Oh yeah, I definitely write what I want to write, even if I do consider that some people might not enjoy some aspects of it. If I was that worried about what regular LJ readers thought (most of whom seem to be slash fans) I wouldn't have had any het scenes in Spliced. Did I probably lose some readers with that part of the story? Sure, but oh well. I'm having fun writing my story, and as the first novel I've ever written, I'll feel accomplished just completing it!
And you're right, if anyone is a Mary Sue-type in this story, it IS Min/Alex. He is the character that is "special" even if I did try to temper things (such as making him have several siblings so he's not the only one with this background). However, I've looked at those Mary Sue tests before, and there are a LOT of popular/famous characters that would hit warning levels of Mary Sue-dom. Basically, you have to write the best story you can and develop your characters as best you can - flesh them out to have strengths and weaknesses - and you can get away with a lot more.
The story could also have worked with a Mistress rather than a master, but would YOU be able to write a woman strong enough for this without her being a bitch?
It's funny you say that. When I was coming up with the basic concepts for this story, I wanted to take a familiar scenario in slavefic and turn it on its head. So I wanted a slave that seemed docile but actually had more going on, and a master that wasn't a reluctant owner at all at the beginning of the story but that might change his attitude by the end of it. And to do all that, I needed the slave to be really unique, and strong enough to stand up to him. And that's how making Min 'different' really started. I already had the concept of Andorians, but how could I make a slave that should be so submissive rebellious in reality? So I actually approached it from the opposite direction lol.
And when you break the story down even further, Kate was an important part of Alex's development. If he hadn't been in an equal relationship like that, he wouldn't understand what he'd like to have Matt, because slavery certainly wouldn't have taught him anything healthy. Of course these 2 are a long way from anything healthy, due to both their history with each other and their backgrounds. Sigh.
I see your point with Jenna. What people did to Brett during their years apart is THEIR fault, not hers. Her responsibility is only indirect at most. However, to be fair to Brett, these first 5 parts all happened within the space of what, an hour or two? I think he's still overwhelmed and reacting irrationally. He never thought he'd see her again, and he's believed for years that she lied to him and intentionally abandoned him. I'd say the man's still in shock. With some time to adjust I think he'll see things more rationally.
Ugh, that's quite an elaborate way to hide a Mary Sue character. Although apparently they didn't even realize it was a Mary Sue situation. Sounds like the other characters got assassinated just to build up Xander even more. Sigh!
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Date: 2009-04-28 09:03 pm (UTC)And you're right, if anyone is a Mary Sue-type in this story, it IS Min/Alex. He is the character that is "special" even if I did try to temper things (such as making him have several siblings so he's not the only one with this background). However, I've looked at those Mary Sue tests before, and there are a LOT of popular/famous characters that would hit warning levels of Mary Sue-dom. Basically, you have to write the best story you can and develop your characters as best you can - flesh them out to have strengths and weaknesses - and you can get away with a lot more.
The story could also have worked with a Mistress rather than a master, but would YOU be able to write a woman strong enough for this without her being a bitch?
It's funny you say that. When I was coming up with the basic concepts for this story, I wanted to take a familiar scenario in slavefic and turn it on its head. So I wanted a slave that seemed docile but actually had more going on, and a master that wasn't a reluctant owner at all at the beginning of the story but that might change his attitude by the end of it. And to do all that, I needed the slave to be really unique, and strong enough to stand up to him. And that's how making Min 'different' really started. I already had the concept of Andorians, but how could I make a slave that should be so submissive rebellious in reality? So I actually approached it from the opposite direction lol.
And when you break the story down even further, Kate was an important part of Alex's development. If he hadn't been in an equal relationship like that, he wouldn't understand what he'd like to have Matt, because slavery certainly wouldn't have taught him anything healthy. Of course these 2 are a long way from anything healthy, due to both their history with each other and their backgrounds. Sigh.
I see your point with Jenna. What people did to Brett during their years apart is THEIR fault, not hers. Her responsibility is only indirect at most. However, to be fair to Brett, these first 5 parts all happened within the space of what, an hour or two? I think he's still overwhelmed and reacting irrationally. He never thought he'd see her again, and he's believed for years that she lied to him and intentionally abandoned him. I'd say the man's still in shock. With some time to adjust I think he'll see things more rationally.
Ugh, that's quite an elaborate way to hide a Mary Sue character. Although apparently they didn't even realize it was a Mary Sue situation. Sounds like the other characters got assassinated just to build up Xander even more. Sigh!