Desiderius Price

(spoiler alert) I remember the countdown scene in the GalaxyQuest, “It always stops at one.”
A nick-in-time can be nuanced too, especially when both parties are responding to the other’s presence.  (ie, villain accelerates the schedule of his attack because he sees the heroic forces moving in, and the heroic forces punch on the gas.)  Is it a deus ex or not?
And sometimes, one can get so involved in writing the story that it’s easy to miss the fact that a deus ex is forming, due to desire that the story resolves itself favourably for the main characters.  In my potter fanfics, once I became aware that I was doing it, I cut back, and either: 1) let some situations turn out negative (which happens), or 2) rewrite to avoid the particular situation, perhaps with a different scene that turns out similar w/o the deus ex.  And now that I’m writing originals that I want a good deal of realism too, I generally avoid them.
 

The deus ex is certainly prone to abuse, but I can see its use in situations where you’re focusing on a character’s reflection, helplessness, etc, or in a comedy that’s not taking itself seriously.  (Or, in a superhero story where it’s pretty much a given.)
I generally avoid deus-ex’s, especially “just-in-the-nick-of-time” as the countdown reaches “one second remaining” types.  My distaste grew while working on my potter fanfic ages ago because it kinda destroys realism in the odds.  Sure, occasionally there’s a white knight that shows up, but not very often.  Most very often, the victim perishes.  And, developing a reputation to not write deus ex helps with the suspense to the reader, because they won’t know if character in distress will live or die
- DP

The deus ex is certainly prone to abuse, but I can see its use in situations where you’re focusing on a character’s reflection, helplessness, etc, or in a comedy that’s not taking itself seriously.  (Or, in a superhero story where it’s pretty much a given.)
I generally avoid deus-ex’s, especially “just-in-the-nick-of-time” as the countdown reaches “one second remaining” types.  My distaste grew while working on my potter fanfic ages ago because it kinda destroys realism in the odds.  Sure, occasionally there’s a white knight that shows up, but not very often.  Most very often, the victim perishes.  And, developing a reputation to not write deus ex helps with the suspense to the reader, because they won’t know if character in distress will live or die
- DP

If you’ve read and understand the guidelines/TOS, the mods generally won’t bite.

Ah ha!   Unscheduled paid vacation, that was your plan!   It worked.    

Carpal tunnel can develop very quickly if you do all of your typing with one hand.

sorry, I saw sexfest and missed everything else
 

Random name generators help out a lot.  (With some selection for balance and having it sound right.)

Hmm… I generally had good luck with LibreOffice, but then, I typically kept it to one file per chapter, so 50kwords is a bit much.  Though, I’m on Gentoo Linux, and I’ve had an unstable build or two of it, so those unstable ones would crash.  And anymore, I’m typically using a simple text editor using Latex as a post-processing.

Yep, I had that same lack of confidence, still do, to a degree.  I was very shaky with that first chapter I had posted, very shaky on the nerves.  While I’m better, still am.

I use the generators as a starting point because my mind doesn’t work well with blank sheets of paper, and the amount of time I fuss over it depends on the size of the character’s role.  If I’m filling out a family tree, next to none.  But if the character appears in the story with any appreciable role, I do spend time on them.   The generators I deal with typically give lists, so it might be 50 names, and I’ll scan the list to see if any of them works, if not, I hit the “refresh” button.  For characters with significant story time, I do try to make sure that the names are phonetically different, where possible, because names can mash together to the reader if you’ve got lots of “Jaimie” and “Jaden” and “Joe” and “Joey” and “Josephine” and “Jarred” and “Jefferey” and “Julian”, etc….
I know some people might dis on random generators, but to me, those are just suggestions, not like I’m saying “the next roll of the dice is...”, because it is my character I’m creating.   And, as I work with characters, writing them, I’ll frequently change them anyway, adapting them to the circumstances, and how they write out on the story.  (As I’m building a world, my DB is a couple of thousand characters, some more thoughtfully considered than others.)

