Anime, manga, games and books

[vampko]

I didn't. I've been reading my whole life, and even when I was in high school most people I knew still read recreationally.

I read fanfiction. Hundreds of thousands upon thousands of pages of it. From Middle school till mid-highschool ish.

I assumed she was talking about novels, academic, and scholarly work.

I know that's what she meant, but those aren't the only things around to read.

As long as you're reading, you're better off. Even if it's just reading all the lines in an RPG. It's still reading.

People place too much emphasis on reading 'books'.

@Quill
Well, aren't you miss superiority?
You'd be surprised how many spelling errors/editing errors you can find in well-known works.

And, it's far more interesting to read works related to stuff you enjoy, than read books about stuff you don't care about. Like all those historical fiction books. Some were quite interesting. But the majority of the time were an utter bore, mostly because I couldn't care less what happened to the characters. There were some interesting fiction books I read from time to time, but fanfiction just provided more entertainment. Also, there were many refined and well-written fanfiction. And likely there still are.

I've been an anime/manga fan for most of my life. It's only natural I'd read what was related to that.

[Venus]

I know that's what she meant, but those aren't the only things around to read.

As long as you're reading, you're better off. Even if it's just reading all the lines in an RPG. It's still reading.

People place too much emphasis on reading 'books'.

Whatever you say.

No I meant I'm sorry that you feel we don't need to read simply because we are outcasts.

Oh that.
So, in my group of similar people we don't read much so there is not much conversation or references to books. That is probably what I had in mind.

I see...

[Nazou]

As long as you're reading, you're better off. Even if it's just reading all the lines in an RPG. It's still reading.

Then just by participatin in this forum everyone can already say they read a lot

[Quillbell]

You'd be surprised how many spelling errors/editing errors you can find in well-known works.

I'll bet you any money that the vast majority of fanfiction has more spelling/grammar/plot/all-around errors than pretty much any published work (vanity publishing doesn't count). In order to get published at all, someone has to at least read your work. Someone other than the author him/herself. This makes a huge difference. Sometimes we're simply unable to spot errors in our own work.

And I've tried to like fanfiction. There might be a story that's awesome for the first few chapters and then totally falls apart (if the author even bothers to finish it). Then there're the errors in spelling/grammar. They usually persist throughout the whole work. If the author doesn't care enough about cleaning these up, then I don't care enough to wade through the 'fic in spite of them.

And, it's far more interesting to read works related to stuff you enjoy, than read books about stuff you don't care about. Like all those historical fiction books. Some were quite interesting. But the majority of the time were an utter bore, mostly because I couldn't care less what happened to the characters. There were some interesting fiction books I read from time to time, but fanfiction just provided more entertainment. Also, there were many refined and well-written fanfiction. And likely there still are.

I've been an anime/manga fan for most of my life. It's only natural I'd read what was related to that.

Go for it. Read whatever you like. Reading is good no matter what it is. This doesn't change the fact that the majority of fanfiction is complete and utter crap. You must have the patience of a saint, vampko.

[Rednal]

I have one fanfiction that still gets the occasional favorite. Must've done something right.


Also? There is exactly *one* person whose fanfiction I actually like. This is a guy who does hilarious crossovers, including Harry Potter x Cardcaptor Sakura (it's even more ridiculous than it sounds) and Nanoha x Green Lantern (even more so). When they aren't afraid to just have FUN with what they're doing, instead of trying to be too serious, fanfics can, occasionally, turn out well.


And then we have stuff like My Immortal. *Hasn't read it, doesn't plan to*

[vampko]

@Quill
'Majority' is a very subjective word. If I seem aggressive, it's because I've read a lot of REALLY good fanfiction. I figure you're the sort of person that would shoot down a doujin game. Sure, it doesn't have the 'polish' of an editor/team going through and proofreading it for any and all typos, but that doesn't change the fact that it can be written very well.

Possibly, it could also be what sort of fanfiction you've read? I don't think it will ever be up to your standards, but that's fine. Just stop calling it trash please.

[Quillbell]

I have one fanfiction that still gets the occasional favorite. Must've done something right.


