95 réponses à ce sujet

[Bleachrude]

 As the title says, I'm curious as to why two obvious topics (to me anyway) get so little love in fanfiction circles.

1. Anora and alistair (with or without Loghain surviving)
Other than Jessica Jones pride and parity/love and levirate there _IS_ no other fanfic that crosses the 5k word threshold on fanfiction.net. Hell, there's more Morrigan/Alistair and Loghain/Cousland fanfics that this "official" matchup...

2. Loghain and alistair together in party.
Sure, it's an AU but an AU that at LEAST had more official support in it than other discarded plot threads (we can actually find recorded conversation between the two than say the "Cailan is going to marry Celene" plot bunny). Yet to my knowledge, there is only maybe a couple 3k-5k word fanfics that explore this?

What gives?

[Corker]

1. I can only speak for myself; Alistair's continuing story doesn't interest me much. I have one *just barely* over 5K story (5,098 if Google Docs can be believed), technically unfinished, that's "how Alistair fell in love with his wife Anora and reconciled with WC Cousland." And that's pretty much all I have to say about it.

2. I would strangle both characters after the first four pages. Alistair would whine, Loghain would condescend, and it would be way more frustration than another Blight fic warrants - for me, anyway. (And when I say that Alistair would whine and Loghain would condescend, that's the Alistair and Loghain in *my* head. I'm trying to imagine writing that, and I really wouldn't want to, and that's why.)

Modifié par Corker, 23 octobre 2011 - 01:15 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

1. Anora and Alistair as a couple don't interest me enough to write about. I like both characters, but there are other things I'd prefer to explore

2. I don't like writing (NPC) AU very much. By that I mean have the core companions do something I think they wouldn't. Alistair always refuses to fight alongside Loghain, so I'd never write it. I wouldn't be writing Alistair otherwise, just some guy with the same name.

If you really want to see either of these things, you could request someone to write for you.

[mousestalker]

On a meta note, part of why people write fanfic is they place themselves in their characters shoes. That is not the same as writing MarySues, rather we write about people that on one level or another we can empathize with.

That's why Coulistair is so popular in fanfic. Quite a lot writers can picture Heroine Cousland hooking up with Alistair. Some writers have done a phenomenal job of writing about it. It's why dwarf fanfic, which I adore, is under written. It's why an awful lot of the city elf fanfic seems to be written by very disturbed individuals (with some glorious exceptions).

I really can not identify with Anora. I've written Anora and everything I've ever done with her has been fairly cracky as a result. Likewise with Loghain and Alistair.

[Bleachrude]

mousestalker wrote...

On a meta note, part of why people write fanfic is they place themselves in their characters shoes. That is not the same as writing MarySues, rather we write about people that on one level or another we can empathize with.

That's why Coulistair is so popular in fanfic. Quite a lot writers can picture Heroine Cousland hooking up with Alistair. Some writers have done a phenomenal job of writing about it. It's why dwarf fanfic, which I adore, is under written. It's why an awful lot of the city elf fanfic seems to be written by very disturbed individuals (with some glorious exceptions).

I really can not identify with Anora. I've written Anora and everything I've ever done with her has been fairly cracky as a result. Likewise with Loghain and Alistair.

But how then do we have multiple pages of Loghain and Warden (primarily Cousland) and even Morrigan and Alistair...are people really that much more able to put themselves in those scenarios?

As an aside, you made me look at what'sthere on fanfiction.net and I am slightly disappointed to see so little Dwarven fanfics...among the various alistair/warden pairings for example, Aeducan and Brosca are at the bottom of the list...I always figured the Exiled Princess and Bastard Prince would've made a popular pairing...

I can see why the amell/surana and alistair pairings are popular sicne you have the whole mage and templar thing going there but both Mahariel and Tabris being more popular than Aeducan/alistair? Kind of surprising to me anyway... ..

