Workshop: "Writing Jean Grey" by Likeadeuce

[jij]

We often discuss writing about characters someone else created in terms of "playing with other people's toys". In a serial medium like comic books, this concept can apply equally to writers of fanfic, or to the professional creators who take on a character that has existed, in some form, for decades. In either case, whenever a writer picks up

Comments

[resolute]

You know, you really explained exactly why the X-Factor era Jean drives me crazy. I met Jean during her first Phoenix run -- the power, the sex, the assertion and doubt. Resurrected Jean just made me insane with the wibbly wishy-washiness. This also probably explains why the Morrison era Jean dragged me back into my love of her (despite the roll-neck sweaters, crazy-awful sexual politics, and drug-induced final arc) because Jean was, in that oft-used phrase, my Jean again.

This is a great essay, well done, and thank you for it!

[likeadeuce]

I know we talked about this way back -- I'm a little fonder of X-Factor just because, as emotarded as everybody is there's lots of hot sexual tension and 3way potential the whole book really is about dealing with consequences. It's not always done well on a Doylist level, but at least it's acknowledging that this stuff happened.

It's the period from the early 90s to 2000 or so that aggravates me more as they've lost both the original thread of the character, and the consequences angle. It really is remarkable to see how fast the character got interesting again as soon as somebody decided the backstory was no longer off limits. And as you probably realize, it's not the Phoenix itself that's interesting to me but the tension between the cosmic force and the person.

And I'm sad I didn't even get to mention Rachel in this because Rachel has a lot to do with what I wish they'd do with Jean. But even explaining how she exists would have been another essay this size!

[wiredferret]

Thank you. This is a great logical piece that strings together a lot of disparate data that had been confusing me, a less-than-dedicated reader.

[likeadeuce]

Thanks! I'm sure I'm still missing huge parts of it, but I at least tried to find some lines that run through the story and to communicate that -- so I'm glad it worked for you.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting.

[likeadeuce]

Thank you!

I've had a lot of these thoughts swirling around in my head for a couple years now, so I'm glad I got a chance to put them together.

[harmonyangel]

You already know how much I love this - your skill at summarizing these plots, and doing your own integration of it all, is astounding, especially since this essay is all about how hard it is to integrate any of this information.

But I also appreciate the last section very, very much - it's great for plot bunnies, and great for shedding light on all of the wonderful, varied, interesting things that can and should be done with this character. You've given great, well-thought-out, concrete suggestions, and I can only hope the canon writers (or at least the fic writers!) can see what you see.

Brava.

[likeadeuce]

Thanks, and thanks for all your help and encouragement!