It's A New Dawn, A New Day, And I'm Feeling Good

[redbrunja]

I'm working for a little longer than normal today, so a coworker can have the day off, so I'm going to need something to entertain me.

Fandom Tennis Match Meme!

Okay, here's how this is going to work. You comment with a fandom question. I answer it and then ask you a question that has some thematic relevance to the question you asked me.

I feel this meme is always a good choice.

Comments

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

What tends to draw you to an AU?

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

AU: understanding of the characters

That’s a big one to me, because it’s where most AU’s go right off the rails – right at the beginning when they’re setting up the world.

One of the best Avengers/Thor AU’s I’ve come across had Loki as a lawyer and Sif as a cop – and it worked BEAUTIFULLY. They are still one the same ‘team’, nominally, but they are each playing to each other’s strengths, and the friction between police officers and the DA mirrored their friction with regards to Thor’s ability to rule in Thor.

One of the worst Avengers AU’s I’ve ever read had all the Avengers at summer camp and had Natasha being foster-siblings and really chummy with all the Avengers (sans Barton, who also wasn’t nearly screwed up enough). Basically, the characters and the character dynamics were not recognizable. Actually, Natasha not being damaged, deadly, and in control is one of the places were SO MANY authors go wrong with Avengers AUs.

Do you prefer for want of a nail AUs (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ForWantOfANail) or completely different AUs (i.e. high school)

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

AU: understanding of the characters

Totally true.

I mean, I kind of understand the appeal of having AUs where the characters are happier than they are in their canons, but I definitely agree that the dynamics need to carry over in some significant way relative to the scope of the AU. NGL, it's hard to find that balance, which is why I tend to avoid writing them.

One of the best Avengers/Thor AU’s I’ve come across had Loki as a lawyer and Sif as a cop – and it worked BEAUTIFULLY.



I would actually like to read that if you still have the link lying around because when I read that description my brain misfired several different ways.

Do you prefer for want of a nail AUs or completely different AUs (i.e. high school)

I like both. I suppose I tend to write "for want of a nail" AUs more often, but I'm sort of on the fence at what point they can be considered true AUs, since the entire premise of fanfic seems to be "what would happen if..." I do really like playing with fundamental aspects of canon and seeing how the story shifts when you add or remove certain pieces.

However, under the right circumstances, I do enjoy AUs that just completely shift the setting.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I would actually like to read that if you still have the link lying around because when I read that description my brain misfired several different ways.

I couldn't find it in my tags, so I'm going to put up a 'help me' post on my LJ. In the meantime, there's this. (http://vega-ofthe-lyre.livejournal.com/387058.html)

Also, my flist is brilliant (http://archiveofourown.org/works/283188).

[qualapec.livejournal.com]

Huzzah! I am reading them right now.

EDIT:

RN I am drowning in Sif/Loki feels tonight and that is all right.

Those fics were great. I loved the settings a lot. And the "post-Ragnarok" take on the AU is something I hadn't thought about before for this series but am now extremely intrigued by. Both fics handled that premise super well. I'm impressed!

Both fics also did an excellent job with names! It's so hard with Thor because their names are so setting and culture specific.

Thank you for tracking them down!