The Growth of a Story
Oct. 13th, 2005 03:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
icarusThe Growth of a Story
Every now and then I get an incomprehensible email asking me "where do you get your stories?" Then last night someone said that I evade the predictable routes. It made me blink for a minute because I don't deliberately do so, the characters do that.
A few hours later, a Stargate story popped into my head (one that I probably won't write) and I stood outside it with these questions in mind and watched it germinate. Where do the ideas come from? And how is it that said story avoids the tried and true route?
I started with a smirking observation in Prometheus Unbound and Threads: "Hmm. Daniel really likes being restrained." Heck, I know what a guy looks like when he gets off on that sort of kink, the way he lights up and gets energized the moment the cuffs cinch tight. "Oh, it would be fun to write a story where Jack learns this about Daniel...."
A clip of dialogue came up, and an image of Jack's raised eyebrows and Daniel chained up.
Where would this happen? The image had Daniel already chained to a wall and Jack not releasing him, teasing him about this kink. But wait-! How the hell would that happen? And how is it that Jack would be there, but surprised that Daniel gets off on this?
Okay, hmm. So Daniel was chained up by someone else. A Goa'uld. So... why is Jack taking the time to tease him? He's awfully relaxed. And this image looks like the gateroom, or somewhere at the SGC. And how did Jack know that this turns Daniel on if this moment is the first he's heard of it?
Um... there are security tapes. And someone's told Jack. The Goa'uld (female).
But Goa'uld don't have security tapes. Okay, so it is at the SGC. And this Goa'uld has taken over the base. So... whoa... why is Jack so relaxed?
She's bargaining with him. She's not in contact with the system lords at all - in fact knows nothing about them - and she's decided to trade a chained up Daniel for... all of earth.
Clip of dialogue comes to mind. Jack negotiating with this Goa'uld. Jack's voice, "You want to trade me a boy toy --"
Daniel: "Hey!"
"Sorry -- for the whole planet?"
"The Goa'uld have traded entire worlds for less. Especially ones that have little value."
"Excuse me?"
"This planet has no naquadah or trinium, and it is also clear to me that you do not have the resources to control it. So it is of no use to you."
But why would she negotiate?
Suddenly, the message behind the story clicked. What it's really about.
This Goa'uld is from a new queen, has very little in the way of genetic memory and has never interacted with humans before ("this is going to take some serious plot-hole filler," I think). But the bottom line is that the Goa'uld don't think like humans and at first contact they assume that humans are just like themselves. Since Jack is in possession of a Stargate and some advanced technology, she negotiates with him as if he were a lesser Goa'uld in a very bad negotiating position. 'Have some glass beads and go away.' It doesn't even occur to her that the one in charge of the top technology wouldn't have dominion, or would feel a sense of emotional connection to the earth and to those he's responsible for. Goa'uld are opportunistic and never have a sense of home because they never even have their own independent body.
And Jack has to deal with a Goa'uld who's taken over the SGC but somehow has decided that instead of putting snakes in everyone's head, it wants to negotiate. Confused (but glad) he stalls, trying to buy time for (someone?) to get control of the base. He plays the cocky Goa'uld lordling -- and takes the time (also stalling) to razz Daniel about being turned on. Daniel of course has no clue what the plan is.
Image of a smirking and amused Jack waving a VHS tape in Daniel's face: "I have the tapes, Daniel."
"Could we not talk about this now?"
"Oh, the things we don't know about each other...."
"Jack."
Jack waves a hand in a broad gesture. "And to think of all the times in this galaxy we've been tied up, captured, and I never noticed."
"We were a little busy escaping at the time, which, um," he struggles, "by the way, shouldn't we be doing right about now?"
Jack smiles. "I think not." He rattles the tape, smug as he turns away. The Goa'uld guards part and stand at attention as the SGC doors slide open. "I'm going to savor these."
Daniel slumps in his chains with a frustrated sigh.
So there you have it. The creation of a story. That's how it generally works for me: I have an insane idea, usually a fuzzy image combined with dialogue. I dig until I find a "deeper meaning" to hang it all on. Then I spend the rest of the time playing and trying to fill in the huge gaping obvious plot holes that are the result of the fact that the idea was nuts from the start.
Yours truly,
Icarus
Every now and then I get an incomprehensible email asking me "where do you get your stories?" Then last night someone said that I evade the predictable routes. It made me blink for a minute because I don't deliberately do so, the characters do that.
