Workshop: Writing Movieverse Clark/Lois by Htbthomas

[jij]

This week's workshop is by htbthomas and explores the movieverse version of the Clark Kent/Lois Lane pairing, touching on issues like super-sex, inconsistent canon, fanon versus canon, and...ah, I probably had you at "super-sex," didn't I?

Comments

[taro_twist]

Holy cow! *falls over* That was an amazing essay Barb! Fantastically thorough and well-researched. I think you definitely hit on every major issue in the Clois fandom, and I loved how you explained everything, not just as a component of their relationship, but in terms of what a writer needs to think about when tackling a movieverse Clois story.

I especially liked your section on Richard--I've definitely come to love him as his own character (consider me one of your converts, lol) so I'm glad you devoted some attention to him. Although I have to ask:

Will he turn evil, and seek vengeance on Superman? Has anyone actually done this in fic before? I'm intrigued, and a little scared

[htbthomas]

I loved how you explained everything, not just as a component of their relationship, but in terms of what a writer needs to think about when tackling a movieverse Clois story.

Thanks -- one of the things that makes movieverse Clois so interesting to write are all the issues. I've noticed that fics which tackle the issues head on seem to be far more popular than those who write a simple Clois romance.

Will he turn evil, and seek vengeance on Superman?

Has anyone actually done this in fic before? I'm intrigued, and a little scared ...

Yes, actually. I won't link to examples without permission - but there are several in which this happens. One of them is actually in my top 10 stories - Superman Returns II by Larbo.

I think the only thing I would disagree with is your point that Lois is kinder to Clark in SR. I thought she was actually nicer to him in SII (pre-reveal)--in SR I thought she was even more dismissive of him than usual.Oh, I agree with that - SII Lois is the one I characterize Lois by most - I love her in that one. I

[wachey]

Um, I usually write Superman in a slash pairing, but I was considering pairing him up with Lois in a fanfic of mine. How would you explain to a slasher how to write Lois and Clark together?

[htbthomas]

I think the easiest way to explain that would be to ask "what is your opinion of Lois?" Will this pairing be a positive or negative portrayal? And does she know the secret yet?

Generally I see their relationship facets to be (extremely simplified):

--reporters: both Lois and Clark bring different strengths to their partnership. Lois: tenaciousness, a knack for putting threads together, fearlessness. Clark: use of abilities, compassion, can smooth ruffled feathers, good writer
--romantic: Clark breaks down Lois' defensive barriers, Lois helps Clark feel more attached to Earth, less alone in the world.

But if you can answer some of those questions above, I might be able to get more specific! Thanks for reading!

[dusty_fedora]

That was amazing. I'm sure many Clois fiction writers will find some sort of help in this essay. I like the points you bring up, because it all just makes sense!

Brilliant work!

[htbthomas]

Wow, thanks. I think writing in this fandom has caused me to really think deeply about the motivations of the characters as well as the intricacies of their relationship - and my betas and fellow writers have also brought up so many great issues in their stories. I found it easy to make a list of issues - but tried to give them some semblance of order.

Thanks for stopping by here!

[leynalynn]

Wow. Everything you wrote was dead on. The Clark/Lois relationship is so difficult to explain when it comes to the complexities that surround the canon. It is like a breath of fresh air to read an analysis that is so thorough and accurate. You covered so many bases without dragging anything out excessively

[htbthomas]

You covered so many bases without dragging anything out excessively.

I'm glad - I actually expected this to be twice as long... but I should learn that I can never predict the number of words -- LOL.

When someone doesn't like Lois I usually have to remind myself to retract the claws and listen to what they have to say first before I get all preachy.

Let me tell you, coming over to LJ was a wake up call for that - I really got to know some people with differing views pretty well, and it helped me see the futility of shipping wars. So I tried to defend Lois without going all ZOMG CLOIS is the BEST EVAH!!111!! I mean, Cloisers are in this ship because we love Lois and that sometimes abrasive personality. Not everyone enjoys that.

Richard is a character that must be handled in such a way to keep things realistic.

Obviously, I agree with that wholeheartedly. A fic without Richard doesn't usually catch me. Although bistyboo1974's Life Belongs to the Living is one of those that I love dearly despite the lack of Richard

WOW!

[alphielj]

Well I'm impressed! I have to admit that I havent' participated in much discussion on here yet simply because I only write in the Superman fandom and I don't slash. So to see my name AND my fic actually mentioned here was a big shock! I'm flattered! And I'd like to make it very clear to anyone who may head off to read my fic that I am only presenting a possibility! Nearly every other SR fic writer has Jason and Clark ending in a pretty good father/son relationship, which is exactly what I am expecting out f the franchise. I only wanted to go over to the dark side and explore what would happen if things went horribly wrong

Re: WOW!

[htbthomas]

So to see my name AND my fic actually mentioned here was a big shock!

Well, I really felt that the completely different and believable direction you went with Jason and Supes is worth mentioning! Hopefully you'll get some new readers!

Heck, we can even trace it back to the Scarlet Pimpernel that Marguerite, who's realtionship with Percy is strained, falls back in love with him in the form of the Pimpernel.

Believe it or not, betty brant brought up the same point in her beta of this essay. It's a story as old as costumed heroes... but Lois is the most visible example of it in pop culture, so I think she draws the most fire.

I like the way you put that - after the reveal, the addition of Jason and Richard to the mix really helps drive the continuing plot. I pray that Singer and his team (like I half-suspect the writers of Spider-Man 3 to have done) read some fanfic when the script for Man of Steel is in development!

Re: WOW!

[alphielj]

It's a story as old as costumed heroes... but Lois is the most visible example of it in pop culture, so I think she draws the most fire.

Could it also be that Lois is the most forward thinking of all these women, too? That she is essentially living in a man's world doing a traditionally male job? I don't want to get into a sexixt debate, but I think with her being as independant as she is, to see her falling so quickly for Supes could be another post of that. But who could blame her? She might be an independant woman, but she is still a woman.

I pray that Singer and his team (like I half-suspect the writers of Spider-Man 3 to have done) read some fanfic when the script for Man of Steel is in development!

Oh lordy. If I hear Kate Bosworth deliver a line about the Love Shack I think I just might have a heart attack! LOL!

Re: WOW!

[htbthomas]

*gigglesnort*