such_heights

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AUs

(Things I will some day post about: how Psych is my new happy place by featuring adorable girl geeks and boy geeks and hitting me in all the best friend OTP shippy places I did not know I had missed. Also, I have reached the end of Series 2 of Battlestar Galactica and I think als;dkj frak me is really all I've got until I've watched 3x01 at least.)

Today, let us talk about AU fic. By which I don't mean the canon AU variety -- what if Sirius didn't go to Azkaban, what if Romana survived the Time War -- but rather the sorts of AUs where John is a rainbow or Rodney is an android or Gwen's the lead singer for the Europop disco band Torchwood* or Dean's a spaceship mechanic or Arthur's the Prince of Wales.

*admittedly that one only exists in my head, though the rest are real stories. But seriously, Torchwood the trashy synthesiser band! There's nothing not to love about that. Somebody should write it for me.

See, these latter sorts of AUs aren't especially ones I'm used to, because they don't exist very much in Doctor Who or Harry Potter, though I can think of a few Remus/Sirius non-magical AUs in this vein. I think that different canons give rise to hugely different amounts of these sorts of stories - the best example is probably the fact there are tons and tons of Supernatural RPS AUs, but far fewer AU stories involving the canon characters. Jared and Jensen are essentially themselves in a whole variety of situations that would be fun to read about, and the same goes for the SGA team or the members of any of the bandom bands. On the other hand, it seems like the Doctor isn't really the Doctor if he doesn't have the TARDIS, that Harry Potter isn't really himself if he's not a wizard. The canon universe plays a much more central role in some fandoms than it does in others.

Personally, I particularly like AUs in RPF fandoms because it adds an additional degree of fictionalisation that makes it easier for me to read, and I can't not love all of the SGA AUs, which between them offer everything you could possibly wish for.

As you may have guessed, this post was inspired in part by

rageprufrock's Drastically Redefining Protocol [Merlin; Merlin/Arthur; NC-17; ~46K]. Because, okay, I'd put Merlin firmly in the category where I wasn't especially interested in non-canon AUs, particularly modern day ones. And then I realised that here we have a story that makes me infinitely happy on two levels - first, Arthur is still a bit of a royal prat, Merlin is still a bit magic, Morgana is still a bit prophetic, Gwen is still a lot awesome. Second, if there were a young and famously handsome Prince of Wales in the UK right now who became openly in a gay relationship? This is exactly how it would go, down to the last ONTD screencap, and the verisimilitude is almost alarming at times. Forget the fact I would so, so happily read original fiction on just this premise if it was done this well, it was a sad moment after I finished the story and realised it didn't actually happen.

So you should go read that, it's wonderful. You should also talk to me about the AU scenarios you like and don't like, what you think these things need to work. I may or may not be considering going AU for

thelittlebang, you see. Which, knowing me, will probably involve a) space, b) robots, c) an apocalypse of some description, or d) a combination of the above.

... Yeah, I've really got to wonder how I managed not to watch BSG for so long.

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Personally, I particularly like AUs in RPF fandoms because it adds an additional degree of fictionalisation that makes it easier for me to read.

Yeees. That. RPF still freaks me out if I think about it too much. So I pretty much try not to think about it, ahah. But writing really far out AUs is a great distancing technique. That way, in my mind, Jared and Jensen = characters. The characters in the AU could well be roles that Jared and Jensen are playing, just like Sam and Dean, as opposed to actually being Jared and Jensen. (I don't know if that made sense, though it did in my head.)

But yes, pretty much everything you said.

(Also - I LOVE Psych. I'm really, really not caught up with the most recent season, but I watched the first two and it's awesome. Someday soon I will have to play catch up.)

The characters in the AU could well be roles that Jared and Jensen are playing, just like Sam and Dean, as opposed to actually being Jared and Jensen.

That's a really good way of putting it, yes! I think I'm much the same.

PSYCH! I'm much more behind than you are, but everything about it is so great - I mean, George Takei got involved by episode eight, you know that's a mark of greatness right there. :D

Hahaha, indeed. Oh, it's such cracky goodness. Which episode are you on, d'you know?

(Also if you get bored, surf around youtube - there are some pretty entertaining Psych fanvids out there, made awesome by the simple fact that James Roday is a ridiculous individual, meaning Shawn Spencer is constantly doing all sorts of crazy things that are hugely amusing when paired with music.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H52GNcdpRQ8 - Clips from all of season 1, no spoilers past that, I don't think.)

