The No-No's of PR Fic Writing.

[SnoopsWarner]

I got this from a website a few years ago, I didnt write it. However, it's very relevent.

Perhaps worthy of a sticky.

The No-No's of PR Fic Writing

1. Know the damn characters.
2. Mixing and matching ranger teams only works when you have a reason for it.
3. Raping Kimberly and torturing her to death has been done.
4. Kat is not EVIL.
5. Neither is Billy.
6. Neither is Tommy.
7. For that matter, all Ranger characters are intrisincly (def. "on a basic, unalterable level") good.
8. You can make them evil IF you actually give a plausible back story.
9. Alcoholism isn't terribly entertaining.
10. Same with drug use.

11. No matter how fascinating you find your very own DayGlo Orange Ranger, odds are that you are the only one.
12. Sex is ok, if you do it well.
13. Odds are that Jason is not going to feel sexually normal after Billy gives him a blow job and then fucks him up the ass.
14. Jason is not likely to thank Billy for the sex by then taking Billy's anal cherry.
15. Trini is not likely to suggest that Billy have sex with Jason to make Jason feel more sexually normal.
16. The Rangers are such that they are all very likely to use protection.
17. It's very unlikely that Tommy would cheat on Kim.
18. If Tommy did cheat, Kim is not likely to fuck Billy just to show Tommy her displeasure.
19. When portraying homosexuality in PR, remember that Jason doesn't appear to be openly gay.
20. It is pointless to cripple a Ranger and then hand over superiour powers that effectively cancel the injury.

21. In general, communing with spirit animals is cool, but can also be super dumb with just a stroke of the pen.
22. Enough with Billy communing with wolves.
23. There are no wild wolves in California.
24. It's very unlikely that Billy is Dulcea's son/relative/husband/lover.
25. Same for Tommy.
26. When making up your own Ranger character - don't have them be so damn perfect.
27. Do NOT have your new Ranger character immediately score with your personal fav ranger of the opposite sex.
28. No special powers to the new Ranger either.
29. Just because you're gay, that doesn't mean your favourite Ranger is too.
29a. Same as above, only substitute for "transvestite."

30. When writing sex, remember to actually stay in character. For example - Trini isn't a whore.
31. Stories where Tommy runs around behaving like a crazy psychotic individual with no apparent reason are dumb.
32. Evil clones are kinda stupid when you really think about it.
33. Yes, the Rangers are dumb enough to be fooled, but just the same, your evil clone better not run around breaking federal laws in front of the Rangers.
34. Billy and Kim are not likely to enjoy being forced to rape each other for over a year.
35. Billy has no secret room in his house.
36. No PR story with any group of Rangers should use the words "cunt" or "pussy."
37. Zordon will never muse on whether the boys have "nice tight asses."
38. No PR story should ever have "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" in it.
39. Never, ever assume that the audience remembers what happened last season.
40. Justin can be an interesting character.

41. Justin should never be used in a porn story.
42. No one wants stories about Tommy racing cars.
43. Billy has never appeared suicidal. (I am speaking about fics where Billy is eating pills, playing with guns, causing car accidents, etc.)
44. Andros' preoccupation with his sister is almost as boring as Tommy losing his powers.
45. Likewise, no one cares about Tommy's problems.
46. Tommy is not Japanese.
47. Tommy is not related to Lord Zedd in any way.
48. Billy is not the child of aliens.
49. T.J. should never use the word "nigga."

50. In general, racism is a tad heavy for a PR fic.
51. No matter how much you want it, Skull is not a smart person.
52. No one wants stories about Bulk and Skull.
53. Kendrix and Kimberly are not lesbians.
54. Evil spells in fics are just as dumb on paper as they are on TV.
55. The new villains that you make are also just as dumb.
56. Your evil spells should be consistent with the show.
57. Evil spells and sex make REALLY STUPID stories.
58. You better keep the characters consistent to the show. Example - Trini isn't a whore.
59. Stories about Billy's relationship with Cestria are boring.

60. Stories that involve Cestria dumping Billy and shipping him back to Earth need to have more than the first three lines of the story to set it up.
61. Stories where Kimberly is held as a slave and has Tommy's baby are dumb.
62. In general, using Rangers as slaves on alien worlds is pretty dumb.
63. De-aging Rangers was awfully stupid on TV…so what makes you think it'll be better in a fic?
64. Aging Rangers was also pretty dumb.
65. When crossing story lines with other shows, pick something that people have heard of.
66. Having Jason raped stopped being amusing a long time ago.
67. Jason isn't likely to allow his father to rape him repeatedly without simply running away.
68. Torturing Jason with abusive parents was interesting once.
69. In general, crippling Rangers needs to be done well.

70. No one wants new Rangers.
71. Making Lt. Stone a Ranger is pretty dumb.
72. Making Lt. Stone a Ranger by killing Billy and Aisha is really dumb.
73. Never screw around with fake PR villains and actual Earth god figures.
74. Never use pagan stuff unless you have some clue about it.
75. When killing Rangers, be tasteful.
76. Ashley is not a fucktoy.
77. Carlos, Zack, T.J., Cassie, Aisha and to a certain extent, Rocky, are merely token characters.
78. Taking a Ranger and using him as an "Angel" replacement in a "Buffy" crossover is just stupid.
79. Recreating old Ranger powers is stupid.

80. When using Mulder and Scully - They damn well better be characters.
81. No one likes your personal Ranger team so don't make them better than the real team.
82. No one likes your special Ranger either.
83. In general, characters from other shows should not become Rangers.
84. This includes characters from Highlander, Buffy, and Star Trek.
85. No matter how much you like a Ranger, making them so much better than the others just ends up dumb.
86. Please don't take out your mental illness on PR - this refers back to Billy being suicidal, Rangers with mental illness, drinking problems, etc.
87. Angel Grove is not goth central so leave the vamps at home.
88. Pikachu is incessantly cute...too cute for PR.
89. Ashley is awfully bitchy on the show...her character should reflect that personality trait in fanfic.
90. Rita and Zedd don't work as good guys...sorry.
91. No Power Ranger should ever describe a sex act.

[y3k]

1. Know the damn characters.
this is why I create my own characters, and not use ones from the show.

73. Never screw around with fake PR villains and actual Earth god figures.

I hope that dousn't include Greek/Egyptian gods.... :D

[Nitro_Thunder_Ranger]

I agree with some of those points but others seem rather opinionated. I agree that sexual content,drug use,mental illness etc are quite adult themes to be dealt with in a PR fic.

I have made my own fic a tad more violant,by that I mean when a ranger is hurt in teenage form they bleed or are hurt badly,to me makes the characters more beliveable if they have a level of vunerability.

to say that no one would like a made up ranger is a little harsh in a way it sounds discouraging to a writer I have my own character in my fic and I found that point quite discouraging.

:(

[the_purple_stranger]

As a good rule of thumb, if writing an original story (and not an inbetween the scenes story from an existing series), always write your PR fanfic as if it occurs AFTER all the other series/fanfics. This way, you don't tread on canon storyline factoids (How Things Actually Happened) or obnoxious rules lawyers (PR Expert Wannabes).

the_purple_stranger

[Nitro_Thunder_Ranger]

exactly, my Ninja Storm fic takes place two years after the events in the original series.

[Origanal Red Ranger]

I think as long as you do it with class and skill alot of these rules do not apply.

[SnoopsWarner]

2. Mixing and matching ranger teams only works when you have a reason for it.

11. No matter how fascinating you find your very own DayGlo Orange Ranger, odds are that you are the only one.

26. When making up your own Ranger character - don't have them be so damn perfect.

27. Do NOT have your new Ranger character immediately score with your personal fav ranger of the opposite sex.

28. No special powers to the new Ranger either.

81. No one likes your personal Ranger team so don't make them better than the real team.

82. No one likes your special Ranger either.


Those all apply to 98% of the fics on this board.

[ModrnEerie]

81. No one likes your personal Ranger team so don't make them better than the real team.

82. No one likes your special Ranger either.


Those all apply to 98% of the fics on this board.Then don't read them.

