Reading and writing.

[foxmonkey]

So...if you write fic, do you read it as well?

I'm asking because I read a comment in a community where the poster (a writer) said that she rarely reads other people's fic unless it's recommended. This just boggles the hell out of me. I get the theory (bad!fic abounds!) but...well, I just can't wrap my brain around it.

Maybe I'm just a Philistine who'll read anything that's put in her path. ;-) Well, not everything, I do have standards, but, yeah. I don't need a rec to read. Hmmm. Just wondering if this is more common than not.

Comments

[topaz119.livejournal.com]

I read all the time, as much as I can. I figure I actually learned how to write from reading fic and hanging out with all the awesome writers out there. And yes, badfic abounds, but even then there's so much to learn (and I don't mean that in a nasty way, like what not to do.) There are stories that I *cringe* at myself for reading, but I'm dying to know what happens next so at the same time, I'm trying to figure out what the emotional hook is, why I can't walk away and maybe how to make that work in not-badfic (at least, I hope so.)

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

I read all the time, as much as I can. I figure I actually learned how to write from reading fic and hanging out with all the awesome writers out there.

Me too! I'm a sponge, I'll read great stories, good ones and even just okay ones. I've even read a chapter or two of bad!fic in my time.

There are stories that I *cringe* at myself for reading, but I'm dying to know what happens next so at the same time, I'm trying to figure out what the emotional hook is, why I can't walk away and maybe how to make that work in not-badfic (at least, I hope so.)

See, I like that. Bad!fic, but there's something there that keeps you coming back, and yes, you can learn from that. I've seen a quote somewhere: "A little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika." -Dorothy Parker. LOL! I love that.

One of the TV shows I watch has ONE TRUE PAIRING, and I do mean ONE true pairing -- that I don't read, naturally. To compare: If there are 1000 stories about the OTP, there are maybe 10 of the pairing I like, and of those, maybe five aren't bad. So yeah, I *have* to wade through a little bad fic to find one or two good ones. We're talking *extremely* thin pickings. I don't think I'd have found those few good ones if I'd been waiting for recs!

[topaz119.livejournal.com]

I read off rec pages, too, for sure, because I read in a couple of fandoms that are big enough that I can't keep up and God forbid life should get crazy and I get behind, but I have a couple of odd pairings that I like, too, and so I end up reading almost everything out there for them and, um, yeah. Badfic. And some of it, I click that Back button at the speed of light, but sometimes, I'm just hooked.

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of odd pairings that I like, too, and so I end up reading almost everything out there for them and, um, yeah. Badfic. And some of it, I click that Back button at the speed of light, but sometimes, I'm just hooked.

I hear ya, sister! There's one on fanfiction.net that I'm reading now, and it's not quite bad!fic but it's not stellar, either, but every day when I get home it's one of the first links I check, looking for an update. Rare pairings, man. You do what you have to for your fix!

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

Were you one of the ones reading the Matthew Time BSB/Nsync drama that kept going on and on and on (and may still be, for all I know)? I don't remember the name of it, just that there was a new chapter like, every week for the longest time, and so many on my flist were reading it even as they hated it *g*

But yeah, good point on the reading-and-learning-how-to-write. I think I've learned a lot from reading and talking about writing to really talented authors. *cough* including present company :) *cough*

[topaz119.livejournal.com]

Not the second, never-ending story (Sucker?) but I was there every Monday for, lord, close to 2 years for Living. I just wrapped up one in SPN that I was rolling my eyes at myself for, but there was much whining in AIM if too long went w/o an update.

*mwhah*

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

I was there every Monday for, lord, close to 2 years for Living.

And don't forget the oodles of spin-off stories! The layout of that page made me want to *hurt* somebody, though -- who uses a circular layout for a long-ass serial WITH SEVERAL FRIGGIN' BRANCHES? Madness.

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

Were you one of the ones reading the Matthew Time BSB/Nsync drama that kept going on and on and on (and may still be, for all I know)? I don't remember the name of it, just that there was a new chapter like, every week for the longest time, and so many on my flist were reading it even as they hated it *g*

ROFL! OH MY GOD, 'Living!' I must say, I love slightly-creepy, hyper-focused, just a little psycho Justin (Cry Me a River, anyone?), especially when he's fixated on JC, so I ate that story up with a big ol' serving spoon. ;-) But yes, the drama! The tears! The unbelievable psychosis and neurosis and boyband smackdowns! That story was like crazy on crack, man. You wouldn't believe how hard I'm laughing as I sit here typing this. THANK YOU FOR THE LAUGHTER.

And don't forget 98 Degrees! I can't remember if it continued long enough for O-Town to get tossed into the mix. Do you remember the big intergroup marriage spree? The memories! Ow, my ribs hurt from the laughing. I loved that story.

But yeah, good point on the reading-and-learning-how-to-write. I think I've learned a lot from reading and talking about writing to really talented authors. *cough* including present company :) *cough*

A virtual cookie for you, sweetness. :-) ::kiss::