Why Writers Read

[sakon76]

There are a handful of fanfic writers about whom I can honestly say "I will read any and everything they write." This is because they are superlative writers, and even if I don't know the series they're writing for, they will paint the world such that I live in it, love it, and understand it.

Corollary to this is the fact that there are a few fanfic reccers whose every recommendation I will read. Because they rec the good stuff. issen4 is among this latter category, and recently recommended Gadarene, which is a Merlin fic. Now, I am not a fan of Merlin, but I read this story. And then read it again. And again. And sat a while, trying to figure out what it was that drew me to the story. And how I could take that ineffable whatever-it-was and apply it to my own work.

All writers have themes we cycle to again and again, usually because we keep thinking of (hopefully witty) new things to say on the subject. Lois McMaster Bujold and mules, for instance. :) It's why fanfic writers write multiple works on, say, a particular pairing (Prowl&Jazz), or a series predicating on a single what-if (Simulacra). Something draws us to an idea and we keep gnawing away at it.

And I think I've identified what I like in Gadarene. It's not the pretty slashiness so much as the heartbreak and fear when things must be kept hidden, and the beauty that unfolds like a flower when it becomes all right to display them. So last night I went to Field of Stars and found my first scene with Alain Lowsturm and Bastian Tel Amo, and reread it. And realized a part of the story that I hadn't even known, predicating on Alain's heritage as the son of a demon. (A completely consensual conception; Alain's mother is complicated, powerful, and awesome. So was his father, for that matter.) Demons, however, being stolen ("perverted") shards of gods, are the product of what the Tel Amo clan classifies as the darkest of magic.

Because of what he was born as, Bastian and every single teacher at the Tel Amo-sponsored university Alain studies at would be obligated to kill Alain in his sleep if they knew.

What stress does that add? How high does it raise the stakes? How does he cope? What are Alain's plans once he finishes university? And what will happen when/if this all comes out?

This is part of why writers read. So that we can learn better how to write.

Comments

[dragondancer515.livejournal.com]

This is part of why writers read. So that we can learn better how to write.

Amen!

[issen4.livejournal.com]

Glad you like my recs! ^_^