(no subject)

[aleathiel]

[Poll #340236]

Comments

[m-l-h.livejournal.com]

I say yes to AUs, absolutely.

When writing an AU, you're clearly writing about a period/time/place etc that you enjoy or have an interest in. I'm working on an AU at the moment myself, and so, from experience, I know that I'm writing about a time that interests me. For example, if a writer puts their characters in a certain place or time, that can help with focus points in the story, can help to develop the story. It also means we can investigate other opinions/ideas etc. Take lucky_jack's Year of the Gods story. Opinions were different back then; by putting people we like/admire into those situations, we are able to put a humanity to the exploration of the time.

Also, IMO, it could be considered another form of kink. Especially when the slash element is brought into it.

As for losing the fanfiction element when writing AUs, I can't really say much about this. Generally speaking, I only write RPS, so I don't think it applies. I think for me, there isn't much "fanfiction", because recently I've been detaching from set fandoms, so to speak, broadening my horizons. Last week I wrote Ioan/Johnny, so obviously there's no fandom link there, but my descriptions and ideas about the characters are represented the same as if I were writing them with someone else, in one of their fandoms.

Ok, I'm completely confusing myself now! *wanders off*

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

No, that wasn't confusing. It made a lot of sense actually. AUs give us more freedom to write about what we love and people we are interested in in those situations, right? And given that all of fanfiction is inventing and describing the way that someone we don't know would react in a situation they've never, to our knowledge, experienced, then why shouldn't it be in eighteenth century Japan or twenty-second century Germany?

[ezzvaldez.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I don't go looking for AUs to read. I read yours because, well, they're yours. You write fantastic AUs and I'm sure there are other great AU writers out there, but I don't seek them out. You know what I mean?

[m-l-h.livejournal.com]

That's what I was trying to say lol!!

It's exploring how our favourite people/characters would react and survive in different situations.

Phew, I'm glad it made sense!

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I certainly didn't read them at first. I have to admit I didn't see the point of them. I can't remember what the first AU I read was, but then this door suddenly opened on all these fics I'd not read. And I can't resist.

[jasmineskie.livejournal.com]

I read some AUs. Like every other RPS I read, it all depends on the author, the story, and the pairing. Some AUs are so imaginative, compelling, and well-written that I wonder, quite frankly, why the author isn't writing the story as an original fic to market. Not that I'm complaining by any means. I certainly enjoy the opportunity to read the stories on LJ. *g* And I prefer if an author's going to cast real people like the LOTR men in an AU, the characters retain more than just the names of the people she's/he's borrowing. *shrug* Just my own private quirk.

I think AUs are becoming more popular in lotrips because in a way it's like casting the boys in a whole new movie. The main pairing is still together, and portions of the rest of the cast are still there in supporting roles.

[afra_schatz]

I'd say it depends on the AU for me. If the story takes place in a time / a setting I find interesting and fitting (or challenging) for the characters then I'll read it, if not, I don't. Sometimes I can't see the characters in the persons because in MY eyes they are (for whatever reason) too far away from how I see and like them, but sometimes a completely different setting gives me a fresh perspective on the characters and is therefor all the better :).

[lilimalinda.livejournal.com]

You don´t know me, I ended up here after reading your excellent stories "Rubies" and "Reflections", but think this is a very interesting question.
Nowadays I say "Yes" to AU:s (I´m even trying to write one myself, if I ever get around to get it betad and posted), but earlier I did not see the point of it at all. I don´t read everything, but there are some really good AU:s out there.I prefer if the tries to stay true to character as much as possible-
I read mostly from the LOTR-fandom and I suppose there is an increasing level of AU:S there because time passes and the boys are rarely seen together these days. Quite as you said, yourself- There is also very many, "canon" stories there. AU is a way to get variation, I think.
(I hope you understand, ENglish is my third language.
Lol.Lilimalinda
I hope you don´t mind that I friended you ?

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

I don't mind you friending me at all and I'm glad you are enjoying my fics.

I think your reasoning behind the growth of AUs is right. I agree more people are moving in that direction now that the boys are less frequently together.

Good luck with your fic.

[aleathiel.livejournal.com]

Uh, did I not reply to this? Oops. I read it and I guess I was distracted by something...

if the characters retain more than just the names of the people she's/he's borrowing
Exactly. The problem I have with some AUs is that without the name the characters would be unidentifiable. And I'll admit it's something I'm worried is something that might be true in one of mine, despite my efforts

I think AUs are becoming more popular in lotrips because in a way it's like casting the boys in a whole new movie.
Hehe, I'd never thought of that, but I see what you mean. It's a bit like getting the cast back together on a new production we can direct and write... and cast...

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

I've really fallen in love with the idea of lotrips AUs, so I'm saying a big YES to your poll. Partly, I think, because what's inspired me most about lotrips right from the start is that it's really original fic based on a common pantheon of characters. It's quite unlike fps in this regard.

I've dabbled in a couple of fps fandoms, but found the formula most shows have to be too limiting. But rps, and especially AUs, open up the full range of plot possibility, and I love, love, love that!