Tell Me A Story

[geoviki]

Anniversary again - one year on LiveJournal! Thank you so much isiscolo for giving me my first deadly taste of heroin my first introduction to LJ a mere year ago! It has truly ruined changed my life.

On with the meta.

I've already waxed poetic about characterization a bit, and I know you all are dying to hear the pearls fall from my lips again. I want to beat the literary drum about one thing I consider even more important:

Plot.

(Don't fall over in sheer amazement).

In a roundabout way, I've been thinking about it this week because of several stories I've read. Now you will all recoil in horror that I'm just now getting round to reading Stealing Harry. I've only been here a year, guys. There are just some fics that, well, everybody's read, but I haven't. (Oh, admit it, you've got a few on your back burners, too.)

And the reason I've been so tardy wasn't because I thought it wasn't going to be terrific, wonderful, and impressive, but because I thought it was going to be all those things. Do you know what I mean? I was saving it for a dry spell, a time when I could relax into it, let it wash over me like that vacation at the beach I should have had, but didn't.

And it was terrific. It was wonderful. It was impressive. (I still wish for that beach, though).

I loved the characterizations Sam creates. I loved the Sirius/Remus tenderness and growing relationship. I loved the dialogue.

But the best part for me was the plot. Because that's what carries the story, what makes the dialogue have meaning, what gives the relationships their depth.

I need that engine driving me, that "What happens next?" that urges me along, that "Oh, no!", that "Oh, yes!"

A lot of fanfic exists with a focus on characterization. I'm not saying that's wrong - hell, I read my share of PWPs, too. But I don't remember PWPs past a few days. But a noteworthy plot will have me turning it over in my mind days, even weeks later. For me, the impact remains.

That's why A.J. Hall is one of my absolute favorite writers (I deliberately didn't say fan fiction writers). Her latest story, The Perilous Point just enveloped me entirely. Her whole world is one I revisit frequently, not just for her characters, which are skillfully drawn, or her dialogue, which is enormously entertaining and clever, but for the sometimes audacious, the frequently beautiful, the surprisingly gentle, but always innovative plots she concocts.

Isis, too, is a plot-driven writer. One give-away is the sheer number of pairings she's written to tell her stories. She'll write slash, het, gen, women, men, beasts - whatever it takes to drive that all-important plot. Check her out

Now I don't want this to be an oversimplification - obviously characterization is vital to good storytelling. It binds the plot to something we as readers can connect to. If you don't believe me, go read some ff.net stories for an afternoon. Still, I am one happy camper when I find myself in that mesmerized state of thinking: No one and nothing had better interrupt me right now, because I just have to know what happens next...

This is the part where I ask you to rec me your favorite plot-driven fic! So???

Comments

[cordelia_v]

Oh, I enjoyed that post. And let me second the praise you give to plot-driven stories, btw. I know my recent essays were mostly about characterization. Poor character development just ruins a story for me, and can quickly drive me to stop reading. But although great characterization draws one in (if you love that character), it's the plot that keeps you scrolling down breathlessly, wanting more and more. It's good to remind us of that.

I hesitate to recommend anything, however. You've been in this community longer than I have, and have probably read anything I could come up with.

That (obligatory disclaimer) said, have you read lexin's work? Her style is elegantly minimalist (works beautifully, too) and her stories are plot driven. They're all on her website, except for "Through a Glass, Darkly," which is on Inkstained Fingers. I'm sure you've also read icarusancalion's "Beg Me For It" series, which is plot-driven and features Draco, so it'd be right up your alley). But you probably know both of these authors, alas.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Now, see, there are big gaps in my reading, and I have not read enough of Lexin. I see her articulate LJ responses to AJHall, but I haven't kept up with her writing. So thanks for the recs.

Um, but the Beg Me For It series - well, that's one that made it to the printed-out archive, my highest honor!

[kupukello.livejournal.com]

Oh, oh, OH!! Wonderful question!!

