Dear Fan Fiction Writers...

[Rabble]

All right, so you've discovered how to use a spell-checker. You know to proof-read before placing your story before the Public. You know what a Mary-Sue and a Gary-Stu are and how to avoid misusing them. You reaserch things you don't know about, rather than just guessing how that thing works. If you MST, you do it properly. You know the fandoms biggest cliches and know when you're using them.

I'm so proud of you!

Now, i'm curious... I truely am. Why, exactly, are you writing in script-form? Are you planning to get some friends to put on a little fan-fic play? Drawing up a fan-comic? Hoping the movie/television shows' creators will be amazed by your imagination and impressed by your understanding of the characters?
I can't think of any other reason you've put a story out in such a form otherwise. I don't like reading script-form. If you're writing in a literary fandom, it does suggest you've seen the normal way to present stories. You're putting your fic out for The Public to see. Make it public-friendly!

Edit: Please note, this is NOT actually aimed at anyone here... It just annoys me a lot.

[Something Evil]

Script type fics can work in the hands of a good author, if it's humor at least. However, I can't say anything else but that I generally agree with you, as a person who has spent quite a lot of time in the world of fanfiction lately.

[Bronze-Dragonrider]

The only ones in script form that I like are parodies of films. It just seems to fit that way.

As for a gerneral fan-fic in script form, that makes no sense to me and I'm with you Rabble, WHY not just write in regular lines and paragraphs like a regular story??

[Kath]

If you MST, you do it properly.
...
Now, i'm curious... I truely am. Why, exactly, are you writing in script-form?


ObLivious: Isn't Mystery Science Theatre 3000 usually best suited to script form...?


(runs and hides!)

[Grey Bear]

You know, I came across a rather poor attempt at an Angel fanfiction not so long ago and it was in the style of a script. I read it, read it again and then reviewed it as such.

"Picks up script and studies it intensely. Decides its not worth it, and nails it to the inside of the toilet for later recycling".

Please, do yourself a favour and don't do it as though you're expecting someone from Warner Bros to pick it up and go "Oh wowie, this would make an excellent film!" Ain't gonna happen...

GB

[Anareth]

ObLivious: Isn't Mystery Science Theatre 3000 usually best suited to script form...?


(runs and hides!)

I'd have to agree here. MSTing is best left to script form.

[RobinBradbery]

OK, call me dense but...
What is script form?

[Kath]

Kath enters stage left and glances at RobinBradbery
Kath: Script form? I think you're asking about something like this.


Seriously though, it's just the way some people's fanfics seem to be a string of he-said, she-said, with little in the way of description beside a few minor hints of blocking.

[Bane]

Not saying anything. I actually have the script to the Romeo and Juliet movie starring that DiCap whatsit guy. I read the first page and fell back on good ol' Shakespeare. is version was much better, if not harder to read because of all the thees and thous.

I agree with Rabble. And I think what was meant by the MST thing was that when it was done, it was done right.

[TamTam]

Don't look at me! I write in prose form.

Well, except for that stupid little Star Trek: TNG parody I did ages ago...

[Kugai]

I've never written in Script Form - Never had need to.

(Admittedly, there have been a few frustrated with the way I wrote Part 1 of my Star Trek Fanfic, but at the time, it just seemed to fit the way I wanted to portray the story, so I gritted my teeth and left it as it was!)

Script form is just that - For Scripts! I don't mind reading a FanFic in Script Form if it's in Parody, but otherwise, stick to standard Paragraph and Sentence form ....... PLEASE!!!!

[j_mercuryuk]

I've read a few and I've felt rather ill afterwards. I did read one which was good, but it wasn't really a fanfic, more of a 'what they should have said' fic.

[Just Bob]

Seriously though, it's just the way some people's fanfics seem to be a string of he-said, she-said, with little in the way of description beside a few minor hints of blocking.
That's not script-style, it's just bad writing.
In theory, fanfics in the form of scripts for a play or TV show should be capable of as much depth and interest as standard prose. There have been plenty of wonderful writers of literature in theatrical format (perhaps you might have heard of a certain Mr. William Shakespeare?). However, you can't just use it as a shortcut to not describing the setting or events fully. Theatre has its' own strengths, many of which have their origins in the script-writing style, but you've got to realize what those strengths are before you blunder forward.

[Zei]

I'm so proud of you!

I'm sorry, my ears went into shock after this sentence. :evil:

[Brenda]

Why, do you read with your ears? :redfruit:

[Greenrider Tresa]

Script form? ZZzzzzzzzzzzz
Blah. Sure way to get me to lose interest in seconds. Though if it's a script of an actual episode that's different.

[Zei]

Why, do you read with your ears? :redfruit:

Yes, is there a problem with that? :evil: