in which I show my true geeky colors by analyzing fanfic stats

[rose_griffes]

A quick note totally unrelated to the rest of this post (except that it's about fanfic): this here is the most wonderful PotC3 fanfic (well, it's also the only PotC fanfic I've read), fleshing out what happens at the end. *happy sigh*

I've been experimenting with posting stories in the Pit of Voles.

Thanks to lunar47 for some information about putting stories there. I have at least one real-life friend who reads my livejournal on occasion so I'll explain--the Pit of Voles is a less-than-affectionate nickname for the website fanfiction.net, sometimes abbreviated as ff.net. Fanfiction writers from many countries, using many languages, writing with many different fandoms--tv shows, movies, books--post their stories in the Pit. I have NO idea who first came up with the nickname Pit of Voles.

I've mulled over this for a while. Livejournal has almost all of the fanfiction for Battlestar Galactica that I've enjoyed, but a few writers post in other places, and I think having one central archive is a good thing. Plus the Pit has been around a while, and I can look at fanfiction for other fandoms as well--Buffy, Angel, Harry Potter... not that I've read much of any of them, but it's nice to have the option.

The Pit keeps count of how many times someone has clicked on different stories, so I can look up the stats for each story I've posted. This is bad for semi-analytical nerds like me. I posted three stories late Saturday, then decided Sunday morning to post a Kara/Lee story as well. Sure enough, the Kara/Lee ficlets (the two I've written, posted together) have a lot more hits than the other stories, which are not about Kara and Lee. About twice as many as the Sam story, more than that for the other two. Later I remembered that the other three stories have been posted publicly on LJ (to one of the BSG fanfiction communities), so the K/L stuff may have more hits simply because people are familiar with the other stories. To continue the experiment I need to post something else there that hasn't been cross-posted, something not K/L, just to see how it does by comparison.

eta: I doubt most readers on ff.net would remember if they'd seen my stuff until they clicked, though. It's not like I've been writing fanfic for very long, and I haven't been extremely prolific or widely-read. /eta

eta2: Just posted those three fluffy ficlets to the pit, for experimentation purposes. I never cross-posted them (at least not on LJ--I did post the Sharon/Helo piece to a Sharon/Helo comm that's not on LJ), and they're in the romance genre without being Kara/Lee. Let the counting begin!

This brings me to a burning question: why do I care? Heh.

Okay, I've thought about it. I guess I care because I don't understand the mentality of reading only one pairing. A lot of people post Adama/Roslin fic on the Pit, and of course there's a bunch of K/L stuff. Generally these stories get more reviews than stories with other pairings or non-shippy stories. I like to read a variety of fics; I'm bewildered as to why some limit themselves to only-shippy reading with their favorite pair. It's like reading the same romance novel over and over again. Come on, people! Have some variety in your reading! (Oops, this is sounding way too critical. Feel free to defend your shippy reading habits in the comments, 'cause now I'm curious.)

Other thoughts about the Pit: If I were inclined to writing long fics (multi-chapter stories), this would be an excellent place to post. It's easy to get to subsequent chapters, and authors of long fics on the Pit seem to get a decent amount of feedback. Authors of multi-chapter fics on LJ have to make an effort to link back to previous chapters, and my (completely uninformed) impression is that readers on LJ don't seem to maintain interest in the really-long stories. All of this is fairly useless for me, because I've never had an idea that would involve multiple chapters. Heck, I haven't written more than 4000 words in one story yet.

I may post more stories to the Pit just to have them somewhere that's easy to access. Livejournal is blocked in China, for example. Yes, it's important to the Chinese masses that my fanfiction be available. *laughs*



Here are some stories from the Pit that I haven't seen on LJ and why I think they're a worthwhile read. These are all complete, no works-in-progress.

Chronicles of a Sniper by 1GoldWolf is an interesting take on the Caprica resistance, seen through the eyes of a teen-aged survivor who falls into the role of sniper. The story is believeable and well-written. 6 chapters.