Draco Trilogy by Cassie Claire

Transfiguration by Resonant

Tissue of Silver by Fearless Diva

From the Goodness of their Hearts by Taratext

I left my Heart by Emma Grant

Invisible to see by FayJay

And then there is this really lovely story: A Thousand Beautiful Things by Duinn-Fionn. Ever read it? It's GORGEOUS! *grin*

I know het is SO 90's but anyways, I love these two to bits and pieces even though there isn't even a hint of slash there.. Sugarquill is currently being maintained until 7th of September, so the links wont work right now.

After the end by Arabella and Zenya

Test of Time by Alchemilla

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

You and I have the same tastes! those are my most favorite stories, as well. The Draco Trilogy has enough plottiness for 7 stories. Which is why (here comes my anti_WIP side) the delay in chapters is so devastating to that story - I can[t remember what happened between updates. And there's a thin line between "can't remember what happened" and "no longer care what happened", which is a shame, becasue the fic is otherwise terrific.

I just reread "Goodness of their Hearts" this week and remembered just how much I liked that one. Do you know if Tara Text has an LJ? I've not been able to find one if so.

And Invisible to See was my reread last month!

I want to reread Left My Heart, but am holding off for the final version.

ATBT? Yeah, I think I know it. For such a plot whore, I better have lots of plot in it!!!

[kupukello.livejournal.com]

ATBT? Yeah, I think I know it. For such a plot whore, I better have lots of plot in it!!!

*grin* I'm not sure about that one, it was one of the very first fics I read and it appears that people have very fond feelings about their first fics, so that might be it. I have serious problems with some aspects of the story, like the general prudishness and giving sexual favours as Christmas gifts, but it has an unique, well planned plot.

And I usually don't bother to discriminate fics because of their authors' stupid behaviour in fandom, teehee :D

[kupukello.livejournal.com]

OMG... I need glasses...

You were talking about ATBT and not about After The End. God. I'm such an arse.

So, YOUR behaviour in fandom hasn't been stupid, but the behaviour of the authors of ATE has been. And there even isn't a Christmas in ATBT. I would delete the comment but you'd still see it the notification eMail...

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

First thing first, I haven't met you on y!m for SO long, and I miss you! I do! [stomps her foot]

I suppose I'm more into characterization, but it's only because I have to read (or at least look through attentively) so many ff net fics that have nothing but plot (and stupid plot at that). But in general I completely agree with everything you said here.

Re classics we haven't read: I just started The Metamorphosis of Narcissus :)

Re rec you smth plot-driven: I'd love to, but I have to rely only on non-H/D fics 'cos I suppose you've read all long good H/D I could suggest.

Maybe, try Acts Infernal (PG), by Sam Vimes if you like how he writes. It's finished. And it's gen.

Have you read Bugland&Alchemia's A Bittersweet Potion series? (http://www.intertexius.com/ ) The first novel is finished and can be read separately. It's absolutely amazing. It's not quite plot-driven, but there's plot, and funny adventures.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know! When I look for you, you're not there, and vice versa. Tonight was "back-to-school" night, and we met all my son's teachers. Just got home and I hope you're asleep! I'm taking tomorrow off, though, so I'll check for you!

[generalmanda.livejournal.com]

Hey! I just finished reading Stealing Harry and Laocoon's Children (er, what's up so far that is) and they're wonderful!

Hmm... you want reccs aye... well you know I'll say Mirror of Maybe... I can't not. I love that fic with all of my heart and I think it's a very unique idea and fun to read... and discuss for over a year what's going to happen next. The plot keeps you interested that I think all her fans will wait several years just for a snippit.

And Checkmate of course, love Naadi.

Can't really think of others that catch me so much I go back and re-read them like I do these.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

WIPs! Aargh! The bane of my existance!

I'm waiting on LC, but may not wait too much longer. Mirror of Maybe sounds like such an iffy thing about coming up with a finished product (see my new community hp_wiplash, that I hesitate to read it. But if it's like some WIPS, good enough to read even if unfinished (Like "Snitch!) I may just go ahead with it.

I've read Checkmate - and again, I can't differentiate it from the other H/D WIPs I've got going at this point! But I did admire it.

[generalmanda.livejournal.com]

Hehe, Yeah. WIP kill me. But LC is almost done with year 1, 2 chapters left and he seems to put them out at a fast rate.

