Well, I'm thinking about writing a fan fic for this section. I have written before over in the fallout section, although that really has nothing to do with this. I've read over many fan fics/Rp's in this section and I've found that most usually stick to strict lore. This is a 'change', so to speak, from the fallout forum, where there are few who quote the lore and I'm guessing even fewer who know it (No offense intended). The only experience of TES that I have, is from playing Oblivion. Although I know the game play like the back of my hand, (modest, I know ) the lore still escapes me.

What I'm trying to ask is, when writing a fan fic, do I need to keep strictly to the lore?

By that I don't mean changing the lore completely or ridiculously, e.g I conjured up an assault rifle and flew off with superman. I mean posing a sort of what if question, e.g what if the champion was never born? Of coarse I would outline this at the beginning but I'm just wondering if it's ok to write like that.

Reading this back to myself makes it appear like I'm appealing to judges on a board of directors . Really I just want to give the people what they want to read!

Personally, I think you may get away with subtle things like that, but I think you'll need to tell us why now so I can make a judgement. If you just give us a quick taste on the plot then I'll say my reasons.

Then again I'm no fan-fic expert. *summons BSparrow* Let her reply

Posing a "what if" question like that would be fine, at least for me. Like you said, make it clear that's what you're doing, so the lore buffs don't hang you from a tree though It's only when lore is misused, usually through laziness, that people start getting irritated. Don't forget, there is a lore section, and they are quite happy to answer specific questions you might have. You might also find The Imperial Library useful:

http://www.imperial-library.info/

I'm still trying to conjure up a plot so you may have to wait on that one. I just want to steer clear of the generic Oblivion story, I'm assuming it's over done but unfortunately, it's all I know. I'm trying to think outside the box, which is why I posed this question. :vaultboy:

Either way I know I will have to brush up on some parts of the lore and do some research, so thanks sierra for the site.

You could always have your fan-fic take place far into the future. Kudos if you can come up with a unique and detailed future version of Tamriel. Also gives a lot more elbow room for plots.

This reason with lore is precisely the reason that I've never bothered to post any of my fanfics here, for fear that I'd get mauled by the lore masters. When I write something, I often do it with the knowledge that it will contradict existing lore, which may be better or worse depending on your view. In my opinion, entertaining is more important than keeping to strict lore. That said, I often do put AU in my fics to ward off those that criticize on those points, though I've still gotten flamed for it, despite the fact that I often know more about the lore than the person doing the flaming.

To be completely honest though, I've often seen a lot of lore in the world of TES to be mostly conjecture anyway, as most of the more complex, non-game issues aren't elaborated on all that well. Take the Immortal Blood Timeline for instance. There's a lot of lore there, but also a lot of what I think is just guesswork or attempts to work inside the lines. And while I do mainly stay with lore on major points, I tend to differ on other, less noticeable ones that could disrupt my plot somewhere down the line. Because as I said, I value entertainment over accuracy to lore.

Oh I see now. Well all I can say is for you to think of your plot, and then post it here. I'll read and possibly give a review. I'll be quite leniant (sp?) with the lore seeing as you said you're going to be making a unique plot. Besides, if the story is good then I'll roll with it.

Good luck!

It's easier to write a fanfic with the lore included because then you don't have to come up with interesting detail - it's already there. You can however use and adapt the lore to your story. I know I've done it and so far no one objected. Just don't try to merge the Fallout :fallout: and TES bliviongate: lore. That's something people usually don't like, including myself. ^_^

Indeed. Merging the two will be an epic fail.

So are you going to write the story, or are you still thinking it over?

I myself have taken quite a few liberties with the lore, and my story, 'Fountain of Youth', has generally been given a good reception.

The thing is, don't be neither fish nor fowl. If your story departs from the lore, either put it in the past or the future, or if it physically departs from the lore radically, explain that it is in an alternate universe.

If you write well, you will be forgiven much. If you don't but want to learn we will help you. What this forum will not forgive is a person who is so 'ocker' that not only is he a lousy writer but he arrogantly refuses advice. So G'day and G'luck to you, mate, and may yer writing be the dinky dye stuff!

Still racking my brain, I have some ideas but I want to develop them further. The mention of the mixing of lore's (which is something I wouldn't do) prompts me to ask another question. How do people feel about crossovers? I did read a cross over Rp which was a TES/fallout combination and from what I saw, it was quite successful.


Actually one of the reasons I'm so interested in writing a fan fic here, is because of the detailed criticisms people receive. I've only ever received one, done by Ambrose. I think they are great ways to improve. Thanks for the Aussie slang, makes me feel more at home :touched: .

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=814468



Crossovers sometime work but generally they are not terribly successful. So far as sticking to lore, I don't think it matters too much, after all you are writing a story based on the TES world and as long as you make it interesting to read a few departures from the lore will not be important. It also needs to be easy to read so that will mean ensuring that it is well laid out with good spelling and grammar. There is nothing more off putting if the glaring spelling and grammar mistakes jump out at each sentence meaning that the reader is having to concentrate more on those than the story line.



Continuing from my above comments, constructive criticism is always welcome but when posting a response to a FF where the member is from, and his obvious abilities should be taken into account. A member from another country where English is not the first language should be given more leeway in the spelling/grammar department, and a member who has obvious problems with literacy should not be criticised heavily, rather gently prodded along the correct path. These things are obvious when the story is published and should be take into account when posting. I dislike "grammar cops", there is no need for them especially if the one aim is to post a destructive comment, but the one good thing is that as a "moderator cop" I can do something about it.

