(no subject)

[vaznetti]

gryphonrhi has posted her long-awaited essay, In Defense of Original Characters. As someone who likes a good "other" romance or a well-drawn original character very much, I recommend this essay highly. Rhi says everything I think, but in complete sentences and without the swear words and death threats.

Comments

[medie]

Ooooohhhhh this is good reading!! Thank you for posting it!!!!! And I didn't know she was on LJ. *G* I think I've run in some of the same circles with her a couple of times. Seems to me I remember writing in the same Lyric Wheel.

[rhi]

Yup, I'm on LJ. ::grinning: Which Lyric Wheels? I've played in a chunk of the HL ones, and every XF one to date. (Sometimes with *much* whining, but played/written.) Sorry, don't recognize you from 'Medie'...?

And glad you liked. Feel free to spread the word/URL. I'm *tired* of these attitudes and trying to spread some dissent. ::chuckling:: Already been told I'm all wrong, too. This may get fun....

[spican.livejournal.com]

Already been told I'm all wrong, too.

Well, isn't that predictable? I think you hit the nail on the head. You make some great points and argue your case really well. I agree that the "Mary Sue" label is a very simplistic and primitive way of criticizing a story--essentially, it's about shaming the writer instead of targeting the technical problems in the writing. A time-honored way of silencing people. And I love your point that there are only so many plots of any complexity you can think up without bringing in Other characters. And when you do, why not flesh them out and make them interesting people in their own right?

As a side note, I also hate the oft-cited argument that OFC romances are all about wish fulfillment. It makes me 1) wonder what those who use this argument kid themselves that *they* are doing in fanfic in the first place *g* and 2) marvel at the paradox that they heap scorn on a character for being an expression of the writer's wish fulfillment, when their problem seems to be that the character is yanking them out of the comfort of canon and disturbing their *own* wish fulfillment.

So yeah. Take a bow. Cheers and applause from me. *g*

[rhi]

May I add your points on

the "Mary Sue" label is a very simplistic and primitive way of criticizing a story--essentially, it's about shaming the writer instead of targeting the technical problems in the writing. A time-honored way of silencing people.

and

I also hate the oft-cited argument that OFC romances are all about wish fulfillment. It makes me 1) wonder what those who use this argument kid themselves that *they* are doing in fanfic in the first place *g* and 2) marvel at the paradox that they heap scorn on a character for being an _expression of the writer's wish fulfillment, when their problem seems to be that the character is yanking them out of the comfort of canon and disturbing their *own* wish fulfillment.

to the rant if I credit you? If so, do you want an email addy on there? And if not, that is entirely your option and I still thank you for *making* such lovely points, and for being willing to discuss it!

[spican.livejournal.com]

Oh sure, I'd be flattered to be a part of the heresy! (In fact, of any heresy, but this is a very good one. *g*) Feel free to paraphrase or quote, credit or not, but rather without the email address. :)