hackthis_archive (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hackthis_archive) wrote2009-06-18 11:39 am
hackthis_archive) wrote2009-06-18 11:39 am
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It's Thursday. It must be navel gazing day!
There's been this mass proliferation of Generation Kill fic lately. But not just fic, really fucking good fic. I am particularly thinking of ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kaneko's After That, alethialia's Pleasure Over Propriety and romanticalgirl's Going Nowhere Slowly, all of which are tremendous and you should read them now. Go on. I'll wait.
Okay, now my initial thought about these stories was that they all take place in a post-series place and they all manage to take the series and expound on the events beautifully. And a part of me thinks, "Hey, why can't I do that too? Why the love of the AU? Other people are all over the source material. Shouldn't I just deal with what I'm given? Blah blah blah. Canon vs. crack, blah blah."
And then I get annoyed that a part of me has been warped into thinking my writing can be seen as "lesser" because I'm working outside of canon constraints.
The fact of the matter is that an Alternate Universe is just as valid as a canon.
The fact of the matter is that crack is just as valid as writing non-crack.
Anything that you put your heart and soul and time into is worthy and valid. Don't ever let anybody else convince you otherwise.
Everything we're writing is actually an alternate universe anyway, because unless you are writing for shows (and I know who you are), IT'S NOT HAPPENING. It is called fan 'fiction' for a reason.
You shouldn't automatically discount something just because it's not the norm or not quite what you're used to. And if AUs or crack aren't your thing, that's fine, but don't you dare fucking put someone else down just because they're not adhering to whatever the fuck you think they should. Who died and put you in charge of what's 'worthy'? If you don't like the story because you think it's faulty, that's fine. If the structure or characterization or the comma proliferation put you off, that's understandable. But slighting someone because you think your interpretation is greater and what they're doing is obviously lesser?
Fuck you very much. And shame on you.
The fact of the matter this: If you want something done, do it your damn self. So, if you don't like the way other people are doing it, stop bitching and write your own.
sparky77, I should've known that 'crack as a lesser art form' thing was going to come back eventually. Like acid-reflux.
And as for me and Generation Kill, the fact of the matter is that other writers write post-series beautifully, and I'm so glad that they do, because I can read their works... but that's just not what inspires me to write.
So it started like this:
svilleficrecs posted the below photo and asked: Who took the photo?
To which I wrote this:
And then when I said I actually had an idea of who they were.svilleficrecs naturally said who: I said:
Which has since lead to this exchange withalethialia about Brad and scars and people and I think, when I can string a few more words together, I might send Brad back to Iraq.
Or maybe not.
Maybe I'll think this story is too hard. Too likely to upset me to no end with the politics. Or maybe I'll start thinking that AU's are a lesser art form instead and just 86 all of it. Or maybe I'll remember that every interpretation is as valid and valuable as the person who creates it, and anybody who says otherwise is just a moron.
Maybe I will write thief!Brad and detective!Nate.
I would do ninjas, but my local is opposed to me giving away trade secrets.
kaneko's After That, alethialia's Pleasure Over Propriety and romanticalgirl's Going Nowhere Slowly, all of which are tremendous and you should read them now. Go on. I'll wait. Okay, now my initial thought about these stories was that they all take place in a post-series place and they all manage to take the series and expound on the events beautifully. And a part of me thinks, "Hey, why can't I do that too? Why the love of the AU? Other people are all over the source material. Shouldn't I just deal with what I'm given? Blah blah blah. Canon vs. crack, blah blah."
And then I get annoyed that a part of me has been warped into thinking my writing can be seen as "lesser" because I'm working outside of canon constraints.
The fact of the matter is that an Alternate Universe is just as valid as a canon.
The fact of the matter is that crack is just as valid as writing non-crack.
Anything that you put your heart and soul and time into is worthy and valid. Don't ever let anybody else convince you otherwise.
Everything we're writing is actually an alternate universe anyway, because unless you are writing for shows (and I know who you are), IT'S NOT HAPPENING. It is called fan 'fiction' for a reason.
You shouldn't automatically discount something just because it's not the norm or not quite what you're used to. And if AUs or crack aren't your thing, that's fine, but don't you dare fucking put someone else down just because they're not adhering to whatever the fuck you think they should. Who died and put you in charge of what's 'worthy'? If you don't like the story because you think it's faulty, that's fine. If the structure or characterization or the comma proliferation put you off, that's understandable. But slighting someone because you think your interpretation is greater and what they're doing is obviously lesser?
Fuck you very much. And shame on you.
The fact of the matter this: If you want something done, do it your damn self. So, if you don't like the way other people are doing it, stop bitching and write your own.
sparky77, I should've known that 'crack as a lesser art form' thing was going to come back eventually. Like acid-reflux. And as for me and Generation Kill, the fact of the matter is that other writers write post-series beautifully, and I'm so glad that they do, because I can read their works... but that's just not what inspires me to write.