[SnoopsWarner]

Then don't read them.

If I were a crueler man, I would simply say, "Why dont you all stop writing them?".

But I'm not, so I wont.

[Origanal Red Ranger]

Ok I do agree with you on most of them, but some I disagree. I do get a headache when I see people who can’t even spell "Hello" right trying to make this fanfic-tastic fic, and doing a crappy job at it. I personally believe writers should start of practicing by themselves. Then move on to little fics after they become experienced enough progress onto more skilled pieces of fiction. But if you got the skill and a good perspective you could break these "No-No" laws at least most of them. Snoops Warner did you make references to Chyrl Roberts Naked Coed Jungle Adventure (SP)? Reading threw these rules I recognize these situations happening in some pretty popular fan-fics.

[ModrnEerie]

If I were a crueler man, I would simply say, "Why dont you all stop writing them?".

But I'm not, so I wont.
Say it. I don't care. Not like I'll listen..

[y3k]

Say it. I don't care. Not like I'll listen..

[SnoopsWarner]

Ok I do agree with you on most of them, but some I disagree. I do get a headache when I see people who can’t even spell "Hello" right trying to make this fanfic-tastic fic, and doing a crappy job at it. I personally believe writers should start of practicing by themselves. Then move on to little fics after they become experienced enough progress onto more skilled pieces of fiction. But if you got the skill and a good perspective you could break these "No-No" laws at least most of them. Snoops Warner did you make references to Chyrl Roberts Naked Coed Jungle Adventure (SP)? Reading threw these rules I recognize these situations happening in some pretty popular fan-fics.

I didnt write it. I came across it years ago. It was put together by one person, but most of the laws are submissions.


Oh, and Crystalranger.. I read through the fic you posted. You wanted a review? How about... Your fic reads as one long stage direction. Nothing more. You've wrote a page of exposition. Also, the English language uses tense. I found this page for you. It's like being back at school. It'll learn you good!

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html

But you wont listen, will you?

[ModrnEerie]

Oh, and Crystalranger.. I read through the fic you posted. You wanted a review? How about... Your fic reads as one long stage direction. Nothing more. You've wrote a page of exposition. Also, the English language uses tense. I found this page for you. It's like being back at school. It'll learn you good!

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html

But you wont listen, will you?
You're very good at being a prick. One long stage direction? That makes no sense.

[SnoopsWarner]

You're very good at being a prick. One long stage direction? That makes no sense.

I'm not trying to get dragged into a mudslinging match with you.

What part of "One long stage direction" do you not understand?

One - Means, well, one. Single. Uno.

Long - Not short.

Stage - In this case, theatre stage. Studio set, a stage.

Direction - What you're supposed to do, set instructions.

Does that help?

[ModrnEerie]

I'm not trying to get dragged into a mudslinging match with you.

What part of "One long stage direction" do you not understand?

One - Means, well, one. Single. Uno.

Long - Not short.

Stage - In this case, theatre stage. Studio set, a stage.

Direction - What you're supposed to do, set instructions.

Does that help?That's not what I meant. In what sense is it like a stage direction? I can understand if you're talking about Crystal Stone, since that's script-style. But PRInternational? That's not. And that's the one I've asked for reviews.

[SnoopsWarner]

That's not what I meant. In what sense is it like a stage direction? I can understand if you're talking about Crystal Stone, since that's script-style. But PRInternational? That's not. And that's the one I've asked for reviews.

PR International.

"He is the mighty Emporer Diastol, the son of satan, who was born through a human and changed into a demon as he grew older. He never knew his mother at all. He was sent to another galaxy to see if he would come out successful at conquering it. Well he came out of that in which he has conquered and enslaved."

This sounds like a character description from a script spec. It needs rewriten. There is detail here that should be elaborated upon, in seperate points, throughout the story.

""Oh man. A lot has happened." She says to herself. She remembers back when she was 16."

That should be, "She SAID to herself. She REMEMBERED back to when she was 16, "

Next, "Oh I'm so scared!" Shandstone says sarcastically. "Oh you will be." Kamala replies. They fight in the parking lot. Shandstone picks up a car and throws it at Kamala. "Whoa!" She screams as she dodges it."

That should be, "Shandstone SAID sarcastically" "Kamala REPLIED" " They FOUGHT in the parking lot"

Here's a little treatment I did on a line: "Shandstone PICKED up a car, and TOSSED it at Kamala. Kamala reacted instinctively, her supple muscles allowing her to bend and dodge the hurtling obsticle with ease. "Whoa.. getting closer...", Kamala thought to herself"

I wont go through it all, but there's an idea of what you should sort.

[ModrnEerie]

PR International.

"He is the mighty Emporer Diastol, the son of satan, who was born through a human and changed into a demon as he grew older. He never knew his mother at all. He was sent to another galaxy to see if he would come out successful at conquering it. Well he came out of that in which he has conquered and enslaved."

This sounds like a character description from a script spec. It needs rewriten. There is detail here that should be elaborated upon, in seperate points, throught the story.

""Oh man. A lot has happened." She says to herself. She remembers back when she was 16."

That should be, "She SAID to herself. She REMEMBERED back to when she was 16, "

Next, "Oh I'm so scared!" Shandstone says sarcastically. "Oh you will be." Kamala replies. They fight in the parking lot. Shandstone picks up a car and throws it at Kamala. "Whoa!" She screams as she dodges it."

That should be, "Shandstone SAID sarcastically" "Kamala REPLIED" " They FOUGHT in the parking lot"

Here's a little treatment I did on a line: "Shandstone PICKED up a car, and TOSSED it at Kamala. Kamala reacted instinctively, her supple muscles allowing her to bend and dodge the hurtling obsticle with ease. "Whoa.. getting closer...", Kamala thought to herself"

I wont go through it all, but there's an idea of what you should sort.About the first paragraph, I stated before that more and more would be revealed and explained as the story progressed.

About everything else, you're right. But remember--I wrote that fic a few years ago. I said I recently went through it to check for errors. However, that was only Spell Check. I didn't actually read through it carefully to check it over.

But hey..this is the third or fourth time I've tried to continue the fic. I guess I don't have the "umf".

[foreverhunter]

I enjoyed your post, Snoops. I read some of the fics here, and most of them are not always so wonderful, but have good ideas nonetheless. I know that doesn't make up for lack of ability, but still...

I don't know what you think about my Turbo fic if you read it or not, but if you have I'd like your thoughts if you want to give them to me seeing I don't get many critiques anyway. I'm always looking to sharpen my writing skills and accept criticism fine.


FH

[Gavyn]

OMG, Crystal, you have the longest fanfic in the all the history of the Internet, and this guy is dissing you on how it's bad.

Snoop, give me a break. Although I agree with some of those statements (I know they were not made by you), the fact that you're saying that 98% of the fanfics are related to


2. Mixing and matching ranger teams only works when you have a reason for it.

11. No matter how fascinating you find your very own DayGlo Orange Ranger, odds are that you are the only one.

26. When making up your own Ranger character - don't have them be so damn perfect.

27. Do NOT have your new Ranger character immediately score with your personal fav ranger of the opposite sex.

28. No special powers to the new Ranger either.

81. No one likes your personal Ranger team so don't make them better than the real team.

82. No one likes your special Ranger either

is not right.

It's more like 75%. 98% is almost every fic except 4 (I'm not going to waste my time doing the math.

Like Crystal said, you sure are good at being a prick.

[SnoopsWarner]

OMG, Crystal, you have the longest fanfic in the all the history of the Internet, and this guy is dissing you on how it's bad.

Snoop, give me a break. Although I agree with some of those statements (I know they were not made by you), the fact that you're saying that 98% of the fanfics are related to



is not right.

It's more like 75%. 98% is almost every fic except 4 (I'm not going to waste my time doing the math.

Like Crystal said, you sure are good at being a prick.

Did I say I wasnt a prick? Nope. I know I'm a prick. I'm damn well unlikeable. However, this, and the childish namecalling associated with it, is not the topic of discussion, you silly twit.

But I'm still right. What's the point in having "the longest fanfic in the all the history of the Internet" (sic) if it's unintelligible?