[Morwen Eledhwen]

There are actually a number of fics that deal with Alistair and Anora --just, not as the primary relationship. Most of the ones I've read are ones in which Loghain is spared and Alistair has to deal with (1) marrying Anora, (2) dealing with the fact that the Wardens (including Loghain) end the Blight without him, and (3) having Loghain for a father in-law, assuming Loghain doesn't sacrifice himself. There have been several interesting takes on this situation, especially if Alistair was in a relationship with the PC before the Landsmeet. But as I said, these are usually sub-plots found in other fics, not independent Anora/Alistair fics.

I think a fic in which Alistair doesn't desert the Wardens when Loghain is conscripted would be interesting --I certainly wish that it had been an option in-game anyway. If you're interested, here's a link to an old thread in which the "top 10 party dialogues between Loghain and Alistair, if Alistair had stuck around" were dreamed up by the folks on these boards. Maybe you could use them as inspiration, and write (or commission) a fic of your own. . .?

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Bleachrude wrote...

But how then do we have multiple pages of Loghain and Warden (primarily Cousland) and even Morrigan and Alistair...are people really that much more able to put themselves in those scenarios?

Easily, for the Loghain one. There are lots of Loghain fans, thanks to Gaider's books.

As for Morrigan, I suppose it helps she doesn't betray you at the Landsmeet or to Cauthrien, or refuse to hold Alistair's hand at the wedding or whatever. *rolleyes* Anora isn't popular. 

As an aside, you made me look at what'sthere on fanfiction.net and I am slightly disappointed to see so little Dwarven fanfics...among the various alistair/warden pairings for example, Aeducan and Brosca are at the bottom of the list...I always figured the Exiled Princess and Bastard Prince would've made a popular pairing...

They're a more popular pairing than the Bastard Prince and the Duster, or the Exiled Princess and the Former Crow.

I can see why the amell/surana and alistair pairings are popular sicne you have the whole mage and templar thing going there but both Mahariel and Tabris being more popular than Aeducan/alistair? Kind of surprising to me anyway... ..

Not really. Dwarf was the least popular Warden selection to play, so it's the least popular fic Warden. I guess girls(?) prefer to put themselves in the shoes of a slender and beautiful elven lass than a short and stout dwarf.

Is it sad? Maybe. But it's just fanfiction.

[Maria13]

In my main FF. Alistair and Anora are married but it is a sexless partnership, more of the business enterprise kind, certainly not a romantic pairing as basically they are psychologically incompatible.  However, there is a family relationship of sorts, after all they are in-laws, and more of a meeting of minds as time goes on. But it will not end in romance. Alistair has his own romantic interests (he needs them) and Anora is not really into sharing her life with anyone.

Alistair/Leliana may be another unpopular pairing (?)

[Esbatty]

Personally, I Anora.

Fanfically, my Cousland enjoyed his time with her before taking a trip into the Eluvian with Morrigan. *whistles*

Alistair/Morrigan enrages me. And my Warden(s).

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

Really, Morrigan/Alistair makes as much sense as Fenris/Anders.

Some people really really like matchmaking characters who hate each other for some reason.

[Addai]

OP, why do *you* see those things as interesting? You don't really give any reasons. I don't find either scenario interesting enough to warrant a long story that's entirely about them.

You could always write one yourself (my stock answer to "why isn't there more fanfiction about X").

[WeRtheBrox]

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

Really, Morrigan/Alistair makes as much sense as Fenris/Anders.

Some people really really like matchmaking characters who hate each other for some reason.

Hatesex is hot, Shadow - didn't you hear? 

[Mike3207]

Anora-M Cousland fanfics are as rare as roc's teeth- Corin is the only one ongoing right now.

[maxernst]

It's not really surprising that Anora/Alistair stories are not a common focus, because I think a high proportion of Alistair fanfic is driven by romance. But there are stories, like Maria13's (who writes a very good Anora) in which the pairing figures without being the story focus.