I also note the number of posts made about a story which are "Good, keep it up" or "I like it". Other than making a post for the sake of it they achieve very little and if you are going to say something like that, flesh it out a bit and say what you like, or don't like, and make it more obvious that you have actually read the story rather than making a few word post.

Before anyone asks, yes I do read all the stories here (and in the Fallout FF forum) but don't often comment on them.

But where's the fun in that?

Maybe because then you can build upon the detail already there. It's also a lot easier that way, too.

Of course it's easier, but it's not nearly as fulfilling. That's the problem (IMO!!!) with fan-fiction. People will write stories on specifically the questline of their favorite guild, using only the lore that's already been established. It tends to be very boring because the authors don't offer anything new. And it's not just guild stories, it's a majority of the fanfictions out there. Why not add to the lore? It's fanfiction, so it's not as if it's illegal. It makes for a FAR more interesting read.

I don't think you need to learn ALL the lore, but you know, just some main points in the lore. Or if your writing about a story which has a certain piece of lore in it, study that lore.
I've never even read lore so what do I know?

Oh no no no! Adding realistic lore is perfectly fine. In fact, it should be encouraged. But I just don't like it when people change the lore completely into something that just doesn't make sense.

Like I said, use the lore already given, and build upon that.

Ack! I thought Fubb was the only one who knew that spell! :ahhh:

I like "what if" questions. They're fun and interesting to read about.

TES Lore is a monster to master. I've tried, and fallen far short on many occasions. There are years and years of falling and rising empires, shifting borders, court intrigues, assassinations, wars, myths... the list goes on and on. If you ever want to master Lore, be prepared to spend at least a month reading through the Imperial Library website.

Yeah, I don't know many people who'd do that, either. Which makes the folks over at the Lore forum all the more amazing, in my eyes.

That said, most of us really picky readers (read: me) are aware of just how difficult lore can be to grab onto. We usually won't jump down your throat if you wander a bit outside it. You're free to add a secret organization, mess with magical mechanics, expand upon Daedric rituals, add legends and people... As long as you don't add a Daedric Prince or erase an established guild from existence with no explanantion, you're generally okay. The only thing you should be careful about is if you're doing a history fanfiction (Like Moroni's "Tales from Lore")... in that case, you'll want to check the timeline at the Imperial Library website and see what was happening that year. But most people unfamiliar with Lore wouldn't really want to do that anyway.

So my advice is to just go for it. Write because it's fun, and you want to test out a new fandom. People like me... we're here to try to help others improve, but that doesn't mean our word is law. The pickiest of us (again, read: me) are turned off by massive deviations from lore, but that doesn't mean others will be. Many find stories too tangled up in lore to be intimidating anyway. So just write what you enjoy, and others will enjoy it too.

And if you don't want to be called on what you feel might be a lore break, just include a note at the beginning of the story saying so. I, for one, will respect that decision. :twirl:

On another note... Rohugh doesn't like grammar cops and redsrock doesn't like lore-restricted fanfiction? Oh boy, are my ears burning.

Wow... I didn't know the spell was that powerful!

But seriously she has a point, and established more clearly what I said about being able to wander outside the boundries a little. It's like a toy, lore is; play with it and that's fine, but breaking it will not be good for anyone (and personally would give me bad feelings towards the fan-fic).

But yeah just got for it, you'll be fine. :goodjob:

Haha, the grammar cops I am referring to are those who post something just to criticise the the lack of punctuation or the "wall of text" without giving advice as to how to correct it. We have all seen them posting throughout the forums. Plus, I agree that fan fictions should be allowed to go outside the lore (not the law ) within reason as many members just want to write an interesting well prepared and presented story without worrying about contravening the lore. As long as it is set within the TES world then I have no problems.

It would be nice if everyone spent the time and gave the advice that you do, we could end up with a forum full of literary geniuses.

Hmm I'm kind of in the same boat; I don't really mind spelling and grammar not being perfect as long as it's legible. As I've already said, Microsoft Words seems to deal well with nearly all of those problems

As mentioned Microsoft Word (and Open Office, which is free and just about as good) each have their own in built spellchecks. However, I have found that they do sometimes miss some. As such, I tend to use these online sites to double check. The sites are free to use - so feel free to use them

http://www.spellchecker.net/spellcheck/

http://www.spellcheck.net/

Now, even those without Word can get their spelling checked for free. Which means there shouldn't be any excuses

Hmm, they never miss spelling mistakes for me, but sometimes they don't correct miss-phrases, such as using the wrong word at certain times. That's why it's always best you double check

G'Day Aussie Made,

I'm pretty new at writing fanfic (Oblivion stories, in my case), but have not had much trouble with lore so far. Like you, I know the game of Oblivion well and find about everything I need there, in conjunction with the Oblivion UESPwiki. Just from playing the game, I would not use "Good Heavens!" for example. Acknowledging the Nine or even Daedric Princes is the way of Cyrodiil. My character is from Bravil, so it comes natural for her to occsionally exclaim "By Mara!" (Bravil has the Chapel of Mara). Since you are not looking to go way deep into lore, just trust your knowledge of the game.

As far as departing from lore, if you have an idea that lends itself to a reasonable departure from lore, it would seem fine to me at least, to provide a clear and plausible explanation and go for it.

I would certainly avoid crazy stuff like guns and such though. :gun:

But guns aren't crazy. Technology is a beautiful thing, you know.