I'm having such a great time with this discussion =)
The Anne Rice wank is just never not funny.
*nods* And I don't see the point in trying to outlaw fanfic, it's plain stupid. The internet can't be wholly monitored just yet. I hear some fans accused her of writing 'Stat OOC in the latest book, and I couldn't help grinning. ..sometimes I feel that coming with JKR as well. She has a completely different attitude towards fans of course (and a much better one at that), but she writes agonizingly s-l-o-w-l-y and in the space of a book, come out at least a dozen very good fics that re-shape the characters. Sometimes when I contrast fics with canon, I find certain characters much better developed by fandom writers. I guess that's natural, because JKR focuses on Harry, but... I can't deny that I was sorely disappointed to see Draco be hexed in the face by Ginny, for instance. *shrugs*
..and there I go, digressing again. Sorry.
(I also have this thing about epics in which while I'll read a book over a month when it comes to fanfiction I want it all in one sitting.)
to some extent, I agree. I fear WiPs because half of the time they get aborted. Or, they're impossible to rec because towards the end something greatly OOC happens. But I enjoy lengty reads that capture one's heart and build lots of angst and UST to channel in a happy ending (I'm a sucker for happy endings. I acknowledge the greater dramatic value of a sad ending, but I can't say I really give a rat's arse about that, in fanfiction. I'm here to feel good and I like it when characters end up together and squishy)
I mention this because there are a lot of things that make me crumble and cry and go back, and bad characterization is very high on the list, and to me, that's what it is when Draco switches sides and is suddenly redeemed because he's seen the light (or, at the very least, Harry's cock.) Nothing in life is that easy, you know? Draco is this very complex character when you're trying to make him likable.
*nods so much, chin's going to fall off* My thoughts exactly. Many people retain Draco's bantering, some of his sarcasm, his alluring looks and think that's it for characterisation and that it's perfectly fine to come up with parental abuse and other rot to make Draco rush over to Dumbledore's robes. Which is simply ridiculous. I'm not sure where you stand on this, but I have to mention Cassie Claire's trilogy and how it helped bring about that damnable Leather Pants Draco, who's witty and funny and plain unnerving to any soul who minds characterisation.
Draco is difficult to like and to deal with, period. He's much too proud, the true source of his appeal and his problems IMO, and he simply can't walk around that so easily. Neither can Harry. Plus, Draco is intelligent. I believe he'd consider very highly the fact that he'd be treated as a Death Eater's son, in case he happened to switch sides. Which is no good for his self-esteem, having less than people's awe. That'd weight heavily on his decision; living to be scornd doesn't seem like his cup of tea, to me.
aaand, this comment is too long. Bugger. I'll split it in two.
no subject
The Anne Rice wank is just never not funny.
*nods* And I don't see the point in trying to outlaw fanfic, it's plain stupid. The internet can't be wholly monitored just yet. I hear some fans accused her of writing 'Stat OOC in the latest book, and I couldn't help grinning. ..sometimes I feel that coming with JKR as well. She has a completely different attitude towards fans of course (and a much better one at that), but she writes agonizingly s-l-o-w-l-y and in the space of a book, come out at least a dozen very good fics that re-shape the characters. Sometimes when I contrast fics with canon, I find certain characters much better developed by fandom writers. I guess that's natural, because JKR focuses on Harry, but... I can't deny that I was sorely disappointed to see Draco be hexed in the face by Ginny, for instance. *shrugs*
..and there I go, digressing again. Sorry.
(I also have this thing about epics in which while I'll read a book over a month when it comes to fanfiction I want it all in one sitting.)
to some extent, I agree. I fear WiPs because half of the time they get aborted. Or, they're impossible to rec because towards the end something greatly OOC happens. But I enjoy lengty reads that capture one's heart and build lots of angst and UST to channel in a happy ending (I'm a sucker for happy endings. I acknowledge the greater dramatic value of a sad ending, but I can't say I really give a rat's arse about that, in fanfiction. I'm here to feel good and I like it when characters end up together and squishy)
I mention this because there are a lot of things that make me crumble and cry and go back, and bad characterization is very high on the list, and to me, that's what it is when Draco switches sides and is suddenly redeemed because he's seen the light (or, at the very least, Harry's cock.) Nothing in life is that easy, you know? Draco is this very complex character when you're trying to make him likable.
*nods so much, chin's going to fall off* My thoughts exactly. Many people retain Draco's bantering, some of his sarcasm, his alluring looks and think that's it for characterisation and that it's perfectly fine to come up with parental abuse and other rot to make Draco rush over to Dumbledore's robes. Which is simply ridiculous. I'm not sure where you stand on this, but I have to mention Cassie Claire's trilogy and how it helped bring about that damnable Leather Pants Draco, who's witty and funny and plain unnerving to any soul who minds characterisation.
Draco is difficult to like and to deal with, period. He's much too proud, the true source of his appeal and his problems IMO, and he simply can't walk around that so easily. Neither can Harry. Plus, Draco is intelligent. I believe he'd consider very highly the fact that he'd be treated as a Death Eater's son, in case he happened to switch sides. Which is no good for his self-esteem, having less than people's awe. That'd weight heavily on his decision; living to be scornd doesn't seem like his cup of tea, to me.
aaand, this comment is too long. Bugger. I'll split it in two.