Animation Source Forums

It's not just in fanfictions, but that is a big part of it. I hate how when someone gets a new and creative idea, EVERYONE has to do the same thing to fit in or look cool. Some of the "trends" with fanfics/characters/fanart:

I won't even bother to say the first two, everyone probably knows what they are.

Members of Balto's family hating/killing each other.

Dangerous/mentally unstable/insane wolf hybrids.

Jenna leaving Balto for Steele. Not only is that way overused, it's not exactly the most "logical" idea in the first place.

Of course, there are also "trends" in what people say and think or pretend to think on the forums. Bashing wolves, and calling them annoying, or rabid ruthless killers is one of them.

well like said in another topic, people copy ideas, if its not so obvious, there is not a lot mods can do, but if it is truly obvious, just get their story knocked off. But its true there are some very annoying 'trends' out there, just do not get sucked up into them.

Well, it's hard for most people on BS. The only fanfics I bother to read are those by: Catwhohas14tails, greykitty, X_Amaya_X and I'm planning on giving Cat wing's fics a try. But, that's just me, I'm picky when it comes to reading. But, if more people came up with their own ideas, I would read them for sure.

Like TikTac said ideas are running dry.

You shouldn't post a topic for fic ideas people will just be less and less creative and won't bother to try if you do that.

well, not everyone reads a fic and copies the idea Sylver (cool, we have the same name...but I've had it for a few years now w00t! lol) I've actually thought of what I preseved as original ideas, and then I find out later (either by comment or luck) that there's a story that was written prior that had the same idea.

But for the most part, anyone who has a story with a similar idea has either copied or been the b*tch of coincidence.

Amen, I'm sick of this "trend" business. It's one thing to come up with an idea and someone else happens to have the same one (great minds think alike) and its another thing to just come up with an idea just because someone else has.

I agree, Cat.

Actually, I understand both sides of the story: The writer and the "copier".

The Writer - The writer is a master of storytelling, filled with ideas that would make interesting tales for fans everywhere to be gripped by many emotions. After the story is written and posted, people critique it, praise it, and some even are inspired by it to create similar works of writing or art based on it (with the writer's permission of course!).

However, the copier is a different person.

The Inspired Fans (such as myself at times) will write similar stories but with different plots (example: Rotramel's fic, "Balto: A Forbidden Love" was loosely based on the events of my five-story long "Confession Saga"; of course, he PMed me for permission to use the idea, but he made it his own and not a copy of my original story.) and other things that make it not a copy, but another story.

The Copier writes a story because he or she likes an idea that they read recently, and "dumbs it down", in other words. Sloppy, sometimes unable to be understood, these stories copy the exact same storyline of another, without a hint of originality or creativity (Maybe with exception for the title, but most of the times they aren't very convincing either). And it gets worse . . . . *gasp!* . . . . although it's based on another writer's original thoughts, at no time did the Copier take the chance to ask for permission to use the idea.

For shaaaaaaaame.

It gets on my nerves, but at least I still have dozens of original fics to come (when I get the chance to write them first!).

Yes, I do understand that some people do not realize that another has already written a similar story to their own until it's too late (that's why you date your story when you start writing it, duh!).

- Juuchan17

I have noticed the same thing. To me, it seems like new members most likely see these ideas mentioned in the first post and think that it's a good idea, and they will write about it. Talk about un-creativeness...

Although it is true to some extent that the original ideas are limited due to the fact that only stories about Balto and wolves are allowed, there are still hundreds of thousands of ideas that are out there. It's just that they haven't been thought of yet. (Yes, I know there are other restrictions in the fanfics, but I'm not going to go there.)

I think there should be a topic listing fanfic ideas that have already been used...

I see... I guess Balto's kid idea (Man, Balto and Jenna seem to be... uh... having lots more pups than seems normal for a dog... but who really cares? ) and fancharacters meeting their mates is a good storyline that has been used a lot, but there are some ideas that are just... so over-used it's not even close to being funny... I guess there should be a sticky in the fanfic forum titled this: "Fanfic Ideas that Everyone's Tired of"

<<<not going there dude

that might just help. As for the fan characters meeting their mates, yes, it is an over-used topic (I am guilty of using it lol), but I guess the reason people wirte about then, aside from the fact that all creativity in their bodies was in the chromosomes they didn't get, is because the ideas are [itraditional and familiar. Some actually can relate to their characters in some ways, like me to Silver.

imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I agree, it can get boring after a while. Of course, people could just stop writing fanfics and the whole mess would be cleared up. however, I seem to be getting a vibe that that's not going to happen any time soon.

Yeah, that is a common type of story, but HOW each couple meets is (and can be) a totally different story. If people come up with new and interesting ways for two OC's to make a first encounter, then the kind of story won't be so boring or tiring. I know it's mostly kids on this site, but really if they just think about it, they can come up with something and make it "their own" even if the idea is based off another. All it takes is some thought.[/quote]