I've finished S1 and subsequently been hunting for vids, so thanks ever so much for the link, that's perfect! Their ridiculous faces, oh I love it.

i can read AUs involving any type of situations, provided the AU characters and their lives/situations have enough parallels with the canon counterparts' to not make me feel like i'm reading about a bunch of OCs. eve minimal ones will do, it's up to the writer to make them work.

SPEAKING OF AUS

provided the AU characters and their lives/situations have enough parallels with the canon counterparts' to not make me feel like i'm reading about a bunch of OCs

Yes, that! I think it's often a fine line to tread and I'm always impressed with the people who pull it off the best, because then it's so much fun trying to piece together the AU-verse and canon.

As for the Late Bloom sequel, it is still planned out, I'd hate to force you to break out the sad emotes there. *g* Now just to, er, actually write it all down sometime. Oh dear.

Gwen's the lead singer for the Europop disco band Torchwood

I find it deeply unfair that I live in a world where this doesn't actually exist.

I've never been especially interested in non-canon AUs until Merlin, where I suddenly can't get enough of them, Drastically Redefining Protocol was absolutely grand. I think with that one it was the characterisation. For those sorts of AUs to work for me the grasp of the characters has to be superb, otherwise they just fall a bit.. flat.

That said, I think you should go AU for littlebang as I imagine it would be amazing fun to write, and, well, I'm easy for Merlin AUs.

For those sorts of AUs to work for me the grasp of the characters has to be superb, otherwise they just fall a bit.. flat.

I very much agree - it seems to be a case of working out all of the key, core parts of a character and either keeping them directly or translating them. Hmm. I think, as you say, that would very fun to attempt at least.

God damn it all, guess what I'm writing as we speak?

I have been indulging in AU for about as long as I've been in fandom; I don't think I have a specific favourite scenario. Actually, come to think of it, that's a lie. Give me a good post-apocalyptic AU any day. But I don't see too many of those around in my current fandoms.

(One of these days I'm really going to write that post-apocalyptic Torchwood AU. I really am.)

The way I see it, though, all an AU fic needs to work is (A) some originality in either premise or execution, and (b) EXTREMELY GOOD CHARACTERISATION. Because the characters won't be the same - there will be subtle changes, in response to different backstories. Or not so subtle changes. Like Merlin's chain-smoking in "Drastically Redefining Protocol".

Haha, yay! Post-apocalyptic is just fantastic; did you read the SGA one, The Hard Prayer, recently? That was completely amazing.

(One of these days I'm really going to write that post-apocalyptic Torchwood AU. I really am.)

YES. Do that!

there will be subtle changes, in response to different backstories. Or not so subtle changes.

*nods* Absolutely, and often the differences help make the characterisation come alive too - Merlin doesn't chainsmoke in ye olde Camelot, but he really might if he were an overworked 21st century medical student.

(er, don't mind me journal-swapping on you.)

:D I did read that one. And adored it.

I shall do that! I really will, though. Eventually. When I finish the Europop band thing.

Precisely! Things like that are why "Drastically..." stands out so much - well, part of why - point is, they're important.

When I finish the Europop band thing.

There is not an emoticon in the world to adequately express my flaily arms of joy! I shall look forward to it very much. :D

You ought to. It will be good for a laugh, if nothing else. :D

have i mentioned how much i love it when you have fic recs? especially of the merlin variety?

i like to separate AU's into the 'What If' category - which i think would be the first one you mentioned - and the 'really AU' category

normally, i'm not a huge fan of the 'really AU' type fics, but i've found a couple in TW and a surprisingly large amount in Merlin

i'm not sure how an AU Doctor would work, though, that's true - he's not the same if he isn't so different (does that make sense?)

Hee, and I love that there are so many awesome things out there I can spam you all with!

I completely agree re. the Doctor - and by extension, it's often hard to make 'really AU' stories for any of the Who characters, because their stories stem so much from the way they intersect with the Doctor.

i've enjoyed a couple TW AU's that were way out there, and yet the characters remain... themselves

merlin, on the other hand, is just loads of fun!

I'm intrigued by this now, have you got links?

http://ceefax-the-sane.livejournal.com/14179.html

that's the only one i can think of right off the top of my head - it's kinda cracky, but good and i think it needs a sequel

Aw man, Amy, you've just discovered Psych?! It's amazing, isn't it? So funny and light and clever that it just makes me smile all over.

I don't know where it's been all my life! It is utterly, utterly delightful, yes. :D

I would give you thinky thoughts on AUs, however I'm off to bed, two hours later than I intended because I read another (the SGA one was awesome also) epically wonderful AU fic you recommended and I couldn't put down. *squees happily* When i'm feeling more coherent I need to leave feedback, but I've just got to share my squee before I fall over.