Yep, I had that same lack of confidence, still do, to a degree.  I was very shaky with that first chapter I had posted, very shaky on the nerves.  While I’m better, still am.

I use the generators as a starting point because my mind doesn’t work well with blank sheets of paper, and the amount of time I fuss over it depends on the size of the character’s role.  If I’m filling out a family tree, next to none.  But if the character appears in the story with any appreciable role, I do spend time on them.   The generators I deal with typically give lists, so it might be 50 names, and I’ll scan the list to see if any of them works, if not, I hit the “refresh” button.  For characters with significant story time, I do try to make sure that the names are phonetically different, where possible, because names can mash together to the reader if you’ve got lots of “Jaimie” and “Jaden” and “Joe” and “Joey” and “Josephine” and “Jarred” and “Jefferey” and “Julian”, etc….
I know some people might dis on random generators, but to me, those are just suggestions, not like I’m saying “the next roll of the dice is...”, because it is my character I’m creating.   And, as I work with characters, writing them, I’ll frequently change them anyway, adapting them to the circumstances, and how they write out on the story.  (As I’m building a world, my DB is a couple of thousand characters, some more thoughtfully considered than others.)

Random name generators help out a lot.  (With some selection for balance and having it sound right.)

You know, I kinda like the ocean wildlife, I’m not in the mood to poison those helpless creatures.

You know, I kinda like the ocean wildlife, I’m not in the mood to poison those helpless creatures.

Think you summed it up pretty well.
Given the effort that it can take to bring a fic from an idea to prose, the question of is-it-worth-it is there.  A review lets the author know that it is being read, and (hopefully) enjoyed. 
Like you said, I too, am rather introverted, and it took a lot of courage to even start posting, as it feels like I’m posting naked selfies even though they’re just words.  And I’ve since found that posting has helped me fill in the missing gaps, forcing me to *finish* the stories, and that’s also been enjoyable. 
But in the end, the review is gold currency around here.
- DP

Think you summed it up pretty well.
Given the effort that it can take to bring a fic from an idea to prose, the question of is-it-worth-it is there.  A review lets the author know that it is being read, and (hopefully) enjoyed. 
Like you said, I too, am rather introverted, and it took a lot of courage to even start posting, as it feels like I’m posting naked selfies even though they’re just words.  And I’ve since found that posting has helped me fill in the missing gaps, forcing me to *finish* the stories, and that’s also been enjoyable. 
But in the end, the review is gold currency around here.
- DP

Think you summed it up pretty well.
Given the effort that it can take to bring a fic from an idea to prose, the question of is-it-worth-it is there.  A review lets the author know that it is being read, and (hopefully) enjoyed. 
Like you said, I too, am rather introverted, and it took a lot of courage to even start posting, as it feels like I’m posting naked selfies even though they’re just words.  And I’ve since found that posting has helped me fill in the missing gaps, forcing me to *finish* the stories, and that’s also been enjoyable. 
But in the end, the review is gold currency around here.
- DP

Think you summed it up pretty well.
Given the effort that it can take to bring a fic from an idea to prose, the question of is-it-worth-it is there.  A review lets the author know that it is being read, and (hopefully) enjoyed. 
Like you said, I too, am rather introverted, and it took a lot of courage to even start posting, as it feels like I’m posting naked selfies even though they’re just words.  And I’ve since found that posting has helped me fill in the missing gaps, forcing me to *finish* the stories, and that’s also been enjoyable. 
But in the end, the review is gold currency around here.
- DP

