Call Me Statler and/or Waldorf

[myrna1_2_3]

Most of the Secret Santa Fics made me sad. I don't want my darling Justin involved with any of those Brians, and I didn't find any of the Justins likable.

And alas, the fics pairing Justin with Ben showed a lack of integrity in both characters that I didn't care for.

I think Brian came off in several fics as weak and feckless and there's

Comments

[eleveninches]

I liked the one about Hunter and Justin and the hair. *rubs chin thoughtfully*

I say this like I have read any of the other fics.

[rikkrp]

I actually had a thought as I started reading them (and I'll admit to not even having gotten through 1/2) that I wonder if not knowing who the author is makes a difference.

What I mean by that is, not one that I have read so far appeal to me, and I thought some of them were decidedly not well written, and that makes me fear (ever so slightly) that I'm one of those squeeish fangirls who squees and author just because she wrote it and not because it's good.

Again, I haven't read them all, and I am probably jumping the gun and making vast generalizations without all the facts. This was just my thought.

I did think of you as I was reading one of them: "No WONDER Myrna can't stand Brian. If this is how Brian is, I can't stand him either!"

[myrna1_2_3]

I wonder if not knowing who the author is makes a difference.

Maybe it's not that we're squeeish over one author or another so much as we've come to trust with some authors that the literal interpretation of the scene isn't all we're seeing. When we don't know the author, we don't make those additional leaps.

I remember being fairly surprised at some reader animosity toward Brian in I'd Swim the Seas when he brings a trick to the loft and purposefully fucks the guy so Justin will see then. Brian was an absolute shit to do that. And he did it because he was weak and because when he's scared he hits first and thinks later. But I knew as I wrote it that Justin was going to confront him and say, "Don't shit on me," and I knew Brian was going to agree to try not to shit on Justin so I was okay with that whole scene.

I lost some readers there who were like, Brian's a shit and Justin should walk away--period. The End!

Clarification

[rikkrp]

I don't mean to insult the authors who WROTE the fic (and I say AGAIN, that I have not read them all, so do not have the full facts with which to make an informed opinion). I'm quite aware that writing fiction at all takes hard work, and it involves bareing oneself to public scrutiny. But just because I appreciate an author's hard work does not mean that I have to *like* the results of said work. It is just a matter of opinion

[myrna1_2_3]

You're much more zenny than I am! I'm rather pouty that everyone doesn't write what I want when I want it!

but I also adore Brian, which you do not, and I also think it's possible to love Justin and also love Brian and not do a disservice to either character

I would agree with all of these statements!

Still, I think Brian shitting on Justin as proof that he cares for him is a disservice to both characters!

[gradiva]

hahahaha.... that really is the perfect end to any argument. I've done it like 10 times already.

I think I know which one you wrote.

[erinface]

You post really surprised me. While not ALL of the SS fics were masterpieces, there were some that I really loved. And there were some that I felt were extremely in character. I mean, you've said before that you hate Brian on the show so maybe when he is portrayed in character in fics you tend to not like him. But that is no fault of the author, because the author is keeping true to Brian's character. And I know your feelings on Justin, and I look for the same things when I read a fic, but I dont feel all 20 of the stories potrayed him as a weakling. Again, I felt some were VERY in character. So I don't know, I guess I'm shocked that you didn't like any of them. :-?

[myrna1_2_3]

But that is no fault of the author

I don't mean to assign fault at all! I can only attempt to explain why I didn't like the way the characters came off in the fics.

I think it's very accurate to assume that the closer a fic Brian is to the Brian portrayed on the show, the less I will like him.

I didn't mean to imply that Justin was a weakling in every single one of the fics. I do think he demurely accepts Brian's shitty behavior toward him in several of them, though, and I find that an unlikable trait in a character. But I also think skulking around with Ben is dishonorable and therefore weak as well, just weak in a different way.

I guess I'm shocked that you didn't like any of them.
You're only shocked because I usually don't post anything about any of the fics I read! :p

I'm those two grumpy Muppet guys! I really am!

[fatuorum]

If you don't mind me asking, which are those that you liked? I tried scanning through a couple of the fics myself, but found it somewhat difficult to read a complete one.

[erinface]

Well, I agree with Julad in that "Silences" the one written for Meredith is my favorite. Brian is amazingly in character. And while Myrna might feel Brian is shitting on him (though I don't know because she didn't mention specific fics) I don't feel Justin is shit on in the LEAST. Brian deals the way he deals and I could totally see this played out on the show. It's not shcmoopy and it's not fluff, but it's so real.

[ragingpixie]

I enjoyed Silences because I'm angsty that way. I feel that Brian often tries to do what is least expected, and he lashes out at Justin that way. Not telling anyone about his mother would be the last thing his circle of friends would expect. And besides, most people get overly maudlin at the holidays. It was very easy for me to believe that he'd withdraw.

The writing itself was very good. It seemed crisp and clear and the description was nice without being wordy. This was definitely one of the better ones in the bunch. There was another Ben/Justin one that I liked as well, simply for the flow of the wording and the ease of dialogue.

I actually like it that you're speaking out about something you've read, since we never hear from you about other fic. I'm sorry that none of these fics had redeeming qualities in your eyes, because I think several of them were quite good, Silences included. But I respect the fact that it's your opinion, and will defend to the death your right to say it. :)

jumping in here- just cause at the end & agree with you on enjoying...

[viola69]

hearing Myrna comment on fanfic- but do feel like I should point out Myrna DID say:
the fics are well written. I could hear the voices of the characters and see the action as it took place. The stories flowed nicely and were crisp and clear. Some fics you can almost feel how the author belabored every word choice, every comma, every inch of the story and it's almost exhausting to get through the piece. When a fic flows easily, effortlessly, the read is much more enjoyable.

So- in the writing she found redeeming qualities , it was just the characterizations which she has a strong opinion on what she likes & dislikes-- and really no surprise there.

Still haven't read all of them- look forward to doing so- including &/or especially the Ben/Justin ones- even though in a logical-way I have to agree with Myrna's stance that Justin-Ben without a very long-build-up is a dis-service to both characters- yet... well, yet, it's a guilty-pleasure pairing for me.

Re: jumping in here- just cause at the end & agree with you on enjoying...

[ragingpixie]

while I'm sure myrna appreciates you defending her position, i was not disagreeing. we both said the writing was good. i happened to like some of the fic, she happened not to. characterization is a tricky thing, and not everyone will like everything.

myrna's not afraid of speaking her opinion or standing her ground, which is what more people should do. myself included.

Re: jumping in here- just cause at the end & agree with you on enjoying...

[viola69]

Not sure I was defending her position- so much as both defending her right to have an opinion- one that she stated a case for fairly I thought, and bringing up a point that did seem to get lost in many of the other replies here- That she DID like the writing in some- but because of the characterizations- which she has over & over admitted she is perculiar and opinionated on, she didn't 'enjoy' them.

myrna's not afraid of speaking her opinion or standing her ground, which is what more people should do. myself included.
Amen, and myself included, also. :-)