[Gavyn]

Did I say I wasnt a prick? Nope. I know I'm a prick. I'm damn well unlikeable. However, this, and the childish namecalling associated with it, is not the topic of discussion, you silly twit.

But I'm still right. What's the point in having "the longest fanfic in the all the history of the Internet" (sic) if it's unintelligible?

Ok, you say that.

But it obviously did something right, or Crystal would've ended it a long time ago.

[SnoopsWarner]

Ok, you say that.

But it obviously did something right, or Crystal would've ended it a long time ago.

What... what the hell?

It's a fanfic, you dolt. It's not as if it's dependant on the weekly nielsens.

[ModrnEerie]

OMG, Crystal, you have the longest fanfic in the all the history of the Internet, and this guy is dissing you on how it's bad.
Well...he was talking about the one that lasted two episodes. But thanks anyways. :p

[Gavyn]

Well...he was talking about the one that lasted two episodes. But thanks anyways. :p

Oh. I thought he was talking about Crystal Stone...

but that works. /shrug

To Snoop:

Most people end their fanfic when they know no one is reading. I don't, but I used to. I can already tell no one is reading DB; or at least it's viewed, but not responded to.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, anyways.

[BillysGirl]

Do NOT have your new Ranger character immediately score with your personal fav ranger of the opposite sex.

So, does this mean that I can't feature my character that I made up as Billy's girlfriend in ANY of my fanfics AT ALL? Or are you refering to a story where so-and-so fall in love right away, and then bump & grind on the first date?

Just wondering.

And I only have one story with Billy, when he was younger, with problems involving bullies and the results of those problems(self-harm with sharp objects)? Does that mean this one can't be posted?

[deacon shields]

it can be posted, snoops just wont like it, and seeing as how he has no say on what goes on, who gives a fuck eh?

[Windgrail]

I'll agree with lots of things here.

And...

Seriously changing the overall mood of the season is bad (i.e. you can deal with drug use in the Ninja Storm universe...but DON'T TURN a character into a junkie for no good reason!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!).
Seriously changing a character's personality without showing how they got there is bad.
Killing off a character, then having the others virtually forget that little fact once the new guy/gal comes in is bad.
Rangers morphing into members of the JLA is bad.
Cool names like Nephertitee and Diamond for your new Rangers are SO not cool.
BTW, for NS fanfic writers...Kapri DOES still exist...right?
GRAMMAR, biotch...learn it!
Cussing works...but only if the reader could possibly imagine that character cussing (Hunter? Yes. Billy? Hell no).
Sex can work. Really, it can. It can shine in new character development. But they should actually be in character first.

The key to everything is keeping characters in character and the mood of the season intact. You can deal with any subject you want in your fic. But for our sakes, please don't change characters unless there's a reason...and don't change the mood of the season you're writing in unless you've got a reason.

But, in all due fairness, fanfic is supposed to be fun. So, have fun. Please, we're writing about Power Rangers here. If you want the orange ranger to be a Mary Sue, do it. If you want Billy to rape Jason, do it. If you want to make Marah a ranger after killing off one of the Winds or Thunders, do it. Just don't expect many people to read it for long ;)

[SnoopsWarner]

it can be posted, snoops just wont like it, and seeing as how he has no say on what goes on, who gives a fuck eh?


Yes, it CAN be posted, no I WONT like seeing it, and nobody else will either. Because it will be crap.

[Kal]

Erm...most people in here are acting like arseholes. Your getting defensive because most of those points apply to you and Snoop is the target for the anger.

...so everyone, take your own advise. If you don't like this thread, then stop reading it.

[Lightspeed Zariass]

The positives of P.R Fanfics that DON'T follow the "dos and don'ts"

1. You get a good fanfic despite the uncoventional rule-breaking (Power Rangers: Hidden War, which breaks apart continunity established in the series bible and makes less sense to the major fan than Matrix Revolutions does to a Popcorn audience, however in Hidden Wars' case, the Popcorn audience can accept it)

2. You get a god MISTIE if it sucks (Forever Pink, the non-Arron version)

It depends on your preference, I only look at fanfics that expand/pay homage to the show in an effective way (Forever Red: The Novel, Hidden War, Tribulation Force) rather than ones that blatantly rush through "virtual seasons" (the Ninja Storm Season Two fanfic on Fanfiction.net that I have included in my favourates soley because it made me laugh)

[the_purple_stranger]

No offense to anyone, but I feel this thread has gone way off topic, is not a fanfic, and therefore, is in the wrong forum. Most of what is here is treading dangerously on being flames, and I feel that one of the administrators should step in and take the appropriate actions concerning this thread.

the_purple_stranger

[Lightspeed Zariass]

No offense to anyone, but I feel this thread has gone way off topic, is not a fanfic, and therefore, is in the wrong forum. Most of what is here is treading dangerously on being flames, and I feel that one of the administrators should step in and take the appropriate actions concerning this thread.

the_purple_stranger

I once posted a thread about Power Rangers Hidden War that WAS'NT a fanfic and guess what?

IT WAS REDIRECTED TO HERE!

Get your facts right before you act like some wannabe den mother, the only flames I see in here are from Crystal, which is understandalbe because Snoops had the gall to flame a piece of P.R Fanfiction that is quite liked and well respected.

There's a reason Crystal writes in that format, HIDDEN WAR WRITES IN THAT FORMAT AND IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST P.R FANFICS PERIOD

[ModrnEerie]

It's a habit to write most stories in script-format because writing plays is a hobby of mine.

Did I mention next semester we'll be using one of my plays for the winter production?!

[ShadowRanger]

No offense to anyone, but I feel this thread has gone way off topic, is not a fanfic, and therefore, is in the wrong forum. Most of what is here is treading dangerously on being flames, and I feel that one of the administrators should step in and take the appropriate actions concerning this thread.

the_purple_stranger

I haven't seen any flaming and I've been watching this thread since Snoops started it. Arguing back and forth is not the same as flaming, the argument is a difference of opinion, not a trading of insults. And as far as the forum goes, it fits here better than it would in the Genral Discussion fourm or the Polls section. And it doesn't belong in the dumbass section.

Oh and Snoops, I think you'll find that list came from Rap's site. I saw it a while ago when I was visiting there.

When it comes down to them, read them, think about them and ignore them if you want to. Nobody can claim that everybody will feel the same way about something. Two rules I like from the list with slight amendments.

1) nobody will like your original characters the same way that you do.

2) Know the show and the characters. Tommy will not beat a guy up for talking to his girlfriend! Oh and Trini is not a whore.

[deacon shields]

Yes, it CAN be posted, no I WONT like seeing it, and nobody else will either. Because it will be crap.

thats your opinion, if someone takes the time to write a fic it deserves to be posted and not judged beforehand by assholes

[ModrnEerie]

thats your opinion, if someone takes the time to write a fic it deserves to be posted and not judged beforehand by assholes
Arigatou.

[Mandolin]

Okay, my two cents:

38. No PR story should ever have "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" in it.

Guilty. Did that back in '99 with "Wherever You Are" and "New Blood." I've been told it didn't suck...

So, does this mean that I can't feature my character that I made up as Billy's girlfriend in ANY of my fanfics AT ALL? Or are you refering to a story where so-and-so fall in love right away, and then bump & grind on the first date?

Just wondering.

First question: An original character made up in order to give a character you love a love interest? When I read that, it set off a number of alarms. If that's your character's only purpose, it's not promising - characters like that tend to be pretty two-dimensional. (There are the rare cases where an original character does manage to beat the "Mary Sue" curse, but they are few and far between. I'm guilty of several of those.)

Besides, Billy has had a couple of canon romantic flings you could use. Violet? Laura? (Not including Cestria in these suggestions.) Or, why not develop a relationship with an existing character on the show? (In a way that it makes sense, of course. Billy/Trini was never canon, for example, but it's one of the more likely pairing possibilities between existing characters.) There's a lot you can pull out of canon, and tossing in another character just to give Billy a love interest seems kind of unnecessary.

Second question: I think that type of story is DEFINITELY being referred to here.