(I want the Europop Torchwood fic now too)

however I'm off to bed, two hours later than I intended

Hahaha yes, that happened to me too! Oh it was so worth it, though. :D :D :D

I still have to remind myself there actually ISN'T a hot Prince of Wales that's taking inappropiate photos with his magic boyfriend and is stalked via ONTD and the tabloids. SIGH. I loved all the fake articles since the beginning, but the fake screencaps/articles gave it that extra je ne sais quoi, didn't it?

(I would so pay to see photos of either William of Harry in frangante delicto with an Eton classmate, though. UM. I've been hanging out with a girl from Denmark that's sort of obsessed with the royals, and I've been so tempted to go 'SO! Your Queen. She likes smoking quite a bit, right?)

AUs are a weird thing for me. I tend to prefer fic set in canon ten times better than them, but if the premise looks interesting enough, I'll give it a try. That said, I don't understand and MASSIVE quantities of, say, cracky J2 AUs when canon is much, much more interesting and rich and full of potential. Merlin I can see it more easily, as the show itself is pretty much crackity crack (with a side of crack), but, dunno. I have to be in a certain mood (and be quite certain of its quality) to actually read AUs.

(Is there really a fic when a dude is a RAINBOW???)

but the fake screencaps/articles gave it that extra je ne sais quoi, didn't it?

Yes! They were eerily true to life, really, from the Sun headlines to the articles at the end to those shots of Arthur's iPhone, hee.

I tend to prefer fic set in canon ten times better than them, but if the premise looks interesting enough, I'll give it a try.

Yes - I think as well, for me, the AU-verse often has to suit the characters to an extent - of course Arthur is the modern Prince of Wales, for instance, but he wouldn't fit nearly so well in some other circumstances.

thingswithwings wrote the best SGA crack story in the history of everything where John is a rainbow and Rodney is a unicorn and you can read it here if you like. I think it's safe to say no prior canon knowledge is necessary.

Damn that thing is long! but since you recommended it I might read it :-p

I'll warn you now, you'll end up having to read it pretty much all in one sitting, so make sure you have some free time! But it's a very worthwhile investment.

I love AUs, and have read a ton of them, and love them to bits. But, that's not what makes Drastically Redefining Protocol good. What makes it good is that

rageprufrock is absolutely brilliant. If you haven't read everything else she's written, I recommend you do so immediately. My favorites are On the Road and Conflict of Interest (and it's sequel Visiting Hours). They're Bruno & Boots and Smallville fanfic respectively, but they're done so well that prior knowledge of the fandoms is unnecessary and irrelevant.

(And you should totally write the Torchwood as Euro pop fanfic because I would read the shit out of it.)

(Also, I'm not sure I ever said hello when I friended you, so if I didn't, Hi!)

What makes it good is that rageprufrock is absolutely brilliant.

Oh yes, mostly definitely - I love her SGA stories to pieces, and everything else I've read by her. Ah, prolific and length multi-fannish types, they are my favourite. :D

And hello there! *waves*

i have been thinking about AUs recently (my very-long-plotted, still-utterly-unfinished ones, heh... *headdesk*), so i'm very glad you made this post! :D i agree with pretty much everything said above about certain types of canon lending themselves well to AU, though i can't really pick out the characteristics that make them work (is it flexibility? cracktasticness? what??). but yes, either way: grasp of characters and premises vs. canon makes quite a tricky combination, so i have metric fucktons of respect for the people who write AUs and write them well!

(my very-long-plotted, still-utterly-unfinished ones, heh... *headdesk*)

Ha, I know the feeling, but I look forward to reading it one day! It's a curious genre but one of those things that makes fandom very cool, I think.

oh, but i am just a little bit IN LOVE with that fic you recced. ♥

as for reading AUs, i have a sort of love/hate relationship with them. or... no. maybe it's more accurate to say it depends on the fandom and my mood. and, of course, who has written it. some people? i will read ANYTHING they write without hesitation [see:

such_heights,

nekare, etc etc].

as for writing AUs? ahaha no. :\ i don't really think i'm a decent enough writer to create my own canon/world for an AU. i've had AU ideas creep into my head, of course, but that little voice in the back of my mind that constantly reminds me that i'm just passable at this writing thing promptly beats it down! this is why i am massively awed by/jealous of those who can and can do it so well.

It is so awesome! :D

but that little voice in the back of my mind that constantly reminds me that i'm just passable at this writing thing promptly beats it down!

