WTFanfic
I was reading an article about Joss Whedon and Marc Webb, two great directors that directed/wrote films/tv that don't have that 'happily ever after' ending, but are wonderfully developed and brilliant. Marc Webb directed [500] days of Summer, which, if you haven't seen you really should. And as hopefully most of you know Joss wote Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and Dollhouse. Joss is a fantastic writer. He's a prick because he pulls you in to and then kills off somebody you have become emotionally attached to, but it just wouldn't be Joss if he didn't kill off somebody ;) He writes strong female characters, independent and real - they're not perfect and they make mistakes and go through heartache and loss, but they're no damsels in distress.
But what have these two directors got in common? They don't follow the genre expectations. They show relationships as they really are and the reality is, not every relationship has a fairytale ending. Buffy and Angel can never be, no matter what us viewers want, but this is what sets Joss and Stephanie Meyers apart. Well, there are lots of things that set them apart; one is a great writer and the other is a hack. But Meyers reminds me of so many ffn writers that it makes me physically want to vomit.
I am so tired of seeing the same story over and over. They're outrageously OOC and they don't take the time to develop the relationship, to flesh out the characters, to make their idealist, sappy plot believable. I think what annoys me the most is the belief that the characters must marry. Of course, if you're in love you have to marry. Wow, well then I must be in a loveless relationship cause there ain't no ring on this finger. But if the story was developed and they justified the reason for it, it might not be so bad. Instead they shove these two characters together, ignoring their actual personalities and canon history. They can't accept the fact that maybe these characters aren't destined to be together, or at the very least, perhaps they're not meant to be in a serious relationship.
Another thing that is very Meyers is writing a helpless damsel in distress that simply must have a man to save her and make her feel worthwhile. Why?? Why can't we have strong, independent women? Why can't it be the woman that comes to the man's rescue? And if the character is strong and independent in canon, why the hell is she suddenly so helpless and can only feel valuable when a man gives her attention? I'm proud of being independent, free thinking and able to work things out for myself. I wear the pants in the relationship ;)
I get it. I get that we want to read our OTP united at last. But there are ways to write it so it's believable and still stays true to the characters. And what's wrong with our OTPs not marrying? Or what about ~gasp~ exploring alternate pairings. Or the possibility that maybe things just don't work out? I know it's fanfic and so it's open for people to explore whatever they desire, but seriously, the 'same story, different setting' thing is getting pretty old. I also get incredibly frustrated by the lack of support for well-written fics that don't uphold the "fandom" expectations. (I say "fandom" because I know that there are many that don't align themselves to this, but it is a strongly held opinion within the fandom).
Here's to writers that take risks, fight the stereotypes. To those that pride themselves in producing well-written prose instead of crappy fluff that appeals to the masses. If it weren't for you I would probably smash my computer in rage. Don't stop writing what you want to write!
But what have these two directors got in common? They don't follow the genre expectations. They show relationships as they really are and the reality is, not every relationship has a fairytale ending. Buffy and Angel can never be, no matter what us viewers want, but this is what sets Joss and Stephanie Meyers apart. Well, there are lots of things that set them apart; one is a great writer and the other is a hack. But Meyers reminds me of so many ffn writers that it makes me physically want to vomit.
I am so tired of seeing the same story over and over. They're outrageously OOC and they don't take the time to develop the relationship, to flesh out the characters, to make their idealist, sappy plot believable. I think what annoys me the most is the belief that the characters must marry. Of course, if you're in love you have to marry. Wow, well then I must be in a loveless relationship cause there ain't no ring on this finger. But if the story was developed and they justified the reason for it, it might not be so bad. Instead they shove these two characters together, ignoring their actual personalities and canon history. They can't accept the fact that maybe these characters aren't destined to be together, or at the very least, perhaps they're not meant to be in a serious relationship.
Another thing that is very Meyers is writing a helpless damsel in distress that simply must have a man to save her and make her feel worthwhile. Why?? Why can't we have strong, independent women? Why can't it be the woman that comes to the man's rescue? And if the character is strong and independent in canon, why the hell is she suddenly so helpless and can only feel valuable when a man gives her attention? I'm proud of being independent, free thinking and able to work things out for myself. I wear the pants in the relationship ;)
I get it. I get that we want to read our OTP united at last. But there are ways to write it so it's believable and still stays true to the characters. And what's wrong with our OTPs not marrying? Or what about ~gasp~ exploring alternate pairings. Or the possibility that maybe things just don't work out? I know it's fanfic and so it's open for people to explore whatever they desire, but seriously, the 'same story, different setting' thing is getting pretty old. I also get incredibly frustrated by the lack of support for well-written fics that don't uphold the "fandom" expectations. (I say "fandom" because I know that there are many that don't align themselves to this, but it is a strongly held opinion within the fandom).
Here's to writers that take risks, fight the stereotypes. To those that pride themselves in producing well-written prose instead of crappy fluff that appeals to the masses. If it weren't for you I would probably smash my computer in rage. Don't stop writing what you want to write!