And I only have one story with Billy, when he was younger,
with problems involving bullies and the results of those problems(self-harm with sharp objects)? Does that mean this one can't be posted?

Can you honestly equate the Billy we knew from the show - who was very stable, good-natured and not masochistic (albeit with some self-esteem issues) as having been a kid who inflicted harm on himself with sharp objects as the result of bullying? And assuming any of the original five were friends with him at the time, would they let the bullying get that far?

Personally, I can't picture it...

[deacon shields]

Arigatou.

do itashimashite

[ModrnEerie]

do itashimashite
Not that advanced in Japanese. I DO know "sanjou", however, :D

[SnoopsWarner]

Thank you Dan. Thank you Shad.

I havent read Hidden War, but if it's even SLIGHTLY like PRI, then I can assure you that it isnt well liked or respected by anyone who can read at 7th Grade level.

[Gavyn]

Not that advanced in Japanese. I DO know "sanjou", however, :D

"Do itashimasite" means "You are Welcome".

I know Japanese :D Not all, but some. I am still learning.

Anyways, back on topic -- thanks, deacon, for telling it like it should be.

[ModrnEerie]

Thank you Dan. Thank you Shad.

I havent read Hidden War, but if it's even SLIGHTLY like PRI, then I can assure you that it isnt well liked or respected by anyone who can read at 7th Grade level.Will you stop ragging on the damn fic? I KNOW it was bad. Why the hell do you think I stopped? I only posted it again to get some feedback, considering the fact that I didn't get any before.

I haven't seen YOU post a fanfic here. Let's see you try to write one and have everyone enjoy it. Yeah, it's not as easy as it seems. So either put up or shut up, since no one made you read the "98% of the fanfics" here that you didn't like.

[ModrnEerie]

at 7th Grade level.
I wrote the fic a few years ago during the summer break between 7th and 8th grade. So if you're trying to be funny or make a sarcastic comment, then don't.

[SnoopsWarner]

Will you stop ragging on the damn fic? I KNOW it was bad. Why the hell do you think I stopped? I only posted it again to get some feedback, considering the fact that I didn't get any before.

I haven't seen YOU post a fanfic here. Let's see you try to write one and have everyone enjoy it. Yeah, it's not as easy as it seems. So either put up or shut up, since no one made you read the "98% of the fanfics" here that you didn't like.


Oh, I'm sorry. So your'e suggesting the only comments that can be made about fanfic posted here should be positive? Perhaps that's why there's so much that is simply poor.

I'm sure you know the old saying, "I may not know art, but I know what I like". That can be applied here.

[ModrnEerie]

Oh, I'm sorry. So your'e suggesting the only comments that can be made about fanfic posted here should be positive? Perhaps that's why there's so much that is simply poor.
When did those words ever appear here? There's a big difference between constructive criticism and bashing of a fic.

[Bionic Red]

I don't know where these rules came from, and SnoopsWarner will not be held accountable for them by me at least. But after reading them, I can break them down to ten Commandments...

1. Thou shalt not degrade one Ranger in favor of another. This includes killing them off without a full description of how it happened.

2. Thou shalt not overuse sex or profanity in your fictions, they cut away from the basic ideals of Power Rangers, and sometimes distract from the actual storyline. (In some cases, it covers for the fact that there IS no storyline.)

3. Thou shalt know the characters and use their characteristics properly. Placing a person out of character would encourage flaming.

4. Use evil Rangers only with a good back story. Tommy was under a spell, The Psychos were Cyborgs, Ryan and the Thunder Rangers were lied to, and Trent is fighting with a sentient suit. Those are back stories.

5. Thou Shalt not overuse plots that have been done, it kills the story.

6.Thou shalt not omit character descriptions. We actually want to know who we are reading about, and a name is not a description.

7. Thou shalt not plagerize.

8. Thou shalt not play around with incompetent generals in your fictions. (ie Rito and dumber.)

9. Thou shalt not use popular characters as whores, drug addicts, alcoholics or suicidals.

10. When creating your own ranger team, make sure that the arsenal is very descriptive, and makes sense.

[jc_lives]

My turn to stick my nose into this. Woo!
__--__

Am I the only one who thinks Snoop's points have merit? I like Bionic's list as guidelines.

First, having a fic that is totally off the wall can be good IF you're a great writer, in which case most here aren't. I ain't saying that to pick on people, but I assume most here at not even of age or either young adults, so it'll take time to really get it together.

Secondly, writing is an art. It's not something anyone can just up and do even though that's what people do. If you're typing out the ideas you have based on how excited you were as a child when you saw Thunder Ultrazord or whatever, you're creating rubbish. Having so many plot devices kill a story easily, also.

Third, if you're posting a fic don't get your panties in a twist if you get negative feedback. The world isn't made out of marshmellows despite popular opinion! Example: If you're in a martial arts class and you get hit don't start crying to your instructor that you're hurt. Suck it up.

Lastly, touching on my first point again, if you aren't a skilled writer, don't go for something outlandish. It's a waste of bandwidth and makes you look foolish.

Done.

[BillysGirl]

First question: An original character made up in order to give a character you love a love interest? When I read that, it set off a number of alarms. If that's your character's only purpose, it's not promising - characters like that tend to be pretty two-dimensional. (There are the rare cases where an original character does manage to beat the "Mary Sue" curse, but they are few and far between. I'm guilty of several of those.)

Besides, Billy has had a couple of canon romantic flings you could use. Violet? Laura? (Not including Cestria in these suggestions.) Or, why not develop a relationship with an existing character on the show? (In a way that it makes sense, of course. Billy/Trini was never canon, for example, but it's one of the more likely pairing possibilities between existing characters.) There's a lot you can pull out of canon, and tossing in another character just to give Billy a love interest seems kind of unnecessary.

Aaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhh! *bangs head on the desk* I knew this would come up sometime! :mad: Sorry for the upcoming rant, but I as a member of a GB forum who writes fanfics with Egon and someone else, not Janine, I tried to debate this without much success, cuz trying to to tell them that Egon's "feelings" for Janine, if any, can be open to different interpretations, was like PULLING TEETH!! Which is why I took great offence to having my fics labeled unfairly. I hate when I work very hard on sonething, and it gets a bum rap, or in this case, an unfair label.

Now, as for Billy, those two girls that he met, Laura and Violet, they were never brought back. So I don't think they're canon, and as for Trini, I don't think her feelings for Billy were ever in that way. Besides, I'm not sure they were compatible either. Now as for introducing a new character, when this is done, and the character appears on a regular basis, much more background on this character is revealed further into a series. This is how I write in new characters into ANY kind of fanfics.

And she doesn't become Billy's GF right away.

Second question: I think that type of story is DEFINITELY being referred to here.

Can you honestly equate the Billy we knew from the show - who was very stable, good-natured and not masochistic (albeit with some self-esteem issues) as having been a kid who inflicted harm on himself with sharp objects as the result of bullying? And assuming any of the original five were friends with him at the time, would they let the bullying get that far?

Personally, I can't picture it...

This is before he met Jason and the others. It's my own conjecture.

And you mis-used the word Masochistic. That means, "deriving Sexual pleasure from ONE'S OWN inflicted pain." That is not what self-harm is. It's a distraction from the emotional pain from outside trauma(ie, sexual assault, bullying, etc.)

I suggest you pick up the June/July 2004 issue of Teen Vogue. It explains in further detail about this, and it's out on magazine shelves right now.

Geesh! We're talking about fics I haven't posted yet! :P :rolleyes:

[CroweXV]

Here's the thing with all the rules...if something is done plausably and intelligently enough, anything can work in a fic. I'm not saying anything can work in your fic, I am using the impersonal you there. Certain things should be left alone just because many people do not have the skill to write the plot that they want to, it's not a dig on them, it's a fact. You may have all the best intentions, but not the ability, and while it's not your fault, you can't expect people to tell you that your work is great.

