The Fanfics of Haruhi Suzumiya (Fan Fic Discussion and Links)

[Selofain]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Spoiler for Fanfic spoilers:

1. It's all Haruhi. This fandom prefers it that way, I think (as opposed to crossovers).

2. It ships KyonHaruhi, from what I've heard.

3. It introduces your take on two of the most important characters not featured on-screen in the actual novels - Haruhi's parents. ...I also remember reading somewhere that you based them loosely off of Akio and his wife in the Clannad anime. No doubt that appeals a lot to Clannad fans (a passionate core to say the least), and fans of those characters.

So... given how hot Umineko is on Anime Suki now... (just a hint for any future works you do)


4. You named it well. "Meet the Suzumiyas". Very inviting to say the least.

This I can offer up even with out having read it.

Anyway, there's not always a rhyme or reason for striking gold. Sometimes it just happens.

I agree that those criteria helps get a story noticed. Shipping is nearly the one surefire way to get your fic noticed in any fandom. As an example, I'd like to offer one of my favorite Haruhi fics, Ten Hundred Thousand Suns Rising to Hail You, which I only read because it got rec here (back on page 3 of this thread). It didn't get anywhere near the 10 reviews per chapter criteria I usually employ before reading (not even 5 per chapter), but it's one of the best fanfics of any fandom I've ever read. Considering the speculative nature of the fic, part of it may be due the huge amounts of screentime of later novel characters, including theories on the nature of one spoilery entity. I think a lot of its obscurity, though, comes from the fact that it pretty much lacks all of the criteria listed above. It's character labels are Haruhi and Tsuruya, kind of an unusual combination, and it updated to its completion pretty quickly, so it loses recurring reviews (AND during the fandom's downtime too- late 2008 to early 2009, right before the big hoopla of new episodes). It's probably a hit-or-miss kind of fic, but I love that it's kind of mind-screwy.

...yeah, I just wanted to re-rec that fic. I love it to pieces, and I haven't reviewed only because I didn't want to disturb its nice even number of 42 reviews. I'm a terrible person.

Ah, and-

Originally Posted by Ricky Controversy

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...46#post2755246

Haru, Chapter 3.

FLCL crossover! Lol, I guess Kyon's unknown name kinda makes that kind of situation an easy set-up, huh? I totally want Haruko and Haruhi to clash now. Fireworks wouldn't even begin to describe it.

Are you posting this on FF.net as well?

[Ricky Controversy]

Yes, it's on Fanfiction.net as well, Selo. I update it there simultaneous to my updating it here, but you'll always be able to find it here first because of ff.net's update lag time. I check reviews in this thread, my PM box and fanfiction.net with equal regularity, though, so wherever you feel like commenting works.

[Joe4evr]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

1. It's all Haruhi. This fandom prefers it that way, I think (as opposed to crossovers).

ORLY? My crossover hapens to get a few good comments.

A few's all there is, though.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Joe4evr

ORLY? My crossover hapens to get a few good comments.

A few's all there is, though.

Well, my comment is based on my own personal experience in writing a crossover fanfic involving Haruhi.

Any links to your crossover? If I'm familiar with both (all) animes, I'd be willing to give it a read.

[Joe4evr]

I've put it somewhere in the thread before, but here it is for your convenience.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5296092/

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Joe4evr

I've put it somewhere in the thread before, but here it is for your convenience.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5296092/

Nice work. A few general observations...

Spoiler for Joe4evr's fanfic:

1. Love how you handle the Doctor, particularly in his Chapter 1 interaction with Kyon, Itsuki, Nagato, and Mikuru. I chuckled over how he's treating the SOS Brigade as a bunch of kids... because, really, that is what they are to adults.

2. Your Nagato is very well-written.

3. It's quick, relaxing reading.

4. Your Haruhi could perhaps use a bit more jazz. However, she's obviously not a key character at the moment, so it doesn't matter that much.

5. Your taking your time in answering the obvious questions (i.e. shouldn't Mikuru know who this guy is?), and that's probably smart, as it builds suspense.

