Can anybody give me a crash course in the conventions and syntax of fan fiction? Some handy definitions of key terms would also be really helpful - "shipping"? "Mary Sue
( Read more... )
i've got a bunch more question/theories - but my wrist is a lil' busted so i'll send/post 'em soon. for now, do you happen do know the name of the japanese/manga version of slash? i saw it on jonathan ross' japanarama ... can't remember the name ...
We disagree on the definition of a Mary Sue. We agree that they are idealized authorial-insertion wish-fulfillment characters, but you believe "universe the author hasn't created" is an essential part of the definition, whereas I do not. (Mainly taking my cue from TNH, I must admit -- see my second link above.)
Apples and oranges (although I think you left out some words in your first sentence so I could be wrong). Or at least apples and crab-apples. Are all original characters in fanfic Mary Sues? I don't think so, although an OC is much more likely to have Sue-ish qualities for obvious reasons. Is it impossible to write a canon character with Mary Sue-ish tendencies? Again, no. I gather there are plenty of Sue-ish Ginnys in Harry Potter fanfic.
And while it's satisfying to call Laurell K. Hamilton bad writing, it's not very specific. I'll keep an eye out for Gary Stu references for you.
There is, absolutely. In my defence I was not trying to prove anything in particular by it.
I stand by my contention that "Mary Sue" and "Gary Stu" are useful transportable concepts that go beyond fanfic, and maybe we all need to get tougher about calling Gary Stus as we see them. For the rest, perhaps you just need to read less Pirates fanwank, and then you won't run across unwarranted criticism of Elizabeth Swann/uncalled Gary Stu-ism in Captain Jack Sparrow/general badfic.
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
And while it's satisfying to call Laurell K. Hamilton bad writing, it's not very specific. I'll keep an eye out for Gary Stu references for you.
Reply
I heart Justine Larbalestier so much. I must read some of her books.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I stand by my contention that "Mary Sue" and "Gary Stu" are useful transportable concepts that go beyond fanfic, and maybe we all need to get tougher about calling Gary Stus as we see them. For the rest, perhaps you just need to read less Pirates fanwank, and then you won't run across unwarranted criticism of Elizabeth Swann/uncalled Gary Stu-ism in Captain Jack Sparrow/general badfic.
Reply
Leave a comment