A few hours later, a Stargate story popped into my head (one that I probably won't write) and I stood outside it with these questions in mind and watched it germinate. Where do the ideas come from? And how is it that said story avoids the tried and true route?
I started with a smirking observation in Prometheus Unbound and Threads: "Hmm. Daniel really likes being restrained." Heck, I know what a guy looks like when he gets off on that sort of kink, the way he lights up and gets energized the moment the cuffs cinch tight. "Oh, it would be fun to write a story where Jack learns this about Daniel...."
A clip of dialogue came up, and an image of Jack's raised eyebrows and Daniel chained up.
Where would this happen? The image had Daniel already chained to a wall and Jack not releasing him, teasing him about this kink. But wait-! How the hell would that happen? And how is it that Jack would be there, but surprised that Daniel gets off on this?
Okay, hmm. So Daniel was chained up by someone else. A Goa'uld. So... why is Jack taking the time to tease him? He's awfully relaxed. And this image looks like the gateroom, or somewhere at the SGC. And how did Jack know that this turns Daniel on if this moment is the first he's heard of it?
Um... there are security tapes. And someone's told Jack. The Goa'uld (female).
But Goa'uld don't have security tapes. Okay, so it is at the SGC. And this Goa'uld has taken over the base. So... whoa... why is Jack so relaxed?
She's bargaining with him. She's not in contact with the system lords at all - in fact knows nothing about them - and she's decided to trade a chained up Daniel for... all of earth.
Clip of dialogue comes to mind. Jack negotiating with this Goa'uld. Jack's voice, "You want to trade me a boy toy --"
Daniel: "Hey!"
"Sorry -- for the whole planet?"
"The Goa'uld have traded entire worlds for less. Especially ones that have little value."
"Excuse me?"
"This planet has no naquadah or trinium, and it is also clear to me that you do not have the resources to control it. So it is of no use to you."
But why would she negotiate?
Suddenly, the message behind the story clicked. What it's really about.
This Goa'uld is from a new queen, has very little in the way of genetic memory and has never interacted with humans before ("this is going to take some serious plot-hole filler," I think). But the bottom line is that the Goa'uld don't think like humans and at first contact they assume that humans are just like themselves. Since Jack is in possession of a Stargate and some advanced technology, she negotiates with him as if he were a lesser Goa'uld in a very bad negotiating position. 'Have some glass beads and go away.' It doesn't even occur to her that the one in charge of the top technology wouldn't have dominion, or would feel a sense of emotional connection to the earth and to those he's responsible for. Goa'uld are opportunistic and never have a sense of home because they never even have their own independent body.
And Jack has to deal with a Goa'uld who's taken over the SGC but somehow has decided that instead of putting snakes in everyone's head, it wants to negotiate. Confused (but glad) he stalls, trying to buy time for (someone?) to get control of the base. He plays the cocky Goa'uld lordling -- and takes the time (also stalling) to razz Daniel about being turned on. Daniel of course has no clue what the plan is.
Image of a smirking and amused Jack waving a VHS tape in Daniel's face: "I have the tapes, Daniel."
"Could we not talk about this now?"
"Oh, the things we don't know about each other...."
"Jack."
Jack waves a hand in a broad gesture. "And to think of all the times in this galaxy we've been tied up, captured, and I never noticed."
"We were a little busy escaping at the time, which, um," he struggles, "by the way, shouldn't we be doing right about now?"
Jack smiles. "I think not." He rattles the tape, smug as he turns away. The Goa'uld guards part and stand at attention as the SGC doors slide open. "I'm going to savor these."
Daniel slumps in his chains with a frustrated sigh.
So there you have it. The creation of a story. That's how it generally works for me: I have an insane idea, usually a fuzzy image combined with dialogue. I dig until I find a "deeper meaning" to hang it all on. Then I spend the rest of the time playing and trying to fill in the huge gaping obvious plot holes that are the result of the fact that the idea was nuts from the start.
Yours truly,
Icarus
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Re: Do you mind if I get on a soapbox?
Date: 2005-10-16 05:22 pm (UTC)Good. I'll tell you now that I was originally in the Lord of the Rings fandom, which draws a very religious crowd because of the sweeping larger-than-life themes and the biblical tone of The Silmarillion. While I've had many enjoyable discussions, slash was a real sticking point.
The discussion predictably would start with the assertion that slash in their beloved Lord of the Rings was "OOC" and counter to canon. (Anyone who mentioned Sam's paeans of love to Frodo was sure to get a disgusted, angry response.)