As far as Loghain/Alistair, people tend to focus on the characters that interest them, and I don't think there's much overlap between their respective fan communities. And personally, I'm kind of with Corker--when I think of them together, I have a hard time envisioning any sort of progress.

[Klidi]

People write stories about what they prefer, and the pairing usually reflects who they romanced in the game. Statistics may show what most people prefer, the reasons can be quite different, as are the ways they write. It's not like the authors of the fanfiction have a duty to follow statistics and write stories to keep it even, lol.

I played DAO many times, but I've never finished dwarf origin. I don't play females, and dwarf men are imho really ugly. The other origins were ok, but I love most Suranas. Not only because they're elves and mages, but also because it's the origin with zero personal history. Which gives me, as the author of the fanfiction, the most freedom.

[ReallyRue]

Anything that isn't romance. That gets little love.

Also, dwarves, and "less appealing" characters, like Shale, Oghren, Sigrun, Justice, Aveline, etc. It tends to be about the hot LIs.

[Bleachrude]

Addai67 wrote...

OP, why do *you* see those things as interesting? You don't really give any reasons. I don't find either scenario interesting enough to warrant a long story that's entirely about them.

You could always write one yourself (my stock answer to "why isn't there more fanfiction about X").

Heh I suck at fanfiction....Ideas/plots I can think of..but actually writing them down on paper and expanding it with dialogue? Absolutely suck at it... 

But the first question is fair.

Reason why I ask is because I kind of like the potential push and pull of these types of relationships. 

For Loghain/Alistair, I was always intrigued by that small snippet of conversation between Loghain and alistair during RtO and I always wonder how the game writers would spin it sicne they did seem initally wanting to have both on the team.

For alistair/anora, I do wonder how well they rub off of each other...

The thing about these two relationships is that I like the potential of seeing both characters change and grow because of the other person...I think this is why I tend to gravitate to alistair fanfictions since in many cases, the writers will have him "grow" as a character so to speak conversely this is why I tend to dislike Loghain fanfiction since instead of showing Loghain changing/growing as a character, they simply have "Loghain was right" which I find boring admittedly...

Your Cousland/Loghain fanfic is I think the only one I know of where you don't fall into that trap...which is why I found the story so intriguing and was actually ok with the resolution.

[Addai]

Understood, and thank you.

It takes a lot of energy to write a long story, and since no one pays fanfiction writers for what they do, people write what seems rewarding to them. The popular pairings also give the most feedback, so that generates more interest. But, it can never hurt to pitch ideas- someone might pick them up. I'm surprised there isn't at least slashy Loghain/ Alistair out there, though that might not be what you're looking for. Heh.

[Klidi]

ReallyRue wrote...

Anything that isn't romance. That gets little love.

Also, dwarves, and "less appealing" characters, like Shale, Oghren, Sigrun, Justice, Aveline, etc. It tends to be about the hot LIs.

Is that so... then allow me to give you my own story... about certail 'less appealing'  character...

His True Love

[Bleachrude]

Addai67 wrote...

Understood, and thank you.

It takes a lot of energy to write a long story, and since no one pays fanfiction writers for what they do, people write what seems rewarding to them. The popular pairings also give the most feedback, so that generates more interest. But, it can never hurt to pitch ideas- someone might pick them up. I'm surprised there isn't at least slashy Loghain/ Alistair out there, though that might not be what you're looking for. Heh.

Actually I'm kind of surprised by how little slash there is in Dragon Age fanfiction circles. It would not be a lie I think to say that 40% of HP fanfiction is slash but even with an explicit homosexual pairing in the game, I think there's less than say 10-15% in Dragon age 1 (ignore DA2).

 What's even weirder is I think I've found/seen more Leliana/F warden or Morrigan fanfics than Zev/M warden or Alistair which is weird...Usually m/m pairings should be more common than f/f pairings IME.

[maxernst]

Bleachrude wrote...

