[Kari]

Over the last few weeks, I've seen many writers think it's perfectly OK to ask your fans what they want to see in a story, and write accordingly. To be honest, I never did agree with this view, since it seems to me you give up originality and creativity, as well as your right to the plot, by doing as the fans want you to.

I'm sure all the writers who systematically do this, in whatever degree, will disagree, however. What do you think is for the best; a writer following his own inspiration, or doing what his fans expect to keep them kappy? Should it be considered OK up to some degree and if so, up until when?

[Viva America]

Most of those stories day off eventually anyway.

For the record, I've never done anything a reader requested, and I never shall.
Most of these things end up in getting Private messages like these:

putting of the hatching of the egg for brom there are already two chapters of waiting in line.It would be awesome if the egg shoke so slightly that niether brom nor the rider noticed and then brom goes to get in the next line the dragon hatches in the other boys hand but slips out and runs after brom.

why why could there not be a hat trick for writng why why?

I meant the egg shakes unnoticeably in broms hand he gives it back walks to the next line but te egg finishes hatching in Oromis hand and runs after brom.That was from the early pm but the pm you qouted a hat trick to do 3 of something great.

People, let me explain a bit how I feel writing a fanfiction is.

1.You read a book, and you like it. It either has a ending you want to change, or you want to write a 'sequel'.
2.You play with the idea of writing it, and you fantasise stuff like: "And then he would do this, say that, or don't do that, etc."
3.You start writing, and on the longterm plotline, you add small things, making it a plausible story rather than a storyline.
4.People start reading it, and heck, they like it!

Sometimes, between 3. and 4. , you will have people saying "Please do this or that, it would be cool."

Try to think often: "That would be lame, because it would be his/her idea, and I totally didn't want to do it like that."

[Malus Rune]

I never change my stories' plot for the fans. One of the main reasons I write is because I enjoy telling stories, and those stories are my own. That and I'm usually the type to completely plan out the plot before I even finish chapter 3- I can already tell you exactly what happens at the end of Bane.

[Pixel]

Yeah I think you guys have it there. To put it in perspective, imagine if J.K. Rowling just did everything in the book that we wanted her to do. It would be pretty crazy. Harry might be dead, and no one else would be. Which would be pretty unrealistic if there was an entire wizard war going on.

[Day Star]

Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with asking fans for some advice on what would/should happen next, especially for new writers. As long as you don't get carried away and copy them word for word, as long as you consider each and every idea, and add your own flair to it, then I don't believe it is such a terrible thing. Sometimes you hit a brick wall, have writer's block, whatever, and you just need some help to get going again.

That being said, I am a fairly new writer, so perhaps what I say doesn't apply to some writers and stories.

[Kari]

I don't think being new has that much to do with it; it's all a matter of perspective and character. There are those who will do anything to keep a fanbase going and there are others who will know a good idea when he or she sees it and consider it.

I personally find it abhorrant. How can you claim it's your original plot, be it original fiction or fanfiction, if you simply appropriate others' ideas just to please them? It would be like taking their ideas and writing the story for them. Pixel's example of Harry potter is probably the best I can think of.

Lets not even talk about those who post a topic asking what fans want to see before he even starts a story. While the idea that 'people will read what they want and like it' has its merits, I fail to see why they don't just daydream it, instead of asking someone else to write it for them.

[Buddhist]

If I do it, it's only to see if people have good ideas. If I like an idea- and think its better than mine- I'll probably include it. If it's not, than it's going in the idea shredder.

[zenron]

Comments aren't there just for a pat on the back. People want to offer you constructive criticism.

[garfield]

I can see how it could be somewhat excusable in fanfiction... sort of. I think that because fanfiction will never be published and is therefore purely written for enjoyment/to please others, it isn't such a disgrace to ask people what they want to see, and write accordingly. I mean, I think it's kind of a cop-out and I don't think the readers would enjoy it so much seeing as they know what's going to happen, but it's not as bad as doing the same with original fiction. Doing it with original fiction, on the other hand, wouldn't really cross my mind.

