LOOOL, it's so obvious what fic you're talking about here. XD
Okay, about the bland and boring... admittedly, I also did a double-take upon reading that in her author's notes, but I (think I) know what she means.
First of all, the relationship between Axel and Roxas is one that has received a lot of fan attention and interpretation over the years. Before Days came out, the majority of fans wrote the relationship between Axel and Roxas as somewhat different to what has been established as canon in Days. In most fanfics, Roxas is a bit of an argumentative bitch, which is what is much more satsaifying for romance writers to write, generally.
Regarding Roxas as a character, I think he may be 'bland' in the sense that he doesn't seem to have any special quirks or speech patterns the way Axel does, and neither does he have as many different sides to him. His thought processes are simple and predictable. It's successful storytelling in the sense that Roxas is probably supposed to give that 'empty shell' feeling, but I can see how it may not have been received so well by some of fandom.
Having said all that, it definitely was a minor faux-pas by her to mention this in her author's notes, as it can so easily be read as arrogant.
Edit: please don't take offense to my post, I think your rant is very valid and brings up several good points. Your post just got me thinking and I tried to come up with reasons for why she (and a few other writers) reacted the way they did to Days.
Nah, I wouldn't take offence to someone who asserts their opinions respectfully. :)
Well, I get your points, but I'm still confused as to why she, who seems to understand literary analysis, has such a flat view of the character.
It's only natural that Roxas is the way he is, because his personality didn't start growing till the beginning of days. He is a character with very little life-experience, and no need for multiple motivations.
And it's such a pity, because I really like that fic, and then she goes and insults the canon.
It's like getting expensive but really delightful chocolate mouse, and eating it, and then discovering the eggs used were overdue...
I know, insulting the canon (or any character or anything, really) is a big turn-off to me in an Author's Notes. It's really a classic case of TMI. It makes me think of this one author who is actually one of the best fanfic authors I know, yet almost ruined an awesome fic for me by insisting on pointing out in her AN that she hated a specific character. It's just like, dude, let your fics speak for themselves.
I gotta say, though, that I also don't like it when authors gush in their ANs about how much they love a certain character. It unconsciously makes me want to check if they're being unintentionally biased toward that certain character while reading...
Well, I guess it depends on the fic, as when someone says 'I don't like this character' but writes this wonderful characterisation of it, it shows their maturity, doesn't it?
On the ther hand, I can get that you would want to approach a fic neutrally. It's partially why I feel a bit mixed about warnings and labels on fic.(I mean, maybe I've missed some really really incredible fic out there, that I didn't read because I find the pairing ridiculous)
Well, I guess it depends on the fic, as when someone says 'I don't like this character' but writes this wonderful characterisation of it, it shows their maturity, doesn't it?
On the ther hand, I can get that you would want to approach a fic neutrally. It's partially why I feel a bit mixed about warnings and labels on fic.(I mean, maybe I've missed some really really incredible fic out there, that I didn't read because I find the pairing ridiculous)
Okay, about the bland and boring... admittedly, I also did a double-take upon reading that in her author's notes, but I (think I) know what she means.
First of all, the relationship between Axel and Roxas is one that has received a lot of fan attention and interpretation over the years. Before Days came out, the majority of fans wrote the relationship between Axel and Roxas as somewhat different to what has been established as canon in Days. In most fanfics, Roxas is a bit of an argumentative bitch, which is what is much more satsaifying for romance writers to write, generally.
Regarding Roxas as a character, I think he may be 'bland' in the sense that he doesn't seem to have any special quirks or speech patterns the way Axel does, and neither does he have as many different sides to him. His thought processes are simple and predictable. It's successful storytelling in the sense that Roxas is probably supposed to give that 'empty shell' feeling, but I can see how it may not have been received so well by some of fandom.
Having said all that, it definitely was a minor faux-pas by her to mention this in her author's notes, as it can so easily be read as arrogant.
Edit: please don't take offense to my post, I think your rant is very valid and brings up several good points. Your post just got me thinking and I tried to come up with reasons for why she (and a few other writers) reacted the way they did to Days.
Reply
Well, I get your points, but I'm still confused as to why she, who seems to understand literary analysis, has such a flat view of the character.
It's only natural that Roxas is the way he is, because his personality didn't start growing till the beginning of days. He is a character with very little life-experience, and no need for multiple motivations.
And it's such a pity, because I really like that fic, and then she goes and insults the canon.
It's like getting expensive but really delightful chocolate mouse, and eating it, and then discovering the eggs used were overdue...
Reply
I gotta say, though, that I also don't like it when authors gush in their ANs about how much they love a certain character. It unconsciously makes me want to check if they're being unintentionally biased toward that certain character while reading...
Reply
On the ther hand, I can get that you would want to approach a fic neutrally. It's partially why I feel a bit mixed about warnings and labels on fic.(I mean, maybe I've missed some really really incredible fic out there, that I didn't read because I find the pairing ridiculous)
Reply
On the ther hand, I can get that you would want to approach a fic neutrally. It's partially why I feel a bit mixed about warnings and labels on fic.(I mean, maybe I've missed some really really incredible fic out there, that I didn't read because I find the pairing ridiculous)
Reply
Leave a comment