Random Fic Thought/Question

[doc_3]

So I was reading some fics the other day, and this thought occurred to me:

There are certain things that can totally turn me off about a story, even if it's something I have really liked right up until that point.  For me, if at any point the characters feel the need to clarify their relationship, perhaps by saying, "So are we dating now?" or "Does this make you my girlfriend?", then I am out. 

I just totally lose interest in a story at that point.  This holds true for any fandom I read fics in.

Do other people have this trigger, (without being specific about stories or authors - this isn't to bash anyone's writing), or am I the only one?

Comments

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

having people swear in relation to the case/lab/personal stuff seems jarring to me.

I'm in the camp that thinks Booth could cuss like a sailor if not for 8pm on FOX. Good Catholic boy aside, I think he has it in him. But I totally see it when he roughs up a suspect, not when he's having sex. I like to think of Booth as being super sensitive and sweet in the bedroom, and he would never use that kind of language when making love. (And we know Booth "makes love")

ETA: I'm in love with that icon!

[bertie456.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I see what you mean re. Booth swearing like a sailor but because we've never seen him do it, I'm hesitant about writing it in fics.

I guess it depends whether you're going for a realistic or a show-consistent portrayal though; again, if he's roughing up a suspect, there wouldn't be swearing in the show, but there would be in 'real life'. (Realism definitely has its upsides though - I wrote something where Booth full-on tortured a guy and didn't curse once. Was so damn difficult to write!)

And I agree with you that he wouldn't really curse in the bedroom (although the occasional "Fuck..." seems fine to me) - I was just mentioning that because, with smut, we've already departed from the show, so throwing in a couple of curse words wouldn't bother me. :) (I'm not entirely sure how sound my logic is here, but it makes sense in my mind... *g*)

ETA: And I heart Statler and Waldorf. :) I'm liking your new selection of awesome icons too...

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

I'm liking your new selection of awesome icons too...

You totally got me hooked on iconomicon - I had to check out your userpics and saw where you got a bunch of them. As much as I like the fannish ones, with hot pics of Booth or Josh Jackson, these others are just too much. I'm addicted and you get all the credit!

[bertie456.livejournal.com]

iconomicon is amazing - I had to tear myself away to go get some actual fandom icons eventually. I heart your Smurf one so much! :)

dignity20s_box is a fun one too as they have a bunch of animated fandom ones which I love muchly. Also, I've turned into an icon whore now as I keep seeing ones I like (i.e. this one) and tracking down their makers for more. It's an addiction... :)

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

The smurf ones are the best. I too need to get some fandom ones, I've been ignoring those in favor of some off the wall ones. The more ironic, silly, and nostalgic the better.

[only-more-love.livejournal.com]

I'm in the camp that thinks Booth could cuss like a sailor if not for 8pm on FOX. Good Catholic boy aside, I think he has it in him.

I don't know how MUCH Booth curses, but I can totally see him using some choice words sometimes. He's ex-military, he sometimes seems dangerously on edge, and he had a blue-collar upbringing. To me, it seems that the man who shoves a gun in another man's mouth and says, "She’s my partner, ese, and if anything happens to her, I will find you and I will kill you," almost certainly indulges in some colorful language sometimes. I can see it very easily.

This bit from an interview with DB also helps me see it:

Booth wears very original belt buckles and socks. Was that your idea?

Yes, I wanted Booth not to resemble a classic FBI agent. He’s a blue-collar worker’s son, he comes from a poor background and kept certain habits [from this lifestyle]. For example, he always has a pen on him that shows a naked woman when you turn it upside down. And if you paid attention, it’s not only that. As my character is a former gambler, he also carries casino coins in the inner pocket of his suit at all times, and dice in his pants pocket. It’s not always visible on screen, but it’s what helped me shape the character.

So while we don't see it on the show, in my head, it seems like a completely believable part of his character.

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

So while we don't see it on the show, in my head, it seems like a completely believable part of his character.

Oh yeah, totally. I think that there is a blue collar, rough edge to Booth that would come out in heartbeat on HBO. Not that I think he would just gratuitously curse, but more that he would have some very strong language in tense situations. Particularly a situation like you referenced with the gang leader. I think DB would make that very realistic.

[tempertemper.livejournal.com]

*nods head*

Choice words is the perfect description though. I've seen this written into his character is a working way and a non-working way!

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, Booth's use of "choice words" would have to be handled a certain way to make it seem believable.

[tempertemper.livejournal.com]

I'm in the camp that thinks Booth could cuss like a sailor if not for 8pm on FOX. Good Catholic boy aside, I think he has it in him.

I tend to agree.. and have got around the non-canon thing by having him swear/cuss *delete as appropriate if British/American* in his head only ;)

eg.

"Booth, when you said last week about there being one person out there for everyone. Did you mean you?"

Booth instantly lost his appetite. Oh shit...

...That's not from an actual fic, btw, I made it up... but now I want to write it!! ;)

ETA: Returning to edit your made up fic nonsense = sign of sad sad person.

[only-more-love.livejournal.com]

ETA: Returning to edit your made up fic nonsense = sign of sad sad person.

Oh, you saddo. *g*

[doc-3.livejournal.com]

Returning to edit your made up fic nonsense = sign of sad sad person.

But a truly hilarious one I must add. I like the idea of swear/cuss/curse - oh, you know what I mean - ing in his head only. In canon, but with a non-FOX edge.