Here's what kills me, I'll be reading a new story, and there'll be a new character introduced during a season which is already over, said character is of relation to an existing character. I can deal with the AU, that's fine. The new character has been a ranger for a long time, but no one ever heard or knew about them or they become a ranger due to finding a morpher (no explanation ever on why the morpher was there). They come in, help the team, to which the team questions the new ranger's intentions...for no apparent reason. So many people write fics and give no reason as to the characters' motivation, it'd be one thing if it were explained later, but *normally* we get no explanations, and when we do, *generally* they are weak and/or make no sense.

And with new teams, we usually get no back story on anything, or the back story we do get is (insert new interdimensional being related to Zordon/or insert new/existing technological genius here) has an ancient enemy who has returned and is bent on destroying the city/person. Okay, I can deal with typical Power Rangers Stories, but that's where the explanation ends, none of the rangers ever pass two dimensionality. There's Red Ranger who is Super Man, can do no wrong except that he can't destroy the main baddie...and? Then there's Red Ranger Love Interest, usually the Pink Ranger, who is Kimberly's carbon copy to the Red Ranger's Tommy. Blue Super Geek Ranger. Black/Green and Yellow Ranger who are virtually nonexistant. Sixth ranger, super bad ass tough guy who broods for the simple fact to brood, generally evil to start, turns good and helps the team but never has anything to say after he initially turns good.

The only other thing with *New Ranger Team* fics, is when they insert uber everything seventh/eighth/ninth/etc. rangers. The writer overexerts him/herself and cannot write for the entire group of people.

I think therein lies the problems with most new fics, people overexert themselves with how they write. They can't focus on just one character at a time and force all the character's in a scene down the readers throats. It's tough to swallow for a reason.

[Cmar]

I agree with many of the 'fanfic no-no's', although I do think they (like many sets of rules) are a bit rigid. As a couple of others here said, if you're a good enough writer, you can take just about any central idea and make it work.

Being a good writer means not creating a character whose main purpose is to be a standin for the author, and who immediately takes over the story, becomes the author's favorite Ranger's love interest, is more powerful, beautiful, and talented than anyone else, and is admired and loved by everyone. These characters are so much alike and tend to be so annoying, you'd have to be Shakespeare to make one interesting.

Being a good writer means not warping an established canon character's personality just because you think it would be cool for him/her to have a drug problem, or be raped, or have been abused as a child. Not to mention these are serious topics and deserve to be treated as such.

Being a good writer means taking the time and making the effort to think out a plot that makes sense, to develop backstories that are convincing and fit the character, to think up original characters who seem real and alive, complete with flaws, quirks, and weaknesses.

In most cases, being a good fanfic writer means centering the story around the canon characters, not your own creations. Like it or not, most readers want to read about their favorite characters from the show. Some writers do a very good job of creating their own Ranger teams, but in reality that's not what most readers want to see.

And for BillysGirl: None of what Mandy said was unfair. All she said was that it's generally a bad idea to create a character whose only function in the story is to be a love interest for a favorite canon character. If you don't think that's what you've done, don't be so quick to take offense.

[Kal]

When did those words ever appear here? There's a big difference between constructive criticism and bashing of a fic.

You fool. He did give your constructive criticism, he even went as far as to post a whole chunk of your fanfic and then re-wrote it. It that is not constructive then you should REALLY get your ass back in school.

And besides, if people will post work on a board as harsh and raw as Rangerboard...bigger fool them. I would never post a fic here because half the people are damn idiots anyway....in fact...most of the posters here remind me of you...

[y3k]

The only other thing with *New Ranger Team* fics, is when they insert uber everything seventh/eighth/ninth/etc. rangers. The writer overexerts him/herself and cannot write for the entire group of people.


now see, I disagree. I have 7 rangers on my team (Red, White, Green, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink) for PR Olympia, and all of them have gotten a good deal of "screen" time (except the Pink ranger, but I'm currently working on an episode that deals with her)

It can be done with 7. Maybe not 8 or 9, but defenetly 7.

[Gavyn]

now see, I disagree. I have 7 rangers on my team (Red, White, Green, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink) for PR Olympia, and all of them have gotten a good deal of "screen" time (except the Pink ranger, but I'm currently working on an episode that deals with her)

It can be done with 7. Maybe not 8 or 9, but defenetly 7.

I agree. 7 is very possible.

Now, with my Deka story board that I am working on right now, eventually there will be 8 rangers, but the last one doesn't come in until the last 7 episodes. I can't say why or whom, for it'd give my story away, but, just trust me.

My SPD series will have 8: DekaRed, DekaBlue, DekaGreen, DekaYellow, DekaPink, DekaMaster, and two other rangers. But, I am also having 40 episodes, 10 more than my current series will have, so I don't have more fillers.

But, of course, my SPD series won't be around for another 3-4 months, for I am not yet finished on Dragon Blast.

[Kal]

"For a long while there was only darkness. The bleak landscape of the poor man's beaten mind was paramount only to the pain his body felt. In no specific place did he feel his pain but the overwhelming urge to stay within his darkend bubble of thought was everpresent.

Upon awakening, he found himself laying on a slab of stone. Cold to the touch, he soon discovered that moving was not an option he would rather take. The pain surged through his body, his mind, his very being. For hours he lay there. Convinced that he had been killed and his mortal soul had left the confines of the weary body that once held it.

Every so often he would fall back into a restless sleep. Unable to piece together the events prior to his being here, he battled with the blood red images of the incident. He could see great shadows towering above him. His body smashed by one more powerful then he. But he could not, for the life little life that remained with him, understand where he was or why he was there.

Fearing God himself, he lay in this drunken limbo for what seemed like eternity. Too ill to sleep, too tired to stay awake, he battled onward.

He finally awoke to the sounds of chanting coming from nearby. His bruised body gave him little strength but his resolve to understand his surroundings drove to sit up. And what pain he did feel. He rose up off the slab and stumbled down on to the floor. The harsh stone breaking his fall. With a sharp rush of pain through his legs, he cried out and wept.

A young girl rushed into the room and knelt down beside him. Her gentle touch a fleeting feeling. He felt safe all of a sudden as she dried his tears of anguish. From his bearly open eyes he could see a large chamber. One small slit in the far wall was the only source of light for the candlestick he could see bound to the wall were not lit.

Helping him up onto his slab, he relaxed once again, the chanting getting ever louder as the ringing in his ears subsided to a low hum. He tried his best to speak but his bruised and beaten mouth restrained him.

Exhausted, he fell back into a deep and haunted sleep, unaware that his Morpher was no longer by his side."

[Shoichi]

I agree. 7 is very possible.

Now, with my Deka story board that I am working on right now, eventually there will be 8 rangers, but the last one doesn't come in until the last 7 episodes. I can't say why or whom, for it'd give my story away, but, just trust me.

My SPD series will have 8: DekaRed, DekaBlue, DekaGreen, DekaYellow, DekaPink, DekaMaster, and two other rangers. But, I am also having 40 episodes, 10 more than my current series will have, so I don't have more fillers.

But, of course, my SPD series won't be around for another 3-4 months, for I am not yet finished on Dragon Blast.

I AM currently doing a DEKARANGER OVA, which is done with the dramatic and dark-feel. i'm doing it in chapters.... like three - five eps per chapter. it's now up to chapter 1 final episode. chp2 episode 1 will be up tomorrow. i've omitted the characters from the show and created my own, with new personalities different from those on the show. wonder what people would think of the first chapter?

[PurpleWindRangr]

now see, I disagree. I have 7 rangers on my team (Red, White, Green, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink) for PR Olympia, and all of them have gotten a good deal of "screen" time (except the Pink ranger, but I'm currently working on an episode that deals with her)

It can be done with 7. Maybe not 8 or 9, but defenetly 7.

I think as long as the writer can handle it there is endless possibilites for the number of Rangers. I have a series I'm writing that's close to 80 chapters already and throughout the team has grown to 11. If you know how to do it right a team that large can add to the story.

[BillysGirl]

And for BillysGirl: None of what Mandy said was unfair. All she said was that it's generally a bad idea to create a character whose only function in the story is to be a love interest for a favorite canon character. If you don't think that's what you've done, don't be so quick to take offense.

