Hey! I haven't read the previous chapters of the story, so I'm going to critique only what I find in this piece -- I won't have any critiques for overall plot or characterization so far, but it's only chapter 3. Let's dive in!
Overall: I don't hate it. Well, that's a lie -- I actually kind of like it. I've got some nitpicks and overall critiques but on the whole my impression of this chapter was actually pretty good.
Details & Nitpicks:
First, I like your writing style in this. I don't normally read fanfic, especially not musician fanfic, because it turns out very much like wish fulfillment. This fic definitely smells like wish fulfillment to me, but it doesn't reek of it, so it's readable. Kayla is the sister of a famous musician and she gets what she wants, but there's a little bit of tension (whether I believe it or not is a question for a later time).
But I think your writing style is what makes it bearable for me. You don't go overboard with the descriptions -- you're sparse, but it's for a reason. Thank goodness you're not sitting there describing every wrinkle on everyone's face; that drives me insane.
Also, Kayla's internal monologue isn't either how wonderful she is, or how awful she is. If she thought nothing but how wonderful she was, the reader would want her to shut up already; if she thought nothing but how terrible she was, the reader would throw the fic away in rage that this character was just a doll to attract pity. You walk a nice line, and it enhances the fic for the reader.
Second, as someone who's not familiar with the X Factor, I got a little lost by some of the narration. Obviously since Kayla is familiar with it she shouldn't be narrating everything like it's a totally new experience, but even a throwaway line here or there would illuminate things for your readers who aren't as familiar. Such as, for example, explaining what the six chair challenge is or how many people go into it. I had assumed six, but your group size went from 32 to 16, so I guess it's 16 people that go.
Admittedly, this fic is not a type I usually read (I hate musician fics) and the show is not a type I usually watch (as a musician, I can't stand music shows), so I'm at a disadvantage here.
Finally, the nitpicks.
You use the phrase "small smile" twice in two sentences here -- I know it looks different the second time, but it really isn't. I would suggest that Tulisa not offer a "small smile" but instead maybe "a relaxed smile" or "a smile of reassurance" or something like that. That way, the girls' nervousness comes across more.Tulisa said, offering us a small smile. We returned the sentiment with small, nervous smiles and waves.
Unless her stage name is just "Kayla", he should say "Kayla Payne" instead -- Kayla is a fairly common name, and it's likely that more than one person in a group of 32 will have any given name. Especially if they're all from the same area.“And the last girl through to six chair challenge is...Kayla!”
Keep writing!
Points: 50
Reviews: 425
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