I enjoy writing fic is because I like letting the creative muscles flex. I like exploring possibilities, ideas etc. I use this as practice for 'real' writing. Hopefully one day. Anywho, I first started writing fic when I was a teen and since that time my tastes have changed. I still enjoy the rare crack fic but I have um, certain criteria. I like stories that challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone. I really admire writers that can take a concept and twist it.
For instance, GeminiGemelo wrote a fic where Mufasa was bad and Scar was good, well as "good" as his character could possibly be. I thought 'DAMN! That was brilliant'. Another story I read featured Scar and cub Nala. I see too many fics where Scar and Nala stories always have this pedophile/rape theme and it gets......repetitive at times. This one I read just had the two of them speaking to one another and it felt natural. Neither character really changed and it felt plausible. Cub Nala was still sweet and thoughtful while Scar still had that slightly manipulative edge but he was a perfect gentleman. Now, those kind of fics are what I enjoy.
All too often though, I keep seeing the same things and concepts. I don't want to name names or stories but since 'rejoining' the fandom and catching up on stories on various fanfiction outlets, I have discovered what I like and don't like. I know that I really don't like OCs.
What is up with this fandom and OCs? I ask this because characters that have potential to be explored in depth (Sarafina, Rafiki for example) are ignored in favor of someone's original character. It gets...redundant after awhile.
I guess it comes from personal habit/preference because in comicbook fandom, an OC is usually a code name for 'Mary Sue'. I have seen fora get very passionate about this thing not just in fic but in actual ones dedicated to a series. LOL! When I do an OC, I keep them as oblique as I can and not make them the center of the story. I cannot stand it when an OC/new character overpowers established characters with ease. It's not realistic and it makes the other characters who were there before look incompetent.
(For instance, there is a new character in the Batman fandom that's really testing fans on account of her tragic backstory, her 'edgy' look and how she might be a possible replacement for Robin after the last one died recently)
I also don't like crackfic as much as I used to. You can be clever and witty and when done right, I think there can be a fourth wall exploration/reference. Regulus wrote a rather hilarious piece for a contest recently that I thought was brilliantly funny and plausible.
What I look for/enjoy
1) Characterization-This is important to me. If you want me to care, I have to believe that these characters can 'say' these things. I do not want to see Scar or Mufasa saying 'Huh' or 'Yo'. It is the equivalent of finding a hair in a slice of cheesecake. No. Think about it. What is their psychology? How would THEY react to a particular situation. It's not about how YOU would react.
2) A new concept/twist and making it believable-I forgot who wrote the piece that takes place in outer space but I thought that was funny. I also like Human AU stories. The key for me is if the writer put thought and emotion into it. As an aspring 'writer', I think it is important to make the small details count.
3) Shipping-More Mufasa/Sarabi and less Kovu/Kiara please!
How about you? What do you look for in a LK story? What are your preferences? What DON'T you like?
As always, let's be respectful with differences in opinion.