I never liked Iolokus - there, I admit it! It was too much angst for the sake of angst, y'know?
Okay, I'm trying to think of this one novel that I loved, a writer I came to really late and one I don't think was popularly recognized, either? In fact I might have found this author in the last year of the show - maybe after - all I need to do is find the freakin' folder, because I can't recall the name of either author or fic.
The story was a casefile which sees Scully in prison...and that's about all I remember.
And seriously, if you haven't read Branwell - you're in for a treat.
Seriously I get it. Iolokus is extreme in its angst levels. But the second half of the saga - the more moving, funny, touching part makes all the initial misery and despair so worth it IMO.
I don't think I've ever read 'Scully in prison' stories.
Branwell, the name rings a bell. I think I did read "Condemned to repeat it", back when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth - but of course have no memory of the story itself.
I guess it goes without saying, since I'm the mod here but yes, I've read a lot of angsty fanfic. Looking over the stories we've discussed here, I'd estimate that a good 90% of them put our protagonists through the ringer. As you pointed out, the fandom's obsession with happy-ending babyfic is a fairly recent one. Even I've written a twisted version of it, although in my defense, I had to set mine in the Fringe canon AU. Unsurprisingly, it's probably my most popular fanfic, next to my RPF.
You didn't ask this question, but it might be worth discussing, too. Why is there so much happy-ending and/or William-obsessed fanfic being written now? Why is it so popular with the general readership, almost to the exclusion of anything else?
These are in addition to "Arizona Highways" and "The Mill" on my personal list of favorites. You didn't mention Penumbra's Fathoms Five, but I assume that would make your short list. It's on mine. When applicable, the links are to our posts rather than the stories because I'm lazy. This is just off the top
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Wendy, what a magnificent job of remember the great ones. Though I would disagree that "Negative Utopia" is the darkest of Prufrock's Love's (awkward) fics. There was one in which M marries a S lookalike and then CD and it was dreadful! But I've never empathized with the "let's all suffer together" of PL's aesthetic
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Beware: spoilers for fanfic herewendelah1September 16 2014, 20:03:42 UTC
This is scattered. Perhaps because I'm very conflicted. I think, for instance, that Khyber's "Sokol" is a challenging masterwork, but I don't think I designate it as tragic. Dark, yes, dark. But kind of happy at the end.
I can't see a fic that ends with Mulder and Scully on the run as any kind of happy ending. That's how the series concluded, except in "Sokol" they end up somewhere in South America instead of W. Virginia. It's an original concept, brilliantly executed, and as far away from the hashed-over romance and/or babyfic tropes that the fandom remnant is currently recycling as one can imagine. It's true that Mulder and Scully are still alive at the end, but with hungry space ghosts still out there and colonization still on the horizon, that's not exactly a happy ending, is it?
Though I would disagree that "Negative Utopia" is the darkest of Prufrock's Love's (awkward) fics. There was one in which M marries a S lookalike and then CD and it was dreadful!Roadtrip-lagged or not, I'm going to have to disagree with you. Let's do a
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Re: Beware: spoilers for fanfic hereestella_cSeptember 16 2014, 20:53:12 UTC
I plan to answer but have a demanding evening. Doing guess what! Seeing GA in "A Streetcar Named Desire," that's what! (We had a bus in Philly called "Rising Sun.")
earlier this month Meda posted an excellent essay about the h/c fanfiction subgenre; in it she explores some of the reasons why h/c and angst appeal to fanfiction writers and readers (and she included references). I don’t agree with all of her points, but it was definitely a worthwhile read.
I have read many of the stories mentioned here. I think "The Other Man" by Jess Mabe is the one that hits me hardest in the gut. Ouch, that fic. So, so good, but utterly devastating.
Despite being a shipper through and through, I was never a fan of the white picket fence stories. Domesticity has its place, but I was never drawn to the stories that focused almost solely on it. This isn't necessarily true of fic I read in other fandoms, such as BBC Sherlock, but I could never buy M/S settled down in suburbia raising a passel of kids.
That said, I also don't like to drown in angst. My favorite stories tend to be more balanced and have a little bit of everything thrown in. And happy endings.
I have read many of the stories mentioned here. I think "The Other Man" by Jess Mabe is the one that hits me hardest in the gut. Ouch, that fic. So, so good, but utterly devastating.
I think for me it was "Fugue" but "The Other Man" comes in a close second.
Despite being a shipper through and through, I was never a fan of the white picket fence stories. Domesticity has its place, but I was never drawn to the stories that focused almost solely on it. This isn't necessarily true of fic I read in other fandoms, such as BBC Sherlock, but I could never buy M/S settled down in suburbia raising a passel of kids.
So it's not the genre you object to, it's the characterization?
That said, I also don't like to drown in angst. My favorite stories tend to be more balanced and have a little bit of everything thrown in. And happy endings.I like happy endings, too, as long as they're right for the story and don't seem forced or rushed. My favorite writer is still Kel. In her best work, she's able to weave elements of dark and light, humor and
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So it's not the genre you object to, it's the characterization?
I think so. I mean, I loved many of the one-shots or longer stories that aren't case fic or serious angst, whether it's M/S making dinner or cleaning house, etc., but as far as M/S married and with a bunch of kids? That never really worked for me. Married and with William? Yes, but not where they're going to PTA meetings. I say that, but I bet there is at least one story like that that I probably read and loved.
