What-Iffy Category Definitions
What-Iffy Category Definitions
On the House "What-If" Rec List we share some of our favorite House, M.D. fics, 'verses, and authors that form a genre we call "What-If."
In our review of the literature, several categories presented themselves. Stories range from wildly fantastical to essentially realistic, but all depart significantly from canon reality.
See also: Definitions of our Rec Reasons.
After Death/Afterlife Dead character can interact with a live one - as a ghost, in dreams/unconscious, etc. Or, a character experiences life on another plane after (or near) his own death.
Allegory "Hey! I do the metaphors." -House in 2x12 'Distractions'
Alternate Governance Modern America has slaves, theocracy, totalitarian state, etc.
Alternate Personal History Canon character with a different past. Or, character chose a different path or profession than in canon - and thus never became our canon character at all.
Alternate Time Period Takes place in a different era/decade/century.
Alternate World History Things turned out a bit (or a lot) differently than we're used to - crops, foods, customs, exports/imports, costs, transportation, technology, population, country/colony, etc.
Amnesiac Odyssey Amnesia stories where a character must build a life for himself based on whatever he has to go on.
Apocalypse How our heroes cope, post- (or during) apocalypse. Can be more realistic (e.g., epidemic, bomb) or horror (e.g., zombies, creature invasion).
Creatures/Mythical Beings Story includes entities such as vampires, mermaids, werewolves, and so on.
Crossover Elements Crossover with, or draws concepts from, another fandom or fic 'verse - usually one with supernatural/what-iffy elements in its canon.
Deity Chat Character talks with a deity, the devil, or some other kind of supreme being. Some of these are also Wishful Thinking fics.
Human Variation Some people naturally have wings or a tail, for example. Also applies to 'verses where all humans are somehow biologically different than in our reality.
Life-Altering Events …with profound consequences. Contractverse, brainwashing, serious injury, disability, etc. Many of these are also Recovery Fics.
Magical Realism Magic happens in a very recognizable context. In some stories, this may include overt manifestation of religious, mystic and/or folkloric elements.
Type 1: Magic is real and/or normal in this 'verse, not crack.
Type 2: Magic happens as a plot device ("She put a spell on me - but that's impossible!")
Parallel Universe Character enters an alternate universe, or deduces that there is one. Can be an original AU, or an existing fic 'verse/fanon.
Powers Superpowers, prophetic dreams, etc. Can be acquired or inherent.
Recovery Fic Chronicles healing in the aftermath of a life-altering event, usually involving serious injury or psychological trauma.
Science Fiction More classic sci-fi elements - character as an android, space travel/aliens, time travel, etc.
Transmogrification Turned into a ___ (kid, animal, vampire, etc.). Also includes bodyswap and genderswap.
Wishful Thinking Wish I'd never been born/met House/had muscles removed; wish my best friend weren't dying. Character tries to alter the past to change his present, or makes a deal to change the future.
On the House "What-If" Rec List we share some of our favorite House, M.D. fics, 'verses, and authors that form a genre we call "What-If."
In our review of the literature, several categories presented themselves. Stories range from wildly fantastical to essentially realistic, but all depart significantly from canon reality.
See also: Definitions of our Rec Reasons.
After Death/Afterlife Dead character can interact with a live one - as a ghost, in dreams/unconscious, etc. Or, a character experiences life on another plane after (or near) his own death.
Allegory "Hey! I do the metaphors." -House in 2x12 'Distractions'
Alternate Governance Modern America has slaves, theocracy, totalitarian state, etc.
Alternate Personal History Canon character with a different past. Or, character chose a different path or profession than in canon - and thus never became our canon character at all.
Alternate Time Period Takes place in a different era/decade/century.
Alternate World History Things turned out a bit (or a lot) differently than we're used to - crops, foods, customs, exports/imports, costs, transportation, technology, population, country/colony, etc.
Amnesiac Odyssey Amnesia stories where a character must build a life for himself based on whatever he has to go on.
Apocalypse How our heroes cope, post- (or during) apocalypse. Can be more realistic (e.g., epidemic, bomb) or horror (e.g., zombies, creature invasion).
Creatures/Mythical Beings Story includes entities such as vampires, mermaids, werewolves, and so on.
Crossover Elements Crossover with, or draws concepts from, another fandom or fic 'verse - usually one with supernatural/what-iffy elements in its canon.
Deity Chat Character talks with a deity, the devil, or some other kind of supreme being. Some of these are also Wishful Thinking fics.
Human Variation Some people naturally have wings or a tail, for example. Also applies to 'verses where all humans are somehow biologically different than in our reality.
Life-Altering Events …with profound consequences. Contractverse, brainwashing, serious injury, disability, etc. Many of these are also Recovery Fics.
Magical Realism Magic happens in a very recognizable context. In some stories, this may include overt manifestation of religious, mystic and/or folkloric elements.
Type 1: Magic is real and/or normal in this 'verse, not crack.
Type 2: Magic happens as a plot device ("She put a spell on me - but that's impossible!")
Parallel Universe Character enters an alternate universe, or deduces that there is one. Can be an original AU, or an existing fic 'verse/fanon.
Powers Superpowers, prophetic dreams, etc. Can be acquired or inherent.
Recovery Fic Chronicles healing in the aftermath of a life-altering event, usually involving serious injury or psychological trauma.
Science Fiction More classic sci-fi elements - character as an android, space travel/aliens, time travel, etc.
Transmogrification Turned into a ___ (kid, animal, vampire, etc.). Also includes bodyswap and genderswap.
Wishful Thinking Wish I'd never been born/met House/had muscles removed; wish my best friend weren't dying. Character tries to alter the past to change his present, or makes a deal to change the future.