NightScribe

I'm not really an anime fan, but I once stumbled onto Naruto and find myself being drawn back to it. Why? Kakashi! Yeah. It's the mystery...and the porn! My God, StoryJunkie, sick and twisted minds think alike! (But I don't have the knack for anime fics). Although I write het in other fandoms, I've got nothing against reading good M/M action (see-I'm such an anime novice, I can't remember the proper term for dude on dude). But yeah, definitely Kakashi with somebody, anybody...a nakedbody...

I found a story in the books section kind of like that. They posted it, then started to edit it, then started to re-post it again when AFF was just starting to get back up to speed. So they had 2 versions, one in read-only, and then the "updated" one in active. And I really couldn't see much of a difference. Of course, then AFF moved the read-only stuff, so there's two versions (maybe 3?) of the story. That's a bit annoying to me.

As for posting with errors, I've done it myself. Even though I read hard copies, several times over, before posting, something will slip through. I think our brain registers a sentence as correct, some sort of weird subconscious thing where we think we're seeing what we meant to say. My main problem is with that occasionally misspelled word (leaving a letter off) that isn't caught by spell checker. Meaning to type the and leaving off the 't' so it reads he. Or intending to use past tense and forgetting that 'ed' at the end. I don't have grammar check on my wp program (I've looked, believe me). When I find mistakes, I try to go back and fix them, usually when I post another chapter. If it's a completed work, I'll try to make all corrections at once. Unfortunately, in that situation, some people get a little snippy, thinking you're trying to bump your story up in the listings to get more hits, when you're just trying to fix those little things that bug the crap out of you.

I feel the love, man. *doing the "trippy hippie" dance* Like wow, man, wow. And like, dude...hey, don't bogart that joint!...we're gonna, like, ya know...take over the universe someday. And that's like...far out. Is there a full moon rising? Because that would explain my bizarre behavior of late. Or maybe I'm just fully embracing my lunacy. Or maybe the somewhat nasty (as in dirty) fic I'm planning is playing havoc with my personality. I love my Snape, but oh, Lucius...hee hee hee. I wish I could remember a great quote by Rod Serling, you know, the Twilight Zone guy. He was talking about writing and said something along the lines of, "you can spend all that time writing something and then realize it's a real turd." That killed me. I've got to find that and quote it properly. I fully accept my doom. And any literary excrement I may produce.

D'OH!!! So that's what I've been doing wrong! So, I need to pick the really popular pairings and leave off that "I'm gonna throw a few OCs in, just to mix it up" line of thinking. Got it. (I'm doomed).

That does sound a bit freaky, but I'm with Melody on this. I think it's bull. Things weren't going the way she wanted and she pulled out some drastic (and if untrue) somewhat tasteless story about being mentally ill and suicidal. Seems like nothing's changed. AOL was like that 10 or 12 yrs ago. Couldn't cancel my account fast enough.

The other day I thought to myself "now I know why some famous writers (or any artists for that matter) drank themselves stupid or dead." Please don't mind my occasional psycho rants. I'm just venting. Please note my new tag; I think that explains everything. There's no real way in hell I'd ever stop. Because to stop writing is like a form of suicide. I can't do it. I touched on this theory before, in my PotO fic. We keep doing it because we have to. It's like breathing to us. Oh, and thanks Iggy!

LMAO

For a second there, my heart went pitter-pat...someone who may have actually read and appreciated one of my stories! ("smart", intricate plot, attention to detail, all staples in my serious fics). Then I realized I'm insane and it's just wishful thinking. But I do agree with you. "Adult" and "mature" don't necessarily have to mean smut in every freaking chapter. And poorly written smut at that. As I posted on my blog today, uh...I'm kind of quitting writing. Maybe for good, maybe just an indefinate hiatus. Because frankly, I'm tired of killing myself trying to write quality stories and getting nothing from readers. I'm already unappreciated at work, but at least I get paid for being taken for granted. Does this sound too bitter? Naw!!! Seriously though, I am taking a sabbatical. I just posted the fourth installment of a five part saga. Of course, I know how it all ends...so who has the last laugh now? I am Queen of my Universe!!! *laughing maniacally*

I totally understand that. And I know that there are people who are collectors, or who go to the range as recreation, etc. I just don't understand the need to have an assault weapon when you live in a cul-de-sac in the suburbs of a metropolis. One of my brothers lived in the country in FL and he had a gun or two. All his kids have successfully made it into adulthood. But then again, he's the kind of guy who would patiently explain why you should or shouldn't do something. If only more parents would be responsible in that matter and employ a little common sense.