Kara Thrace Doesn't Sleep by Julieanna. Short, one chapter. I still have mixed feelings about this one. It's Kara's pov, during the time she was held captive by Leoben. It's dark; the idea that Kara might think this way bothers me a lot. Very creepy.

Cycle of Violence by DramaLexy. Long fic that starts with the premise that Kara was left behind with Leoben during the exodus from New Caprica. Kara/Leoben, Kara/Sam, Kara/Lee. Very shippy, very plotty... it's been a while since I read it (and I'm not going to re-read it because it's 20 chapters long) but I'm guessing Kara/Lee fans will like it. Another even-longer fic by the same author: Brave, with Kacey as a true cylon/human hybrid. 33 chapters.

Okay, fine. Since I've mentioned two long, Kara/Lee shippy fics I might as well do another. The Long Way Home by njborja is an on-Earth fic with kids so if you don't like semi-shmoopy kidfic, don't read this one. 13 chapters. (no twins, though, pataka02. Heh.)

A short Galen Tyrol pov fic, Almost Home by Astralis. Spoilers through the end of season two. Bittersweet piece.

If anyone else has trawled the pit and lived to tell about it, feel free to let me know about other stories you've enjoyed, or give me advice, or tell me I'm totally wrong, whatever...


Here's the statistical information from the stories I've posted (with links to their location on my LJ). And yes, I know I'm a nerd.

Red Pants; genre: humor; word count 664
my ff.net summary: Leoben can't wait to see Kara again. But what to wear? Based on a promo pic from 3.12 Rapture for a scene that was cut.
hits: 86

Fairy Tale, Ending; genre: angst; word count 1382
summary: Cally reflects on her marriage. Spoilers through the end of season three.
hits: 106

Broken; genre: angst; word count 847
summary: What happens to Sam Anders when Kara comes back again? Spoilers through the end of season three.
hits: 152

Sleep and Gym; genre: romance; word count 812
summary: Two fluffy Kara/Lee ficlets. Spoilers through the end of season three.
hits: 326 (and this was posted about ten hours after the other three stories)

Conclusions? Cally is less-popular than Sam (yeah, that's a surprise). Kara/Lee fics rule the universe. Leoben gets no love, although that may be due to the incredibly silly nature of the story I posted.

Comments

[dianeluvsmunky.livejournal.com]

Feel free to defend your shippy reading habits in the comments, 'cause now I'm curious.)

I get bored with everything else for some reason.
The fic itself doesn't have to be shippy, but it at least needs to have the characters I'm invested in somewhere in the mix, otherwise I just don't care enough.

If anyone else has trawled the pit and lived to tell about it, feel free to let me know about other stories you've enjoyed, or give me advice, or tell me I'm totally wrong, whatever...

State of Delusion - Lee is from Caprica and Kara is from earth.
I'd say more, but it would ruin it. So far it's up to 17 chapters and I'm not bored yet. There's lot's of mythology and destiny included in the storyline which always leaves me wondering what will happen next.

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

The fic itself doesn't have to be shippy, but it at least needs to have the characters I'm invested in somewhere in the mix, otherwise I just don't care enough.

Now I'm glad I asked the question. That's an answer I can understand, and which probably applies to why so many read Kara/Lee fiction by preference; those two characters are so dominant in the story arc, it's only natural that people feel more invested in them. Do you get irritated when the show has an episode without those favorite characters?

And because I always ask too many questions, what kind of regular fiction do you read most? I'm wondering if people's tastes in regular fiction are mirrored in their fanfiction reading choices. I'm an omnivore with regular books and with fanfic, so for me I'd say yes, they match. (I admit to a preference for science-fiction over most other book genres, which is clearly reflected in my tv habits as well. Heh.)

[dianeluvsmunky.livejournal.com]

Do you get irritated when the show has an episode without those favorite characters?

It depends.
I get annoyed if the episode doesn't at least move the story arc along, because my biggest pull with BSG is it's main story arc and how my favorites play into it.

I remember being very bored with the "Woman King". The main character was Helo (not invested in him) and the story arc wasn't really moved along.

what kind of regular fiction do you read most? I'm wondering if people's tastes in regular fiction are mirrored in their fanfiction reading choices.