6. Kyon, Koizumi, and Mikuru are all Ok. Kyon's narration felt a bit flat for him in the Prologue, but you captured it very nicely in Chapter 1.

Overall, good job. Great crossover premise.

[Joe4evr]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

Nice work. A few general observations...

Spoiler for Joe4evr's fanfic:

1. Love how you handle the Doctor, particularly in his Chapter 1 interaction with Kyon, Itsuki, Nagato, and Mikuru. I chuckled over how he's treating the SOS Brigade as a bunch of kids... because, really, that is what they are to adults.

2. Your Nagato is very well-written.

3. It's quick, relaxing reading.

4. Your Haruhi could perhaps use a bit more jazz. However, she's obviously not a key character at the moment, so it doesn't matter that much.

5. Your taking your time in answering the obvious questions (i.e. shouldn't Mikuru know who this guy is?), and that's probably smart, as it builds suspense.

6. Kyon, Koizumi, and Mikuru are all Ok. Kyon's narration felt a bit flat for him in the Prologue, but you captured it very nicely in Chapter 1.

Overall, good job. Great crossover premise.

Spoiler for reply:

Thank you for points 1, 2 and 3.

4: Didn't realize that. Honestly, I have no idea where to go with this right now, so I don't know how much Haruhi will feature between here and the epilogue.

5: Well, he's from another universe, so the Time Travellers have no relation to him at all.

6: I got a similar kind of critique from someone else once before, so I worked harder on the narration in Chapter 1.

Thanks again for reading (and reviewing).

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Ricky Controversy

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...46#post2755246

Haru, Chapter 3. I finally put in some of those fashion descriptions I mentioned, and this chapter's a bit longer than the previous two, but I'm still trying to keep it all relatively compact. The general idea is to keep the story moving in digestible bits that each have a proper arc and a value all their own, which is why each episode ends on kind of "Oh hey, we learned something, but wait, what's that shiny new thing?" note.

Ricky, just finished this. Nice work. A few additional observations...

Spoiler for Chapter 3 reviewed by R3:

1. Your Kyon narration is spectacularly good in this Chapter. You hit his character spot on, and many of the narration lines are excellent, particularly with your added puns. Lots of great comedic lines.

2. The opening scene was a lot of fun.

3. Haruhi's reaction to being the last one to arrive was funny, I have to admit.

4. Your apparel choices for the three girls was astute, and nice to visualize.

5. Nice to see a bit of an action scene in this chapter. It was handled well.

6. Good fusion of the dialogue and feel of the two animes involved.

7. Great cliff-hanger moment.

All-told, this is really high-quality prose. I'm impressed. Of course, I made some constructive criticism to you in chat last night after skimming a bit, but aside from that... there's nothing here to critique really. So, I'd only reiterate that it's important to keep things seamless. I didn't really feel that Haruhi's emotional moment at the end of Chapter 1 was 'picked up on' well here.

Still, overall, very enjoyable read.

[Jonbob0008]

I'm liking how several people here are now giving feedback on a regular basis. I think it's a good thing for this thread.

[Ricky Controversy]

@Johnbob: Definite agreement. It's important to cultivate feedback/criticism from as many diverse audiences as possible, and it's good to see this forum's crowd taking an active interest in its members' works.

[Nukerjsr]

Originally Posted by Jonbob0008

Thanks, and I think your point about the title is a good one. For some reason, when I started this, I thought about the movie Meet the Parents and I was like "that'll work." It was a similar premise, anyway.

Your fic is way better than that Ben Stiller movie. That was just foolishness but it's ironic how things like that can give us such great ideas.

Originally Posted by Ricky Controversy

@Johnbob: Definite agreement. It's important to cultivate feedback/criticism from as many diverse audiences as possible, and it's good to see this forum's crowd taking an active interest in its members' works.

Also agreed. Even if critique can hurt, it's important to understand that most other authors want to try and help you. It's important for other authors to be friends so it's easier for us to give each other ideas AND feedback on our stories. And make great friends while it happens.

