not quite a rant, but...

[kaydeefalls]

Just thinking about RPS fics, and my problem with them lately. Okay, first off, I'd like to say that I have no objection to established relationship fics. They can be very well done. I like them. Most of them. But.

There is a certain basic format that most stories follow. Conflict - Resolution. There are characters, they meander along, and at some point there is a conflict. The characters then resolve the conflict. There is a reason this basicbasic format permeates most fiction: IT WORKS. Not that everything has to work out for the characters in the end -- issues can be left completely unresolved, and that can be an effective and interesting resolution in itself.

So the problem with many established-relationship fics of late is a certain...lack of conflict? They've become variations on a theme: look, we're in love already, let's shag in an overly shmoopy fashion to prove it! Or, for a little spice: let's shag in an increasingly kinky fashion to prove it! That makes for a good fic, right?

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of PWPs, and this probably colors my opinion. I like smut, smut is good -- but for chrissakes, give it a purpose! Making the boys dress up in strange outfits does not make the sex any more interesting than in the thousands of other smut scenes out there. The question of who takes bottom does not a conflict make.

And lately, the "established relationship" device simply gives writers an excuse to describe pretty boys having sex without bothering with characterization or background. But at least this gives the reader a theoretically decent smut scene. The other forms of est.rel. can be much worse. There's the Pure Domestic Bliss fic, which just loses on all counts, because half the time it doesn't even give us any smut to distract us from the "Shall I pour your coffee for you, honey-baby-lovemuffin?" sentiment. Or, my current favorite, the "Let us fight the evil PR machine together with the strength of our love bond, my darling honey-baby-lovemuffin!"

Okay, yeah, this is basically boiling down to a rant about most Domlijah fics of late. Because this is my favorite pairing, has been since February, and I have some possessive tendencies. And, you know, Domlijah writers used to produce some awesome stuff, but lately many of them have become too obsessed with the whole DataLounge shit, and seem to feel the need to prove the existence of the One True Love. By being shmoopy, and cliched, and occasionally even godawful. (None of you, though.) No wonder the rest of the fandom is starting to hate us. The potential existence of the Dom/Elijah is wreaking havoc on the quality of many of its RPS fics. And that really fucking sucks.

I want to believe in the Domlijah, but right now, I think I'd be happier if DL would just fuck off. I want the good fics back, dammit!

This was a very poorly organized rant. I apologize. And I don't mean to offend anyone, and I'm certainly not referring to fics written by any of you. Just an overgeneralized fandom rant, and I'll shut up now.

Comments

[gabbyhope.livejournal.com]

No, no, no... don't shut up! I know exactly what you mean, and it's great to hear (over and over) that I'm not alone. If it wasn't for LJ, I'd be lost. I read hardly any of the fics that go through the lists, and frankly, I don't know why I'm still *there*. But, alas, I am. And people are *still* writing stories that have the same godawful premise. No story arc, as you've said. What makes a good story? Conflict. What's missing from stories these days? Conflict. English 101, people. I feel like I need a yard stick. WHACK!

"Shall I pour your coffee for you, honey-baby-lovemuffin?"

*snickers* I think I read that one. Except it was written, "Can I pour you're coffee for you honey-baby-lovemuffin?" *cringes*

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

Except it was written, "Can I pour you're coffee for you honey-baby-lovemuffin?" *cringes*
::writhes in pain::

Yeah. Can we reinstitute corporal punishment? Just for badfic writers? Please?

Re:

[gabbyhope.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan to me. And I believe it should be carried out for sixteen year olds and up. Yeah.