Badfic blues

[emmagrant01]

Have you ever read the summary of a newly-posted fic, and thought it sounded like something you would like, only to be disappointed almost immediately? Like, in the first line?

This just happened to me ten seconds ago. I feel terrible about it, but ya know, if the fic contains a blatant grammatical error or misspelling in the very first line, it just shuts me down. I can't read on. Yeah, I know it's my loss, and that the fic might be great if I just overlooked that one error, but it says something to me about what I might find in the fic in general. My fandom time is limited, and it's my choice how to spend it. Why should I force myself to read fic that annoys me?


Other things that turn me off:
• Four paragraphs of backstory before there's any hint as to what the story is about.
• Excessive use of terms like "the blond" or "the Gryffindor".
• Unnecessary description in general. I don't need to know the details of what each character is wearing unless it's important for the story. Really.
• Song lyrics incorporated into the text of the story. Just... no.
• First-time sex followed by an immediate declaration of eternal love. *vomits*
• First-time sex that is perfect, complete with simultaneous orgasms. (Or maybe the author knows something I don't?)

So what does it for you? What will make you stop reading a fic and hit the back button as fast as you can?

ETA: Y'all really needed to get this shit out of your systems, didn't you? *grins*

Comments

Ron hating fics

[ex-ella-bane358.livejournal.com]

I hate that some authors feel the need to turn Ron into a raging homophobe. He then turns his back on Harry completely and just ugh. Suddenly, Draco is the only one who understands poor gay Harry. Please.

Re: Ron hating fics

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

True -- it's seems to be a cheap way to break up the trio and give Harry a reason to turn to Draco. Maybe the first time someone wrote it, it was all GOF-ish and intriguing. But now it just comes across as unimaginative and cliched.

Re: Ron hating fics

[ceilidh]

Amen!

Re: Ron hating fics

[tarie.livejournal.com]

I second Callie's AMEN. And WORD.

Re: Ron hating fics

[marksykins.livejournal.com]

God, yes. Ron not liking Harry with Draco and being overprotective and wary? Fine. In character! Lovely! Ron being a raging homophobe for no apparent reason? Stupid. If Harry and Seamus decided they had chemistry, I just can't see Ron going on a hate crime spree.

Re: Ron hating fics

[glitterbats.livejournal.com]

Amen!

I mean, I can see Ron being a bit "WTF?!" at first, and wondering "What happened to the Cho-liking?", and maybe a bit uncomfortable cause he thinks maybe Harry likes him and he definately does not like boys that way, but that's it.

Myself, I'd like to see someone make Hermione the homophobe. Just to see if it can be pulled off.