I am not a fan of this voice, not a fan at all, what with its lies. Fie, I say! Though it's often been my thought as well that really, creating a whole new universe sounds like work, the sort of thing fanfic lets you cheerfully slide right along by, so there is that.

Every fandom needs a characters are a band fic (it doesn't have to be AU, HP has So You Want to Transfigure Yourself a Rock Band). Probably particularly Torchwood.

I've read the John is a rainbow fic, and your mentioning it here has completely cracked me. Interestingly, the fic that really broke me, in the whole history of SGA AUs, was the sock one. I can't breathe properly just thinking about it!

I was never really interested in whole world AUs in other fandoms. I suppose HP canon has a whole depth of history to explore if a writer or reader wants, rather than moving the present characters. Although there are a lot of wacky in world AUs in HP that move the current characters (ones where Hermione is Voldemort's daughter, etc).

Um, yes, I have thoughts on AUs, but I cannot articulate them because you mentioned the fic where John is a rainbow. And now I'm thinking of the one where John is a shepherd and Rodney is a sheep rustler. Oh, god, if I feel sick from laughing now. Ooo, there's also

thingswithwings fic where John and Rodney are women are live in a feminist lesbian commune. That's less funny and way more hot.

Edited 2009-02-19 22:31 (UTC)

Every fandom needs a characters are a band fic

You speak truth there!

And I think you're right about the HP universe being so appealing anyway - that's we're all into the First War and so on, for instance.

Ahahaha, now I, too, am giggling lots and thinking about cracky SGA AUs - dormice, stationery ... OH FANDOM. :D

Dormice? stationery?

There's the one where John is a rainbow, and in that the author links to a post someone else wrote of all the completely cracked SGA fic ideas that don't (yet) have fics.

I have not encountered the kittens fic I heard of yet - although that's a different class of animal crack, as afaik, it's the characters in the canon setting being turned into animals. I have read, of course, your snails fic. Also dolphins. And one where Rodney gets turned into a giant panther and has sex with Radek. Um, yeah. Have you see the list of SGA AU comms on

newbieguide?

sheafrotherdon wrote about the dormice;

busaikko wrote about the stationery. :D

I love that there are subgenres of this crack in this fandom, it is win.

Gwen's the lead singer for the Europop disco band Torchwood

OKAY, with an idea like that, how could I resist making a gig poster with that lulzy S2 promo shot that made them look like a Eurovision entry?

Except Jack is the lead singer. BUT STILL. Gwen's lead guitarist and back-up vocals, Ianto's on bass, Owen's the drummer and Tosh is on Keyboard. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.

ETA:

And album art! Basic, but classy. :P

*is having way too much fun*

Edited 2009-02-20 12:05 (UTC)

HAHAHAHA OH MY GOD. DYING. I LOVE YOU.

There are HEARTS in the TREES. And obviously that is the name of their album, obviously.

Ahahahaha, I am totally imagining a whole MUSICAL ALTERNATE UNIVERSE now.

FOR EXAMPLE:

The Companions, a three-piece all-girl indie rock group
Bannerman Road, a kids' pop group similar to the Wiggles
Ten, a solo artist specialising in music of the self-loathing emo kind

OH THE POSSIBILITIES.

The Tenth Doctor is secretly Conor Oberst, yes! All is suddenly clear!

And maybe Mickey and Jake went off to reform The Preachers, which is a hardcore industrial band, and Wilf would clearly be one of those really cool accordion buskers.

OMG YESSSSS.

Must resist making manips of all of these. Must go to bed at some point tonight. Hahaha.

Generally in response to all this: LOL! Amy, I have SUCH happy memories of the time we spent discussing this....Ah, TW, how I love you.

Oooh, and how's the vid coming on? (I will stop harassing you sometime soon, I promise. It's just a lot more interesting to think about than the essay I am currently supposed to be writing) xxxxxx

Ahaha, indeed. Oh, how I miss Jack and his Cardiff friends!

The vid is -- slow, currently, though I think I have a final edit of the song, because I really do refuse to make this thing five minutes long. :P

GENIUS. :D

I'm writing Europop AU fic - can I link to this when I get around to posting it?

Haha, by all means. I look forward to reading the fic. :D

I was about to answer that I can't remember a single AU fic of that sort which I have truly enjoyed (I'm far too much of an obsessive-compulsive canon fanatic for that), before your talking about BSG in the same post triggered a vague memory...

Hee! High school AUs, of course, the other classic. I won't tell a soul! *g*

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