characterisation schmaracterisation

[cimorene]

The story I've been gnawing away at for the last three days has gradually been mentally downgraded from goodishfic to decentfic to kindofbloodyridiculousfic to, finally, badfic (specific sub-variety whatthefuckwasshethinkingfic). It's a bit disappointing because it was so very pleasing at the beginning, despite early indicators of its untrustworthy quality - long, slow to develop, full of UST and reasonably good dialogue and characterisation, and pushing buttons if you like Maaaaaaagical Telepathic Bonding stories, which I do. Alas, as is so often the case, once the sexual tension was prematurely resolved characterisation went out the window, and has since picked itself up from the under-window flower beds and made its escape. I think it's somewhere in the outer solar system, or possibly even all the way outside the Milky Way by now. It might have vanished entirely from existence, in fact, especially if the dialogue being attributed with outrageous bald-faced cheek to Snape is anything to go by. ...I'm actually still kind of enjoying myself, though. I definitely can't stop reading yet. At least nobody is a vampire!

But why is it that so many people jump the gun in resolving the sexual tension? And why is it that so many people completely abandon characterisation once the UST is resolved? Is it a case of just getting carried away and forgetting that characterisation exists? Are they deluded into thinking the characterisation is good, perhaps because they've been moving away from the realistic kind only gradually (it takes longer to write a story than to read one, after all)? Are they driven insane when they start thinking about some story kink or other?

Comments

[brownbetty]

I dunno, but I totally have noticed this trend, now that you say it. It was satisfactorily sorta-not-bad-fic and then it devolved into Shmoopy-bear and Honey-bun's honeymoon album.

[cimness.livejournal.com]

Hahahhahahahahaha! I'm going to be talking about Schmoopy-bear and Honey-bun's magical honeymoon for a looooooooong time, I think.

[copracat]

It's possible the magical telepathic bonding was a giveaway, though HP fandom writes some good in character versions. I'm being unfair! But one reason MTB is popular is that it removes barriers and conflict, it's about perfect union, perfect understanding and the long bright honeymoon of the (bonded) soul. It started a story and then the author got her Id out?

[cimness.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, I know what you mean. I mean, I've been reading MTB stories for years, since it's a favourite of mine. But it's such an attractive concept, if it's done well - and not as Snuggles and Honeybun's Magical Honeymoon, but with a bit more emphasis on reality - the humourous or possibly unfortunate aspects of telepathy, or a view of it that doesn't convey Instant Immunity Against Misunderstandings And Healing of Psychological Wounds and Neurosis. I mean, I have an Id, too! I like the idea of a softer side of Snape. I just don't think it would be THAT soft. And also, I like Snape, even if it's a faintly fanony version, and I'm a bit sad to see him without his prickly Snapish dialogue.