Author Notes in Fics...input anyone?

[kyizi]

Okay, so this is something that has seriously bugged me for a long time, but, due to the amount of fic I've been reading this last week, it's come up more than I'm used to. I've found that the fact that it seems to be a common thing makes it bug the shit out of me even more.

Why, (no, seriously) why to people feel the need to put author notes in the body of a fic? This isn't a rhetorical question, I'm actually asking you all. I know that a vast majority of you write fic and that even more of you read it, so I'm honestly asking you for one reason that makes sense as to why you would willingly break the narrative of a fic and insert a comment about the content. I don't understand it and I absolutely hate coming across it. If I'm not already invested in actually reading a fic, I usually tend to hit the back button and find something else to read. If the fic is really good, I will keep reading, but I have to be honest and say that it will put me off.

To me, when I'm writing a fic, the last thing I want is to suck a reader into a story only to jerk them right back out of it with some (often inane) comment that has nothing to do with the actual telling of the story. I'm not just talking about coming across something like:


Example 1:

Brennan sighed and ran a hand through her hair, before pushing the door open and entering the room. She stopped short, her eyes widening slightly as she tried to force herself not to study the specimen before her. However, human nature dictated she be at least a little curious, and the anthropologist in her let her eyes wander. She couldn't deny that Seely Booth was certainly a specimen worth studying. (A/N: OMG! He so is, isn't he!? He's unbelievably hot!) Her study, however, was cut short a moment later when he looked up.


The fact is that I have come across random comments like that in fic before, but (thankfully) not all that often. The kind of comments that have prompted this rant, however, are slightly less fangirlish and more...see, the word that comes to mind is 'unprofessional', but that's not exactly what I mean. We write fic for fun and because, as writers, it helps us improve (at least, those are two of my reasons). It's a way to practice certain techniques, or styles, a way to improve writing plots, or characters, or whatever, and mainly because it's fun and it lets us come up with new scenarios for our favourite (and sometimes not so favourite) characters. So, to say unprofessional would imply that it's a profession, but, really, it's just for fun and what I really mean to say about coming across these random notes is that it's fucking annoying.

This is more what I mean:




Example 2:


"Are you honestly telling me that you've never seen Star Wars?" Booth asked incredulously.

"I've never really seen the point," Brennan replied, shrugging and taking another sip of coffee. "I have no interest in space exploration and even less interest in aliens and unlikely scenarios involving robots and spaceships. The chances of anything of that nature (AN: that's not the word I meant, but I couldn't think of the right one, sorry!) occurring in our lifespans are phenomenally small, besides."

"It's not supposed to be realistic, Bones, it's supposed to be fun."

"I have fun."



Really? I mean, why? Those may not be the best examples, but I just wanted to make my point before I ask for input. As far as I'm aware, that's the kind of comment you put in before you send it to a beta reader and it's specifically intended for said beta reader, it's not meant to still be there when posted for the general public. And if you don't have a beta reader, why put the comment in at all? Wait until the end, or comment at the start, but do not place it in the middle of the damn story!

[/rant]


So, yeah, input anyone?

(I'll leave this post unlocked, in case anyone not on the f-list wants to comment)



And, because I've never done one before...tell me what you think in the poll:


[Poll #980423]




ETA: *growl* I take it back. Example number 1 is now more irritating that example number 2. Twice in three fics. Actually three times in one and once in another. I...I just do not get it!

Comments

[carmen-sandiego.livejournal.com]

I will say that the ONLy place I have ever encountered such things is in Bones fic. This, my friend, is the state of Bones ficdom. It's not great. ::headdesk::

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

*headdesk* indeed.

As I'm sure you were able to tell from the examples I created, it's Bones fic that has sparked this recent rant. However, I've found worse in the Harry Potter genre, which (if I recall) you're lucky enough to avoid! I've even seen it in SG1/SGA fics. Usually it's in fics that aren't that well written, so I'm not necessarily likely to keep reading anyway, but I've been shocked to find it in the middle of some really good ones sometimes. I just don't get it.

[cherrycokerocks.livejournal.com]

It really bugs the hell out of me. I ticked two options because it depends on the fic. If it's really good I will carry on reading but if it's only ok I'll hit the back button.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm pretty much the same. I'm also glad to know that I'm not the only one that gets really annoyed about it.

[cherrycokerocks.livejournal.com]

I've always wondered why people would do that, it really breaks up the flow of the story :( I'm glad you asked the question. I'm gonna track this to see if anybody explains why they do it :)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'll be interested to see myself :)

[theemdash]

That is the most fucked up completely ludicrous thing I have ever heard of. Who the hell is writing that way? They need to be dragged into the middle of the internet and be slapped. There is no reason—absolutely none at all—to insert author commentary like that in a normal fic. There's such a thing called a DVD Commentary but that is designed for author comment on the work. Normal fic? No.