My fanfic choices are a mix of what I usually like to read in my regular fiction, and what I watch on TV (thats where my inner fangirl comes out LOL).

When it comes to my regular fiction choices I tend to stick with science-fiction/fantasy/supernatural-thriller genres.
I haven't really delved into anything else, but the little that I have (thanks to school) I didn't hate... I just wasn't as interested in them.

My TV choices on the other hand are the opposite.
BSG is actually one of the only two sci-fi/fantasy shows I've ever become a fan of (Lost being the other (if it even qualifies)).

I tend to stick to shows based more in reality.
The "human iteraction/emotion" aspect is better showcased than in sci-fi shows.
If I can't get to really understand/know a character, then I can't go all fangirl crazy on them.... *and spend countless hours reading fanfic about them.*

However I don't usually read fanfic for these shows... I find them boring unless there's some UST and smut involved. LOL
And even that will get boring after a while.

Maybe that's why I love BSG (and it's fanfic) so much. It's a great mix of both.
It's sci-fi, with a good amount of human interaction and emotions.

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

I get annoyed if the episode doesn't at least move the story arc along, because my biggest pull with BSG is it's main story arc and how my favorites play into it.

Oh yes, that's what annoys me the most too.

BSG is actually one of the only two sci-fi/fantasy shows I've ever become a fan of (Lost being the other (if it even qualifies)).

I think Lost does qualify, although a lot of fans who disdain sci-fi/fantasy would argue the point. Personally I get tired of the sci-fi genre being put down, so I'd argue right back. Heh.

However I don't usually read fanfic for these shows... I find them boring unless there's some UST and smut involved. LOL

Hm, not a smut reader, but I agree, UST is important if I'd reading shippy fanfic. And despite being a huge fan of lots of other things--like the Harry Potter books, Buffy and Angel, Lost, I haven't read much in those fandoms. I'm not sure why; when I figure that out, I'll tell you. *grins*

[lunar47.livejournal.com]

hmm...I go through phases with what I like. BSG happens to be dominant right now but that's not always the case. Sometimes I ship Kara/Lee. Other times Kara/Lee doesn't interest me and Kara/leoben is all that matters. On ff.net I do look at #reviews to see if I should click on it. But that doesn't really tell you anything. my story only has 2 reviews but I think it's pretty good. I look for angst or drama since I usually don't like fluff. I also usually only read shippy stories but if the story is really good, ships don't really matter.

I will rec this fic to the end of the world because I love it so much. Yeah, you kind of have to like Star Trek (since it is a crossover) but it so believable it's scary. A lot of the story has to do with politics and it is not shippy. Going Native by Rap541.

like fandoms, my taste in books changes as well. 2 months ago I was reading victorian lit then crime novels and now scifi. I'm working my way through the DS9 relaunch series.

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

I will rec this fic to the end of the world because I love it so much... Going Native by Rap541.

I've read a few things by that writer on LJ that I've really loved (rapfic wrote "Earth Girls Are Easy (http://rapfic.livejournal.com/22578.html#cutid1) which is a BSG/ER crossover with Gaeta) but I hadn't tried that series. I think I know enough about Star Trek to get by so maybe I'll give it a try, thanks.

like fandoms, my taste in books changes as well. 2 months ago I was reading victorian lit then crime novels and now scifi. I'm working my way through the DS9 relaunch series.

I'm pretty much always omnivorous. I'm rereading one of my favorite books right now, To Say Nothing of the Dog, which is a time-travel mystery romantic comedy, so it has most of my favorite genres in one. Last week I read two mysteries. I have a sci-fi book waiting on the floor.

I don't know what DS9 is--is it a book series related to the Star Trek series?

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

So glad you’re back! You were missed!

Fan fiction reading: I rarely read any other pairing except for Kara and Lee. Yes, I read Kara and Leoben. Actually, I do read other pairings, rarely. Gaeta/Dee, Adama/Roslin. I guess I have two answers. First, I think I don’t read just for characters but for what the characters do. I got into fan fiction because people would write what I wasn’t seeing on screen. I want Kara and Lee to happen onscreen and since it’s not, I’ll go read a fic about it. I don’t really care if Gaeta and Dee ever get together.

