Well, a lot of people get interested in fanfic because they want to spend more time in a character's head, and certainly that’s a valid reason to write fanfic, but it’s not necessarily going to have a plot that way.
Very true. That's why when I write a story that's 99% character introspection, I'm careful to have a plot that gives that introspection a defined shape. There should be a clearly defined beginning and end (but not
too
tidy of an end), and a sense of rhythm that allows different facets of the character to be explored in turn.
There are some fandoms (Due South, Smallville) that I read primarily for the 'shippy factors. Since the slashier aspects aren't going to be explored on the shows themselves, fanfic is a necessary part of my enjoyment of those shows. Because I already have a lot invested in these characters, I don't mind a bit of well-written schmoop, or a vignette of the two characters enjoying each other's company and reflecting on the relationship (Resonant's "Adorned" comes to mind.)
Gah... There's more I want to write on the subject, but I do need to get ready for work.
Since the slashier aspects aren't going to be explored on the shows themselves, fanfic is a necessary part of my enjoyment of those shows.
Now there's a thing. A thing which has recently been confusing me mightily.
There's a line, somewhere, between shows that I watch for themselves, and enjoy ficcing from as a secondary thing (Buffy, M*A*S*H), and shows that I love the fic from, and watch as a way to feel 'entitled' to read more fic (Starsky and Hutch, The Professionals).
It's a very strange headspace that makes.
There's a line, somewhere, between shows that I watch for themselves, and enjoy ficcing from as a secondary thing (Buffy, M*A*S*H), and shows that I love the fic from, and watch as a way to feel 'entitled' to read more fic (Starsky and Hutch, The Professionals).
Exactly. I tend to like Buffy, Angel, and CSI for themselves. In fact, I like CSI for itself enough that reading slash for that show feels really, really odd. Due South and Smallville are shows that I like because it enables the fic reading/writing.
Due South and Smallville are shows that I like because it enables the fic reading/writing.
The problem I'm running into is explaining that to someone else. I sit down to watch TV, and it goes like this:
Other Person: What're you watching?
Me: Starsky and Hutch.
OP: That's crap. The plots are useless.
Me: I know, but I like it anyway.
OP: Why watch something that's not good TV?
Me: Err, well...
The honest answer is 'because Starsky and Hutch are obviously sleeping together, and I want to get their voices and the way they move right when I write about them having sex', but it's not exactly a thing you say to just everybody.
Am, that's precisely the problem I have explaining to Hubby why I watch the occasional Smallville. "Well, you see, I wasn't quite sure where Fay got the motivation for Lex to seduce Clark, and there's a great debate over whether Lex is just using Helen as a cover for his one true love, so I figured I'd better catch up a little."
Sabine has an idea for The Legacy Archive. Check it out.
Me, I can't decide what to submit...
Huh! Gods, which one ... Spike and Xander in the steam room or Giles and Ethan watching the Council go floom ...
That's what I'm thinking. It feels like it has more breadth to it, somehow. Plus if they're going to leave such Giles-shaped holes in the storyline, they can't blame us if we fill them.
Is there any news on where James Walkswithwind and Mad Poetess' site has gone? I need to catch up with the Sandy Places series.