It breaks the narrative and it makes the author look stupid. Even the fanish glee that you're willing for forgive is retarded, uncalled for, and mocks their own fic. Hell, it mocks that fandom. It's like saying, "I'm so out of control that I can't help but be amused by what I've written and I have to TELL EVERY1 ABOUT IT OMG!!!"

I just . . . I have no words to describe how stupid, immature, and amateur that is.

If I ever read a fic like that, the author will receive a comment from me suggesting that they never abuse writing in that way again.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

*sighs* Thank fuck! That's basically what goes through my mind when I come across it. The sheer number of times I've seen this actually makes me want to weep for fandom. The fangirl stuff isn't so much that I forgive it, but that it's at least a pinpoint of, 'okay, this was written by a twelve year old' (...at least I hope it was), whereas the other is... No, I just can't think of a reason, I hate it and it just pisses me off, especially when it's in the middle of an otherwise well written fic.

There is no reason—absolutely none at all—to insert author commentary like that in a normal fic.

See, I can't think of a reason either. But I figured that there must be a reason. Surely logic dictates that, for someone to do that there must actually be a reason, because... just because. Why else?

Hence the poll.


Also, 'amateur'? Totally the word I was trying to find in place of 'unprofessional'.

[theemdash]

The proper way to handle an author note is to place an asterisk in the text and an author's note at the end of the fic.

So, it might look something like this:

"I've never really seen the point," Brennan replied, shrugging and taking another sip of coffee. "I have no interest in space exploration and even less interest in aliens and unlikely scenarios involving robots and spaceships. The chances of anything of that nature* occurring in our lifespans are phenomenally small, besides."

THE END

*That's not the word I meant, but I'm too stupid to use a dictionary or a thesaurus.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, exactly, that I could handle. I guess I was just floored by the sheer number I came across in one night. I don't actually understand how some of them can have so many reviews and not have one person point out that it's irritating, unnecessary and, as you say, amateur.

[sugarpeep.livejournal.com]

I've never run into this (not that I read a whole lot of fic) but your examples made me want to growl, back button, and find something else ;)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Exactly! We're of the same mind, you and I! ;)


Also, I looked into flying over to see you this summer...lets just say that I'm not sure I can afford it :( It's very expensive. I haven't ruled it out, though, I'm still looking into it!

[revivingophelia.livejournal.com]

I've come across it in a few different types of fic - and it drives me nuts. If the fic's otherwise good enough that I'm actually reading it in the first place, then I'll keep reading, but there have been a few times that I've just gone to find something else to read... I've found it in several genres of fic, but usually only at fanfiction.net...

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, ff.net does seem to be the main perpetrator. It's just extremely annoying that no one seems to mention it to the writers. I physically couldn't, because I get so annoyed about it at the time that my words would likely cause the writer to combust on the spot!

[revivingophelia.livejournal.com]

I imagine a lot of the people who do stuff like that wouldn't get how annoying it is even if someone DID point it out to them...

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

unfortunately, that's likely very true.

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

Thats seriouly worthy of a rant over at bonesffrants

I would be glad if you ranted over there. Because that is just *shakes head*, only in the Bones fandom...

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Just have. It's in a queue for moderators just now. *headdesk* I've come across it three more times since I posted this.

See, I haven't seen it in a long time, because it seemed to be specific to the Harry Potter universe...I think it mutated.

[toomanysides.livejournal.com]

I'll approve it when I get home. Unless someone else gets to it first.

*lol* a mutated form? ha. Its so bad...

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I notice it has been posted and that I'm not alone in my irritation! ;)

As for the mutated strand of annoyance, yeah, I'm not sure if it's worse in the Bones fandom simply because it's (a) done less and (b) in fics that are (sometimes) slightly better written. Either way, it still bugs the hell out of me!

[heliona.livejournal.com]

I've come across it in a couple of Harry Potter fics a long time ago, and I hate with a fiery passion! It's just stupid and shows how little the author knows about writing. If the author's going to put random little comments in amongst their fic, then I don't see any point in reading any more because they obviously have no grasp on how to write something and my time is spent better doing something else - like sticking my head in a toilet!

I have only on occasion put comments in my fic and that was when I knew you and loriel_eris were going to be reading them for betaing, so the comments were aimed at you. And they weren't stupid, either! Also, as soon as the mass public were going to read it, the comments were deleted.

I even dislike footnotes in fic, because it's not the same as in a book where the footnote is at the bottom of the page and easy to see. In a fic, by the time you've got to the footnote, you've completely forgotten what is was referring to and have to scroll halfway up the page to find it!

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I used to see it in HP fic all the time, but it's been so long since I read any that I've not noticed it in a long time. However, Bones fic seems to be rife with it and OMFG I just wanted to tear my hear out the other day...actually, that would be painful, I'd rather tear the authors' hair out!

And, yeah, for betaing purposes fair enough, but you'd never leave it in on purpose when you posted it.

And, yeah, I don't mind footnotes, but if chapters are long, you're right, it can be a bit annoying.

