Update From The Realm: Sporking Information

[zelda_queen]

Hello everyone, just a few brief announcements, regarding how things will be going in the Realm.

First of all, I am going to be posting sporkings on das_sporking. I'm not sure exactly when I'll start, but I suspect that it will be at some point shortly after I finish that wretched Ghosts of the Abyss. When I begin however, I'm going to do things here a little differently. For the foreseeable future, all sporkings of fanfiction will be posted only atdas_sporking. I will have links here leading to them, but the sporkings themselves will be over there. I would like to ask everyone to please be patient for this transition, as this will be the first time that I've posted in any place on LiveJournal besides the Realm. If I randomly post a fanfiction sporking here instead of at the community it's not because it's special, it's because I'm an idiot. Yeah.

At the Realm, I will continue to post my recappings of published works, as well as anything that would fall in the Other Box (memes, sporked articles, etc). The only published work I'm planning on posting to das_sporking is the City of Bones group sporking, since a lot of you guys are also members of that community and all.

Which leads nicely to our next announcement - I would like to remind everyone involved in the group sporking that if they have not handed in their sporking or given me some sort of notification regarding when the sporking will be ready, they must do so by May 25th. If I have not received anything from you - either recap or a notification of some kind - I will assume that you are no longer interested and give your chapter to someone else!!! If you sent something and you didn't get some sort of reply from me, please send it again to make sure I get it. Remember, a PM, a comment, an e-mail, any of that is fine.

Finally, I know everyone has busy lives. If you have a lot of stuff going on and you honestly don't think you can get the recap in, it's perfectly fine. Don't worry about it. Do, however, let me know, so that I'll know to pass it to someone else.

That's about it. If anyone has any questions about how many recaps have been turned in, or who is doing what chapter, or if the recapping you sent in got through alright, you can check here for that. Besides that though, have a lot of fun! Woot!

Comments

[carmyn]

I can't wait for the City of Bones recap. Sucks it's not going to be on here but meh. I'm interested to see what everyone else had to say for the story. I kind of ranted a lot o.o.

Man, I was reading the Amazon reviews on this stupid this and DEAR GOD the negative ones are few and far between. I was like 'Wtf, people? o.O' This is what I get for only doing original work. *hmph* (Not that I have anything against fanfiction, I just find it very irritating that she got famous for writing a HP fanfic instead of her own merit.)

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

I'll still have a link here to it and everything. ^^; And don't worry about the ranting. XD Everyone ranted, and it's all hilarious.

I know what you mean. :( It's really depressing. If it were better-written, I wouldn't mind that it's basically Harry Potter fanfiction. I mean, a lot of people say "Well if you're going to change so much, just change the names and make it original fiction", which she did. But it still leans on HP canon enough to be annoying.

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I ranted a lot, too. :)

Yes, I've checked the reviews of this book on Amazon too and unfortunately, the positive reviews do outnumber the negative ones. What's even weirder for me is that some of the negative reviews slam Clary, but praise Jace. They run along the lines of "I hated Clary, but I loved Jace," or "At least Jace was funny," etc. Which I don't get, because Jace is *just as bad as Clary,* if not worse. I don't know if it's a double standard or if those people honestly can't see why Jace is such a terrible character.

[carmyn]

I think it has to do with Jace's 'bad boy' image. People are willing to give him more leeway because of that. Only, people don't realize, that in both real life and in literary fiction, in the end the bad boy never gets the girl unless he makes some drastic changes. Could just be me, I was never one of those 'bad boy loving' types. But! I do know in literary fiction, the bad boy always has something that sort of redeems them. Whether it's that they love animals, or are great around children, or something along those lines. Jace has...well nothing because I don't count the Tragic Past Of Doom(tm) because so do many of the 'nice guys' (both characters and actual people). I mean, honestly, personality wise, what redeems him?

You should see the reviews for the Clockwork Angel. Apparently the main male protagonist is exactly like Jace...only 10x worst. Actually, all the characters in Clockwork Angel seem like all of the characters in City of Bones. Shocker, because she didn't have original characters in the first place.

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like some 'bad boy' characters myself, but they have to have redeeming qualities. There's only so much that I can take from a bad boy character before I become disgusted with him. And you're right; the bad boy often has to realize what's wrong, take steps to change himself and his behavior, and grow as a person. Jace does not. He's a smug, conceited, and nasty bigot at the beginning of "City of Bones" and he's a smug, conceited, and nasty bigot by the end of it.

Normally, I do feel sympathetic to characters with tragic pasts, but I don't feel sympathy for Jace because he's just so loathsome and because his past doesn't seem to have had any credible effect on him. I just can't see a connection between the sad little boy of the past and the obnoxious, vain, and entitled jerk of the present. Jace's angst-ridden mood swings just never seemed believable to me. Plus, like I said to Zelda_Queen in another post, there's another character who shows up in the third book who has had (in my opinion) a far worse life than Jace and yet we're supposed to view that character as pure evil.

