InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "team winchester for the win!"

netlagd (netlagd) wrote in qaf_coffeeclub,
@ 2009-06-17 09:09:00

it's just so wrong
While probably no so egregious an error, but jarring just the same is those little things that just push the envelope when it comes to suspension of disbelief.

I'm talking about that descriptions of personal habits and traits that just really *aren't* truly Brian or Justin.

I've recently been reading a fic that was rec'd to me where Brian's hair is describe as wavy - I know of no instance that Brian's hair was ever wavy. Straight? yes, Stringy? yes, Bed Head? yes, but Wavy? no.

Okay, I can live with that, but then there is a description of Brian in a Navy Blue Herringbone suit (do Herringbone suits even come in Navy?). Wait a sec, hold on here, Blue is not part of Brian's color palette. Okay, I can possibly see Brian in a Herringbone suit in predominate browns, tans, golden tones, maybe even some heather or green blended in, but I don't see Brian wearing blue.

So I can forgive the author and read on, but it is rather jarring.

But some other things - like taking a stroll in Central Park after dinner - IN THE DARK. I don't care how safe Manhattan has gotten, that's asking to be mugged. No one in their right mind, unless they possibly are visiting Wollman Rink, goes into Central Park after dark.

It's the little things. Perhaps the person really hasn't been to NYC, but there are general public safety rules that need to be followed in cities.

So what is it that you are willing to forgive and write off to fiction, and what is it that you can't forgive because the author should have known better?

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	girloftheburbs 2009-06-17 09:04 am UTC (link)
	I'm willing to forgive more if it's listed as an AU, or even an AU/OOC (or AU/AU). What I'm not willing to forgive is consistently bad grammar (more than misplaced commas or apostrophes), or a really cruel Brian characterization. That will stop me right away. (Reply to this)

	outlander 2009-06-17 09:11 am UTC (link)
	I remember reading a fic where Brian walked in wearing a RED suit. I laughed my ass off. But now I want a icon of Brian with his long wavy hair. rotf. Maybe in a red suit. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	netlagd 2009-06-18 07:07 pm UTC (link)
	Time to contact URLGURL (Reply to this) (Parent)

	plucc07 2009-06-17 09:13 am UTC (link)
	I kinda had a problem with a fic that placed Pittsburgh in the state of Philadelphia. (Reply to this)

	fun_demented 2009-06-17 09:25 am UTC (link)
	I can forgive pretty much anything. What my forgiveness depends on his how many times I have to do it in a fic and when these things come up. (Reply to this)

felonius_monk
2009-06-17 09:59 am UTC (link)

“So what is it that you are willing to forgive and write off to fiction, and what is it that you can't forgive because the author should have known better?”

DAMN, that’s a long, hard, deep, probing question.

We must have read the same ficcie, because wavy haired!Brian jumped the shark for me, also. But I kept reading. Did you?

I’ve been reading and writing (but not publishing) QAF fanfic for almost three years. My ability to “suspend disbelief” is constantly being stretched to the limit like Justin’s much-abused asshole.

My biggest fanfic squicks are Crying!Justin and Pussy!Brian. Yet, I find myself reading and enjoying fanfic containing either or both. Somehow, the story grabs me around the throat and I submit against my will.

As Brian said: “Why do I do these things?”

The only thing I can’t “forgive” is BOREDOM. But one person’s boredom is another person’s obsession.

Ultimately, QAF Fanfic is in the eye of the beholder.

I like it like THAT.

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flamencanyc
2009-06-17 12:08 pm UTC (link)

taking a stroll in Central Park after dinner - IN THE DARK. I don't care how safe Manhattan has gotten, that's asking to be mugged. No one in their right mind, unless they possibly are visiting Wollman Rink, goes into Central Park after dark.

Well, years ago I wouldn't have done that, but these days, sure. We do it fairly frequently in fact. (In certain parts of the park in any case.) As do many others. We're never anywhere near alone.

Gotta run. Will address the rest of your post later. :)

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flamencanyc
2009-06-17 06:41 pm UTC (link)

what is it that you are willing to forgive and write off to fiction, and what is it that you can't forgive because the author should have known better?

The things I'm least willing to forgive are:
-- erroneous information about safer sex methods, HIV testing, HIV and AIDS
-- grossly erroneous information about other medical issues (if you don't know, ask or leave it out)
-- anything that makes it obvious that the writer has not watched the show from 101 up to at least the timeframe they are writing about
-- bad characterization
-- not bothering to research subjects important to the story
-- poor writing
-- bad grammar
-- use/overuse of clichés, especially in romantic and/or porny scenes
-- mpreg

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	tootiredtosleep 2009-06-17 08:36 pm UTC (link)
	Had too much to drink tonight so I am feeling very comfortable saying that Brian would not ever, never, no way in Hell call Sunshine "Baby". Author should know better. Usually stops me dead in my tracks. (Reply to this)

vl_redreign
2009-06-17 08:44 pm UTC (link)

MPREG. Does NOT belong anywhere, except in the Potterverse, cause it's magic.

I can forgive a herringbone suit, considerng that fug-tastically horrible suit Brian wore in 513 while pitching that ad to Remson.

Blue, however, is in Brian's color scheme. Can't remember the episode, but there's one where he's wearing a blue suit with a burgundy shirt. He just doesn't wear blue a lot. Except in 314, but that was because it was his signature color for the episode.

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