MoM is so wonderful I can't even go into it. But do not fear it will be completed. (I'm a constant lurcker on the yahoo!group) She's had some issues, but I don't think she can let it go. Not when the first words out of her mother's mouth every times she sees her is, "Have you finished it yet?" It may take awhile, but it is SO worth the wait. (...I started a graphic version of it too... but it may take awhile to get online...ahwell...)

The word on Checkmate is the next chapter will be up in a few weeks, Shaz is beta'ing it and she says it's brilliant. Naadi's having some work-related issues, but she's still writing.

The other H/D WIP I always look for updates on is All Torn Down... I think it was the first one I read actually... so it's got a special place in my heart.

Hello

[http://users.livejournal.com/clara_belle_/]

Im looking for part one of Laocoon's Children. Do you know where i can find it? i can only find part 2

Clara

Re: Hello

[generalmanda.livejournal.com]

Try Copperbadge's page here:

http://copperbadge.fanficauthors.net/Harry_Potter.php#Stealing_Harry_Universe

Re: Hello

[http://users.livejournal.com/clara_belle_/]

Thank you so much, i loved the first one and was distressed to find it wasnt the end and i couldnt find the next one.

Its massive, never gonna get any work done now!

Thanks again

Clara
xxx

[maidazia.livejournal.com]

Since my #1 favourite plot-driven fic is "Stealing Harry", I guess I'll have to go with #2, which is gatewaygirl's Blood Magic (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/GatewayGirl/). And my current third favourite is Hayseed's Dark Gods In the Blood (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Hayseed/). Both are very much worth the fact that they're huge. :D

[painless-j.livejournal.com]

I second Dark Gods. It's not plot-driven, but it's mystery/detective, and I know Viki loves it :)

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

See, that's why I post these! (No, it's not to get pimped in QQ, really!) Now you and PJ both recced this fic I've never even heard of (Dark Gods in the Blood). Blood Magic I've been following all along, because we both joined LJ together, invited by Isis. We're classmates, as it were.

[tasogare-n-hime.livejournal.com]

Honestly my most favorite plot driven fics are these:
Ozma FF.net profile (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=164445)

Here you can read the Squib stories by Ozma, there brilliant
and I absolutely fell in love with her portrayal of all the characters. you get to see everyone from a different point of view.

Who We Are (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/892686/1/)

This is the first of the Riddle's time series written by Alan Sauer and Persephone Kore it's a bit confusing at first but when you read the whole series
it just grabs you. the rest of the series is below.
Trouble Brewing (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/960182/1/)

Worth a Thousand Words (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1032395/1/)

Life Study (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1331396/1/)

Grim Tidings (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1340308/1/)

The Gift of the Magus (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1363678/1/)

Unexpected Contact (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1434205/1/)


There both unfortunately unfinished, but I hope you enjoy them.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Every single one of these is unknown to me (I suspect they're het or gen, huh?) But that's cool - I love a good fic no matter what, even though I write slash.

[tasogare-n-hime.livejournal.com]

Yeah there is a bit of het but both are mostly gen.
I love slash too (beginning of shameless self-promotion;))I started Wolf_Dog_Snake (http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=wolf_dog_snake) a community for the Severus/Remus/Sirius threesome, but I just fell in love with these stories.

[jetamors.livejournal.com]

Here from QQ.

One of my favorite fics, and what really got me into this fandom in the first place, is Balance (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/599029/1/), by rabbit. The bad news is that it's a WIP that'll probably never be finished. But it is almost complete, and it's the fastest moving story that I've ever read.

Harry Potter and the Legacy of the Light (http://gramarye.freehosting.net/hp/story.htm) is another plotty fic. It's a crossover with the Dark is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper, but I'm pretty sure it'll make sense without having read those books.

Angie Astravic's series (http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=9000) is quite plotty.

Uric the Oddball and the Wild Hunt (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Ariana_Deralte/Uric_The_Oddball_And_The_Wild_Hunt/) is a pretty good story. I think there's a WIP sequel, also.

The Broken Victory (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Kate_Lynn/The_Broken_Victory/) by Kate Lynn has a nice plot.

