(no subject)

[arethinn]

ETA: I meant exclusively in the context of fanfiction, not gaming or other. Question has now been answered.

Please define for me the word "one-shot". Today I saw someone use it to mean "single chapter only; not a series". I had always thought a "one-shot" was a fanfic written in a single go, rather than multiple writing sessions; thus they would tend to be shorter, but something with several chapters could also be a "one-shot" if it was written all at once. Am I wrong?

Comments

[digitalsidhe.livejournal.com]

In regard to both fiction and gaming, I consider "one-shot" to be synonymous with "stand-alone", and with the added connotation of "short". A one-shot adventure might actually span two or even three gaming sessions, but really shouldn't be any longer; the important thing is that you're not re-using characters from an ongoing campaign. They're characters created for this one adventure, and then retired afterwards.

Similarly, a one-shot story would be one that doesn't re-use characters from other stories. The writer might have spent a year writing it (if s/he's really slow).

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

Similarly, a one-shot story would be one that doesn't re-use characters from other stories.

That makes absolutely no sense in the context of fanfic.

[uncledark.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it would make more sense to say:
"...that doesn't re-use characters from other stories in the same way as other fanfics?"

I think of "one-shot" to simply mean not part of a series.

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

I think of "one-shot" to simply mean not part of a series.

OK. Then I was incorrect to attach "how many times you sat down in front of it, typing" connotations. Thanks.

[digitalsidhe.livejournal.com]

Good point.

(Plus, it lets me use this userpic again! Um, yay?)

[lunylucy.livejournal.com]

I've always thought of a one-shot as single-chapter. It doesn't matter how long and how many sessions it took to write, though.

[starlightforest.livejournal.com]

OK.

[lunylucy.livejournal.com]

It's just how I feel though, I could be totally off :O I tried finding a definition online but with no success.

[darkcactus.livejournal.com]

i've always known "one-shot" from a comic book perspective, where it's usually a single issue for a popular character that is either a self contained story with no need for a continuing series or isn't part of any continuity and is pretty much a what if or side story