I guess with that cue, I wanted to ask a question with my story. You don't have to read it, but I'm in a weird situation with the plot. I had this idea that turned out to be poorly executed...and soon after posting the chapter, I figured out a much better, faster, and darker way to put the story into motion.

So let's say that you are in a rut where you have made a really questionable decision that leaves your readers confused. Is it better to restart from scratch OR should you go with the idea thinking it will surprise the readers with something new.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Nukerjsr

So let's say that you are in a rut where you have made a really questionable decision that leaves your readers confused. Is it better to restart from scratch OR should you go with the idea thinking it will surprise the readers with something new.

How much have you wrote so far? Like... chapter-wise, and word-count wise?

I'm inclined to think that once you're a few chapters in, you're best off either rolling with your mistakes and making the best of them... or smoothing them out with the best retcon that you can think of (but you keep going forward from where you are; just with the retcon applied).

However, if it's just a chapter's worth of writing, or two short chapters... it might be worth it to go back to the drawing board.

Hard to say, though. I actually feel the same way with a couple of my own fanfics.

Edit: Also, of course, I should ask if this is part of "the plan" for your fanfic, or is it more of a quick decision you haven't plotted out to the very end? My longest fanfic had what many would consider a crack-ship in it, involving two prominent anime characters. When that came to the fore, it received... well, some reader push-back as you can imagine.

However, I had that crack-ship romance plotted out to the very end, and by the end, a couple of the readers who had initially found it odd at least admitted that I managed to make it interesting and believable.

So, if you had something plotted out to the very end - run with it, no matter what. It may surprise some folks, yes.

[Jonbob0008]

Originally Posted by Nukerjsr

I guess with that cue, I wanted to ask a question with my story. You don't have to read it, but I'm in a weird situation with the plot. I had this idea that turned out to be poorly executed...and soon after posting the chapter, I figured out a much better, faster, and darker way to put the story into motion.

So let's say that you are in a rut where you have made a really questionable decision that leaves your readers confused. Is it better to restart from scratch OR should you go with the idea thinking it will surprise the readers with something new.

I've been in your shoes with my Evangelion fic. I say it's not too late to rewrite a chapter if you feel it needs it. I did the same with the last chapter of that fic. Unfortunately, I lost the passion to finish the fic shortly after that and never touched it since. Hopefully, that doesn't happen to you. If you want to rewrite your earlier chapter, I'd say it's fine.

[Nukerjsr]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

How much have you wrote so far? Like... chapter-wise, and word-count wise?

I'm inclined to think that once you're a few chapters in, you're best off either rolling with your mistakes and making the best of them... or smoothing them out with the best retcon that you can think of (but you keep going forward from where you are; just with the retcon applied).

However, if it's just a chapter's worth of writing, or two short chapters... it might be worth it to go back to the drawing board.

Hard to say, though. I actually feel the same way with a couple of my own fanfics.

Edit: Also, of course, I should ask if this is part of "the plan" for your fanfic, or is it more of a quick decision you haven't plotted out to the very end? My longest fanfic had what many would consider a crack-ship in it, involving two prominent anime characters. When that came to the fore, it received... well, some reader push-back as you can imagine.

However, I had that crack-ship romance plotted out to the very end, and by the end, a couple of the readers who had initially found it odd at least admitted that I managed to make it interesting and believable.

So, if you had something plotted out to the very end - run with it, no matter what. It may surprise some folks, yes.

10 Chapters, about 40k words so far. And the situation is all apart of this huge plan moving to a climax. Time I wrote the last chapter? 2 months ago.

I think I can make it work, but it's just tricky because it uses Asakura. And I was thinking I could use it for a big plan, but then I realized I can't really use her more than once. So her appearance is kind of iffy.

And no, I can't say what the climax is, that'd ruin the story.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Nukerjsr

10 Chapters, about 40k words so far. And the situation is all apart of this huge plan moving to a climax. Time I wrote the last chapter? 2 months ago.