[heliona.livejournal.com]

Yeah, footnotes are all right if the chapter is reasonably short, but it's a pain when it is quite long.

*sigh* I think I've given up on fanfic! All the good stuff that I'm reading *still* hasn't been updated, so I'm just waiting for that and I'm not going to start any more, I don't think. (Unless a fantastic one lands in my lap, and I think I'll stick to reading Harry Potter, although most are going to be HBP canon, which I'm not sure I like. The fic was better when there was more supposition.)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

I can rec you an fab Bones fic? It's a WiP, but I think she updates regularly and, hey, it's got Stephen Fry in it *g*

Striped Socks and Deep Thinking, by Cora Clavia (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3395446/1/)

[heliona.livejournal.com]

Okay, I've been and saved it. Will possibly read it sometime within the next couple of days. :)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

I squeed a lot, because she wrote Stephen Fry! And got him right!

[heliona.livejournal.com]

Sounds good - I shall try and take a gander this weekend.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Do. It's fab.

[spy-barbie.livejournal.com]

Butting in, from the ffrants comm.

I've never seen these kind of notes before. Surprisingly, it doesn't shock me, heh.

maybe the definition of fun varies from person to person, in these case. I mean, I write purely for the fun of it (although I pay close attention to what I write and everything) but never in my life I would put AN in the middle of the text. I take these fics are written by young people who don't have a beta or don't care to have one. I don't really know, it's hard to understand such a... freaky thing.

Hopefully I made myself clear. :)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

but never in my life I would put AN in the middle of the text

Exactly! I don't know a writer who would, however much we're just doing it for fun.

As for the age, I think you're right in general, as a lot of the writers later mentioned their ages in their notes for assorted reason, but even at 16, when I started my first fic, I'd never have done that.

That said, one of the writers I've come across was definitely not younger than me (24) and that confused me even more. Age is at least a reason, if not an excuse, but I still can't think why anyone would do it.

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

If it's a story I'm really into, I might ignore it, but I just don't see the point of authors notes in the middle of a fic, 9 times out of 10, it's an indicator of a writer who'se either a) twelve, b) bad at fanfic, c) just plain weird or d) all of the above, so it does put me off.

Example a: We all have eyes and can decide if we think he's hot, we don't need fangirling in the middle of a fic, no matter how much fun it is at other times..

Example b: That's what a thesaurus or a beta is for, and most times if the writer's worth her salt, she'll either know another word to use, or ask her beta- before the story is posted


Hmm.. I suppose that was a bit of a ramble. The point is, I agree 110% with you ;)

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that... *who's*
(I forgot to run my spellcheck. *blushes*)

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

LoL! I do that all the time! ;) I'm well known for typos as well. My MSN conversations used to look like a made up language!


And, yeah, it's so easy to fall into a rant/ramble about the subject and, perhaps, I get a little ott about it, but it just bugs me. I'd be less bothered if there was more wonderful fic out there that I could read. Then I'd be more inclined to just hit the back button the minute a fic looked remotely like it was going to be badly written in any way.

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

Lol, yeah.. And it makes things confuzzling for my friends because I'm known for making up words! ;)

That's true, I pretty much avoid fanfiction.net altogether just because it's sometimes rather frustrating to bother with sorting through all the bad fics to find the few that are great. If there were tons of great fics, it might not bother me so much, but the problem as I see it, is at least partly because there are a lot of kids reading/writing fanfic now.

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah, I know, but the good thing with ff.net is that there's so much stuff that when you're desperate for fic and have loads of time, you spend so long sifting through the crap that, when you finally find a good one you appreciate it all the more! ;p

...I miss my JAG icon...might need to upload it again!

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I have the time, I still wander around over there sometimes, it's amazing what you can find when you've got time to spare..

Lol, it's been nearly two years since it ended and it still makes me all kinds of happy =D

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I still post all my stuff there, so, really, I feel I should read and review for other people! ;)


*squee* Yeah, I miss JAG!

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

*giggle at 'Lizzy makes crazy face' icon* Hee.

I used to post my stuff there, I've been kinda lax about it lately, but who knows? Maybe I'll go back.

=)
Harm and Mac were my first OTP, heh..

[kyizi.livejournal.com]

Hee, isn't it a fab icon?


I like ff.net for the fact that it's someplace I can put ALL my fics and not have to worry about having someplace to link to, if necessary. Given how temperamental my webpage is being atm, that's a good thing!


*sigh* I heart Harm/Mac. Just had a wee peek at your profile (much love for those Bones & David/Emily banners), we have a few ships in common *g*

[odakota-rose.livejournal.com]

I love it XD

Oh, tell me about it. tried making a webpage once, but it was always crashing.. I gave up heh. Of course now I know html a bit better so it probably wouldn't be quite as hard, but between the gigantic amounts of time I end up on here and trying to have some semblance of a life I don't know if I have time now..

Aww, they're awesome, Harm and Mac were pretty much my first OTP. I sorta grew up watching that show :)