I wasn't saying it was unfair, I was ranting because I encountered this problem before on the GB forums that I'm at, and after tons of debates, I STILL got one of my fanfics labeled as Mary Sue, even though I've given COUNTLESS EVIDENCE CONTRARY to that. It was very frustrating.

I feel that this situation is different, and really doesn't need a debate. Besides, she's not just Billy's GF, she's also friends with Kim, Tommy, and everyone else.

[ModrnEerie]

You fool. He did give your constructive criticism, he even went as far as to post a whole chunk of your fanfic and then re-wrote it. It that is not constructive then you should REALLY get your ass back in school.

And besides, if people will post work on a board as harsh and raw as Rangerboard...bigger fool them. I would never post a fic here because half the people are damn idiots anyway....in fact...most of the posters here remind me of you...
YOU fool. No shit he actually did some good criticism, but what did he do right after that? Why don't you learn how to read instead of being a peice of shit retard.

If you don't like Rangerboard, then leave. No one's forcing you to browse, read, and respond.

[Kal]

YOU fool. No shit he actually did some good criticism, but what did he do right after that? Why don't you learn how to read instead of being a peice of shit retard.

If you don't like Rangerboard, then leave. No one's forcing you to browse, read, and respond.

...oh good job. Well done, how original.

[ModrnEerie]

...oh good job. Well done, how original.
Just what I thought. You can't respond because you're wrong.

Oh..what happened to "upholding the treaty"? What happened to "being a good guy"? Yeah, you're very good at acting. :rolleyes:

[Kal]

That's what I thought. You know you made yourself look like a dumbass.

Oh..what happened to "upholding the treaty"? What happened to "being a good guy"? Yeah, you're very good at acting. :rolleyes:

...pardon me?

I refuse to get into an argument about the treaty on the board, but feel free to PM me.

As far as my comments...I did not flame you. I was irritated by you, yes. Your a very irritating person, but my comments were based on your actions and your defence because someone "dissed" *shudders* your work.

I can appreciate getting upset. We've all been there, but when you get angry because of it, people are going to do it more. Just take it on the chest and move on. I didn't come here to argue but had I or no one else said anything, you would still be bitchslapping your way through the thread.

And please, do PM about the treaty, I would love to hear the comments from the amazing side changing man.

"I like the treaty"

"I hate it"

"I love it"

"Don't like it"

"Get rid of it"

...and so it goes.

[ModrnEerie]

I didn't come here to argue but had I or no one else said anything, you would still be bitchslapping your way through the thread.
Exactly.

And please, do PM about the treaty, I would love to hear the comments from the amazing side changing man.

"I like the treaty"

"I hate it"

"I love it"

"Don't like it"

"Get rid of it"

...and so it goes.
Oh? Please do tell when I've changed my opinions about the treaty..considering the fact that I've always said that I never have and never will have sign it, but will somewhat agree with it.

[ModrnEerie]

Also, you're PMs aren't worth the space in my inbox. Why not talk about it here? YOU'RE the one who did nothing but try to spread the treaty's "righteousness". But what ever did become of that?

Your a very irritating person
Because of noobs with split personalities like you.

[Kal]

Also, you're PMs aren't worth the space in my inbox. Why not talk about it here? YOU'RE the one who did nothing but try to spread the treaty's "righteousness". But what ever did become of that?


Because of noobs with split personalities like you.

:)

I wont argue with you.

"If there be blood on my sword, let it be my own"

[SnoopsWarner]

Ah, I thought I had posted a reply to this earlier, but it seems I had'nt.
Anyways..


Thank you Dan, thank you Shad.

And Crystal, this thread wasnt written as a direct attack on your attempts at writing- I hadnt even read your efforts until you posted here. The list is NOT my own work, but I do agree with the points raised in it. I feel that every writer can benefit from the advice listed, and it really is the only safe way to steer clear of mediocrity.

[JPHBK]

When I was reading that list I think I knew every fanfic that they were refering to in their references, maybe not by title but from rememberance of reading it.

Some of those things bother me too, some of them don't, it is all a matter of subjection.

I would say all in all I probably 85 to 90% agree with it. Although it doesn't apply to each individual writer, more so it is on average those things do not work.

[Gavyn]

I AM currently doing a DEKARANGER OVA...

And?

Dude, mine won't come out for another 4 months.

[ModrnEerie]

Ah, I thought I had posted a reply to this earlier, but it seems I had'nt.
Anyways..


Thank you Dan, thank you Shad.

And Crystal, this thread wasnt written as a direct attack on your attempts at writing- I hadnt even read your efforts until you posted here. The list is NOT my own work, but I do agree with the points raised in it. I feel that every writer can benefit from the advice listed, and it really is the only safe way to steer clear of mediocrity.
I wouldn't have started arguing with you had it not been for the unnecessary comment made by you on the first page..

[packfan6]

I don't like the list. Even though their are 5-10% I agree, anything can work with the right writer.

[Kal]

I don't like the list. Even though their are 5-10% I agree, anything can work with the right writer.

...and how many of those happen to be PR Fans. Cmdr Crayfish, TheOneRSJ...erm...

[packfan6]

...and how many of those happen to be PR Fans. Cmdr Crayfish, TheOneRSJ...erm...

Their's plenty to add to that list. JPHBK, Aaron Hong, Knuckles...

[Lightspeed Zariass]

Their's plenty to add to that list. JPHBK, Aaron Hong, Knuckles...


Warrior Ranger, Crystal Ranger 2 (no, not OUR Crystalranger), Amit (I have all of his old fanfics from the Archives)

[Kal]

Yeah, I know. But I didn't want to name a whole page because it would killed my argument :)

(PS: No offence to the others I didn't mention)

[quickfist]

Yeah, I know. But I didn't want to name a whole page because it would killed my argument :)

(PS: No offence to the others I didn't mention)

[Shoichi]

And?

Dude, mine won't come out for another 4 months.

we could exchange ideas, or tips.

[Gavyn]

we could exchange ideas, or tips.

Tips = Yeah, sure.

Ideas = No. :D

Pm me on yahoo at Evolution_Mystery.

[Cmdr Crayfish]

I'd dispute some of Steph's rules of fanfiction, given she is a rather ardent MMPR Fascist. That is to say, most of what she has to say regarding the actual show is irrelevant. I would concur that most of what the people on this board write needs to be destroyed, but that's because they don't actually write PR fanfics. They write crap that broadly adapts a formula. If nobody cares about the Aqua Marine Ranger, they especially do not care about a TEAM of imaginary Rangers fighting imaginary villains.

Crystal's stuff is not something I have any particular desire to read. There's rules of grammar and syntax that he blithely ignores. Ignoring his sense of pacing and narrative construction (such as they exist). I could barge into his threads and say this, as could Gary. Gary did not. He posted Steph's rules, and people pounced on him because some of the things she said cut a little too close.

Here's the thing. Part of being a writer in any public venue means that you are going to be told at some time or another that your work is terrible. Maybe it will be stated intelligently, maybe not. Maybe you'll even get, manna of the gods it is, thoughtful criticisms that do not dissolve into "U R G@Y." If you can't take that, then you have no business writing something for public consumption.

Script writing works only for parodies. If you can't write prose, you're not a fanfiction writer. You're a script writer. You're writing spec scripts that cannot, will not, be produced. Claiming writing is "only a hobby" is a crutch for the fact that you cannot write prose effectively. I have no doubts that

"Ugh!" Cheryl grunted as the Cosmo Cannon tore through the first two layers of her Ranger uniform. Adam strode forward, configuring the weapon back to the Power Axe. She could tell in the decisiveness of his movements that this was not the Adam she loved.

Might take longer than

Cheryl grunts as Adam blasts her with the Cosmo Cannon.

But the benefits of the first cannot be disputed. Certainly, you're never going to endear an audience to your original characters without giving them "head time," which is something only possible in prose fiction. Shit, once you get good enough you can do something like the first in about thirty seconds. That's how long it took me.

Look, rules exist to be broken, provided you know why they exist in the first place. Most of Steph's rules are not absolutes, but they provide a good backbone for the novice fanfic writer. No offense intended, but that's the good majority of people posting to this board. Once you're confident you CAN surmount those problems you can try to break them one at a time.