Big however, though. Some writers are so talented that they will make me care about Gaeta and Dee or any other pairing. I read a finely written Gaeta/Racetrack last month and I had never even thought of them together.

My real life reading, not so shippy. I used to read, devour books like food. I remember reading seven books a week. That was years ago. I actually don’t like to read science fiction or fantasy much. I find it hard to visualize. I like realistic dramas (I like those in movies too).

What have I read in past years that I recall? The Poisonwood Bible. Gathering Blue. (I like YA fiction. Short and packs a punch.) Pillars of the Earth. Mists of Avalon. Black & Blue. Protect and Defend. When the Wind Blows. Okay, maybe there is a little fantasy in there. Hee.

Science fiction (usually) is just my little indulgence. ;-)

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

I got into fan fiction because people would write what I wasn’t seeing on screen. I want Kara and Lee to happen onscreen and since it’s not, I’ll go read a fic about it.

Heh, I was wondering when someone would finally 'fess up to that. I think that getting those characters together has to be a big motivation for both shippy readers and shippy writers. So my blah reaction to staying with only one pair (mostly) probably stems from the fact that I'm not much of a shipper in the first place **blatantly ignores "Prophecy" and all its related fics as she makes this proclamation**

Some writers are so talented that they will make me care about Gaeta and Dee or any other pairing.

One fanfic I read made me care about Baltar (it wasn't shippy), and I usually can't stand him in fanfic even though I enjoy watching him onscreen. I usually don't read Adama/Roslin fic either, but if it's well-written... yeah, so quality of writing seems to make a difference to everyone who's commented so far. I think I find that reassuring both as a reader and writer of fanfic. Heh.

My real life reading, not so shippy. I used to read, devour books like food. I remember reading seven books a week. That was years ago.

*sigh* I remember college. I thought I was sooooo busy then but I still read several books each week. Now I save my book binges for the summertime. I read two mysteries last week. Have to go back to the library now that I'm back in town...

I read a finely written Gaeta/Racetrack last month and I had never even thought of them together.

Hee, I have an idea for those two myself... maybe someday it'll get written. (Must finish writing Leoben--he's an uncooperative cylon.)

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

Not to distract you from your serious question about what fanfiction people read and why, but yes you must finish writing Leoben! He's uncooperative but he always comes back, doesn't he?

I'm definitely shippy even for pairings the writers don't care for. When I look at TV shows I've enjoyed, there's usually a pairing in there. Or some relationship that worked for me (like Al and Sam in Quantum Leap).

More confessions from the shipper's soul: It’s not the same romance novel over and over! Okay, maybe it is, but I think part of the appeal is every author has a different take and once you’ve fallen for a ship, you’ve fallen. Can’t ever get enough. Example: today I’ve been playing a song I like over and over. Two weeks from now maybe I won’t bear it but today, I only want to hear it and nothing else.

Take pictures of Sayid for another example. I looked and it’s hard to find good ones. But would I ever tire of excellent photo after excellent photo of Sayid? Would I ever stop wanting to look at said photos over and over again? You know the answer to that question. :)

Okay, so maybe I am getting distracted from your point.

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

Mmm, Sayid. Erm, what?

yes you must finish writing Leoben! He's uncooperative but he always comes back, doesn't he?

*snickers* yes he does

It’s not the same romance novel over and over! Okay, maybe it is, but I think part of the appeal is every author has a different take and once you’ve fallen for a ship, you’ve fallen. Can’t ever get enough.

Heh, I figured I was going a bit far when I typed that line, but it did get a reaction. And yes, so many different writers out there focusing on Kara/Lee means that there's a lovely variety of fic... and some really repetitious fic too. (I swear, if I have to read another story where Anders has betrayed Kara to the cylons during the Occupation... grrrr) Oh, and speaking of lovely K/L fic, I friended suffolkgirl because she's writing an amazing multi-chapter fic set in season two, with Zak Adama still alive. I'm stunned that I'm enjoying a K/L fic set in an AU of season two, but there ya go. Great writing makes a huge difference.

