Recently as I've been working on Rise of the Farseer (my previously untitled fic) I had an idea that I've been toying with.

Thanks to the obviously visual nature of Warcraft I have a lot of images to use as reference in conjunction with the written lore. As I was using one of the graphics to help me describe an element of my story the idea of not only writing the description, but having the picture in with the text came to mind. This obviously isn't a new idea, but since Fanfiction.net doesn't support images it hasn't been widely seen (that I know of).

I wouldn't want the images to replace descriptive text; that would defeat the purpose of writing the damn story. What I do think the images would do is add to the feel of the story. Some of the people, places, and things described in any story can be easily envisioned by the reader even if the descriptions aren't that wonderful. On occasion though, even with the best descriptions, some things can be hard to visualize. This holds especially true if the reader has no frame of reference for what's being detailed.

So what, in general, would the view of the DLP population be over a simi-graphic fan fiction? Would this be good, bad, or something else?

 

I see what you're saying and while I voted in favor of graphics it's still a bit sketchy. I think if you create an original concept and use an actual picture as your descriptive medium, it's ok to show off the picture. But if you use something that is in existence already (i.e things from the Warcraft world) I think you're better off just using careful descriptions and have the reader imagine it himself. I personally would also hold off on putting a picture until after the chapter is done so that the reader can imagine the concept on his own and then see the picture. This way his imagination might not get ruined by the picture.

 

Graphics are good, so long as these two criteria are met:

1. They're good graphics.
2. They're something in addition to the story - an extra - rather than something the story depends on or needs.

 

Personally I wouldn't mind one or two ever few chapters, providing that the picture is of good graphics, and is placed properly at an especially epic moment in the fic so that it doesn't ruin the story's flow. It's something to be used sparingly.

 

I'm up for anything. It would be something new, that I have admittedly never seen done in fanfiction, but I certainly wouldn't mind it.

I don't know about actual images on the screen though. I'm thinking links so if the reader needs something to add a bit of flare to the description in their mind, they have that link with a picture of just what that tower looks like that you have described.

Some people like making up their own descriptions and some people would rather there is something there that they can really 'see'. That's why I think you should do links rather than pictures the readers have to see.

It is like what the-caitiff said on that j-bern thread. D&D players are going to be able to easily visualize it themselves. It's a tower with gothic architecture, blood red carpets, and a glass ceiling that eerily reflects the light. Got it! Others will want more than that. A picture link would go well there and if the reader wants it they can click on it.

Sorry about the tangent. BTW, I was really hoping you'd continue writing the WoW story. It sounded amusing. I bow to you, oh King of Plot Bunnies.

 

I have the same problem with this that I have with songfics. I think that part of being an author is being able to paint a picture in the mind of a reader with a few well-chosen description, rather then song lyrics or an actual photo. One of the things that I enjoy most about reading is visualizing the locations and characters described- I get to have my own interpretation of the text.

If you are going to do it, I would suggest that you go with HBP's suggestion and put in footnotes of links to photobucket or something next to words you have a picture for. That way the reader has both options, and you can get past ff.nazi's no-image thing.

 

I think graphics would detract from the story, I hate building a character up in my mind and then seeing a picture.

 

Quoted for truth.

I also feel it would detract from a story, I once saw a fanfic that had what you are trying to do, incorporate graphics into the fiction.

But in the end it felt like a shit-fest with the author describing various things and in the end posting a picture of what she believed they would look like.

Now don't get me wrong, the idea has its merits, I just can't look beyond a crappy fic to find them.

And the point also being that we don't have the same mindset as the author...when you say a petite sized girl with breasts that were quite large in proprtion to her body...some might think
this
others
that
and some will even think
eurgh.

That was from a basic google search for 'petite girls' mixed in with the random 'breasts' every now and then + 'Luna Lovegood'
^_^

 

This had been some great feedback folks; many thanks.

 

If you're doing the drawings/graphics yourself go for it...so long as you have talent in that area.

They're your work, and as you've already proven yourself to have writing ability, it will only strengthen the peice.

It you're not doing them yourself, I become slightly more hesitant.

 

Well if I was going for stick figures then it'd be my work.

Here's a link to one of the images I was thinking of. It's the original concept art for one of the areas talked about by Anbundo in his journal. Here's another image I had in mind, but it's from an actual screenshot from the game.

I doubt I'll follow through on this idea though as I agree with what folks have said here. After thinking about it I realize that just letting people stick with their own ideas of what things look like is the way to go. If it adds even an ounce of enjoyment by letting them picture something slightly differently then I don't want to take that away.

 

Adding graphics to a fic is ok as long as it is not abused and the pics are good. The two images you posted are nice and will make a good addition to a fic. Only thing you have to keep in mind is not to add graphics of what characters looks like. As long as keep images to that of locations and objects it should be fine.

Adding a pic of an OC would cause more harm than good. If a reader finds the pic hateful, he automatically begins to loathe the character and if that character plays a main role iin your story, he will eventually stop reading it. *cough Ginny cough*

Many authors in FF.net add links to images of some story element like swords, bikes, etc in their bio page. But I like the idea of adding it to the bottom of a chapter in authors notes. If a fic is good, one will not waste time to go to bio page just to see a graphic.