So it started like this:
svilleficrecs posted the below photo and asked: Who took the photo? |
To which I wrote this:
//His lover. Who was obviously pretending to be fiddling with his/her camera at the time and mostly being ignored. You think they work as a team? I think they do. They tried not to, you know, bad form to spread your legs where you get your paycheck, but life is short and they see that more everyday and it just seemed so fucking stupid to deny something they clearly wanted so much. So, s/he's sitting on the bed, telling him to sit down, because he keeps pacing. It's wearing a groove in the floor, but he can't sit down. He wants to be out there, needs to be out there, telling this story, because this is a story of everything. It's fucking epic. Instead he's confined, they're confined, and his lover is exasperated and a little worried and a little horny, because that's kind of the norm when they're together and there's not a chance of imminent death, and s/he takes the photo, because it's more than just the time and the place, it's the idea and the history and where they are now//
And then when I said I actually had an idea of who they were.
svilleficrecs naturally said who: I said:When they first met Brad was the gristled veteran photographer and Nate was just this green thing, sent by the WSJ on the say so of Tom Ricks to Iraq, and Brad ended up looking out for him, b/c he couldn't really help himself, only it sort of evolved. Nothing happened in Iraq though. It didn't even when they got back stateside. Which to this
day, irritates the hell out of Brad. It actually happened in Pakistan, Nate almost got blown up in a roadside bomb, and Brad was in the car behind him. Actually, when he saw Iron Man (bootleg download, thanks satellites) he had a bad flashback to that day. Except Nate didn't end up with shrapnel in his chest, just a piece or two in his forearm, which is a whole other story. And that night, Brad tied Nate to the bed with three shirts and informed him that if he ever scared Brad like that again, Brad was going to send him the fuck home. Which Nate
reasonably pointed out that he wasn't six and couldn't be sent home. And Brad told him to stop being fucking reasonable, b/c it was irritating and then he kissed him and they've been together ever since.//
Which has since lead to this exchange with
alethialia about Brad and scars and people and I think, when I can string a few more words together, I might send Brad back to Iraq.Or maybe not.
Maybe I'll think this story is too hard. Too likely to upset me to no end with the politics. Or maybe I'll start thinking that AU's are a lesser art form instead and just 86 all of it. Or maybe I'll remember that every interpretation is as valid and valuable as the person who creates it, and anybody who says otherwise is just a moron.
Maybe I will write thief!Brad and detective!Nate.
I would do ninjas, but my local is opposed to me giving away trade secrets.
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Also, if you think about it, people writing AUs have to do world building in ways those who write in canon don't, and world building is not necessarily evil. Not only that, I think it's intriguing to see how the characteristics of someone would work in another field/world/life. As long as they're the same recognizable characters, whose to say it's not possible?
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I think everybody works hard when they write, whether it's crack or non-crack, I just want the credit to be given where it's due and not short changed just becuse it's 'different.' Differences aren't something to be ashamed of, they should be explored and appreciated.
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This is like the "slash is better than non-slash" argument. No. Slash is different in that it is two boys or two girls as opposed to a boy and a girl or a gen fic. There is no better or worse. There is your preference. Every genre of writing has good and bad writers in it. Every fandom has good and bad writers in it. And the writers I think are good might not be the ones you think are good. It all comes down to personal preference.
I think anything that produces fic that I deem awesome is to be applauded, whether it contains Brad the Shepherd and Nate the lonely fence-mender or Recon Marines or Ray, Santa's little helper, and Walt, the head reindeer-master. It is also the case that anything that produces fic that I don't deem awesome is to be applauded, because no matter how much I think it is the case, my own personal likes/dislikes/wants/desires/etc. are not the determination of things for anyone but me.
::preaches to the choir::
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It's funny you mention it, because I've been poking at S77 about this Organic Farmer!Nate and Hitchiker Turned Farmhand Brad thing. Yes, really. She has to write it though, as I know nothing about Iowa.
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I kind of want Ray to work for Santa Claus. I haven't figured out what Nate and Brad would do though. Possibly write letters that Walt and Ray would have to figure out how to make come true.
"Dear Santa, I would really like a country with an actual and decent military to fight and/or do Recon on. I've been good this year. Well, by certain definitions of good. Brad"
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I kind of want Ray to work for Santa Claus. I haven't figured out what Nate and Brad would do though. Possibly write letters that Walt and Ray would have to figure out how to make come true.
"Dear Santa, I would really like a country with an actual and decent military to fight and/or do Recon on. I've been good this year. Well, by certain definitions of good. Brad"
DOOD
Dear Santa,
Is it possible for cross-denominational presents, because Brad's Jewish, but I'd really like to get him naked and in my bed for Christmas. Oh my god, I can't believe I just wrote that.
-Nate.
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You have got to see these letters I've been opening for the old man. Mrs. Claus would shit a brick, dude. Also, Jews don't believe in Santa? Fucking hell, man. That sucks for them.
-Ray
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We are not here to pass judgement on what people ask for. Oh, wait, yeah we are. Sorry, I got confused for a minute and thought this was that Angelic thing where I was an angel and you were a pain in my ass.
-Walt
Dear Angelic Pain in My Ass-
Does this mean you're finally going to give me some, because that's what I'D like for Christmas.
-Ray
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Now I've got the image of Ray wearing a red elf hat stuck in my head. :D
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