I agree with you about happy endings needing to fit the story. "Contact High" by Penumbra is one of my favorites; it has a little bit of everything and yet that ending...it hurts.
I haven't read Kel in a long time, must go back for some rereads.
Three cheers for "Contact High." It makes wonderful, erotic music out of the fact that, OMG, Scully and Mulder are IN each other's brains. "Parabiosis" has great stuff in it, but it's rather scattered.
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Okay, I'm trying to think of this one novel that I loved, a writer I came to really late and one I don't think was popularly recognized, either? In fact I might have found this author in the last year of the show - maybe after - all I need to do is find the freakin' folder, because I can't recall the name of either author or fic.
The story was a casefile which sees Scully in prison...and that's about all I remember.
And seriously, if you haven't read Branwell - you're in for a treat.
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Seriously I get it. Iolokus is extreme in its angst levels. But the second half of the saga - the more moving, funny, touching part makes all the initial misery and despair so worth it IMO.
I don't think I've ever read 'Scully in prison' stories.
Branwell, the name rings a bell. I think I did read "Condemned to repeat it", back when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth - but of course have no memory of the story itself.
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You didn't ask this question, but it might be worth discussing, too. Why is there so much happy-ending and/or William-obsessed fanfic being written now? Why is it so popular with the general readership, almost to the exclusion of anything else?
These are in addition to "Arizona Highways" and "The Mill" on my personal list of favorites. You didn't mention Penumbra's Fathoms Five, but I assume that would make your short list. It's on mine. When applicable, the links are to our posts rather than the stories because I'm lazy. This is just off the top ( ... )
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I can't see a fic that ends with Mulder and Scully on the run as any kind of happy ending. That's how the series concluded, except in "Sokol" they end up somewhere in South America instead of W. Virginia. It's an original concept, brilliantly executed, and as far away from the hashed-over romance and/or babyfic tropes that the fandom remnant is currently recycling as one can imagine. It's true that Mulder and Scully are still alive at the end, but with hungry space ghosts still out there and colonization still on the horizon, that's not exactly a happy ending, is it?
Though I would disagree that "Negative Utopia" is the darkest of Prufrock's Love's (awkward) fics. There was one in which M marries a S lookalike and then CD and it was dreadful!Roadtrip-lagged or not, I'm going to have to disagree with you. Let's do a ( ... )
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earlier this month Meda posted an excellent essay about the h/c fanfiction subgenre; in it she explores some of the reasons why h/c and angst appeal to fanfiction writers and readers (and she included references). I don’t agree with all of her points, but it was definitely a worthwhile read.
“The Soft Embalmer” by Scarlet Baldy. → crack_van review: link.
“the blue series” by Susan. → warnings: major physical trauma which may constitute body horror; explicit violence in later installments.
“Night Touch” by Sophia Jirafe. → crack_van review: link. → warnings: navigating compulsory sexuality and aversion to sex due to PTSD.
“Unintended Consequences” by Sarah Segretti. → xf_book_club discussion: link. → warnings: as for “Orison.”
“Anyone with a Gun” by V. Salmone (Punk Maneuverability & Sabine). → warnings: as for “Orison.”
“for the weary” by threeguesses.
“How a Resurrection Really Feels” by idella. → xf_book_club discussion: link. → warnings: violent suicidal act.
“White Noise” by Adrienne ( ... )
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But she shows no signs of moving her old fic there. Quite the contrary. I'm baffled.
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Despite being a shipper through and through, I was never a fan of the white picket fence stories. Domesticity has its place, but I was never drawn to the stories that focused almost solely on it. This isn't necessarily true of fic I read in other fandoms, such as BBC Sherlock, but I could never buy M/S settled down in suburbia raising a passel of kids.
That said, I also don't like to drown in angst. My favorite stories tend to be more balanced and have a little bit of everything thrown in. And happy endings.
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I think for me it was "Fugue" but "The Other Man" comes in a close second.
Despite being a shipper through and through, I was never a fan of the white picket fence stories. Domesticity has its place, but I was never drawn to the stories that focused almost solely on it. This isn't necessarily true of fic I read in other fandoms, such as BBC Sherlock, but I could never buy M/S settled down in suburbia raising a passel of kids.
So it's not the genre you object to, it's the characterization?
That said, I also don't like to drown in angst. My favorite stories tend to be more balanced and have a little bit of everything thrown in. And happy endings.I like happy endings, too, as long as they're right for the story and don't seem forced or rushed. My favorite writer is still Kel. In her best work, she's able to weave elements of dark and light, humor and ( ... )
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I think so. I mean, I loved many of the one-shots or longer stories that aren't case fic or serious angst, whether it's M/S making dinner or cleaning house, etc., but as far as M/S married and with a bunch of kids? That never really worked for me. Married and with William? Yes, but not where they're going to PTA meetings. I say that, but I bet there is at least one story like that that I probably read and loved.
I agree with you about happy endings needing to fit the story. "Contact High" by Penumbra is one of my favorites; it has a little bit of everything and yet that ending...it hurts.
I haven't read Kel in a long time, must go back for some rereads.
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Kel is God. Like maybe Athena. That kind.
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