I'd remain pessimistic, though ...

Aborting sporking (?) by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 14:50:00 UTC Reply

Ok, here's the bottom line. It has been nearly 3 - 4 months since I had selected the work I had in mind to spork - a work which had been since deleted from FF.Net one month into my attempted sporking. Owing to PPC guidelines if it takes too long, as well as the frustrating length of the damn thing (covering ALL THREE books/films of LOTR), I am considering pulling out now and starting from scratch with a, hopefully, shorter work.

Suggestions?

Abandon ship! by Aster Corbett on 2012-03-01 14:55:00 UTC Reply

Sometimes when something is just too bad, it's best to leave it be. Creating a mission requires material you can make funny... and if something is agonizingly difficult to write there's a pretty good chance that it won't ever be that funny.

I'm giving up on a mission of mine, too... it's better as an unspoken noodle incident to be referred to in other missions than as a mission itself.

About abandoning ships (or not boarding them at all) by Sergio Turbo on 2012-03-01 17:26:00 UTC Reply

There are mainly two kind of fics PPC-wise.

Those with which you can have fun, and those who just don't work (with you. Maybe others will be able to make a good mission out of it, since everybody has his own mission style).

For example, I tend to be picky when searching for a sporkable fic. Why?

Because not all the fics go well with my mission-writing style.

I just finished an extensive research in Card Captor Sakura, and I ended up choosing an hurt/comfort one. Not actually from grammar and writing (in fact, technical charges are completely absent) but because the plot was flimsy at best (Syaoran being blind for no reason at all, for example, and three Generic Rapists with no brain whatsoever. Oh, and let's not forget Healing Sex.)

I had to pass several other fics because all of them didn't suit for my writing at all:

- One was seventeen chapters long. It would have took me too much time to read all of it, and I tend to pace better missions in short ones.
- One was too squicky. You will not get summary or links from me, I'm still shivering. Despite the fact that I want that... that... thing deader than dead, I'm not going to prod it with a mile-long pole.
- Others were probably trolls, and too short for even a MST. Besides that, no fun potential.
- The last one is on my kill-list, but there aren't enough chapters yet to write a good mission. I have to wait a while.

So, if you don't feel like sporking it anymore, just give it up and search something different. Reember, it's not a job - we're here to have fun.
RE: by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 15:02:00 UTC Reply

Well, there are multiple problems in my case, but SP&G isn't it.

The sheer length is one of the biggest concerns as the author-inserted char- I mean, Lucie, last of the "angeli" (none of whom exist in Middle-Earth)goes throughout the ENTIRE course of the LOTR canon (minus Sam and Frodo post-Falls of Raos.).

Componding it, to be perfectly honest, when we peel back the canon, the "supporting" canons, the fictional and downright heretical history and "specul powerz" of Lucie, what do you have? Merely a sappy love story between Lucie and Aragorn. And don't think Arwen would merely abide by this if she was her canonical self, oh no.

In fact, I quote:

"Strider? Oh you mean Aragorn? He went to get ready for the council; my brother has trouble been presentable".

"Aragorn? I never knew that was his name, your brother?"

"Yes, he is Aragorn son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir. And yes he is my brother by adoption even though he is an absolute pain".

Urgh, and finally, I honestly seem to be having a hard time trying to be humerous within the context of the sporking. I mean, the occasional agent pratfall or misteleportation definately occurs, but I think my attempt at humor is sorely lacking.

I dunno whether I should continue with the original wiped off the face of the Word world (even though I acknowledge said deletion and Deletion occurs towards the end) or lay it to rest and start anew.

Hmmm... by AnnaBee on 2012-03-01 15:27:00 UTC Reply

Maybe you could have your agents accidentally derail the plot somehow- things go Horribly Wrong and the canon characters notice- and they have to join forces with Sauron to wipe this plague off the face of the Earth? Well, Middle-earth?

Or summat.