I think it depends on how serious you are with the piece of writing, and whether or not it's original or fanfiction. If you're just messing about and are really just writing for the readers, it's not /that/ bad. If you're actually planning on publishing, or are writing something that's completely your own, it's not really great... and, as a result, the piece is not completely your own, as has been mentioned before.

Personally I wouldn't do it because a) I don't write fanfiction, which as I've said, is the only area I'd find it somewhat 'acceptable' (using the word loosely) and b) I like to surprise/shock/piss off my readers. It's no fun when you know what's going to happen! Not to mention if I want to write something, I'm going to write it.

This post has been edited by garfield: 19 October 2009 - 01:14 PM

[bucket]

Over the last few weeks, I've seen many writers think it's perfectly OK to ask your fans what they want to see in a story, and write accordingly. To be honest, I never did agree with this view, since it seems to me you give up originality and creativity, as well as your right to the plot, by doing as the fans want you to.

I'm sure all the writers who systematically do this, in whatever degree, will disagree, however. What do you think is for the best; a writer following his own inspiration, or doing what his fans expect to keep them kappy? Should it be considered OK up to some degree and if so, up until when?

I think if the writer is simply having a bit of fun, then its fine, but if they're writing seriously, and if they actually want to write a better plot, then I think one shouldn't appeal to the fans for ideas. Like you said, its up to the author to create his own world and substructure.

[Kari]

Agreed completely, garfield. It's so much more rewarding to surprise your vict- I mean, readers, rather than just let them decide for themselves.

Comments aren't there just for a pat on the back. People want to offer you constructive criticism.

Agreed, and notice, I didn't mention criticism. There's a vast difference between constructive criticism - of which I'm an avid supporter - and feeding ideas.

CC: You could do this better by doing that.

Idea feeding: Ooh! ooh! It would be so cool if that happened there!

Like garfield said, in fanfiction, it's more acceptable. But, when you write something original and are stuck, isn't your editor there to help you work the kinks out? I've read supposedly accomplished writers like Steven King thank Mr. X. for his practical advice and solutions, for instance.

In principle, though, though I agree with some suggestions even in original fiction, they shouldn't be there to add twists or alter the plot. They should be there to help the plot flow, work out problems in consistency and flow, and fix any other pre-existing problems.

I think if the writer is simply having a bit of fun, then its fine, but if they're writing seriously, and if they actually want to write a better plot, then I think one shouldn't appeal to the fans for ideas. Like you said, its up to the author to create his own world and substructure.

^ My opinion in a nutshell, basically. XD Kudos, bucket.

This post has been edited by Kari&Gatomon: 19 October 2009 - 01:43 PM

[Viva America]

It would still sort of block your own development a bit.

Now I don't mean in professional writing, but there are some here that are at least trying to get works published later on.
It doesn't help you if you get your ideas from somebody else. You will doubt your abilities to 'invent' great ideas on the plotline.

But as always, everybody has a different opinion, and there are some who benefit from fan ideas, and some who don't use it.

I prefer the latter, for I write for my OWN development/entertainment. I write my book IV like I would like the book IV to go. I wouldn't be satisfied with my efforts if I took someone else's ideas.

[Hoof Hearted]

Peirs Anthony took a lot of suggestions from fans for his books.

[Go for Gin]

Well, I'm gonna go ahead and sorta disagree.

When your story is in a developmental stage, I've found it extremely helpful to discuss it with one or two people--obviously not an entire forum, as that sorta ruins it. Still, I discuss my work with people and get them to help me through blocks. I don't accept everything they say, but sometimes just talking can help you come up with a killer idea you didn't have before.

So don't write the fans' book, but you should at least get a bit of advice from friends.

[Kari]

That I do agree with. As forementioned, that's what editors basically do. And everyone has - or should have - an editor to help work out the kinks. God only knows how many ideas I've gotten from discussing plots with others. I think hearing your thoughts being spoken out loud and put into a coherent line might help you.