Welcome to Gaia! ::

So this is basically for discussing why you add the stories and authors you add to your favorites list. I suppose it's generally obvious why you would, you like the story or what the person writes. But I've read lots of stuff I like and I don't add all of it to my favorites.


If a story really gets to me in a way that most other stories don't, whether just because it's so cute or just very touching with good character portrayal, I'll normally add it (though it's been awhile since I've added anything). As for my favorite authors, my sister and I haven't really added anything recently. The authors we have added are either family members of ours and people who have written several stories we both enjoy (with a few exceptions my sister has added). But that's ok, since we both have some differant fandoms.

Hmm... usually I'll favorite a story because it either brought up a strong emotion or emotions, was very well done in my opinion, or sometimes as a bookmark to find and continue reading it at a later date. For the most part, though... I favorite stories that made me feel really involved in the story: sharing their triumphs, mourning alongside them, laughing as a situation turns sour: things like that.

Also, I'll favorite stories that were good as a way to promote them further: some people check the favorite archives of authors to see what kind of taste they have. Not sure how many, but some must. Plus, there's the off chance that the author you favorite will check out your work... kind of a selfish motive, but I'm not about to lie on that point.

That's the problem with Fanfiction.net though: the quality stories are becoming scarce... maybe now that summer break is upon us, the older authors will have time to create some new fics.

I rarely add stories to my story favorite, and it has to be something that I consider particularly awesome. Usually this involves accurate portrayal of the characters that doesnt' deviate from the movies/show/ or whatever (so like, no Joker/Batman Slash fanfic or something like), stories that are well written with good grammar, that have a distinct plot. They generally tend to be more than 2000 words, just because with rare exception, you just can't get a truly great story in fewer words IMHO. Stories that make me laugh or .... well I wont' say cry because i don't cry when reading, ever, but that make me really empathize with the characters.

Usually I add a story I particularly like to favorites, I will also check what else taht author has written. I'm actually more likely to favorite an author, than I am a particular story. Usually because some great stories will come from the same author.

Like most of you, I'm constantly seduced by words and sentence structure. I'll read anything really, and though I may hate the series or pairing if the words seem to flow and I'm given reason to keep after the next word, I'll add to my favorites.

To favorite an author is a little harder. All the author's I have on my favorites are all people I've spoken with in-depth. A lot of them author my favorite stories but I mostly use the author section for quick links to their page to ask or comment on something.

But as I read it's my understanding that that's very common.