Snowflake Challenge 2022 - Challenge 3
In your own space, put some favorite characters into an AU, fuse some famous canons together, talk about your favorite AU/fusion tropes, or tell us why AU/fusions aren’t your cup of tea.
Great challenge; thank you so much for this idea.
Okay, where do I start? So many thoughts are crossing my mind right now.
Alternate Universe
Do I love it? Yes... and no. Depends on the fandom. While I can accept various kinds of AU stories for most fandoms, there are some which seem too deep to my heart that I would dare to 'fuck around with them.'
Yes
Most of the stories I write and read for my favorite fandom „The Faculty, “ are slightly AU. Because, c'mon, have you ever watched the movie? Casey and Deliah??? Who would want to read (and write) about this pairing?
My love belongs to 'my boys,' Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler, and even if they are not lovers in all of my stories, it is a given that they belong together. Most of the stories I write about them occur after the movie, but I rarely put the boys into a completely different setting.
That doesn't mean, though, that I don't love to read a good, totally AU story. I mean, who would not want to read about two young boys who are working in a gay whore house during the Great Depression? Or would you mind finding out more about the hard life on the roads after they both were turned into vampires?
No
Another fandom I love, maybe the fandom, which finally made me realize that something extraordinary like this exists, is 'Lord of the Rings.' A big fandom, with lots of communities, many artists, and fan fiction writers. One should expect that I did jump into the pool full of excitement.
But no. I made more than one try, but it never felt right for me. Don't get me wrong; I don't mind that others had/have tons of fun with writing and reading LotR fanfiction. There are many brilliant writers and (I am sure of that) lots of funny, touching stories. But for some reason, I can't stand the way, many stories bring Sam and Frodo together as lovers. It just feels wrong for me.
Of course, I know there is always the chance to write fanfiction that stays closer to canon. And yes, I did write little snippets now and then. But to be honest, it's not the same as if I write about 'my boys'. Deep inside, I always feel a tiny bit uncomfortable at the thought of playing around with the unique words of Tolkien.
Crossover/Fusion
Finally, let me say some words to crossover stories, which are, as I see it, nothing else than a special form of AU's.
Though I think crossover stories can offer a lot of fun, I only rarely write them. But there is one universe I created some time ago, which brings the events happening in 'The Faculty' together with my second fandom love 'Jeremiah.'
The alien incident happening in 'The Faculty' doesn't end well but causes the death of all adults (which happened in 'Jeremiah' because of a virus). Now Casey is, accompanied by Zeke, on a mission to save the future.
It is so much fun to bring the boys together with Jeremiah's most interesting characters. In this case, I am not writing a continuous story, though I try to follow a loose storyline with the main chapters. But there are also short snap-shots that just want to be written when an idea crosses my mind. And who am I to start a fight with my muse?