Writing, fannish tendencies, and the source

[owlmoose]

When I first became active in fandom, back in 2005, I was the very definition of "monofannish". I only wrote in one universe -- Final Fantasy X/X-2 -- and had very little interest in branching out. I would happily read fic in other canons, FF and otherwise, and I would write and talk meta for all kinds of sources, but when it came to creating

Comments

[muggy_mountain]

Well, I've never officially branched out, though I've certainly been an obsessive fan about other things. Mine usually have two themes:

1. Mentor characters

2. Characters that care more about their word/mission than themselves.

Obviously, characters that fill both slots are my favorites. But, like you, I think I need a rich world and gaps to fill. I've never felt very compelled to write about other fandoms for those reasons.

[muggy_mountain]

In the comment above, word is supposed to say work. Word works too, but I also like workaholic characters. : P

[owlmoose]

Hah, when I first read "word", I thought of Auron, who really did care more about fulfilling his promises (ie "his word") than himself. So it really does fit.

[penrynsdreams]

Well, I'm not much of a writer. :P I can count the number of fics I've written on one hand, and they were all under 500 words. But a lot of what you said resonated, having the balance of source material and room to imagine and create. Also I think at least part of what makes ships so interesting is that, while one character is complex, two is almost infinitely more so. The way two people interact is endlessly interesting and the best fodder (imo) for writing.

So, with those ships you like but don't write, do you read fic for them? Or do you just have your preferred way of viewing/thinking about the two? (If that makes any sense...)

[owlmoose]

The way two people interact is endlessly interesting and the best fodder (imo) for writing.

Yes, exactly, pretty much this. I really like writing about friendship, too -- most of my gen is friendship fic on some level or another -- but something about a complicated romance really pushes my buttons as a writer.

I do read fic about other ships, including alternate ships, and I've even been known to split up the above OTPs in my own writing, although I tend to be pickier about who I'll 'ship those characters with.