Great question. I'm going to have come back with a more thorough answer, but I'll begin by saying that the characters have to be recognizable--and not just by their names. The notion of what's in character for any given character is highly subjective, but I know when I read something whether it feels right or not. That's not helpful, I know. It's some intangible thing. I don't mind deviations from canon--if the writer is skilled enough/cares enough to make me believe. Things have to make sense.
Good fic respects the characters and their history. For example, Cam is not a raving bitch. She and Booth had and continue to have a cordial relationship. I dislike stories that knee-jerk paint her as the obstacle to Booth and Brennan getting together. Again, she COULD be an obstacle, but it has to be done right.
This is only tangentially related to your question, but I actively try to avoid reading Mommy!Brennan fics. Not that I have anything against pregnancy. It's just that Brennan has been so vocal about not wanting to have children that I wouldn't trust just anyone to credibly write a Mommy!Brennan story. I firmly believe that it is possible for people to change their minds about fundamental things like religion and children. HOWEVER, I'd need to see the process--the journey--that led to that shift. I'm sure it can be done well, but my guess is that most people don't try to do that; they just have her get pregnant because that's generally a fairly normal progression in a long-term romantic relationship, and then we're just supposed to automatically suspend our disbelief. But there are big issues there, and they need to be addressed before I'll buy that. Not to mention that I think she'd at least CONSIDER having an abortion.
I am totally rambling and have no idea if any of that made sense. I'll be back with more, I'm sure. :)
no subject
Good fic respects the characters and their history. For example, Cam is not a raving bitch. She and Booth had and continue to have a cordial relationship. I dislike stories that knee-jerk paint her as the obstacle to Booth and Brennan getting together. Again, she COULD be an obstacle, but it has to be done right.
This is only tangentially related to your question, but I actively try to avoid reading Mommy!Brennan fics. Not that I have anything against pregnancy. It's just that Brennan has been so vocal about not wanting to have children that I wouldn't trust just anyone to credibly write a Mommy!Brennan story. I firmly believe that it is possible for people to change their minds about fundamental things like religion and children. HOWEVER, I'd need to see the process--the journey--that led to that shift. I'm sure it can be done well, but my guess is that most people don't try to do that; they just have her get pregnant because that's generally a fairly normal progression in a long-term romantic relationship, and then we're just supposed to automatically suspend our disbelief. But there are big issues there, and they need to be addressed before I'll buy that. Not to mention that I think she'd at least CONSIDER having an abortion.
I am totally rambling and have no idea if any of that made sense. I'll be back with more, I'm sure. :)