/You should see the reviews for the Clockwork Angel. Apparently the main male protagonist is exactly like Jace...only 10x worst./

Oh, yes, I've heard that the main characters in "Clockwork Angel" are basically Clary, Simon, Isabelle, and Jace with different names and looks. I've heard that the male love interest is nasty, but you're telling me that he's *worse* than Jace? How is that possible? Or am I better off not knowing?

[carmyn]

Normally, I do feel sympathetic to characters with tragic pasts

Don't get me wrong, so do I...if it's done right. I agree there is a major disconnect between Jace in the present and Jace in the past. I just feel like she is talking about two completely different people. As a reader, I honestly cannot see who Jace is suppose to be because I keep getting conflicting information about him. Ah, well, on the plus side, as a writer I learned something about characterization.

Well, you can take it with a grain of salt because a lot of the reviews for Clockwork Angel were from people who liked the first trilogy. Apparently THAT is where all the people who hated Jace went. I think any sane person is better off not knowing.

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

/As a reader, I honestly cannot see who Jace is suppose to be because I keep getting conflicting information about him./

Exactly, which is why Clare's attempts to paint him as misunderstood and sympathetic fall flat. He angsts and broods for one minute and then spitefully taunts other people the next. He throws fits of self-pity, but then prevents the reader from feeling sorry for him by showing no consideration for other people's feelings and acting like a horrible brat.

[turtlecrackers.livejournal.com]

[...] I don't feel sympathy for Jace because he's just so loathsome and because his past doesn't seem to have had any credible effect on him.

I felt that too, when I read that story about his bird. I mean, I felt sorry for the bird, but when it came to Jace, I just found myself thinking "No, sorry. It's not enough. That is not enough for me to like this guy or even feel the slightest bIt still wouldn't make me sympathize with him, of course.it sorry for him."

Now, if Jace had actually made the whole thing up just to manipulate Clary, that sounds a bit more in character for the person I saw when I read the book. It wouldn't make me any more sympathetic towards him, but there wouldn't be that huge disconnection between his child-self and his current personality.

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

It also didn't help that that passage was copied word-for-word from Cassandra Cla(i)re's fanfic, "Draco Veritas." In that story, Draco is the little boy and Lucius is the cruel father. The whole time that I was reading that section, I was thinking, "Wait a minute...I've seen this before."

[turtlecrackers.livejournal.com]

Really? That makes it even worse!

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes. It's mentioned on the top of the page, under "Plagiarism Accusations," here:

http://www.fanhistory.com/wiki/Mortal_Instruments

It's also brought up here (even though the writer of the post likes the book):

http://ishafel.livejournal.com/87122.html?style=mine

[turtlecrackers.livejournal.com]

Jeez... I mean, I get that sometimes, you can get attached to something you write, but... Don't add in stuff that doesn't make sense just because you really, really want to write it, Claire! D8

[erikalyndis.livejournal.com]

Still working on Chapter Nine! Gah, I'm terrible XD.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. Can't wait to read it! ^_^

[emmram.livejournal.com]

I'm writing up my ch 20 recap right now! I should be able to finish it up and send it over within the next six hours.

My chapter, I think, is actually the best of the lot. >.> I couldn't really find much grievance with it; a lot of my peeves from the previous chapters aren't there, mainly because there's a lot of action, and, of course, a noticeable lack of Jace.

... I'm not sure that's a good thing or a bad thing. :p

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! I can't wait. ^^

Well, if it helps your sanity, I'd say it's a good thing. XD

[carmyn]

You're lucky. My chapters were SUPPOSE to have action, tension, and nail biting 'omg what will happen next?!' aaannnndddd...yeah no. I was so bored I cried.

I think there is a correlation between good chapters and a lack of Jace, At least, that shall be my hypothesis.

[turtlecrackers.livejournal.com]

I support that hypothesis. Oh, and I know the chapters you're talking about. I couldn't believe that I was yawning myself through the "action".

I had the chapter where I think I was supposed to sigh and go "Awwh, how sweet!" at all the attempts of romantic tension, but all I got out of it was that Jace has a slightly odd fetish, and that they're all idiots. Well, Simon was less of an idiot than the other two. He was the light in that chapter that helped me pull through.

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

"Well, Simon was less of an idiot than the other two. He was the light in that chapter that helped me pull through."

I swear, Simon and Luke are the only two characters who are enjoyable, and even they are saddled with moments of dickery. -_-

[turtlecrackers.livejournal.com]

Oh, agreed. I was really close to just shut the book and never look back, but then Simon did something that gave me hope. XD;

[emmram.livejournal.com]

I think there is a correlation between good chapters and a lack of Jace.

Oh, I agree.

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmm~ I don't own City of Bones. If I did I would have offered up my services for taking the place of someone if they weren't able too finish theirs, but I'd probably only be able to do one or two of the chapters between 1-10; I'm a fast reader, but would probably still take awhile if I was supposed to do a later chapter.