Addai67 wrote...

Understood, and thank you.

It takes a lot of energy to write a long story, and since no one pays fanfiction writers for what they do, people write what seems rewarding to them. The popular pairings also give the most feedback, so that generates more interest. But, it can never hurt to pitch ideas- someone might pick them up. I'm surprised there isn't at least slashy Loghain/ Alistair out there, though that might not be what you're looking for. Heh.

Actually I'm kind of surprised by how little slash there is in Dragon Age fanfiction circles. It would not be a lie I think to say that 40% of HP fanfiction is slash but even with an explicit homosexual pairing in the game, I think there's less than say 10-15% in Dragon age 1 (ignore DA2).

 What's even weirder is I think I've found/seen more Leliana/F warden or Morrigan fanfics than Zev/M warden or Alistair which is weird...Usually m/m pairings should be more common than f/f pairings IME.

I believe far more women than men write fanfiction, which might account for the limited M/M slash.  On the other hand, there's a surprising amount of M/M slash written by women, but perhaps games are different because you create and play a character in the game, and most people prefer to play their own sex.  Also, the HP series has far more male than female characters doesn't it?

Modifié par maxernst, 24 octobre 2011 - 08:15 .

[Klidi]

or perhaps you didn't check kmeme. Most authors respects no MA rule on FFN and post their stories on kmeme instead. There is a lot of slash there.

[Maria13]

There is a hell of a lot of Alistair slash on the Kmeme most written by females I'm sure.

Can I recommend "60 Days in Jader" if that rocks your boat, it's slash, but it's more than that... Ali/Duncan, then Ali/anybody else. http://www.fanfictio...0_Days_in_Jader

For non-slashy M/M there is Maxernst's stuff.

[Morwen Eledhwen]

Bleachrude wrote...

Addai67 wrote...

Understood, and thank you.

It takes a lot of energy to write a long story, and since no one pays fanfiction writers for what they do, people write what seems rewarding to them. The popular pairings also give the most feedback, so that generates more interest. But, it can never hurt to pitch ideas- someone might pick them up. I'm surprised there isn't at least slashy Loghain/ Alistair out there, though that might not be what you're looking for. Heh.

Actually I'm kind of surprised by how little slash there is in Dragon Age fanfiction circles. It would not be a lie I think to say that 40% of HP fanfiction is slash but even with an explicit homosexual pairing in the game, I think there's less than say 10-15% in Dragon age 1 (ignore DA2).

 What's even weirder is I think I've found/seen more Leliana/F warden or Morrigan fanfics than Zev/M warden or Alistair which is weird...Usually m/m pairings should be more common than f/f pairings IME.

There is one Loghain/Alistair slash fic that I know of, which is not badly written as an M/M story overall but I have a hard time hearing those particular characters' voices in it. I'm not exactly sure if that's because the author hasn't quite captured the characters' voices or because my brain just rebels at the whole concept of Loghain/Alistair (and it's the particular pairing I object to, not the fact that it's M/M. I have read and enjoyed "Sixty Days in Jader" more than once).

But yes, fics that have romance of any sort in them always seem to trump those that don't. Even the odd pairings have their own niche, and some communities will throw out random prompts specifically to get the most bizarre pairings (or triplings, or quadruplings ) imaginable.

Modifié par Morwen Eledhwen, 24 octobre 2011 - 10:50 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

WeRtheBrox wrote...
Hatesex is hot, Shadow - didn't you hear? 

I got the memo.

Bleachrude wrote...

Actually I'm kind of surprised by how
little slash there is in Dragon Age fanfiction circles. It would not be a
lie I think to say that 40% of HP fanfiction is slash but even with an
explicit homosexual pairing in the game, I think there's less than say
10-15% in Dragon age 1 (ignore DA2).

Check out the k!meme. There's plenty. And if there are no Anora/Alistair fics there, you're allowed to post requests.