Rain Fletcher's Earthsiege is probably the most highly regarded crossover in PR fanfiction history. It breaks scads of rules. He practically reduces Billy to a Mary Sue character, he makes broad and sweeping changes to the Voltron timeline, and he extrapolates PR to ridiculous degrees. And the fucking thing WORKS. Ellen's Personality Conflicts does the same things -- but she didn't begin debuting original Rangers until several chapters into a series slavishly dedicated to resolving PRZ.

And yes, Hidden War is absolutely terrible. It takes "faux TV-show" to insane levels.

[Killer]

92. Tommy is not married. If he was, he wouldn't be married to an idiot.

[Cmdr Crayfish]

Thus Tommy has never married Kim. But no one has ever made a case that Tommy canonically married Kim.

[GingaRed]

Rules? Fanfic Dos and Don'ts? Bah.

I don't care if I write something that's been seen before. Originality among PR fanfics dissolved a long time ago. I'm not writing to conform to any unwritten, unofficial canon of regulations. I'm not in the game to dictate to any readers or drag down my concepts to supposedly make them more "popular."

I appreciate feedback. In fact, I can't get enough of it. As of four years now, no one's yet told me blatantly "Your fanfic is $#!t!" or "Your stories are g@y!" but I'm sure someone will before too long. I'd probably ask why they happen to think that way, but no more than that. If someone hates my fanfic, that's his prerogative. You don't like it? Fine. Go read something else. By all means, don't let me waste your time with any more of my material!

Writing my fanfic makes me happy, most of all. I write these stories to get happy. Sure, I'm using someone else's creations (course, that's what disclaimers are for), but I wouldn't do this if I didn't personally enjoy it. I'm not a panderer. I'm perfectly open to ideas and suggestions, but it's still my fanfic. Just another way of getting my stuff out there.

Oh yeah. And I happen to enjoy Hidden War.

GingaRed
"And that's a wrap."

[Cmdr Crayfish]

If you continue to make your work available for public consumption, you must be receptive to the notion that people will not like it, and they might have valid reasons for it. To let that roll off your back without absorbing any of it is rather missing the point. All writers may write work for themselves, but they still expect an audience to read that work. If no one is reading it (or indeed, your work is receiving disproportionately negative feedback), then clearly there is something with it that people do not agree with.

In that case, perhaps your work would be better suited as something you keep only to yourself and never release. To be that contemptuous to your audience seems to be rather missing the point. There ARE rules for writing -- well, guidelines really. You're allowed to break them provided you understand why they're there and what they accomplish. Any two-bit English class will tell you there are rules for writing that improve your work.

[GingaRed]

First of all, I never said I wasn't receptive to the fact that people out there don't like my work. I was only giving examples of one half of that field, that being the types of people who would insult my stories and then say nothing to back up their criticism. Those types, I would feel free to ignore because their insults don't mean anything to me. It's neither helpful nor hurtful.

I've received lots of constructive criticism over the years. It's made me a far better writer than how I started out. I wouldn't bother putting out my e-mail address and doing a newsletter every month if feedback from the audience didn't mean something to me.

I agree mostly with your points, but I think you misinterpreted my comments. Yes, I write for my own pleasure, but I don't let the audience dictate my work. I try to make my work as respectful to their tastes as I can, but I don't let that stop me from trying different ideas.

GingaRed
"And that's a wrap."

[Gavyn]

Well, I have also received much constructive criticism over the past 2 years, and at first I hated anyone who gave me advice or tried to tell me to change something. But after going through and reading what I had posted, I know now that if it wasn't for those people, I wouldn't have the grammar and skills I have today.

About Feedback: I'd love to get feedback, as in post replies. But, in a way, people don't post feedback, even if you ask for good or bad. So, in a way, you kinda have to think as your feedback as the amount of views you get.

[CroweXV]

now see, I disagree. I have 7 rangers on my team (Red, White, Green, Black, Blue, Yellow, and Pink) for PR Olympia, and all of them have gotten a good deal of "screen" time (except the Pink ranger, but I'm currently working on an episode that deals with her)

It can be done with 7. Maybe not 8 or 9, but defenetly 7.

You're right, the way I stated that was wrong, but so many writers do overexert themsleves trying to write for too many characters, they tend to forget the focus of whom they're writing for at the time.

[Shoichi]

sometimes, too many characters can even make the writer confused.

[Gavyn]

sometimes, too many characters can even make the writer confused.

This is very possible...

[y3k]

You're right, the way I stated that was wrong, but so many writers do overexert themsleves trying to write for too many characters, they tend to forget the focus of whom they're writing for at the time.

point taken

[Shoichi]

adding on to CroweXV's last post, there may also be some writers whose stories tend to concentrate wholly on a few select characters, and totally neglect the rest, leaving so many developmental areas untouched, and so many questions unanswered.

[metallicarmor2009]

I had that very problem with my half-cancelled fan fic. The big difference is that there are only two added characters in my fiction. I can imagine how confusing something like that can really be on a reader. But there are certain people that can keep characters straight in a head. It just takes a "special" person to be able to do that. But for some people too many characters will confuse people.

Well, also with that half cancelled fan fic, sometimes you really do need to focus on all of the characters, even if it is for a small amount of time each episode, or even a specific episode. I will agree with Shoichi, that there can be writers that totally neglect some characters, that can happen and sadly it does often.

[Lightspeed Zariass]

Hidden War: Story is great, as long as you don't treat it like a script...or approach it with knowledge of P.R cannon.

That's the one thing that pisses me off, it does a good job of ludicrously tying itself in with all of Lost Galaxy and Zeo, and it gets shot down for being convulted.

Warrior Ranger did a commendable job, but I think the real reason he's "delaying" Hidden War's conclusion comes down to the sad fact that he's boxed himself in with his continunity problems, and the "guest fics" he allows are beyond redemption.

[GingaRed]

Guest fics are called guest fics for a reason. They're not supposed to affect the "mainstream" storyline in any way. Hence why they're not referred to in the actual stories.

I read the guest fics and enjoy them for the fact that it's another person's take on a given set of characters. How can you expect the guest writer to treat them the same way as their creator? They have different views, styles.

GingaRed
"And that's a wrap."

[y3k]

I had that very problem with my half-cancelled fan fic.

so THAT'S what happened to it. I thought you fell off the face of the earth.
(BTW: you missed several Olympia episodes)

[Lightspeed Zariass]

Guest fics are called guest fics for a reason. They're not supposed to affect the "mainstream" storyline in any way. Hence why they're not referred to in the actual stories.

I read the guest fics and enjoy them for the fact that it's another person's take on a given set of characters. How can you expect the guest writer to treat them the same way as their creator? They have different views, styles.

GingaRed
"And that's a wrap."


And that's why they all suck, they don't have the creator's view at all

Hidden War makes use of the Psycho Rangers' human identitys and some of P.R's villains to give itself some measure of credibility, that it's trying not to fall dangerously close into "Mary sue" territory, Warrior Ranger pulls this off, the guest fics do nothing but bore me because there meddling with characters that only the Author truly knows inside and out.

[SnoopsWarner]

And that's why they all suck, they don't have the creator's view at all

Hidden War makes use of the Psycho Rangers' human identitys and some of P.R's villains to give itself some measure of credibility, that it's trying not to fall dangerously close into "Mary sue" territory, Warrior Ranger pulls this off, the guest fics do nothing but bore me because there meddling with characters that only the Author truly knows inside and out.

What is ""Mary sue" territory""

[GingaRed]

Well, to each his own. I enjoy the guest fics. I think it's neat to see my favorite ex-villains turned heroes (the Psycho Rangers) written in so many different perspectives.

GingaRed
"And that's a wrap."

[CNash]

What is ""Mary sue" territory""

You are familiar with the concept of a Mary Sue character, are you not?

[ringmaster316ms]

one other thing snoop, who in the blue hell gave you the position of all-knowing god of the fanfics?

