drag me down and hold me under

[tielan]

Someone once told me that the reason John/Teyla never took off in SGA fandom was because no-one had written "the definitive fanfic that captured the imagination" for them. Which was basically a way to tell me that John/Teyla wasn't popular because I failed to write that story.

Let's just say, the thought has stuck with me through the years and certain other pairings.

On the if-you-can't-beat-'em factor side, I am writing a Steve/Bucky story. My inclinations tend Steve/Sam, Sam/Bucky, or Bucky/T'Challa - if I'm going to slash at all. Of course, it's a very specific set-up, which is why I'm writing them in the first place.

Comments

[everbright]

A few months ago when bucky/t-challa was a thing for a hot minute I not!fic'd a hilariously id-y scenario where Bucky was T'challa's pet/threatening (to others) yet submissive Throne Room lurker, and I'M SORT OF DELIGHTED it would take a minimum of canon wank for that to happen.

BUT, sorry *cough* that's SLIGHTLY bullshit of your friend, b/c you can get behind a pairing and push, but you can't make people drink from it... okay that metaphor got away from me... but as fan of several super tiny podcasts, there's only so much on person can do. I.E. It's not your fault, you're doing all you can for Maria. Uh. Imo.

[rmc28]

just saying, I would love to read that, if you ever wanted to un-not!fic it :-)

[tielan]

I kind of like the idea of it, you know? I'm not sure quite how it would work in practise. (I think I'm more inclined towards T'Challa/Natasha for T'Challa, if anything.)

ANd yes, part of me knows that it's bullshit, but another part of it just sticks in my craw.

[everbright]

T'Challa/Natasha would be cool too! Less id-y for me, b/c I'd want the power differential to be more even with a woman, but Natasha would make a kick-ass diplomatic scheming partner for a King. They'd have the UN turning in circles!

[rmc28]

That's pretty bullshit - there are lots of reasons why people who might really love a pairing aren't in a position to write "the definitive fanfic to capture the imagination".

I mean, I bristle at that because

a) I'm a beginner writer and I sure don't have the confidence to think I can write a definitive fanfic of a pairing I wish was more popular.

b) I have a day-job, two children, and I'm recovering from cancer, so my capacity to write is pretty minimal, even if I were that skilled and experienced a writer.

So you know, suggesting that it's my fault there isn't more e.g. A:EMH Jan/Carol fic and therefore I should shut up about liking that pairing, is pretty bullshit, and comes from a place of someone with infinitely more free time and arrogance than I have.

[I would love to read your take on Bucky/T'Challa or Sam/Bucky though.]

[tielan]

I suspect it was in reference to another fic I wrote for a pairing in SGA with almost no screen time at all that did capture the imagination of a lot of fans.

And, yes, she was coming from a place of m/m whiteslash privilege.

(Sam/Bucky is mostly a crazy roadtrip through modern America with absolutely no rhyme or reason, just the two of them being bros and more. Bucky/T'Challa is a bit more tricksy. Especially since, in the last 24 hours, I've started a sedoretu fic that has Bucky and T'Challa both as Evening moiety, and so I'm suddenly unable to see them together. ARGH.)

[havocthecat]

Someone once told me that the reason John/Teyla never took off in SGA fandom was because no-one had written "the definitive fanfic that captured the imagination" for them.

Well, that's an asshole thing to say. Especially given that SGA was ALWAYS a juggernaut of m/m slash primarily, so, uh, good luck "capturing the imagination" of people who aren't interested in m/f in the first place. (Don't get me started on the Elizabeth/John versus Teyla/John shipwars. We certainly should have been able to happily enjoy both pairings. Not that I'm bitter. Not at all.)

[tielan]

so, uh, good luck "capturing the imagination" of people who aren't interested in m/f in the first place

That's pretty much it. And, yes, intellectually, I know it's an asshole thing to say. That doesn't stop my brain from repeating it when things are low.

[havocthecat]

Believe me, I understand that 100%. My brain does something similar when I get low, trying to trick me into believing that just because I don't get thousands of kudos or comments, my fic isn't as good as others - except that I know for a fact that I often go for rarer pairings and fandoms in the grand scheme of things. Different standards.

[beatrice_otter]

EXACTLY. When the show's writers/producers are CONSTANTLY sidelining and belittling anything that isn't bro-hijinks, the general overall viewership/readership tends to be, uh, slanted towards those who want bro-hijinks/slash.

[havocthecat]

Thank you! Yes, this is exactly it. It's really not our fault that we haven't "captured the imagination" of the fandom if we aren't interested in the same things that most of the fandom is interested in.

[monanotlisa]

HOMG.

(I am saying that because I generally dislike Steve/Bucky but realize that is a rly rly unpopular opinion out there. ;)

[tielan]

I dislike Steve/Bucky! And I'm writing it. (Actually, it's part of a sedoretu fic, which is Why It's Happening At All. Otherwise it would be No Way In All Hell.)

[havocthecat]

I thought I would like Steve/Bucky? But as it turns out, I'm only interested in Steve/Bucky if you add Natasha in there too. Whoops.