First, as a writer and prospective published author (hopefully), the first and foremost reason why reviews matter, why any feedback matters, is a simple one.  By receiving feedback from people, it allows a writer (hereafter, I will refer to myself) to improve my writing.  Hearing what has been done good, well, best, or excellently allows me to go back through former chapters, whether posted or unposted, and note the points that were liked.  Hearing what has been done badly, or that someone doesn’t like permits me to go through and note those parts and make changes through the prose and/or character development (if I feel the character development benefits from such changes).    By extent, in doing that, it also allows me to advance through the writing for later chapters.  For example, Pippychick, in a review, made a suggestion and point.  I have consequently gone back through many of the chapters I have already done and reworked them through her suggestion.  Some things work, some things not so much, but this is still advancement.   For me, in an original fandom, this is doubly important.  Creating a world, a new world, whether it be based in reality, or science fiction, or fantasy is hard and feedback allows the author know how well they have established that world.  The feedback can help the author create that world more realistically and tangible to them.  The author can, thus, work to create a better experience.   Second, also as a writer, a review lifts spirits and feeds the artistic muse.  I have known a few people, and myself, who have been down in the motivation and inspiration reserves.  The will and want to write are drained, the ideas stop coming, and you feel like your attempts to create a world that can be enjoyed are all for nought.  Then, from the blackness of endless self doubt, a review pops up.  Even something as simple as ‘This is great’ or ‘I like this’ can be enough to improve the mood of someone who is in such a slump.  I have seen it happen.  Those words, simple enough, mean a world to an author.    Even if someone does not like the tale, as long as there is a valid criticism, I do not mind hearing it.  I do not know about anyone else on here, but, if someone does not like it, then an explanation of what you did not like.  I cannot speak for anyone else, but constructive criticism helps.  If the characters seem bland or the setting is not working or the plot seems too convoluted, a comment that says: “While I enjoyed the setting, the characters interactions seemed a little too stiff and robotic.  If I may make a suggestion, I noticed that the conversation, for instance, seemed more so.  (Offer a suggestion; perhaps it’s wording, perhaps its the prose and the tags behind it...)”  Like I said, I cannot speak for everyone....  As always, an author has to take reviews and concrit with some grains of salt included...  Some, apparently, with some truckloads.   Thirdly, and this is a personal one for me.  I cannot begin to doubt that there are not more people out there who are the same, but...   It took a lot for me to come on here.  You can ask my beta that and I’m sure CloverReef will tell you it took a MASSIVE amount of convincing to get me here.  I don’t show my work off to people.  My writing was a closely guarded secret.  Despite what I’m sure some people have seen on here, I am extremely introverted in reality and the idea of doing anything, even making this post, is enough to set off all kinds of anxiety coursing through the veins.  Indeed, it took a while before I even allowed her to read one of mine because I was terrified of the idea that someone else would read that.  Receiving a review, while met with angst and apprehension, shows that there is an appreciation (not just for my own, but for others’ as well) for those who have written out and taken their time to entertain without pay.  A lighthouse amidst a torrent sea; a ray of light in the darkness of night.   This being said, receiving concrit is not the same as being a complete fucking asshole.  I’m sure everyone here can think of something to say that does not include the words ‘This sucks’ or ‘Get a life’ or anything else that is merely intended to be insulting.  I will never understand why people feel the need to troll and otherwise being a complete fucking asshole to people.  IF you absolutely hate something to the point you have nothing to say, then please, don’t, people.  Doing that only serves to discourage and otherwise hurt and, if my understanding is right, get you banned.   Now that I’ve carried on like a stranger, weird, creepy....weirdo...  Anyone else’s opinions, thoughts on the matter?  Thoughts on how reviews have help improve your abilities?  Why they’re important to you?

Ages ago, after the first Harry Potter film, I saw the DVD on sale, decided to buy it (thinking I’d give it away as a gift), watched it, and became hooked.  Read the books (1-4 at the time), saw the second film, and didn’t really want to wait.  I started to stumble into fanfiction, started reading, (initially I thought it was stolen material, as in, hacking JKR’s computer, before I came to understand it).  I enjoyed it and kept reading.   There was one particular fanfic I wanted more of, but the author wasn’t updating and I grew impatient.  Until this point, I hadn’t written anything since my high-school/middle-school days, so I wasn’t very confident, but I wanted it to continue; I picked up the keyboard, started typing.  That first fanfic is still posted (not on AFF because I wasn’t aware of AFF at the time, and it also violates the rules here), the sequel is still a WIP (last updated ~5 years ago); and I had even written adult “versions” for chapters of both fics that I’ve never posted.  Nowadays, I write original science fiction in a distorted dystopia that might come to pass. 
I suppose the moral is whatever cracks the ice, gets you to write.  For me, it was a nearly abandoned fanfic that I felt the urge to continue, and in the process, I overcame my self doubts.  My original stories wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for breaking the ice a decade and a half ago, playing around in JKR’s sandbox for a while.

