Sometimes I read a fic that stays with me, that I can't stop thinking about. It gets its hooks in me.
But if there's something significant about it that seems flawed (characterisation, plot, language use, whatever), I hesitate to rec it.
I read and enjoy a lot of fics. but usually only rec fics that are most compelling to me personally.
When I find a fic compelling enough to want to rec it, and it also has certain kinds of flaws, I usually don't rec.
@lookitmychicken yeah sometimes one aspect of a fic is really compelling but the fic as whole doesn't hold together for me
But also now I'm so curious what types of flaws you mean?
Hmm a few things off the top of my head:
- promising fic with weak ending, maybe it fizzles out or ends abruptly or seems unresolved in a way that doesn't seem intentional
- frequent typos or misuse of words (you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means)
- good story but some of the canon characters seem more like original characters wearing the canon character's clothes (I love a good OC but only if it's clear that they're an OC)
- good story but the sex and/or kink and/or understanding of consent is ... not good (I'm fine with bad sex, bad kink, dubious consent, etc. as long as it seems the author *knows* it's bad or dubious, and isn't just writing it that way out of ignorance)
- I love everything about the story except that the plot hinges on characters not communicating with each other for stupid reasons (this often gets a pass but not always)
@lookitmychicken @Forestofglory I'm more forgiving of the characters being bad at communicating in MXTX canons than I ever was before because a) it's canon, but more importantly, b) MXTX thinks it's hilarious, rather than tragic
Doesn't mean I love it when the fic writer writes miscommunication as a big engine for tragedy, I'm just marginally more forgiving
@Betty @Forestofglory
Oh yeah for sure. Also I think MXTX justifies it, in a way.
She gives her characters specific reasons to be bad at communicating in specific ways and about specific topics. E.g WWX has to smile & hide his pain because childhood trauma. LWJ can't openly express devotion or his mother will be taken away from him.
She doesn't just make poor communication skills the default human condition.
@lookitmychicken @Betty @Forestofglory I am SO much more forgiving about lack of communication if there's an actual reason someone would be bad at communicating. There are people who are very bad at communicating for various reasons!
But as someone who overcommunicates, overexplains, and wants to talk through everything...I can't relate. I'm always yelling, "JUST HAVE ONE CONVERSATION!" at the screen/page.
@Betty @lirazel @Forestofglory @lookitmychicken i don’t mind bad communication if the resolution is like “shit i/we need to work on communicating better” and then they actually do? But when its like the entire plot hinges on a character/couple just completely failing to talk and then the resolution is they talk once and go “oh so the thing i thought was happening isnt happening? great everything is good!” i go a little bit crazy bc no?? you’re just going to get weird and insecure/jealous/whatever the source of the misscommunication was again next week and do this entire plot over again????
@Satsuma @Betty @lirazel @Forestofglory
Yes this too! Learn from your mistakes, fictional characters!