Thinky- what makes fic well written?

[slashxmistress]

How do you decide that a fic is "well-written"?

I see this all the time in seek comms and elsewhere- asking for "well-written" fics and well - that just seems so generic and unspecific to me. (and actually kind of pretentious too tbqh)

Is it 'well-written' because you like it? If you don't like it does that make it not well -written?

What quantifies something as well- written? Good grammar? no typos? Long, pretentious, character studies?

I judge a fic by if I enjoy it , if it makes me think , or feel (and yes horny is a feeling :P if it's hot that totally counts), but some of my very, very favorites are probably not that "well-written" in the English major kind of way. Does that matter? Not to me.

Comments

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

interesting post. thanks for asking this question. i've read most of the comments and your replies (skimmed some) and tend to agree with the thought that poor grammar/typos doesn't necessarily indicate bad "writing" per se, it does show a lack of care in the finished product and even perhaps a lack of awareness of the writing.

but to 'ask' for 'well written' is just a bit pretentious and also vague.

what makes good writing is very subjective anyway, but particularly in this genre. some people might think that a cracky premise means it's not good writing.

i tend to think that if it convinces me of the writer's intent, if the characters are compelling and make sense, if i really want to know what happens next then it will fit my definition of 'well written'. but i've read and enjoyed things that i think were pretty poor, but sort of charming. i'd hate to miss out on them because of snobbery, yk?

some things are more 'objectively' well written. there's an aesthetic beauty to the way the words are crafted.

honestly, i think that's icing.

:~)

(ftr i love potter.)