Also? There is exactly *one* person whose fanfiction I actually like. This is a guy who does hilarious crossovers, including Harry Potter x Cardcaptor Sakura (it's even more ridiculous than it sounds) and Nanoha x Green Lantern (even more so). When they aren't afraid to just have FUN with what they're doing, instead of trying to be too serious, fanfics can, occasionally, turn out well.

I still read the occasional fanfic as well (usually one-shot shorts). There's only one long story that I've ever liked enough to read in full. It's still unfinished, and the author hasn't updated in years.

Fanfiction is good when you want to read something crazy once in a while.

[Quillbell]

@Quill
I figure you're the sort of person that would shoot down a doujin game. Sure, it doesn't have the 'polish' of an editor/team going through and proofreading it for any and all typos, but that doesn't change the fact that it can be written very well.

Doujin games are a completely different issue. Creating a game is a much bigger commitment than writing a story, and requires more effort and resources. Anyone can write fanfiction and upload it somewhere, and they do. I think the only comparable thing for games is something like Newgrounds.

@Quill
'Majority' is a very subjective word. If I seem aggressive, it's because I've read a lot of REALLY good fanfiction.

I have no doubt you have. "Majority" isn't subjective at all. It just means the majority. The greater number vs the smaller number. What is subjective is exactly what counts as a "bad" piece of writing. I admit that I have more exacting standards than most. Errors in spelling or grammar ruin my immersion. They break the spell that a good piece of writing should preserve at all costs. I love books can get lost in.

Possibly, it could also be what sort of fanfiction you've read? I don't think it will ever be up to your standards, but that's fine. Just stop calling it trash please.

My views shouldn't have any effect on yours. Most fanfiction that I have come across isn't very good. I get discouraged and depressed when I try searching fanfiction sites for something that looks promising. You, on the other hand, probably have more wherewithal than I do (and/or different standards) and have been able to discover many stories that you enjoy.

[ZeroXz]

Flipbooks anyone?

[darkclaymore]

As long as you're reading, you're better off. Even if it's just reading all the lines in an RPG. It's still reading.

People place too much emphasis on reading 'books'.

I don't think that's entirely true.
I'm too lazy to read books because I have to read all these descriptions of places and characters.
It makes everything feel so long and slow and I really dislike it. I don't like reading descriptions nor writing them.
In my Connections work I tried to be more descriptive, but I focused more on thoughts and feelings rather than describing places and the look of the characters. Though, it taught me that I don't really like descriptions at all of any kind, and that I suck at writing them

[ZeroXz]

Which is why some people if not most these days prefer visual stuff. You get too SEE the details personally which leaves only the character stuff. Still like Quill said its a cool thing when a book manages too captivate you.

[darkclaymore]

Still like Quill said its a cool thing when a book manages too captivate you.

Yeah, that's true.
Sadly, to me it can only happen after a decent while from the moment I begin reading. At the beginning I tend to be rather bored.

I thought that perhaps a "unique" style of writing can fix this for. Perhaps it can, but I executed it very poorly in my work Not that it was really "unique" in the first place. Only "not standard" And in the end I relied on pictures anyway

[Rednal]

Have you considered making a Visual Novel?

[darkclaymore]

Have you considered making a Visual Novel?

I made one actually. Used FSN pics though
But it's not related to FSN plot-wise.

Started another one latter but dropped because tried to do something rather long and big. I released only a demo

[Solice]

I'll expand on the topic a little by including both consumption, but also creation of works.

• Listening to music (power metal, trance) - I do this when doing nearly anything.
• Reading technical manuals - A requirement of my profession, also as personal development.
• Writing technical works - Both for work and play.
• Playing video games - For fun, but not profit.
• Reading news - Both related to my profession and my personal interests.
• Watching anime - Despite owning most of what was produced in the dubbed R1 market since 2000, I don't get to watch much of it.
• Writing technical works - A pen and paper game system I've been working on for years.
• Creating 3D landscapes - Because I can.
• Reading manga - only when CelticRedemption points one out to me; I otherwise refuse to read any work that I'll be unable to finish due to the work being dropped by the publisher or localizing studio. I also don't read what I do not buy, and I do not buy because I don't have anywhere to put it. I have enough things to do before I get to this point in the list.
• Reading story books - Almost never. Reading dead wood copies of works gives me horrible headaches. My favorite book has to be Jurassic Park, which I was unable to stop reading and did so in one sitting, bearing with the horrible headache.