Ages ago, after the first Harry Potter film, I saw the DVD on sale, decided to buy it (thinking I’d give it away as a gift), watched it, and became hooked.  Read the books (1-4 at the time), saw the second film, and didn’t really want to wait.  I started to stumble into fanfiction, started reading, (initially I thought it was stolen material, as in, hacking JKR’s computer, before I came to understand it).  I enjoyed it and kept reading.   There was one particular fanfic I wanted more of, but the author wasn’t updating and I grew impatient.  Until this point, I hadn’t written anything since my high-school/middle-school days, so I wasn’t very confident, but I wanted it to continue; I picked up the keyboard, started typing.  That first fanfic is still posted (not on AFF because I wasn’t aware of AFF at the time, and it also violates the rules here), the sequel is still a WIP (last updated ~5 years ago); and I had even written adult “versions” for chapters of both fics that I’ve never posted.  Nowadays, I write original science fiction in a distorted dystopia that might come to pass. 
I suppose the moral is whatever cracks the ice, gets you to write.  For me, it was a nearly abandoned fanfic that I felt the urge to continue, and in the process, I overcame my self doubts.  My original stories wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for breaking the ice a decade and a half ago, playing around in JKR’s sandbox for a while.

Ages ago, after the first Harry Potter film, I saw the DVD on sale, decided to buy it (thinking I’d give it away as a gift), watched it, and became hooked.  Read the books (1-4 at the time), saw the second film, and didn’t really want to wait.  I started to stumble into fanfiction, started reading, (initially I thought it was stolen material, as in, hacking JKR’s computer, before I came to understand it).  I enjoyed it and kept reading.   There was one particular fanfic I wanted more of, but the author wasn’t updating and I grew impatient.  Until this point, I hadn’t written anything since my high-school/middle-school days, so I wasn’t very confident, but I wanted it to continue; I picked up the keyboard, started typing.  That first fanfic is still posted (not on AFF because I wasn’t aware of AFF at the time, and it also violates the rules here), the sequel is still a WIP (last updated ~5 years ago); and I had even written adult “versions” for chapters of both fics that I’ve never posted.  Nowadays, I write original science fiction in a distorted dystopia that might come to pass. 
I suppose the moral is whatever cracks the ice, gets you to write.  For me, it was a nearly abandoned fanfic that I felt the urge to continue, and in the process, I overcame my self doubts.  My original stories wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for breaking the ice a decade and a half ago, playing around in JKR’s sandbox for a while.

Ages ago, after the first Harry Potter film, I saw the DVD on sale, decided to buy it (thinking I’d give it away as a gift), watched it, and became hooked.  Read the books (1-4 at the time), saw the second film, and didn’t really want to wait.  I started to stumble into fanfiction, started reading, (initially I thought it was stolen material, as in, hacking JKR’s computer, before I came to understand it).  I enjoyed it and kept reading.   There was one particular fanfic I wanted more of, but the author wasn’t updating and I grew impatient.  Until this point, I hadn’t written anything since my high-school/middle-school days, so I wasn’t very confident, but I wanted it to continue; I picked up the keyboard, started typing.  That first fanfic is still posted (not on AFF because I wasn’t aware of AFF at the time, and it also violates the rules here), the sequel is still a WIP (last updated ~5 years ago); and I had even written adult “versions” for chapters of both fics that I’ve never posted.  Nowadays, I write original science fiction in a distorted dystopia that might come to pass. 
I suppose the moral is whatever cracks the ice, gets you to write.  For me, it was a nearly abandoned fanfic that I felt the urge to continue, and in the process, I overcame my self doubts.  My original stories wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for breaking the ice a decade and a half ago, playing around in JKR’s sandbox for a while.