1975 (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/Narcissa_Malfoy/1975/) by Narcissa Malfoy has an incredible plot, characters .. well, incredible everything. Warning for het, I guess. The rest of these fics are gen.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Great! You've given me a whole list of new fics to check out. Thanks.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

interesting discussion about plot, ironically i've been contemplating such things. as sam vimes said a few days ago in his journal "The six Aristotelian elements of traditional theatre are Plot, Character, Diction, Music, Spectacle, and Thought (aka Moral, Idea, or Theme)." notice plot is first. and a bit ago i went to a lecture by robert mckee who was saying that the biggest problem in movies and novels today is that we've reversed the order - that publishers and producers are more worried about spectacle then plot and that is why we aren't satisfied. and why things such as harry potter and lord of the rings do so well. they have spectacle, but the plot is more important, as it should be. and robert pointed out, why there are so many re-makes.

anyway, i already rec'ed you most of the stuff i love, and i use you to get rec's in the first place, so i don't think i have anything new to rec.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised what I haven't read yet.

I have seen a lot of LJ entries lately about characterization, but none about the importance of plot. And I've read so many fics without any innovation in their plot. No magic, either, which is sad for a magical storyline.

Some are almost interchangeable - Harry/Draco or Biff/Tiger. Just generic gay male stories.

[gaeta.livejournal.com]

Well, not a rec, of course, but I've been meaning to write and tell you how much I loved your own plot-driven fic, "A Thousand Beautiful Things." What better opportunity than this?

I read it last weekend, having printed out the first 5 chapters a couple of weeks earlier. I cannot tell you what agony it was trying to make chapters 3-5 last the whole day while my younger son and his friend enjoyed 10 hours of roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure. I only managed it by reading each chapter twice, finishing just in time for the exhausting trip home, where, despite having come much too close to falling asleep at the wheel, I managed to revive myself enough to read the remaining four chapters.

In case anyone reading this post has somehow not read the story, I'll not be a spoiler. But I will tell you that you made me love Draco -- especially in the war scenes -- and appreciate both minor characters and original characters in ways that I usually don't.

Your Snape, by the way, was spot-on. Although his part got small after the early chapters, each of his appearances was delightful.


As for recs, I don't know what you've read or already been recced, but, oh well...

If you like "Stealing Harry," try "Amid My Solitude" also by Sam Vimes. My favorite MWPP story is "Reedeeming Time" (or Reedeeming Days) by Minx -- it's not exactly plot-driven, or maybe it is...

"Transfigurations" and "Night-Blooming Heartsease," of course. I'm sure you've read those.

Everything by Fabula Rasa is fabulous -- naturally.

And I'm going to throw in random recs of Nym and Sparrowhawk as thoroughly absorbing writers.

Oh, and Helenish, too.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I went to Six Flags at last - well, at least some of my chapters did! I always appreciate hearing for readers who liked my story. (I'm not too desperate, am I?)

I'm a complete Draco fan. Fanon!Draco. I can't tell you why.

And those are great recs, too.

[gaeta.livejournal.com]

Well, I can tell you why I like your Fanon!Draco. First, he's very smart. Second, he's tough -- on others and on himself (a nice combination). Third, he has feelings but he's never sappy. Fourth, there's something genuine about him -- he's honest, self-aware, clear-thinking, and tolerant. He's also extraordinarily devoted to what he believes in, and, last but not least, he suffers.

[geoviki.livejournal.com]

He suffers. Boy, does he ever! As I was weeding today, I thought a lot about how hurt/comfort is my one true kink.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad you like my Draco - I'm rather fond of him, myself.

[gaeta.livejournal.com]

As I was weeding today, I thought a lot about how hurt/comfort is my one true kink.

Mmm. I'm a sucker for nearly any kind of angst, even the unremitting kind -- thus my fondness for Remus.

[scary-sushi.livejournal.com]

Could I suggest... Have you read Josan's work??? Shes's a wonderul wonderful wondeful writer, but I especially recommend Betrayals and Resolutions; superbly written and plot-driven (if I do say so myself...)
You can find them here: www.angelfire.com/zine2/josan/hp/hp.html
I also loved one of the only Snape/Shackelbolt of the fandom, co-written by Josan and Kai: http://www.squidge.org/~kali/mot/mot1.html
Even yhough it's a WIP, ... wow!