I wish I could have helped... :)

In hindsight; I probably should have offered earlier huh?

Still I'm looking forward to it; like I do all sporks!

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

If an earlier chapter opens up, I'll let you know. :) I can send you a copy, if necessary. If nothing does open up, you are, of course, more than welcome to join in the sporking of any of the three remaining books in the series, or Clockwork Angel. ^_^

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

Okay then; let me know if anything opens up and you totally have my help in other sporking projects you may need assistance with! :D

[nawsome.livejournal.com]

Well it's the 26 so if there is anything I can help with I'll be happy to :)

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

I actually PMed you about that. ^_^ Did you get the message?

[nawsome.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I responded, I don't know if it got through though, But yes I'll do it!

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Got it and responded. :)

[nawsome.livejournal.com]

Okay Thanks! Can't wait to get started XD

It hurts to read this...

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

Ouch~ when this book isn't being bland the characters are just unbearable.
I just started and am only on the fifth chapter but I already noticed-
Clary is an annoying dumbass.
Jace is an smug asshole.

AND THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY THE LEADS!

Simon seems kind of fun; when compared to everyone else I've seen thus far, but somehow I doubt his presence will save the book.

Also how can her mother hate myths and fairy tales, manga, and DISNEY when she's supposed to be all artistic. There should at least be some respect for those things - I don't care about what dumbass excuse the story comes up with: that's like being a dentist who rejects toothpaste, floss, and teeth.

Re: It hurts to read this...

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Simon is one of the few characters who's likable, yes.

There arguably is a reason why the mother dislikes fairy tales and mythology and whatnot. I don't know if you want it spoiled or not though. ^^;

Re: It hurts to read this...

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmmm- you know; I don't think I'll make it past my sporking chapter (which I'm working on as we speak); in fact I'm gonna need to start reading a Terry Pratchett Discworld novel to wipe away the blandness of this book - so you might as well just tell me because the only reason I can think to read this any further than necessary is if I need something to bore me to sleep! (That or if I decide to help spork the next one as well.)

Re: It hurts to read this...

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Okay. Well, Jocelyn is a Shadowhunter who quit the business because it brought a lot of grief to her. Fairies and the like are some of the beings that she had to deal with. Also, she wants to keep Clary from knowing about the world of demons and whatsis.

Re: It hurts to read this...

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

Oh, that?

Hell I figured that out in chapter one; along with the fact that Valentine is so obviously going to be her father - because she is just so~ special.

It's hardly a sensible reason; hell most of Disney's stuff doesn't even have fairies and such- in fact isn't hating that stuff more suspicious?

Heck this book is so bland, predictable, and prone to ripping off stuff that I'm just gonna jump on a limb and guess that Jace is also Valentine's son (ala Star Wars) ; and is actually Clare - I mean Clary's brother, not that that would stop her because he's obviously Draco from Harry Potter (well her idealized version of him; ala The Draco Trilogy) and thus her beloved lust object.

Please tell me I'm wrong... -_-'

Re: It hurts to read this...

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

I'd really love to but... OH LOOK, AN OBVIOUS DISTRACTION! *runs*

Re: It hurts to read this...

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

0_0

I have nothing left to say. [looks of the obvious distraction - mind now shattered]

Re: It hurts to read this...

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

Weee-eelll, the Jace thing IS a little more complex than that. But technically, we're not supposed to know about it until the later books so yeah. ^^;

Re: It hurts to read this...

[overlordmikey.livejournal.com]

How pleasant...

I finished the recap; do you want me to e-mail it to you and is there a specific file type you would prefer; just PM me with the details.

Re: It hurts to read this...

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

Oh, so...have you read ahead? Did you look on Wikipedia and see the spoilers?

Re: It hurts to read this...

[zelda-queen.livejournal.com]

TV Tropes, but yeah. ^^;

Re: It hurts to read this...

[aikaterini.livejournal.com]

/Heck this book is so bland, predictable, and prone to ripping off stuff that I'm just gonna jump on a limb and guess that Jace is also Valentine's son (ala Star Wars) ; and is actually Clare - I mean Clary's brother,/

Actually, now that I think about it, I think that the situation between Clary, Jace, and Valentine is more similar to the situation between Magneto, Pietro (Quicksilver), and Wanda (Scarlet Witch) from "X-Men." Except that while Pietro is often a fast-talking jerk, there are moments where you see that he is actually a decent person. He and Wanda are very close (a little too close in "Ultimates," but that's a whole other discussion) and he does help out the Avengers, X-Men, etc. when he can. Magneto, for his part, is a villain, but he's a complex villain. He's not evil for the sake of being evil. He and the twins have a complicated relationship, but despite all of the drama, you get the sense that they all do care about each other. Which is more than I can say for Valentine, Jace, and Clary.