*scratches head*

[rotschopf]

Soooo, there's this one thing I won't ever, like, really never ever understand in fanfiction.

Maybe some of you folks can help me out here.

Comments

[janedavitt]

I did a BDSM fic with Jim and Blair from The Sentinel where they weren't Sentinel and Guide. I think it's to explore them without the trappings,stripped down. Are they different people? Yes, of course -- but how different? In what way?

It's kind of interesting.

What surprises is me is when it happens in brand new fandoms, off the bat. I do it when I've written about the characters hundreds of times and want something new, but they're rife in Hawaii Five-0 already and have been for ages.

[rotschopf]

I did a BDSM fic with Jim and Blair from The Sentinel where they weren't Sentinel and Guide. I think it's to explore them without the trappings,stripped down. Are they different people? Yes, of course -- but how different? In what way?

Okay, I do get the exploring thing. You asked if they are different people, which they are. My question is now if the story would be different if you chose now to replace their names with random names.

What surprises is me is when it happens in brand new fandoms, off the bat. I do it when I've written about the characters hundreds of times and want something new, but they're rife in Hawaii Five-0 already and have been for ages.
Oh hell, yeah. I have the feeling that strange AUs are showing up before the decent fic drops in.
I mean, I've read some AUs where the characters were removed from their fandom, but were still recognisable as the characters (does that make any sense?). But in most cases, the characters could be named Bob and Martin, and it would still be the same story.

[lennongirl]

Hmmm... I think it's about playing with the characters. Or the way you perceive the character (if it's RPS). Try to imagine what they would do in a completely different situation/time/place, how they would act, handle thinsg and what not. This can be fun, but only if the character is done 100% right (or at least to your liking). Otherwise, it's just two characters who share a name.

[rotschopf]

Otherwise, it's just two characters who share a name.
That's exactly what I'm talking about. I think I found one AU in the Stargate fandom where Daniel & Cameron Mitchell weren't with the program, but were perfectly recognisable as the characters from Stargate by matters of mannerism and stuff.

But most of the times, the characters are not recognisable. Or could you imagine a story in which Rea has absolutely nothing to do with music and works away as a fitness coach in some gym? ^^

[lennongirl]

True, true. It's the usual, I guess, a good writer can pull (almost?) anything off, and I'd follow him/her pretty much everywhere. However, if the characters are butchered, the story sucks either way. And the more I think about it - AU was never my first choice, either. I like the WHAT IF aspect of AR, and I *did* read a very few good AUs back in the day - but it surely wasn't the AU that drew me in but the writer herself and me knowing she could handle it.

Or could you imagine a story in which Rea has absolutely nothing to do with music and works away as a fitness coach in some gym? ^^

I... no, not really, but please give me 15-20 minutes alone time with that idea? Mmmh, come here, sweaty, hunky fitness coach.

[rotschopf]

ARs are a quite different thing. I mean, for example, Harry being sorted into Slytherin isn't such a far shot. The Sorting Head did consider it. But, heh. I think I read one or two stories at maximum were that one was pulled off perfectly ^^

I also read some good AUs in the sense of that the fandom was still recognisable, but certain events were simply left out or twisted to the good end. Heck, writing three of those myself right now.

I... no, not really, but please give me 15-20 minutes alone time with that idea? Mmmh, come here, sweaty, hunky fitness coach.
I dare you, sweetie XD Pull it off, like, whoah! Extra points if X makes it into the fic as well :D

[tigerin_x]

I guess not making those fics an original is because your characters, no matter if they're a real person or not, they are always more or less fiction. Sure the author knows their name, their appearance - but when it comes to characteristics they'll always do what they want.
And the step to make up their whole surrounding then isn't that big anymore...

[rotschopf]

You might have mentioned that a tad sooner ^^ I have no clue anymore how many times we've talked about the subject :)

True, you could say that the characters - especially when it comes to real people - are already fiction. We only know what they let us know and show us their "official persona". Not the private person.

But what about fictional characters? For example ... gosh, to find a fandom we have in common ... Ah, well. You're on our favourite comm as well XD

Draco Malfoy being turned into a Muggle!born who likes to surf the Cally!shores? Yes, I've read that as operator *head desk*.

You at least manage to pull it off! XD I mean, Yrjö, right ^^ It's AU, but all characters are more than recognisable. It would be weird if you replaces those names with Janne, Jonne, Jaani & Sampsa. Wouldn't fit.

But most people simply don't manage to pull it off :)

[tigerin_x]

Oh, I know, I know... :))
(Actually, I had to laugh when I read your post xD)

See? And the little - and I guess you agree that fans are only allowed to gain a very little insight - is not enough to create a whole character, so the "real person" in fic is more original than real.

That's why I limited it to real persons XDD
I don't know about any fictional characters... but, isn't the "official persona" a kind of fictional character, too?

But Yrjö isn't that AU oO They're still the same, just a bit... crazier, especially J XD
And what if I make him become pregnant? XDDDDD

Why not? I mean, J is a very special character that does not necessarily connect to the real J - at least I hope so xDDD

That also depends on the surrounding and how you manage to communicate it...

[tigerin_x]

As always... I'm sorry if I don't make sense :|

[hanseatic_keks]

I don't write, so I can only tell you my experience as a reader.

And as such I feel like I already know the character, his/her mannerisms and looks. In original fiction a writer has to get that into the fiction at one point, while you don't need that with already known characters. (I'm thinking of a Generation Kill AU I'm currently reading where some of the relations don't need explaining due to GK).

But then there are AUs, where the author only takes the names and looks, but not the character as such. I always think it's because an author only needs the looks, which you get via the name (I'm thinking football here).

Anyway... that's my opinion. :D

[rotschopf]

But then there are AUs, where the author only takes the names and looks, but not the character as such. I always think it's because an author only needs the looks, which you get via the name (I'm thinking football here).
And those are the AUs I'm talking about. I've read some very good AUs in the fandoms that dealt with "what if?". A real possibility. There was that one Kies/Helmes story which got deleted in the Adler!wake. Pat didn't play football, but worked as electrician. Why? Because it was a real possibility back in the days when Pat thought eating fast food and lazing about was better than practise, and he was that short from turning his back on football.

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