Weirdly enough I doubt all this introspection and questioning is going to make a huge difference in what I actually write. Either I have an idea that I like, or I don't; and I'm still me, not-too-shippy, enjoying the many different characters and how they interact on the show and in my brain.

[pataka02.livejournal.com]

I'm so weird about fandoms; I think I go through fits of being all about one show or another. I used to be much more focused in my tastes: I was a huge BtVS person, so that's the only fandom I was really into. Now it's expanded considerably, but I generally have one at the top that I actively follow or look for stuff in... which unfortunately, is SG-1 now, though why that is I have *no* idea, and it's taking over my brain which is upsetting.

I think I'm like that with cereal, too, where I get hooked on one kind and eat it obsessively for a week or two, then switch.

Hee. I don't know what made me think of that. Anyways, the Pit isn't always bad, because I can catch up on stuff that I've missed from LJ, since a lot of people post there too, and if I'm behind on reading my friends pages, then I can just go elsewhere and catch up in one big giant stretch. It's nice when you're following fics that aren't finished yet...

and that said, I do have to rec one Kara/Lee fic, "Half Life" by RingRed... anything by her is actually quite good, and it's not overly schmoopy. She does a great job with Kara's characterization... so check it out!

And for me, shipping is generally about whatever character I really find myself liking on a show, and then I'm kind of up for them/anyone really. Hence my love of Kara/anyone, because I just love Kara, and find her interesting enough that I can see all these different relationships -- Kara/Leoben, Kara/Lee, Kara/Sam.... because they all bring out something different in her. So I find myself more pro-character than pro-ship. I'm like that with BtVS and even SG-1 now, too. Name a fandom, and I'll have a favorite character who I'd read anything about (err, within reason).

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

I generally have one at the top that I actively follow or look for stuff in... which unfortunately, is SG-1 now, though why that is I have *no* idea, and it's taking over my brain which is upsetting.

Ha! So have you watched SG:Atlantis? Which one has that hot guy who looks a bit like Michael Trucco? SG-1 has MacGuyver, right? I don't think I've seen more than ten twenty minutes of either show. For the summer I'm tempted to go on a Doctor Who spree if the DVD's are available, but I don't know... which sci-fi show to choose?!

Anyways, the Pit isn't always bad, because I can catch up on stuff that I've missed from LJ, since a lot of people post there too, and if I'm behind on reading my friends pages, then I can just go elsewhere and catch up in one big giant stretch. It's nice when you're following fics that aren't finished yet...

Yeah, if I'm too lazy to look up someone's LJ-name and I can find the fic faster in the Pit, that's what I do as well. And it is nice for multi-chapter things--easier to skip ahead without scanning lots of non-fic journal entries. I do find most people's LJ pages easier on the eyes, though. (I'm far-sighted and I usually don't wear my glasses.)

Name a fandom, and I'll have a favorite character who I'd read anything about (err, within reason).

Since I haven't read much outside of BSG yet, what I've noticed is that I'll try reading almost any character, most any genre, with a general avoidance of NC-17 stuff and slash (and I have to be in a certain mood for the weirdest crackfics). Oh, and I seem to have a preference for short fics (under 4000 words) OR multi-chapter fics, as long as the individual chapters aren't too long. Weird, I know. (And since I'm willing to give so many different fics a chance, I end up using the backbutton A LOT. Heh.)

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

Also? I think you should see Pirates 3 now, just so you can read and appreciate those two fabulous pirate stories I've recced. Heh. I'm now officially a fanfic geek.

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm making my way slowly through your recs. So far I've read Half Life and Kara Thrace Doesn't Sleep Anymore. You know I'll read anything about Kara. I liked them both. Don't have a lot of time for the multi-chapter stories right now so I'm saving them. Half Life is finally up to the moments I was waiting for.

Reading is so addictive! I'll let you know about the rest when I get to them.