Then as I dug a little further, it would become clear that slash was always OOC, for any fandom.
With a couple mentions of shows with gay characters (or say the Oz fandom) I would discover that not only was slash OOC, always, but that shows that had gay characters were "sick." Or perverted. Or amoral.
Pretty soon, unabashedly I might add, I would be treated to a lecture on how homosexuality was a sin, or a crime against nature.
Eventually we would get down to a quote or two from Leviticus. Which, tiredly, having been down this route many, many times, I knew was coming from the moment the "OOC" and "against canon" argument was introduced.
After pointing out that I in fact was Buddhist (weirdly rendered okay for them by the fact that my parents are Buddhist) I would crack open my bible -- given to me by a lesbian couple; let's pause to enjoy the irony for a moment.
Then I would ask about a few other points made in Leviticus, such as the proper way to sacrifice a calf.
Like I said, I'd been down this road before.
This would be met with a blast of fury unknown since Moses smashed the tablets of the ten commandments and threw down the golden calf. Every Christian on the forum (and there were quite a few) would hear the dismay and join in to what was just shy of a brawl, as I sat quietly by waiting for the dust to clear or the moderator to step in.
Forgive me, but I've had this argument so often there is a trail worn between my computer and the bookcase where the bible is tucked away.
If you were one of these then yes, you would have been... unhappy here.
This is my journal and I have no qualms about booting people out who appear to be here for the sole purpose of attacking me or other people commenting in my journal. I reserve the right to abuse my power, partially because I enjoy exercising it so very much. Though I've only had to do so twice: once with a highly conservative Catholic who was attacking my flist (intelligently at first, but after the third person it was clear he was trolling), and another time with someone who only commented to start fights (even though she was nice to me). It was so satisfying to be rid of them: I visualized it as a field goal, the culprit sailing between the two goalposts.
Sorry, I didn't mean to wax poetic there. It was just such a beautiful sight.
I'm sure you're fine though. I don't see you as a troll, and I like animated discussion.
I have a problem accepting a lot of the slash stories related to SG1.
Oh yeah, there are certain pairings in Harry Potter that I just can't swallow. But the difference between AU and standard fanfic is that the AU goes against expressed canon.
I think the question is: can guys like Jack or Daniel have long-standing relationships with women (marriage, kids, the works) and other relationships with women on the show, sleep with men? The answer is: affirmative. Absolutely. I'm in a relationship now with a man who's slept with more men than I have. So their heterosexuality is not canon. Michael Shanks' comments make that even more vividly clear.
The other question is: would Jack or Daniel cross the line, given their professional relationship, regulations, the risks? That's debatable. But because it's debatable it's open to fanfic and is not a canon issue.
Icarus
Re: Do you mind if I get on a soapbox?
Date: 2005-10-16 09:28 pm (UTC)I do not feel homosexuality is always OOC. After all, I acknowledge that Daniel would probably be open to experimentation - just about any type of experimentation from men to groups to drugs to other (non-humanoid) species. That's just Daniel. I'm less likely to see it with Jack.
Eep! I also appologize if I came off like some fundamentalist freak or person out to pick fights. Not my intention, I assure you. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find someone that will even listen to a difference of opinion. To find someone that will actually discuss the basis of their opinions/beliefs/thought processes is solid gold. Thank you for being one.
As for LotR weirdos attaching Christian ideals, just ew. I have always viewed elves in particular as somewhat fluid in their sexuality. They are immortal! Different taboos pass, elves remain. They've seen it all. Why not try it? If someone is willing to suspend their disbelief far enough to believe that a ring holds a soul (or whatever) and controls people, I think they could suspend it far enough to imagine a world not based on christianity. Since there was a recent hoo-ha in the newspaper about the evil, satanist exhibit at a local gallery - and the exhibit included Voodoo/Vodun imagery - I know many people simply can't.
As a Jew born a Jew and living in the bible belt, I am always interested to hear about the experiences of other non-christians in western society. Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm going strait to hell - according to your kinder, gentler Christian god. Achmed, and he's from Florida, has some predictably appalling things to say. Grace, too; she was born and raised Wiccan. If I ever convert, it will be to Buddhism. It makes a lot of sense.
Re: Do you mind if I get on a soapbox?
Date: 2005-10-20 06:49 am (UTC)Dessert Son (http://www.fanfic.otherplaces.net/desert_son.htm)
Hope you like.
Icarus