New rules for fanfic writers. Certain Stargate writers in particular.

[icarus]

After reading a certain fanfic, which no doubt is excellent despite its flaws but I couldn't continue:

1 - Never, ever tell us the obvious. No one reads fanfiction without at least a rudimentary knowledge of the show. Yes, we know Jack is a colonel. Yes, we know the general is crusty but friendly. If you absolutely must tell us these things, please, for the love of God, don't do it in exposition, which is dry, dry, dry. *hacks up exposition*

2 - You are allowed the occasional dash. You are not permitted to use it in your first paragraph, nor are you permitted to use more than one per paragraph. If you have dull, unimportant information to convey (see previous point), don't shout it with a dash - a dash is not a parenthesis, it emphasizes - instead please try another technique. Perhaps two sentences? Pretend you have a lifetime limit on the number of dashes you use and must save them for important occasions.

Thank you for your consideration.

Comments

[alyndra]

Yes, there are. It's just when you've read it fifty different times, and then read it even MORE in fanfic that isn't all that great in the first place . . . the only good thing about that fandom was how quickly I got out.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

the only good thing about that fandom was how quickly I got out.

LOL! I hesitate to ask but, which fandom was it?

The Lord of the Rings fandom was notorious for OOC characters and attitudes that were completely inappropriate and too-modern for the time in which it was set. Rare is the writer who can write LotR fanfic and write it well.

Icarus