As always, Mel, you bring up good points. I have a cynical image of Little Johnny or Janie's parents at a friends house. "How could you have a reproduction of Botticelli's Birth of Venus on the wall, in plain sight! That's pornographic! That woman is NAKED!! Oh, nice rifle collection." I find it interesting that the freedom of speech is in the first Amendment, the right to bear arms (in regards to a militia) is second. But the minute someone tries to introduce a bill to get AK47s off the street, that's infringing on second amendment rights. Well, I want to write stories with adult themes; that's constitutionally protected, too. I also liked at the beginning, the bit about "in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers..." James Madison must be spinning in his grave. This whole thing makes me....grrrr!!!!

This is a little dry, loaded with leagalese, but an interesting read. Try to get through it. FreeSpeech Article Re: Resolution 4472

I'd like to join yamsham in giving my thanks to DA, and the others, who put in so much time and effort behind the scenes. I understand, and agree, with the need to wipe out child pornography. And I also understand that, with technology being what it is now, how images can be altered. Hey, let's stick (insert celebrity name here) face on this body! Result; looks like someone famous is doing something they've never done and would never dream of doing. Or make a 30 yr old look like they're 14. A couple of days ago, after this topic got going, I thought of the book "Farenheit 451." Books were banned, burned, by the government. And one of those firemen began to read the books. In the end, and this was the best part, he ended up going on the lam, and finding others who kept the books alive. By memorizing them and passing them on in the oral tradition. (If I remember correctly, it's been a few decades since I read that). Bradbury was on to something. The pendulum has swung, unfortunately, to the very conservative side. Reactionary leaders always stir up trouble. I mean, my God, Galileo proved Copernicus was right and he was excommunicated and condemned as a heretic by the church. And it only took them 400 years to say, "oops, sorry." Michelangelo was constantly battling the church when he painted the Sistine Chapel. The Church later had another artist cover up some of the nudes in the Final Judgement painting. When they began the restoration a while back, they removed those garments. How many centuries did that take? I don't know what my point is here. I'm still a little groggy. It comes down to politics, lobbyists, morality police, religious beliefs, wagging the dog (yeah, we got a mess in the Middle East, think I'll pass a law about porno). What's next? Putting a double-breasted pinstripe suit on David and a housecoat on the Venus di Milo? Sorry for rambling, think I'll have more coffee and wake up.

I have found the Holy Grail! LMAO First link is for the reviews; read those first. Then read the actual story. Reviews Lots of Lemon Story Has to be seen to be believed! Okay, lightgoddess, this one is for you. I found this several months ago and purposely went back to find it. This is the most bizarre thing I've seen. The reviews are scathing. Horrible CSI Story

As anyone bouncing around the forum or main AFF site may have noticed, there's a new banner floating around out there. In fact, I'm looking at it even now. And I just wanted to say that I fully support the admins and applaud their continued efforts to keep the site safe and in existence for those of us who use it responsibly.

I only read the reviews you linked when I made my post. I had to go back and read the story behind them. And uh...WTF was that? Either English was not that person's first language or they were drunk/high when they wrote it. Or maybe they're just a moron. Typing while intoxicated should be a crime. Typing while under the influence of idiocy should also be a crime. Then again, what would we do to amuse ourselves? As Tim Curry said in Rocky Horror "Everybody loves a car wreck." Now that I've posted the last chapter to my latest story, I'll have the time to torture myself with bad fics. Unless, of course, I do something constructive, like start my dark Lucius fic. I'm sooooo looking forward to writing that one!

Ah, don't you just hate it when you find something and it blows beyond belief? I haven't been reading much of anything lately, my brain needed the rest. I did find one Hardy Boys incest fic that wasn't badly written overall, but there were a few things that bugged me. Like two guys getting it on in the shower, for the very first time, and no prep was involved. My mind screamed "LUBE, DAMNIT, LUBE!!" Not to mention the bizarrely cavalier attitude of the two brothers humping each other, in front of other people, like it was nothing, perfectly normal. Without the use of LUBE!!! Those two things kind of ruined it for me. I'd generously give it 4 out of 5.