[ShadowRanger]

Mary Sue is a certain kind of character used in fanfiction basically as a means of fulfilling the author's fantasy that while around for decades received its name in the startrek genre of fanfics. It's a type of character as opposed to a single character normally presented as being in some way brilliant, clever, multi-talented, over creative or the exceptionally good looking.

Sometimes although not always this character will be hooked up with a canon character in a totally unrealistic way, such as being Tommy's wife who he married during Zeo totally forgetting he was in a relationship at the time.

Quite often they are linked with new powers coming into things or are taken into the Rangers' confidence during their first appearance for no real reason other than it gives the author a chance to live out their dreams of being a hero.

Or even a new villain who comes in, replaces or undermines the cureent badguys and seemingly gets stronger throughout the story. This character could appear more evil than your standard villains or has been in a relationship with Ivan Ooze for 200 years despite him having been trapped in an egg.

It doesn't apply to all original characters, just a certain type who fall into that category. I remember one story about a girl who moved from Crossworld City where she had known the identites of the VR Troopers, arrived in Angel Grove during The Mutiny and through an accident was taken into the Rangers' trust. From there she went on to become a Silver Ranger with her own Zord when Tommy became White Ranger and discovered she would one day be made the leader of the team because she was silver.

Apparantly she taught Billy all he knew about time travel and during the parachute jump in the movie managed to rider a bicycle while falling. When they went to Phaedos she didn't become a Ninjetti because she was too special. Instead she became a Shinobi and therefore rightful leader of the team.

... Man I loved that fic, it made me laugh.

If you want a more extreme example of an avatar made based on the author, look at Earth Crystals. Personally I love JRL's work, but he has 3+ chapters set around the Rangers travelling to his town and meeting his own team of Rangers.

If you want to see a Mary Sue baddy, see if you can find one of Hellfire's old fics. Alternatively have a look at Minion sometime, he's not so artfully created, but the basics are there.

Using that Snoops, you should be able to guess what Zariass meant

[The Real Torhu]

Isn't the "Mary Sue" thing also tied into when writers introduce and then kill-off a character solely for the purpose of helping another character gain some new power? I know that's generally a no-no too.

[ShadowRanger]

Hm... it's kindof a grey area. For one thing it could be argued that doing so is no different than introducing Karma in Ninjastorm or the Guardian in Lost Galaxy. It's generally plot device.

If however you introduce a character that upstages all the others just to kill them off, then have a main canon character say Tanya, eternally grieving due to the death and vowing never to date another man again because in the space of two days she fell in love, you're treading nearer to the mary sue side of things.

Don't mistake for a minute that all original characters are Mary Sue, the phrase applies to a certain type of original character. Take Personality Conflicts for example. Ellen uses multiple original characters, yet I wouldn't call them Mary Sues. They fit into the background of the story and aid its progression, even those she made Rangers.

[Mandolin]

I wasn't saying it was unfair, I was ranting because I encountered this problem before on the GB forums that I'm at, and after tons of debates, I STILL got one of my fanfics labeled as Mary Sue, even though I've given COUNTLESS EVIDENCE CONTRARY to that. It was very frustrating.

I feel that this situation is different, and really doesn't need a debate. Besides, she's not just Billy's GF, she's also friends with Kim, Tommy, and everyone else.

I'm no stranger to ranting, but I didn't think my response was as rant-worthy as it became...

First off, the "second question" I was referring to was this:

"Or are you refering to a story where so-and-so fall in love right away, and then bump & grind on the first date?"

THAT was what I was referring to. Not necessarily the story I *THINK* you're trying to write. It sounds like you're actually considering developing the relationship instead of having a canon character fall in True Love with the OC after maybe three sentences.

Second off, when you write a story where your main purpose is to insert an original character into the canon universe, "Mary Sue" is an easy trap to fall into. It's part of the reason I haven't posted any new fics in a long time - I've looked at a lot of the in-progress stuff I've written and half the time find myself going, "Gah! I'm turning this into a Mary Sue fic!" and start over. A lot of times, there's a tendency to start having everything revolve around the original character and the canon characters get pushed into the background. I know. I have caught myself doing this a NUMBER of times. It's something you really need to watch out for, and in stories that are written largely to put a new character in the universe - instead of using the character to develop canon relationships and canon characters or to advance the plot or to bring attention to canon aspects of the universe as well - it's a very, VERY hard trap to overcome. It's killed a number of my stories in progress.

Third off, I've never seen your stories, so I'm not citing them. I'm only making random comments based on the little bit you've posted, and not making any assumptions. So I'm a little surprised that caused you to launch into a full-on rant at me. Please calm down, you're making me look mellow. (And that is not easy. I'm high-strung enough on a good day.)

I had to base my responses on prior examples of stories I'd seen that had taken a similar tack to what you seemed to be suggesting, and I've seen some rather bad examples. But I haven't seen yours, and I wasn't talking about YOUR stories because I haven't seen them. I didn't know that your story was before Billy met Jason and the others, because you hadn't told me that. You hadn't really put much out there in the way of details, explanations, background, that persuade the reader that yes, this could have happened. Setting it before Billy met the main group is one such detail that makes it more plausible.

But I didn't have any of that, didn't know any of that, hadn't seen a hint of your own stories, and had to base my rambling off of other examples I'd seen. So, yes, I'm surprised that you were so offended by my comments. I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever DO read your stories. :(

[SnoopsWarner]

You are familiar with the concept of a Mary Sue character, are you not?


Nope, hence the question.





I am now, however, after reading Shadow's post.

[SnoopsWarner]

one other thing snoop, who in the blue hell gave you the position of all-knowing god of the fanfics?


The same person who made you the god-of-jumping-into-threads-without-reading-through-all-the-posts-and-making-a-fucking-comment-without-even-understanding-what-I-said-in-the-original-post-and-reiterated-several-times-throughout.

Once more, with feeling... it's not my list. It's a compiled list. Many authors. Idiot.

[BillysGirl]

I'm no stranger to ranting, but I didn't think my response was as rant-worthy as it became...

First off, the "second question" I was referring to was this:

"Or are you refering to a story where so-and-so fall in love right away, and then bump & grind on the first date?"

THAT was what I was referring to. Not necessarily the story I *THINK* you're trying to write. It sounds like you're actually considering developing the relationship instead of having a canon character fall in True Love with the OC after maybe three sentences.

Second off, when you write a story where your main purpose is to insert an original character into the canon universe, "Mary Sue" is an easy trap to fall into. It's part of the reason I haven't posted any new fics in a long time - I've looked at a lot of the in-progress stuff I've written and half the time find myself going, "Gah! I'm turning this into a Mary Sue fic!" and start over. A lot of times, there's a tendency to start having everything revolve around the original character and the canon characters get pushed into the background. I know. I have caught myself doing this a NUMBER of times. It's something you really need to watch out for, and in stories that are written largely to put a new character in the universe - instead of using the character to develop canon relationships and canon characters or to advance the plot or to bring attention to canon aspects of the universe as well - it's a very, VERY hard trap to overcome. It's killed a number of my stories in progress.

Third off, I've never seen your stories, so I'm not citing them. I'm only making random comments based on the little bit you've posted, and not making any assumptions. So I'm a little surprised that caused you to launch into a full-on rant at me. Please calm down, you're making me look mellow. (And that is not easy. I'm high-strung enough on a good day.)

I had to base my responses on prior examples of stories I'd seen that had taken a similar tack to what you seemed to be suggesting, and I've seen some rather bad examples. But I haven't seen yours, and I wasn't talking about YOUR stories because I haven't seen them. I didn't know that your story was before Billy met Jason and the others, because you hadn't told me that. You hadn't really put much out there in the way of details, explanations, background, that persuade the reader that yes, this could have happened. Setting it before Billy met the main group is one such detail that makes it more plausible.

But I didn't have any of that, didn't know any of that, hadn't seen a hint of your own stories, and had to base my rambling off of other examples I'd seen. So, yes, I'm surprised that you were so offended by my comments. I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever DO read your stories. :(

Once again, I apologize for the confusion. Like I said, it's cuz of the stuff I encountered at the GB forums I'm at. Okay? Truce? :o