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Post by docfronkensteen on Mar 2, 2011 1:32:14 GMT 1
So, those who have been reading my Mass Effect fics, know that I place the emphasis on OCs and not cannon characters. Cannon characters do appear occasionally, but its just to tie the story line back into the ME universe.
So, I'm coming up on what might be a big change. I'm working on an RP with a friend that involves my two OCs (Nick and Vox) joining the Normandy crew during the events of the second game. My RP partner will be handling most of the dialogue for the Normandy crew. I'm planning on taking this RP and basing my next fic off of it. I'm pretty weary about doing this, as I don't like messing with cannon too much, and I don't want it too feel like a self-insert.
On the other hand, this could bring new readers who aren't interested in all OC stories to my writing. As always, I'll be sure my writing quality is good, and I'll tell the story from a different perspective than in the game. (ie through the eyes of my OCs)
tl;dr I'm going to mess with cannon a bit to add my OCs to the ME2 story line. Good idea? Bad idea? I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have.
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Post by Mister Buch on Mar 2, 2011 2:22:12 GMT 1
I am always opposed to contradicting canon. I think it's disrespectful, I think it defeats the object of fanfic.
But! I seem to be in the minority here.
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Post by docfronkensteen on Mar 2, 2011 2:26:24 GMT 1
I am always opposed to contradicting canon. I think it's disrespectful, I think it defeats the object of fanfic. But! I seem to be in the minority here. That is my feeling too, hence my tendency to write with OCs rather than cannon characters. I'm playing around with a few ideas, not going to do anything drastic. (ie not adding any more romance options, not changing any outcomes ect..)
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Post by Mister Buch on Mar 2, 2011 2:34:14 GMT 1
I tend to write with OCs too, for the same reason. But when I do write in or around the original plot or characters, I make it a point not to include anything that 'couldn't' or 'wouldn't happen'.
But - it is of course your fic, and the REAL point of fanfic, and all fiction, is self-expression. If breaking the canon is what you want to do, go for it.
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Post by Cali on Mar 2, 2011 2:52:34 GMT 1
Well the main purpose of the Zaeed and Kasumi DLCs is insert characters to Mass Effect 2 that some people won't get a chance to know or interact with (lack of internet access and such).
So, in terms which can be consider naive, I like to think new characters are considered fanfic DLC.
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Post by Mister Buch on Mar 2, 2011 2:53:52 GMT 1
This is the main purpose of Zaeed and Kasumi:
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Post by Cali on Mar 2, 2011 2:55:49 GMT 1
Dear God, I vaguely remember buying and watching that movie. Even as a five year old with little critical judgement I still managed to think that movie was corny and melodramatic.
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Post by docfronkensteen on Mar 2, 2011 3:04:31 GMT 1
Well the main purpose of the Zaeed and Kasumi DLCs is insert characters to Mass Effect 2 that some people won't get a chance to know or interact with (lack of internet access and such). So, in terms which can be consider naive, I like to think new characters are considered fanfic DLC. Fair point, I guess thats how they are being presented in my fic. I've only just started the first chapter so I'll keep playing around with stuff to see how I like it. Ideas can change drastically as I write,.......
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Post by Knightfall on Mar 2, 2011 4:40:01 GMT 1
I love fanfiction because, for some reason, I like finding a way to get around the canon without ignoring it. The only times I disregard it are when it's on accident or if it happens in a comic (see Knights of the Old Republic comic series).
Getting your OCs onto the Normandy shouldn't be that hard at all. There are plenty of crew members who are simply anonymous, and many parts of the ship that are unavailable. Maybe your OCs are members of Cerberus who are transfered aboard, etc. etc. The problem with that is that they probably wouldn't be able to have any extravagant adventures, since Shepard would've definitely heard about it (especially since, for the most part, Shepard had very little reason to trust Cerberus in the game).
The Normandy is a big ship. Shouldn't be that hard to work your characters into the story without stepping on the canon's toes. =D
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Post by docfronkensteen on Mar 24, 2011 0:58:11 GMT 1
I just got another really interesting idea for the down the road... I just finished reading a book (World War Z, by Max Brooks). Its about a global "zombie war" for those who haven't read it. Its presented in a very interesting way for a fiction book. Its pretty much transcripts of interviews a journalist had with people who lived through the war.
I thought this would be cool to do for my Mass Effect fic later on. Maybe even get a few people together who would be interested in reading for the characters and do an audio version of it. What do ya think?
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Post by Cali on Mar 24, 2011 1:10:00 GMT 1
Hoo, man. I get excited just reading the word "audio" and "fic" put together. I don't know, I just always had a fascination with books on tape.
I'd be glad to pitch in Doc. I actually posted an audio recording of one of my short stories on my YouTube account, but deleted it after a few months because I noticed I stuttered quite a bit (I was rushing it), and I could have written something better.
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Post by docfronkensteen on Mar 24, 2011 1:15:05 GMT 1
Hoo, man. I get excited just reading the word "audio" and "fic" put together. I don't know, I just always had a fascination with books on tape. I'd be glad to pitch in Doc. I actually posted an audio recording of one of my short stories on my YouTube account, but deleted it after a few months because I noticed I stuttered quite a bit (I was rushing it), and I could have written something better. Glad you like the idea. I was thinking it would be more of an "acted" thing and less of just reading it. I might do a test one with Nick to get a feel of it.
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Post by Cali on Mar 24, 2011 1:33:05 GMT 1
I'm pretty modest and I don't like boasting, but I've been told I could be quite the actor, especially in voice.
Lemme know if you need another trooper.
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Octo
Commander
Posts: 240
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Post by Octo on Jun 15, 2011 21:21:03 GMT 1
I'm not opposed to OCs joining the canon characters in general, but this sounds like these OCs would be the centre of the story, with the canon characters being somewhat secondary... that's always problematic. It can be done well, of course, but it's problematic.
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Post by Mister Buch on Jun 18, 2011 1:07:20 GMT 1
I love fanfiction because, for some reason, I like finding a way to get around the canon without ignoring it. The only times I disregard it are when it's on accident or if it happens in a comic (see Knights of the Old Republic comic series). In the case of KotOR, I feel like fanfiction can be a way to claim the canon back, as it were. Those comics might be considered canon, but by God they shouldn't be.
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