files fanfiction sometime

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same that i like in HP fanfiction

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same

[kala_way]

10 reviews by tomorow night & i'll post the next chapter. just be ware; i love cliff-hangers.

That's an actual quote from someones author's note! Makes me want to slap them upside the head.
Threatening your readers, poor spelling, no capitalization, using incorrect words, using symbols instead of words, bad punctuation, not to mention believing "cliff-hanger" means cutting a scene off right in the middle. I couldn't have made up a better example myself!

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

thta's just dumb . Asking for reviews is one thing but "threatening" readers is just stupid....

[Vig]

There are some fanfictions that really get to my nerves because of it's random treatment of the characters and has no storyline as such.

I generally don't like crossover fanfictions unless they are written well and is not silly. One of my main considerations is characterization and if that ain't good then nothing else matters.

[xobkwrmxo]

Questionaire:

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions
1. What type do you generally like to read?
a) Marauder-Era (Marauders and Lily's era)
b) Hogwarts Era (Harry and Co. In Hogwarts)
c) Next-Generation (Future Generations of kids)
All three

2. What do you like better?
c) Other
I don't really mind which, if canon or non-canon. It's always fun to read crazy ones, and I then I like ones that make me feel as if I'm reading the actual book as well!


3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Romance is my top, but I also enjoy comedy, or anything else as long it's well- written.

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
I like Dramione, Scorpius/Rose, Draco/Ginny, James/Lily, and then all the canon pairs.

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Slash that's not written into the books.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
Yes. I have one, and then some other fandom fanfiction.

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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)

1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
Twilight, and then maybe I'll write some for House of Night, Vampire Academy, and Maximum Ride.

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Romance

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Slash not established in books.


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C) Other Questions

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
Slash not established in the books.

[LoonyForMoony]

Fan-fiction is just "one of those things".

It can be awesome; sitting down to read a well-written, insightful, imaginative fan-fiction is one of my favorite ways to while away a rainy day. However, sadly, such fics are sometimes hard to come by. There are days where I will sit down at one or the other popular site and, browsing for half an hour, find nothing but stories which distort and pervert Rowling's world and characters; sometimes in ways that honestly disturb me.

You'd think that with the thousands of fan authors out there, there would be enough fresh imagination to keep fan-fiction from developing cliches or becoming repetitive. However, that is sadly not the case. While some writers and nothing short of brilliant, far too many just go along with the cliches which have developed around many of Rowling's characters. If you've noticed and been annoyed by any of these things, here's the place to share your thoughts!


1. Which characters do you think have been most distorted/stereotyped by fanfiction? In what ways?

2. Has fanfiction ever altered your perception of an event or character? If so, are you fine with that, or do you wish that you had retained what you imagined originally?

3. What are some other advantages/disadvantages of fanfiction?

For instance, from what I've seen, I would say Dumbledore has been distorted the most. In a vast majority of fics that I've read, he is portrayed either as a despicable, manipulative, heartless old man, or as a moron who does nothing but "twinkle" and offer people lemon drops. Both depictions are sadly far from Rowling's pivotal character, and I am always depressed after seeing such a portrayal of him. As for Severus; sometimes I have a hard time finding the greasy, snarky, unpleasant man of canon in the handsome, kind, chivalrous, debonair bachelor that fanfics tend to make of him.

Another pet peeve of mine is the common portrayal of the trio. Harry is typically depicted as a useless third wheel, while Ron is a gluttonous pig who never does anything useful. (Both invariable leave off the first three letter's of Hermione's name when they address her, something that bugs me beyond all reason.) Hermione herself is changed too; the sharp, bossy, bushy haired, buck-toothed schoolgirl is lost beneath the swoony, auburn-curled, curvaceous, stereotypical heroine of fanon.

Those are my major peeves; there are others, but those are the ones that I think are most prevalent and annoy me the most. (Actually, slash is probably what bugs me the most, that that's a completely different topic. ) Anyway, I'm interested to hear people's thoughts!

[MC2456]

Questionaire:

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions
1. What type do you generally like to read?
a) Marauder-Era (Marauders and Lily's era)
b) Hogwarts Era (Harry and Co. In Hogwarts)
c) Next-Generation (Future Generations of kids)
d) Other (explain)

(a) and (c)
I like the speculation by the fans.

2. What do you like better?
a) Storyline Fan-Fiction (Sticks to the storyline JK Rowling herself intended)
b) Alternate Universe
c) Other

(a) and (b)

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
a) General
b) Romance
c) Action
d) Comedy
e) Other

e) Other: Angst (Angst is pretty common in Harry Potter FF, I'm surprised it wasn't listed)

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Couples. (I especially like slash)

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Characters who are out of character. Like, if it's an Original character/Harry pairing, Ginny is portrayed as a vindictive, bitter and jealous ***** who wants to kill everyone. I don't like Ginny that much and I know she's not going to be all over Harry's girlfriend in the fic, but must she be that out of character?

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
Oh yeah. I wrote a crossover between the Teen Titans and Harry Potter. I wrote a couple of Remus/Sirius slash and stuff like that.

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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)

1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
Lord of the Rings, Teen Titans and Ruby Gloom.

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Interesting plot.

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Bad grammer/bad spelling/internet speech. These are pretty much discouraged, but no-one reads the foreword on FF.net. Will it kill them to use spell-check for once?

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C) Other Questions

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
Bad grammer.

[Falllon]

Questionaire:

A. Harry Potter Fan-Fiction Questions
1. What type do you generally like to read?
a) Marauder-Era (Marauders and Lily's era)
b) Hogwarts Era (Harry and Co. In Hogwarts)
c) Next-Generation (Future Generations of kids)
d) Other (explain)
Marauder Era, but occasionally Hogwarts Era. Never Next Generation.

2. What do you like better?
a) Storyline Fan-Fiction (Sticks to the storyline JK Rowling herself intended)
b) Alternate Universe
c) Other
Alternate Universe mostly.

3) What genre do you like in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
a) General
b) Romance
c) Action
d) Comedy
e) Other
Romance and tragedy.

4) What do you particularly look for in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Something with a good story line, is well written, and has good grammar.

5) What do you not like to see in Harry Potter fan-fiction?
Bad grammar and poor use of punctuation. Hard to believe plots.

6) Have you written Harry Potter fan-fiction before?
Only one-shots and drabbles.
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B) General Fan-Fiction: (All other types of fan-fiction besides Harry Potter)

1) What stories do you like to write fan-fiction for? (Other than Harry Potter)
Sweeney Todd, occasionally.

2) What do you like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same as in Harry Potter Fan-Fiction.

3) What do you not like to see in General Fan-Fiction?
Same as in Harry Potter. Also, things that are not accurate to a particular time period.

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C) Other Questions

1) Any Pet Peeves when it comes to fan-fiction?
Mary-Sues and Original Characters.

[Shingie]

...or as a moron who does nothing but "twinkle" and offer people lemon drops

OH MY GOSH! I've read so many Dumbledore fics that are EXACTLY like this description like this. Dumbledore is one of my favorite characters to mess with because there's so much to work with. Although I'm kind of a hypocrite because in my fic Dumbledore knits, has a Furby, and has Barbies X'DD I'm surprised nobody has bashed me for it yet; oddly, they've all complimented on my "unique" characterization

I know most people don't like to read OCs because they oftentimes turn out like Mary Sues, but I still like reading OC based fanfics -- because even Mary Sues can be a good read if the writing is good enough, and it's quite satisfying to stumble upon a well-developed, flawed OC.