What makes a Doctor Who fanfic actually good?

For a Doctor Who fanfic to be great, it should capture the essence of the Doctor's adventures. It needs interesting villains, timey-wimey elements, and a touch of humor. Also, the writing should be engaging and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

It could be due to intense violence, mature themes, or explicit language. Usually, these elements push it into the M rating category.

A genius OC in Doctor Who fanfic usually has unique and advanced knowledge or skills related to time travel and science. They might have the ability to solve complex problems that stump the Doctor himself.

In my opinion, an actually good fanfiction is one that respects the source material while also being creative. It doesn't go against the established lore too much. Take a Lord of the Rings fanfiction. It should fit within the world Tolkien created. The pacing also matters. A story that moves too slowly or too quickly can be off - putting. And the dialogue should be natural, like how the characters would really talk in that universe.

A good Twilight fanfiction often has well - developed characters. For example, it might explore the backstories of secondary characters more deeply. It should also have an engaging plot. Instead of just repeating the events in the original books, it could introduce new twists and conflicts.

A good romance novel often has well - developed characters. If the characters are believable and complex, readers can really connect with them. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth's strong - willed nature and Mr. Darcy's pride are what make their relationship so interesting. Another factor is the plot. It should be engaging, with some sort of conflict or obstacle for the couple to overcome, like in 'Outlander' where Claire has to deal with the challenges of being in a different time period while falling in love with Jamie.

The 'Dark Doctor' adds a twist to the usual character. It explores a darker side, making the story more thrilling and unpredictable.

A strong emotional connection between the characters. For example, in 'Call Me by Your Name', the intense feelings that Elio and Oliver have for each other create a great romance story. You can feel their longing, their hesitation, and their passion through their interactions.

The darker aspect of 'Doctor Who' stories might come from exploring deeper, more complex themes like morality, fate, and the nature of evil. Also, the tone and visuals could be darker to create a more ominous atmosphere.

Well, the Doctor Who series has a huge fan base already. Fans are so attached to the characters of the Doctor and Clara that they want to see more of their stories. Fanfics allow them to do just that. They can take the characters on new adventures, explore different timelines, and develop their relationship in ways the show might not have. It gives fans a sense of creativity and ownership over the story.