Hello, today we will be touching on a topic that I am annoyed by every time I click on an SYOT. The problems with SYOT's is they NEVER FINISH. EVER. Most last until the district 5 or 6 reapings, then just stop, happy with their 50 or so reviews and 1000 views. And those chapters usually are about 800 words each, and are just the reaping, with about 100 words of the before time. And the before time is usually 2 people making out, or the kid being abused by his father, or training. I have not seen anything other then that in this breed of SYOT. I call it...The GMFR. Give me free reviews. Because that's what an SYOT usually is. But today we will learn how to make a GOOD, UNIQUE, AND FINISHED SYOT! Also we will learn how to spot the GMFR SYOT, and not give them your review and hard thought of tribute.
Topics
How to Spot a GMFR SYOT
Good grief, be ORIGINAL
Spotting A GMFR SYOT
So, the first subject of debate is how to find the GMFR, which abuses the power of the sponsor system to get a ridiculous amount of reviews for doing absolutely nothing.
So the first sign that the SYOT might be a GMFR is a sponsor system which gives you points for reviews, favorites, and follows. It really makes no sense when you think about it. This does not mean it is GMFR, but it is the first warning sign you need to look for.
The second sign is the tribute form. If the tribute form neglects to ask things about later on in the games, for example. If they don't ask you about the interview, arena strategy, allies, or anything else of the sort. There is a good chance that it may be a GMFR.
The third sign is also on the tribute form. If the person asks you everything about your tribute and his games, it may be GMFR. This means if he asks you what you do the morning of the reaping, what you do during training, and what your tributes favorite color is...it's probably a GMFR. They do this because they plan on just copy pasting your tribute form as the reapings. I've seen people literally just copy/past a tributes history for a "flashback."
Finally, just look at it. If it is an experienced writer, who has finished a story, there's a good chance he will finish. If he has 4 uncompleted stories, you'l be lucky to even get to the reapings. Also look at writing skill, usually less skilled writers tend to give up on the story, out of frustration. If you see the same head game maker and president talking about the arena for their opening...there's a good chance they just copy pasted, and put in some new names. If they copy paste for something that's simple, and 400 words, then why trust them to write a 50+ chapter story, which is the hardest type to write in the hunger games fandom.
Good Grief, Be original
Okay guys, I get it. You just have to do a forced opening for your SYOT to make it a story, so you don't care if it's good. I get it. But if you're too lazy to make a good, original opening for your SYOT, how are you going to make it 50+ chapters that does POV from 24+ people. It's a pain, I get it guys, I really do. But just try your hardest, and put a good, or if not good, at least original, opening.
The gamemaker and president talk thing is so overused it's practically copy/paste.
Also, make your own tribute form. Put what you want to know in there, don't just copy/paste some random one you find. And dear god, trust me with this. Don't accept every tribute you receive. If you do first come first serve, you will be crying. Trust me.
Then for sponsor system. If you do a freaking review and follow system, I will bang a rock into your skull.
Also, don't do a 5 thing list, it's overused, boring, and lazy. And if your lazy in an SYOT, you're gonna have a bad time. I've seen this way to many times.
Review-10 points
Follow/Favorite-20 points
Food-5 points
Water-3 Points
Medicine-10 Points
Small Weapon-15 Points
Large Weapon-20 Points
No. Just dear god, no. This is straight up stupid, no excuses.
Maybe my sponsor system is more then you need to do, but at least list things like tents, and specific food. Then there's matches and iodine and rope and wire...
So, now you're finished with that crap, now it's time for the reapings! Allow me to write it for you, simply put in your own characters name for district 1, not that they'll be anything but Diamond and Sparkle anyways.
Diamond sliced a dummies head off. He smiled. This was what was going to happen to tributes. He was going to volunteer and win this year. I can't wait to kill poeple(Misspelling gets reviews, hint hint), its gonna be fun(Because careers are born to hate). I set down my large sword(No need for descriptive words such as Katana). I walk over to my home(Descriptions of walking is too hard). And fall asleep.(Make sure to not be too descriptive of things, that's too hard).
Sparkle opened her purple eyes(Who doesn't have purple eyes is the real question here) and ruffled her blue hair. She was the most beutfiul person in the world, and she was going to volunteer so everyone could see her beuty. (Legit reasons for volunteering to fight to the death)I got up and ran over to the reapings.(breakfast and talking to family/friends is lame) I went over to my pen(Use name they used in district 12, because of course careers use that word too). Then Someone gets reaped and I volunteer.(again, no over descriptiveness, she is prepared, she doesn't have any second thoughts about this.) Then a boy named Diamond volunteers(no need for the escort to ask for your name). I say goodbye to my parents who are crying because i'm so beutiful. I wonder if this was a good decision, I might get a scar! EW!(that's not what I meant when I said second thoughts...) Whatevar, i'm gonna win this thing. Ez
Then after this, the story usually doesn't get updated ever again, because 20 reviews is not enough for 700 total words, and 4 minutes of work.