Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24831427-20140418111849/@comment-16502426-20140418165152

Here's the thing. Most stories, fanfics included, are 100% tropes, because everything worth doing has been done. So basically, the formula to a good piece is less the content, and more the quality of writing. Come up with a great storyline, yes, but above all avoid spelling and grammar errors, and make it fun and interesting to read. The story itself doesn't have to be phenominal, a so-so story with great writing will trump a brilliant idea that is poorly executed.

With Fire Comes Shadow, which I would consider the best currently, is kind of a generic plot, but that isn't a fault. The author has taken that plot, put it so that it doesn't disagree with the laws of the RWBY world, and written it well.