EveKnight, your HP example brings up another twist. In that fandom, there are dozens of options as to where to post your story. Sirius/Lupin, Snape/Hermione, Harry/Draco, etc. So the paring should be a no-brainer if you've posted in a specific sub-category, something other than General, M/M, F/F or Threesomes. Of course, if it's heavily SS/HG let's say, but Ginny or Harry are involved in a threesome, yeah, that should probably be noted somewhere to appease the masses. Me, I like surprises. It's like when you see a book at the bookstore and only read the back cover, not much is revealed at all, they want you to buy the damn thing and find out for yourself. Of course, I've gotten burned plenty of times (where the back jacket is the best part)!

The "shipped and transported" I don't believe is anything to worry about. It applies most likely, like certain statutes already in existence. For instance; adult toy companies will not sell or ship to certain states in the U.S. south, because of their laws regarding said items. As for transporting, it's like buying fireworks in Indiana, legally, but it is illegal to transport them back to Illinois. The internet itself does not ship or transport information; it transfers it, from computer to computer. I know it may sound like the same thing, but I'm looking for flaws in this ambiguous legalese. Don't misunderstand me, I think child porn and children's exposure to porn is wrong, I'm certainly not condoning it. What fires me up is vaguely written laws that can encroach on our constitutional right to free speech. Writing fiction falls under free speech. The "other matter" is interesting, it sounds tacked on. It sounds like they were talking about visual images and tangible items (books, mags, etc). Fanfic is not visual, the use of images to convey an idea; it is the use of words to do so. Fortunately, there are advocacy groups and the ACLU who keep an eye out for these kinds of things, and we're lucky to have them. This is just another bogus move by the current fascist regime.

"Thou shalt not suffer a misogynist to live." Gospel according to NightScribe; Chapter 6, verse 14 My question is, was she getting paid for teaching? Can she sue for wrongful termination, under not just sexism, but ageism? This *ahem* holy man has issues. And apparently, nobody had problems for the last 50 years. "And it was decreed, that the preacher needed to pull his head out of his ass, or be smote down by the vengeful wrath of the Lord. Because She's pissed off. Big time."

Couldn't agree with you more. I could totally accept it if they phrase it as, "I'm hoping" or "I think" or ask "Is this going to happen next? Can't wait to find out." It shows they're interested in the story, thinking about it, but the "this will" can almost sound like they're saying "Ha! I've got you figured out, you formulaic hack." This would lead me to want to strangle someone. I've got a quintet of HP stories that I originally was going to leave as a trilogy. After the third fic, a reviewer said "I'm not sure this story is actually finished yet, as it's a cliffhanger. Literally. (something consciously unintentional, but ah, the subconscious is a marvelous thing)... If you write more, I'll read." I was glad for that feedback, and replied that I wasn't sure if I'd continue, since I had an OFC and maybe people were sick of her. Since nobody else said anything, that one review helped me make a decision to go for the five interconnected stories. When I began posting the fourth, the same person asked "What the hell did Voldemort do?" and "Is Circe (my OC) going to show up?" I've had no feedback since then, and at this point, all I can do is go by hits, which have remained consistent. But I've thrown so many twists and possible plot developments into the story, I would have liked to have seen what people were thinking, or expecting, (if anything). Would I have changed major things to appease people? Uh, no. Would I have considered expanding on some things if that's what they were really grooving to? Possibly, if it wasn't detrimental to the overall outcome. On the flip side, I started an HP fic with a different canon character and the rating went from 4 to 3 with no explanation (reviews). I pulled it. The only thing I can think of was that the canon character at times was a tad dominated by a woman and I think people have such a fixed idea in their heads that he should always be dominant that they weren't buying it. Shame, really. I had some killer dialogue (not to mention sexcapades) planned for that one. But no one said "he's ooc, you write too many OFC stories, I don't like him portrayed this way," so that's still kind of mystery to me why people didn't like it. I'll file that experience under **cue ominous music and echo effect** Great AFF Mysteries. Oh, and Melody, your description of that guy I was talking about as a douche slayed me!

