[Mitasova]

In the vein of Serious fic vs Smut thread, I'm now curious: what kind of fic do you prefer: one that delves deep into the characters' heads sometimes at the expence of the plot, or one that concentrates on the plot and describes characters' thoughts and personalities mainly through action and dialogue?

Now I understand that the ideal solution would be the mixture of both, but I freely admit that if I must choose I always prefer plot-heavy stories to angst-heavy ones.

Opinions?
==

Tanya

[Haleth]

I'm definitely in category b.

Internal musings can only hold my attention for so long. A story, especially a longer tale, has to have a plot and some kind of action to keep my interest.

[Panneth]

Aren't internal musings an integral part of a plot-based story? All action is fine as long as there are reasons for their actions. For instance A fights B and B dies is fine, but why was A fighting B and what did B do to deserve death?

I don't think you can have a well-balanced fic without angst or plot. One goes hand in hand with the other. We all think before we act, at least we try to.

[Viv]

[sindohte]

I totally adore reading and writing stories that crawl up inside a character's head and then allow me to explore a point of view that isn't my own. However, as with all things there must be a balance and having a plot is a prerequisite to a decent story imho.

[SilverMoonLady]

I am personally a total angst fiend, both as a writer and a reader, but it is, as someone else noted, impossible to hold my attention without some sort of plot. There needs to be external stimulation for the things going on on the inside to have any reason to exist. That the action that needs to be taken, whatever it might be, has an internal effect on the character in question, possibly even provoking a serious inner crisis, still requires the action, and some kind of resolution (though they are rarely as pat as the physical obstacles can sometimes be).
IMHO, of course.
*currently on a steady diet of humility*

[Mitasova]

[sindohte]

[miriel361]

It's what you do rather than what you say. We can say all sorts of things about ourselves. We can think all sorts of things about our selves and our values. But only when we are put on the spot, do we really understand ourselves.

For instance, I know someone who is very involved in the church, actually preaches at you from the bible but when it comes down to it, she wouldn't walk a metre to help someone. But she would call herself a Christian soul. I call her something else, but that is beside the point

Let us return to Tolkien, Aragorn for instance, never considered himself to be kingly material, but actions forced him to acknowledge those qualities within himself.

As for the word 'angst', I have never really understood what it means. It is a German word meaning 'fear' so I always expected to be terrified out of my little brain. I have come to the conclusion that this is not so... So if someone wants to give me a definition, I would gladly welcome it.

[Mitasova]

[Ellbee]

[Mitasova]

[Viv]

Scribe writes scorchingly fantastic adventure LoTRfic. My favorites are her modern-day fics, but "Daughter of Rivendell" is also a wild ride with loads of fighting and some very nice in-character chatter. I'd recommend all of her stuff to folks who like adventure LoTRfic.

[LuthienTinuviel]

Yeah, I'm one of Scribe's fans sitting around waiting for her to add more! ^_~ I quit giving reviews to the stuff I read after too many "wow/cool/fantastic!" kind of reviews I tend to dish up. I wonder when the next chapter for End of Days' coming up...

To me, angst cannot be without action, unless it's the short and sweet kind, like "Something Real" I forgot by who... Drags your heart into a lake... (now here I go again...).

I guess, both compliments each other. But the low down would be action cannot run without some angst, but angst can run without action.

[GypsieRose]