I think I can make it work, but it's just tricky because it uses Asakura. And I was thinking I could use it for a big plan, but then I realized I can't really use her more than once. So her appearance is kind of iffy.

And no, I can't say what the climax is, that'd ruin the story.

All I can say to that is try to find a substitute for Asakura.

...Kimidori going villainous maybe? I don't necessarily like the idea, but if it could fill a plot-hole... Just an idea.

[Ricky Controversy]

http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...17#post2770017

Haru, Episode 5. I think I've figured out now how to have Kyon convey meaningful, moving things without losing the Kyon voice. Have him try very hard to remain skeptical about it, even as he's feeling it. Warning: major squee at the end.

[Kogetsu Shirogane]

Well now, Ricky, you've certainly crafted an excellent chapter here. Spoilerish thoughts are in spoilers:

Spoiler for thoughts:

It really doesn't need to be said, but Tsuruya is awesome. I kinda wonder what she would've done if Kyon actually went along with the wedding idea. And a lovely way of avoiding coming up with a name for her. Also, while we didn't really get a good look at Junko here, Hideyoshi was certainly impressive. I'm kinda curious as to what's going on behind the scenes with the Tsuruyas and MM, but I'm sure we'll see soon enough.

One more thing... were the memes really needed?

[Ricky Controversy]

Originally Posted by Kogetsu Shirogane

Well now, Ricky, you've certainly crafted an excellent chapter here. Spoilerish thoughts are in spoilers:

Spoiler for thoughts:

It really doesn't need to be said, but Tsuruya is awesome. I kinda wonder what she would've done if Kyon actually went along with the wedding idea. And a lovely way of avoiding coming up with a name for her. Also, while we didn't really get a good look at Junko here, Hideyoshi was certainly impressive. I'm kinda curious as to what's going on behind the scenes with the Tsuruyas and MM, but I'm sure we'll see soon enough.

One more thing... were the memes really needed?

Spoiler for Kohesive Kogetsu Kontingency:

If you're asking if the memes were necessary, then I guess my humor's sufficient on its own. So, no, they're not. XD

I'm glad you enjoyed the Tsuruya-ness. Junko will be developed more, in fact, to the same extent that Hideyoshi will be, as time goes on, since the Tsuruya family will indeed remain important.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I appreciate the thoughts--the questions and scrutiny especially. If I may, how did the final scene feel to you? I'm trying to go for character growth and exploration, so some changes will be inevitable, but I really want them to remain reasonable and true to the Tanigawa style.

[Kogetsu Shirogane]

KKK?! That's awful...

Spoiler for response:

Well, there's nothing wrong with it, if that's what you're asking. It was an amusing and adorable brother/sister scene.

[Triple_R]

Just read Chapters 4 and 5.

Excellent work in many spots, and pretty good overall. A few general observations...

Spoiler for Three Rs are safter than Three Ks review. ;):

1) Love how you handle the FLCL characters (not including Naota here since he's submersed into the Kyon character). You make them seem interesting and likable while adding a bit of freshness to them... which is a smart move when you're promoting this primarily to a Haruhi fanbase.

2) Smooth use of Kyon narration to also act as FLCL exposition to Haruhi-only fans. Very smooth and impressive.

3) Like your handling of the relationship between Kyon and his dad given who Kyon's dad now is.

4) Your Tsuruya was superb. Having her meet Haruko was a smart move as the two make for some good scenes together.

5) Your Haruhi dialogue was pretty solid.

6) As for Kyon narration... it's very close to Tanigawa, to your credit. However, if I was to nitpick, I'd say that you might want to have Kyon be a little less of a really bitter downer (unless the yet-to-be-written plot requires him to be that way, though). He's shifting dangerously close to emo territory, imo. Just my opinion.

7) Plot pace feels a touch slow to me. Might want to speed things up a bit. That's my only major critique though. In fairness, to you, I often feel the same way with Tanigawa's own work, so I don't blame you much here.

Anyway, I look forward to more! Nice work, Ricky.