First, Mel, I can't believe some people would have the cajones to demand you write what they want. Then again...years ago, I tried collaborating with someone on a story, this guy wanted help with writing dialogue and then suggested we write something together. O.K. sounds interesting. What a tyrant and a wack job. He sent me his idea and when I finished asking myself WTF? I went over his outline, pointing out inconsistencies, discrepencies, plot holes, flat characterizations and making constructive suggestions to make it more believeable. One minute his heroine was straight, then she came off as gay, then maybe bi. Make up your damn mind. Also, he wanted her to be, I don't know what...hippie, goth, white witchy in her appearance, but work for this real straight laced old fashioned lawyer. We were doing this about ten years ago, so I said, that kind of guy would not hire someone who had a pound of piercings and dressed like Stevie Nicks on acid on a bad day. Maybe, to reinforce her restlessness, she should have to dress more professional during the day, allowing her to feel more "free" and herself at night; the duality of her personality and/or life. Yeah, it's called inner conflict. Every male character was gay (including the teenage runaway pining for the older guy who's lover had died of AIDS and as a result had become relationship shy); the formally trained dancer (re: ballet) who instead became a stripper (with a heart of gold, of course, who was maybe a lesbian...or bi), and a psycho cyber stalker. Every freaking cliche you could image. Given all that, I asked questions and made suggestions. Well, he didn't like that so much. So instead, he just assigned me to start writing chapters. Hello? We can't even agree on what the hell is going on! Face it, all he wanted was for someone to read his mind, write what he wanted and never mind if it's shit. Yeah, that experiment didn't last long. I got way off the point with that story. I would never tell an author what to write, (except in the above case where I was basically beta-ing and making suggestions on an outline). In the end, it is up to the author on where to take the story. It is up to the reader whether to follow along.

This situation came up with a fic I started reading a while back. After five chapters, I left a review. I told the author I found the first chapter interesting, intrigued by a few different things that could eventually happen, but there was a real lack of interesting conflict, in the following four chapters; they were quite dull. The descriptive passages were quite nice, very visual, but a lot of "I hate him/her, I'm attracted to him/her." Nothing but continuous slap and tickle. They responded to my concrit, very politely saying "thanks for the feedback, but we're doing this our way." I tried reading the next chapter, but it was more of the same. Another reviewer, quite a bit later, echoed my thoughts; liked the first chapter, but lost interest very quickly. I believe that fic is up to 30 chapters. Unfortunately, this particular author/story has a very rabid fan who's left tons of reviews. Not much you can do to help them tighten things up a bit if they only want to hear slavish raves. A shame, really; aside from the languid pace, I thought it was well written.

I do the same thing regarding rating in lieu of reviewing. And I, too, have the pet peeve of new paragraphs when a new character speaks. I've left that helpful tidbit so many times I've lost count. I've also mentioned spacing the paragraphs, nothing worse than seeing just a solid block of text with no breaks. There is a little thing called "preview" before you post that first chapter. I realized I had to insert extra breaks and that indentation wasn't recognized when I first posted. I guess some people are so jazzed about posting, they don't bother previewing to see how it looks. If something is pretty bad or just god-awful, I'll rate it down, but not leave a review. If I think something shows promise, I'll leave concrit and wait and see what happens. It's a weird thing. Sometimes a story itself isn't all that bad, but the grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. is terrible and I can't get through it. Other stories are perfect in that regard, but very dull and plodding; although nicely written, nothing happens and I lose interest. It kind of makes me think I'm being too picky and I feel bad; I want to encourage people, but, as Melody said, if they are that sensitive, there's nothing you can do about it. And please don't think I'm picking on just fanfic writers. I've read traditionally published novels, from new authors and literary giants, that have me pulling out my hair, falling asleep or asking WTF? Man, I've got issues!

lol I've got good ratings from some generous souls out there as well. Except I have 1 story that has no rating at all. That bugs me, as everything else is at five and here's this lone little fic with nothing. I don't know if it's due to laziness on readers' part or suckiness in writing on mine! You're also right about the ability to rate your own stuff. I'm sure there's quite a few people who slap those five stars on their own work as a means to get hits. I confess, I have marked down stories, I guess I'm in the minority on that one. I've done that as well. There were several fics I pulled because of no rating or declining rating; coupled with no reviews I couldn't tell what readers didn't like, so I yanked them. I don't want to subject people to crappy stuff.