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| What do you go for when you vote in the competition |
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What do you go for when you vote? |
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 17:11:43 12 October 2003 |
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ToRmEnToR
(Senior)
On forum: 08/26/2003
Messages: 116
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i'd go for the story itself , and the message it tries to convay (if any). language is very important. cuz if you'll find a story full of grammer errors and spelling errors, like it or not, your mind will be focused on fixing the flawed text, rather than having your mind focused on the story. the writing style is important too, cuz the writing style is the thing that lets you forget the fact that you're reading the story, and actually making you feel like you are seeing the story.
and finally, horror would be more important than action, cuz action is kinda cheap, but horror can leave a mark, or maybe get you thinking about the story even after you finish reading it.
the relevance to the game is important, cuz after all we are writing fanfics, but define relevance. if the writer adds a couple of weapons that wont be included in the game, will it turn the story from being a good read into a horrible piece of text? anyways, i didnt check the relevance option, cuz there can be many levels of relevance. |
| 21:46:04 12 October 2003 |
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Ian_C
The man lacking a plan
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 08/02/2003
Messages: 273
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I don't think anyone specifically goes into a story looking for incorrect spellings or tenses ( at least, I hope not ), for me such things are only an issue if they are so bad as to interfere and threaten the story in question - in the end it is the content and style which matter, for me anyway.
Style of writing has been a popular choice, but it can be a pretty ambiguous quality to try and achieve; you can look at any number of bestsellers and point out where a certain author's strengths lie, things such as detail or technical understanding, some would say those strengths were their 'style'. Personally I think style is as much about what you choose not to say as what you do say, how you play with the reader's expectations, whether you create likeable characters, it's esssentially a big number of things rolled into one classification.
Tormentor made an interesting observation about 'horror' over action. Stalker looks to be a game where man is out of his element, unprepared, and so as he faces up against the unknown there would be a definite sense of fear and dread - horror doesn't necessarily have to mean severed limbs and buckets of blood, even a vague but nagging suggestion can unhinge the reader's nerves - the implication of something they can't see, can't pin down.
Action is a tricky one, and some definitely write it better than others. My skills in writing action are pretty rusty, so I try to build characterisation and throw the reader into short, violent action scenes where there are no heroes with huge kill-counts but rather small groups of men, fighting for their lives while trying to keep their judgement intact.
"I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork."
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| 11:26:48 13 October 2003 |
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Goodspeed
(Senior)
On forum: 07/25/2003
Messages: 70
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I've voted for Plot and Writing Style. And I wasn't that surprized to see them on no 1 & 2 either. Grammar & Spelling are of minor importance to me too, except when too obvious and interfering.
It's too bad that those issue's 1&2 are also the most dissapointing in the stories I read. Maybe a few semi-original monsters and good styles, but most writers go for the same old, same old. And don't get me started on the tension, which is closely related to the plot. Most stories have comments saying, they've skipped through or gave up, because it couln't hold their attention. And each time I had to agree with them.
But this shouldn't be a reason to give up, get mad or take revenge. I don't expect everybody to be a proffesional writer. Hell, I myself am far from it. But I absolutely hate it, when someone posts a story written in a half hour, crammed stiff with every macho-clich
‘Right, this calls for a particularly subtle blend of psychology and extreme violence.’
- Vyvyan, The Young Ones
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| 06:10:33 14 October 2003 |
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Amoki
back with a vengeance
(V.I.P.)
On forum: 07/31/2003
Messages: 1729
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Well, to be honest, I'll go for plot and title. Why? Plot is the one that keeps you going, but as Goodspeed said, the tension is also important. For title, you may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but you can certainly judge it by its title. Language is not really that important to me. I really hate lousy paragphing plus expletives. Length is also not that important, as long as the tension keeps me going. That is what I am practising now- tension.
Great, independant Iraq War journalism: http://michaelyon.blogspot.com/
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We fight our countrys battles In the air', on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom , And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marines.
Our flags unfurl'd to every breeze From dawn to setting sun';
We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job - The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. - US Marines Hymn
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