Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Kyle » Sun Oct 07, 2012 6:11 pm

This is partly inspired by a post I read on here but is something I've thought about asking for a while. How much does realism in fictional stories here matter to you? Or perhaps closer to what I'm trying to ask, do you care if a situation is highly improbable if the story is good?

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby notlongerhere » Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:32 pm

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Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby skybird137 » Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:17 am

Soap operas work on the premise of 'highly improbable' to the point where science fiction becomes more realistic.

When you see how many incidents happen to one small group, or on a street, compared to real life, improbable is the name of the game.

So improbable plots are okay, especially if you are fulfilling a request, after all, that's what's happening in two of my three present stories with celebrities, and the third one has become a bit of a sci-fi thriller.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby xtc » Mon Oct 08, 2012 2:32 am

Let's face it: there's a difference between improbable and impossible. All of the situations in my fictional stories are improbable even though all the characters and settings actually exist. For instance, it is highly improbable that a group of boys in the '70's would have their own private island and would spend most of their weekends tying one another up with the younger boys not being the victims of bullying. Being old and somewhat prudish, I do believe that certain practices are best kept behind closed doors but, other than that, I find the impossible in tie-up/bondage stories to be pathetic. As has been stated by a previous correspondent to this site, passages such as, "He kept me hanging from my arms without water and being relentlessly whipped for three days and then another four in a strict hog-tie but I still managed to make a break for it and run away when he untied me even though I was still blindfolded." insulting to the reader. Just my two penn’orth.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

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Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Chris12 » Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:48 am

There's a reason they are called fictional stories. Write a good one and i don't care how improbable it is.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby fungirlkatie » Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:44 pm

not really a fictional story writer, but i sometimes exaggerate the truth to keep the story entertaining
Bound, gagged and blindfolded, all with silk scarves

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby xtc » Mon Oct 08, 2012 1:51 pm

fungirlkatie wrote:not really a fictional story writer, but i sometimes exaggerate the truth to keep the story entertaining


Whilst I agree that the writer shouldn't let the truth get in the way of a good story, exaggeration is perfectly legitimate, as you say, for effect but over-exaggeration reduces stories to the risible.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby MissTieMeUp » Tue Oct 09, 2012 11:36 am

Kyle wrote:This is partly inspired by a post I read on here but is something I've thought about asking for a while. How much does realism in fictional stories here matter to you? Or perhaps closer to what I'm trying to ask, do you care if a situation is highly improbable if the story is good?


Well I nkow there are no real dress up (costumed) super heroines in real life but I do like reading about them captured in stories (better if its me haha) so I wouldn't expect a superhero story to be based on reality. A naughty school girl however, could be. :gag:
Rainbow rope & a white cleeve gag are my BFF's ;)

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Postby Headmistress » Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:54 am

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Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Kyle » Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:00 pm

You don't have to feel guilty about it. It's a personal preference everyone has. I have to admit I generally like the stories which are more plausible the best, but some of the ones which are more fantasy have been pretty good as well. Some stories aim for different things. However, if you are going for a realistic story and something truly bizarre which makes no sense happens right in the middle of it it can be pretty jarring.

I've had some story ideas before which I've played around with but usually end up never actually writing because trying to make it seem plausible and realistic usually means I can't figure out how to get something to work (that and writer's block in general). So there's a definite plus to aiming for pure fantasy. For whatever reason even though I can enjoy some of those types of stories I can't seem to write one myself.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Plueschbabycd » Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:23 am

Hallo, I think that are my fictional stories become a bit unrealistic because I have no possibility to do similar scenes to play. On other hand because that it could be if I found someone, how is also not an expert, the scenes could become to bizarre and even dangerous for my heals.
Andrew
"Don´t dream it, be it." Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Picture Show

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby neb96 » Sat Oct 13, 2012 9:39 am

I don't mind if the events in fictional stories are contrived, however, I don't like reading stories that cross over into sci-fi/fantasy (space-ships, technology not yet invented, etc).
I prefer tie-up scenes to be written realistically. I agree with xtc, If a character has things done to them that would be impossible for someone to endure in real-life, I find it insulting. it takes the enjoyment away from it for me.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Jay Candice » Sat Oct 13, 2012 11:10 am

I'm afraid that I have probably wrote the least realistic story on this site, and that's saying something.

But I don't mind. Who cares if people don't like it? There are still people who DO like it, so that's fine with me. It's all about what you like to read.
In the end, it matters not how many breaths you took, but how many took your breath away.
-shing xiong

We are not retreating, we are advancing in another direction
-General Douglas MacArthur

Fall down seven times, stand up eight
-Japanese Proverb

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby Nicky V. » Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:52 am

I really don't mind either way. It's still gonna be a story about people being tied up at the end of the day so really it doesn't bother me.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby lockdownTF » Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:47 am

never been all that fussed thiough after watching videos featuring tie up and gag stuff I often think the kidnapper should use stuffing since a simple cloth or duct tape over the mouth won't usually stop the victim from being able to speak.

Re: Realism in Fictional Stories

Postby drawscore » Tue Nov 06, 2012 2:57 pm

There are a lot of words that come to mind, like "credible," "plausible," "believable," and others. There are differences in the meanings, although they have been used interchangeably. A mixture of truth and fiction/fantasy makes for a good story, and using my own work as an example, we were scouts, and actually did tie each other up with much frequency between the ages of 10 and 15, but we didn't have a "portal" that would transport us into the imaginary world of old TV westerns. Still, if it is well written, and seems to fit the "well, this might happen on a parallel earth or dimension, and it is kind of interesting" template, it can get by much of the criticisms, and may even garner some praise from the readers.

But the bottom line, is that while the plot line may be fiction or fantasy, the characters, themselves, must be credible/believable/plausible. In the story, does the character speak and act in a way commensurate with his/her age? If so, you can get away with outlandish plot lines. If not, well, it won't be as easy.

Drawscore