(no subject)

[castalie]

Just finished reading Pennies and Colder Fountains and wow. Just, wow. Stories like that are the haunting type. I love it so much when that happens... Some fic writers are so talented! I can't even ever feel jealous, only a little bit in awe of people who can write like that.

I felt the good writing even more keenly than usual because not a hour before I read that story I was working on the free-lance job - so much work for a job I'm not even sure I'll get and that is driving me crazy in the process, I really must like pain! - where I'm supposed to read two novels and then write the... synopsis blurb? The one you find on the back cover, know what I mean? That part of the book has a specific name in French but I realise I'm not sure what's the English equivalent.

Anyway. I have to read and then write the synopsis and that's actually all kinds of awesome as job goes... except for the fact that those novels belong to a category I just don't read. Ever. The kind of badly written, OTT straight romance where the women aren't complete till they met a man. Tall, dark, manly man, of course. Who will protect them and feel possessive blah blah blah.

Funny thing is, I'm totally behind that kind of caveman routine with my slash pairings. It's not hypocrisy, it's just, I don't know, playing with stereotypes. I like it. Put the same dynamics between a guy and a woman and it annoys me. I think it's because when it's about Jensen and Jared or Jim and Blair etc etc... it's like a game. And when it's about Random Guy and Random Chick, it feels like a statement to me. I'm not saying this is rational, just that it's the way I see it. Also often I like stuff because I just, you know, do. And dislike some other stuff the same way. No clever reasons, just a 'that's how it is.'

Then again, just because I think harlequin-type romance is lame doesn't mean it is. Different stroke for different people and all that. Plus, you might like it and think it's completely ridiculous. I'm a fan of stuff that would make people roll their eyes because lame much? So, really, I believe that lameness is in the eye of the beholder and it's never a statement about the kind of person you are - disclaimers will be the death of me - but, you know, being forced to read something when you don't believe in it isn't what it's all cracked up to be. Even though I obviously chose to try it ;-)

Which er, biggest diggression ever because what I wanted to say is! If you're a MCR fan in general, of Frank/Mikey in particular and if, for reasons unknown to man and that don't need exploring at this juncture, you haven't started reading bandombigbang yet, then you totally have to go and give the fic I recc'ed above a try. Just, make sure you have free time on your hands. And also lights in the house. Cause you'll be creeped out. Unless it's just me and I'm a wuss but zombies, dude, it never gets not terrifying.

Comments

[starwatcher]

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I'm totally behind that kind of caveman routine with my slash pairings. It's not hypocrisy, it's just, I don't know, playing with stereotypes.

That's it exactly. When it's two men, they make a choice what their dynamic will be, and it can always be open to fluctuation. Crudely put, who'll be top/bottom tonight, but in reality, so much more than that.

But with man/woman -- especially in the typical romance for the mass market -- there's only one way it can be. He's the pursuer, she's the pursued (sometimes willing, sometimes not); he's forceful, she gives in; he's the top, she's the bottom. Even though the choices may be the same in slash, the possibility of tweaking the expectations keeps things more interesting. In het, there're fewer permutations to play with before you get to the inevitable result; ergo, not as much fun.

For the back of the book, 'synopsis' wouldn't be the exact word, because that would be summarizing the entire story. I'm not sure I've ever heard the technical word; in idiomatic usage, it would be the 'blurb' or 'hook'.
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[castalie.livejournal.com]

In het, there're fewer permutations to play with before you get to the inevitable result; ergo, not as much fun.

*nods*

I just dislike that type of romance; those women always seem to be stuck in a teenager status somehow.

Even when they're written as dependent individuals at first, it usually stops when the tall, dark, manly guy suddenly appears and sweep them off their feet. As if they were just waiting for him to, I don't know, abandon everything that made them competent adult women. Since the Alpha Male is here, they can let him run the show. And it's quite irritating.

in idiomatic usage, it would be the 'blurb' or 'hook'.

Thanks!

[greedy_dancer]

I was going to offer "blurb" too. "back cover blurb"?

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Yes, 'blurb' sounds right. Thanks :-)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

You know what I think of the fic, so all I'll say is. I SO AGREE!

Also, two new Mikey fics have been posted what I want to read right now. I don't have time to read everything. I have woe!

I feel your pain about the blurbs. I'm sure I've mentioned that my dad's fiance sends me Mills and Boons books because for some reason she thinks I like them. He brought me a new bag full on Sunday...sigh.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Seeing those two fics appear was all kinds of awesome :-) Big Bang; the present that keeps on giving!

Writing those blurbs is quite the experience. Oh, and I also have to find a title! I mean, dude! I can't even find titles for my own fics without spending, like, a hundred years doing so, and they want me to find titles for novels written by others? I do like a challenge, apparently!

And sorry for the Mills and Boons thing. I feel your pain too.

[aswanargent.livejournal.com]

"Blurb", definitely.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

Thanks!