Need Fanfic Recommendations for PICKY reader

POSTED BY: LeeH
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 17:16
VIEWED: 25051
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LEEH

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:02 AM

This is an appeal for recommendations for good--and I mean, GOOD--FF/Serenity fanfic.

Here are my limitations:

1) I can't read badly written fic: I taught English for a really long time, so if it's stylistically clumsy, or full of bad grammar and punctuation, I get so distracted and irritated that I can't enjoy the story. So it has to be literally "well written."

2) The characters need to sound like themselves: if they don't, I don't really feel like I'm reading about the characters I know and love, and the story won't hold my attention. So I need writing that captures the way the characters speak and think (a tall order, I realize, but I've seen it done, and done well).

3) I get bored to death by heavily plot-driven stories, rather than ones focused on character development. A good plot is great if its purpose is to take characters on emotional or moral journeys--if it's just action-adventure, then I'm not interested.

The one FF writer whose work I have reliably loved is LJC (i.e., Tara O'Shea). So I'm looking for more like that. I've liked some of Maystone's material too. So if you know of anything of that caliber, please pass on the recommendation--I'll be most grateful!

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

AERIN

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:06 AM

Oooh! I wanted to start a thread like this! I'm kind of scared to read fanfic because it's not Joss-approved. However, I know there are good writers on this site and my Firefly addiction is growing beyond all manageable proportions!

LEEH

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Aerin:
Oooh! I wanted to start a thread like this! I'm kind of scared to read fanfic because it's not Joss-approved. However, I know there are good writers on this site and my Firefly addiction is growing beyond all manageable proportions!

So tell me who you think is good!! I downloaded a bunch of fic awhile back and ended up not liking any of it for the above-mentioned reasons. I don't care if it's Joss-approved; it just has to be worthy of the 'verse it's written for. . . .

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

SHINY

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:12 AM

Maybe it would be useful to have a list of the top rated fanfic?

---

I don't need a gorram back-spaceship driver!!!

AERIN

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:16 AM

Um, I haven't read any yet, that's why I was thinking of starting the thread.

Jayne: I once hit a guy in the neck from 500 yards with a bent scope. Don't that count upstairs?
Book: Oh, it'll be taken into consideration.
Jayne: You made that sound kind of ominous.

STDOUBT

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:27 AM

Hey there,
I'm picky too! I liked the first of this series:
"The Big Stick"
http://www.stillflying.net/
They're written in screenplay format.
The second episode came with a warning I should
have heeded. It was too graphic. Check out the
first one and see what you think. I think this
group of writers plans to stay true to canon.
But they really screwed up on "Hero Cpmplex",
and I have yet to read "Property Rights".
*
Make sure to read the one official script which didn't air. "Dead or Alive":
http://www.fireflyfans.net/feature.asp?f=45

SAMEERTIA

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:38 AM

First, let me just say that I've written in about nine fandoms, and read in over a hundred.

Of them all, Firefly writers tend to be the best I've seen in any fandom. It's seldom that I read something here and just think, "Oh, that sucked!" I was seriously intimidated posting here the first time. Still am, truth be told.

Lessee- character driven stories, not just action-adventure?
What about alternate reality stuff?
Is original character heavy stories okay? (Sorry, gang, I tend to get put off by pages and pages of original characters. I want to hear about our BDHs!)

LEEH

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 5:20 PM

I'm not wild about original character stuff--if it's done really well, that's fine, but I'm interested in the characters we already have, especially since there was so little time to develop them in the series/movie. Original characters are good if they provide a framework for a story that develops the existing characters, though. I agree--more about our BDHs!

Action-adventure is fine if it's part of a plot that is focused on character development. But some folks just like to write stories that are the equivalent of Michael Bay movies--action, shoot-'em-up, etc. for its own sake. Doesn't do much for me, personally, so I tend to get bored and quit reading.

My template for a really good fic is LJC/Tara O'Shea's "Lex Talionis." It's meaty, it's got action that compelling because it is entirely in the service of character development, it reproduces the 'voices' of the characters as unique individuals, and its prose style is clean and competent. My own fic is in a similar vein, although I can't claim to be as creative as she is.

Alternate reality is fine, although this reality has been so little explored (the series being so untimely killed) that I'd rather see that developed first. Cross-over is fine if well done, but usually that works better for comedy.

I'll take a pass on slash, btw; I never have warmed to it, even in the early days of its invention in Trek fandom. Not that I would refuse to read an extremely good piece of slash--I'll read anything that is very well written and really gets to the heart of the character.

"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

KBACHELDER

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 6:14 PM

On each weekly episode of the 'Firefly Talk' podcast we discuss a fan fic selection in case you want a little background on a piece before reading it.

Kevin

-----

Listen to the only podcasts in the 'verse dedicated to Firefly & Serenity...

The Signal
http://www.serenityfirefly.com

Firefly Talk
http://www.fireflytalk.com

MATTIE

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 6:45 PM

I've really enjoyed reading these fanfic, and ya know, I even enjoyed the "Hero of Canton" script--I thought it showed Jayne's true nature and it taught him a lesson that he won't soon forget.

They do a nice job developing the characters from where we left off in the TV series. I think that they do a good job of making the characters sound like themselves. I rarely see a typo--and trust me, I LOOK for those (English major that I am).

My advice, try these eps out: http://www.stillflying.net/
I enjoy them and I look forward to their newest installment weekly.

Wacky fun!

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