A Friendly but Earnest Challenge - Finding the GQFs!

[soul_awakenings]

Ok, why is it so hard to find Harry Potter fics I like!!?!  The unfortunate thing is, I've seen some excellent writing... but often for pairings or plotlines that I can't at all see happening and therefore don't read.  The unlikeliness factor/disturbance factor just nags at me relentlessly until I stop, despite the quality of writing.  This is what

Comments

[firebolt1982]

I wish I could rec something but I must admit that I still long to find some truly brilliant fanfic. I have enjoyed quite a few stories, but forget them again pretty quickly. I like reading stuff written by friends just because it's nice to read friends work and somehow it gives you a small insight into them as people.

I'm probably the only person who couldn't get into After the End. Everyone loves it, but I just couldn't get into it and gave up after about 6 chapters. Maybe I'll try that one again sometime.

I might have a go through some of the recs you've got from this entry! But I'll let you know if I ever do find something that I truly love.

[soul_awakenings]

That's very true - and I absolutely loved your fic!! Yours is one I thought of when I thought of ones I liked that fit the criteria, and there aren't many that do fit! :D

[firebolt1982]

Thanks :-) Although I seem to be one of those annoying people who abandom their fics halfway through. The annoying thing is, I know what I want to write and I have the whole story mapped out in my head. I just don't seem to have the passion for writing it anymore. I keep hoping that will change and that I'll pick it up again because I feel bad for leaving it so long!

I did intend to try AtE again during my maternity leave, but so far I haven't really felt like reading much. I'm hoping that will change soon cos I have a whole pile of books that I wanted to read, too. I'll let you know how I go if I do get round to reading it again!

[reposoir]

*raises eyebrows*

You mention that Lucius/Ginny doesn't work, but I'm curious- do you think Lucius/Hermione would? I...er..happened to write a Lucius/Hermione that others would say otherwise (that "shock pairings" don't/can't work).

[soul_awakenings]

Hey! I don't think the pairing detracts from the quality of writing, nor from the enjoyment of it if you don't mind fics with non-conventional pairings. Not at all, especially as there's an audience for that. What I'm saying is that when people are looking for fics with pairings or plotlines that would or could appear in canon, they're hard to find, if you're looking for top-notch, novel-length, skillfully written fics. That's not to say that other fics aren't of quality, but they're a different category altogether. Do you see what I mean?

[reposoir]

That is true. And when you do find a rather rare, "shocking" pairing, generally the plethora of crap give the odd decent ones a bad rap. ;)

[soul_awakenings]

Also true. I've read some non-conventional pairings and enjoyed the writing and overall storyline. I just wish that more often I'd ALSO be left with the though, "Wow. That could happen in book 6" or whenever. So I do enjoy other fics, but I guess this is the itch that I haven't been able to scratch sufficiently.

[lydaclunas]

Go read Girl Most Likely by lizbee. It's a very well-crafted, well-characterised fic with fascinating and believable OCs, intriguing plot, and good pacing.

Also try the Darkness and Light trilogy by RJ Anderson (you can find it linked at her journal, synaesthete7). It's Snape/OC, and the OC is a student at the very first -- but the bulk of their relationship is post-Hogwarts. It's fabulous, though -- RJA has a very lyric prose style, great development of characers and their relationships, tasteful but passionate romance, and solid plot.

[flyingcarpet]

Ooooh, I second the rec for the Darkness and Light series... it was one of the first Snape fics I ever read, and I loved it.

[soul_awakenings]

LOL. I'm not a huge Snape fan myself, but he's an intriguing character, so it shouldn't detract from a good fic. I'll be sure to check out the series. :)

[soul_awakenings]

Have taken note. I'll be sure to check out your recommendations and give them a shot!! Thanks! :)

[lizbee]

I have some recs for you, feel free to take them or leave them.

"Pretty Good Year" by cesario. This is a novel-length Snape/Luna -- but don't run away. The pairing wasn't chosen for shock value, but as an opportunity to re-explore the characters. And Branwyn takes her time to explore the characters and their motives, set against the backdrop of the war. It is heartbreaking, but rewarding, and almost finished.

lydaclunas and pharnabazus's Tom Riddle fics -- pairing free, strongly plotted and a fascinating and well-written look at Tom Riddle's schooldays.

[soul_awakenings]

Well, seeing as you took the time and effort to rec them, I think it's only fair to give them a shot, so I'll take 'em :) I'll admit, the Snape/Luna doesn't attract me, but as I said - I'm gonna be fair about it after challenging people to rec stories.

I'm really interested in the Tom Riddle ones though. Thanks a lot! :)

[inathunderstorm]

Check out, Hp_hetrecs, it's a community to offer recs for Het fics :)

[soul_awakenings]

Thank you, I'll give it a try! :)