*newbie is new*

I'd remain pessimistic, though ... by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 15:34:00 UTC Reply

As this Sue has already killed (not banished, KILLED) two Ringwraiths within the space of two chapters INCLUDING THE WITCH-KING HIMSELF!!

If the most powerful of Sauron's lieutenants cannot stand up to this Sue on a good day, I most certainly doubt a Helghast and a young adult from the 21st century would. Best if I take another delve into fanfiction with a fresh pair of eyes.

I recently became a fan of an anime called "Hellsing." Might be a good place to start again.

Possibilities by Neshomeh on 2012-03-01 15:50:00 UTC Reply

First, I agree with Aster: if it's too huge and it's not fun anymore, best just to let it go. I also made the mistake of trying to take something too big for me when I was new, and even though I was working with a co-writer, it still ended up dying unfinished. Start small.

That said, though, there are possibilities even when dealing with a massively overpowered Sue. The first question to ask is, is she really that powerful, or has she somehow nerfed the other characters? What if those weren't real Ringwraiths she killed, just shadow-puppets she pulled in to puff herself up? In that case, the real Ringwraiths are probably stuck in a plothole, and they're probably pissed off and would be more than willing to show her what one of the Nine can really do.

On the other hand, there was a Nazgul recovering in FicPsych once, so it's also possible she directly de-powered them for the same purpose. Either way, though, she's still not as strong as she wants us to think she is. Disrespecting canonical bad guys does not a strong, powerful character make.

'Course, if the story is written well enough that you believe she is that powerful, then perhaps it's not as bad as all that. That's also something to consider.

It's all hypothetical, of course, but the point is there's always more than one approach to things. {= )

~Neshomeh

RE: Possibilities by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 15:54:00 UTC Reply

Yeah, I'd have to agree, trying to spork the current work has become a bit too laborious for me and my schedule to handle, so, I'll let it drop.

Still, the examples you have provided do ake for some interesting food for thought. Thanks.

Oh my dear and fluffy aunt. by AnnaBee on 2012-03-01 15:38:00 UTC Reply

...Yeeeeeeeeah.
I think you need the Doctor. Or, you know. Mr. Teatime. Or Cthulhu.

Therapeutic fic time! The Doctor, Galactus, Cthulhu, and Mr. Teatime temporarily join forces to WIPE THE SUE FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH. :DDD

With pocky.

Then it's settled. by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 15:42:00 UTC Reply

I'll see if I can place this aside for another day or have it referred in passing later on.

And, speaking of newbs, I guess you can call me one as well. I had been accepted, but I hadn't even finished my first mission yet.

Right, I better stop getting OT and get back to searching

Shiny. by AnnaBee on 2012-03-01 15:44:00 UTC Reply

Always fun to meet another n00b. :D

...I think that fic might need an intervention. And we can use Martha as a method of assassination. Non?

RE: by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 15:51:00 UTC Reply

Possibly, though I think allowing the Deleted fic to die (and arranging an accident for our Sue) was the line of thought I took.

I tell you what: if it is possible for two n00bs to collaborate (if you are Approved a month or so from now), I'm for the idea.

Anyone from the Board wish to comment on this proposal?

I don't care either way. by AnnaBee on 2012-03-01 15:57:00 UTC Reply

Hey, it'd be fun! :D I do a LOT of RP, so I'm used to collaborations.

I know how to kill the Sue, easy. She has to sleep SOMETIME, no?

Get to knw the PPC over the next month... by CDHammer on 2012-03-01 16:03:00 UTC Reply

... see if you are Approved, then maybe we might be able to find something our Agents can tear into.

I best stop there as I am clearly taking up too much space, but I hope to see you again in the future, AnnaBee. Good luck ... and thanks for the advice you put forward.

Hey, I'mma be on here every embleer day for a MONTH . by AnnaBee on 2012-03-01 16:04:00 UTC Reply

I WANT TO BE A PPC-er. :D I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.