Remixy Thoughts

[selenak]

Day II of No Breaking Bad, Woe distraction was achieved by nominating Yuletide fandoms and - characters, which you should also do since nominating doesn't oblige anyone to actually write in those fandoms, and by getting my Doctor Who Remix assignment.

...which turned out to be an author who had written precisely the required amount of fanfic, and no more. (Five stories.) All shippery, which isn't that much of a problem as it happens to be one of the few things I ship as well. (Though on a less fluffy note, but that's not a problem, either; that relationship just lends itself to crack fic, and to treat it as grimdark all the time would be just as wrong.) What IS a problem is that the first story I clicked was a Torchwood crossover, set after Children of Earth, so, being the big CoE fan I am, I started my exploration with this story. Alas, this meant an immediate inner argument. Starting with the basics, but okay, handwaving the basic premise and saying this does happen: then it's still apparant she hasn't actually watched Children of Earth and just knows one particular thing that happens in it (the one that got the main ships's folllowers upset). So I found myself arguing "but Jack wouldn't..." and "no way" and "if... then he'd rather..." etc. Now, at a quick glance none of the other stories - which are amusing unobjectionable fluff for the DW ship - made me argue. But fiction that gets a strong reaction from me, even a negative one, is just more inspiring, and still arguing in my head, I did get inspired.

Which leads me to a question. I abhor bashing. Of characters, of relationships, and, well, of other stories, too. Plus that's one of the things the ficathon frowns on. But my idea would basically turn the premise of the original story on its head and completely rearrange the emotional priorities of one of the two main characters. Would this come across as bashing or would it simply be seen as creatively remixing?

Comments

[likeadeuce]

But my idea would basically turn the premise of the original story on its head and completely rearrange the emotional priorities of one of the two main characters.

I personally think that's a valid way to do a remix; you may need to be a bit diplomatic about it, but some of the best remixes I've seen do something like this (as do a couple that I wrote.)

I can say more about it in email if you're interested in talking it over (I've seen CoE and know enough about the relationship between Torchwood & DW that I would probably understand the specifics ;))

[selenak]

I would love to talk with you about it! Will write an email later today, as must dash to earn daily bread now.

[likeadeuce]

Excellent!

[sholio]

Personally I think in remixes all bets are off, because it's not really a gift in the same way that an exchange fic is. Obviously remixing a lovely paean to Pairing X just to bash the pairing would be a dick move, but that's not what you're talking about here; I think it's entirely valid to rework a fic based on a different understanding of canon or characterization than the original poster used -- in fact, IMHO, that's one of the main things remix is for. There's a general understanding going into remix that you might not like what the other person does with your fic, and in the remixes in which I've participated this is made explicitly clear in the rules.

[watervole]

In your case, I'd see it as creative remixing, because I know you and know you don't bash.

[lizvogel]

Would this come across as bashing or would it simply be seen as creatively remixing?

That's entirely in the eye of the beholder, unfortunately. Do you have access to this person's journal, and can you get enough of a sense from it of whether she's the sort to get hysterical if her character interpretations are challenged? (One would hope such a person would not sign up to be remixed, but, well, people are weird.)