Crossovers

[lyore]

I've been thinking a bit about crossovers recently - writing them and reading them. Lucky you, I feel like sharing :)

I've seen crossovers get a bit of a bad rap, but I have to say I really like them* - I think it really gives the characters (and the author!) a chance to stretch their wings.


Consider when you have the observation of canon characters by characters of a difference canon. It gives the 'new eyes, new appreciation, new perspective' of an 'outsider POV' fic, but in this case it comes with an added bonus - because the observer isn't a cypher, their observations can shed just as much light on their characterisation as the characters they are observing.

And the same goes for character interactions - the way they respond to one another can through light on both characters, especially when you have a pair/group with strong similarities as well as distinct differences. Such interactions can make the differences and similarities in very apparent to the reader, without the author having to draw direct attention to it in the fic.

Plus, there's the fact that I love seeing the characters tossed out of their comfort zone, and I love seeing one set of characters I love meeting another set. Not to mention the technical challenges of getting the canon together in the first place - while it's easy(ish) in some cases (SG-1 get an alert about possible Goa'uld activity in a small town in California), it can be a lot harder to sell when one canon is set in, say, 21st Century earth and the other is in a galaxy far, far away (of course, sometimes this doesn't matter, depending on the fic).
*Done well - all of this applies to well done crossovers, of course. Done badly? I hate watching people mangle two sets of canon even more than I hate watching it done to one.

But that's just what I think - What about you?

[Poll #1090050]

Comments

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

I'm not against crossovers, but they don't appeal to me either as a reader or a writer. I think it has to do with why I read fanfic, and that's specifically to get more of what I like about a particular show. So if I like a particular character, I usually want to read about him exclusively--the other characters can be there, but a big, plotty adventure story or a focus on original characters doesn't appeal to me, so I won't read those stories--usually. *g* (There are always exceptions.)

I tend not to like crossovers in part because I seldom know both canons and also because I tend to like episode tags or missing scenes or something that feels like it could be a part of the show. I tend not to like wildly AU stories or stories that change canon drastically either. And again, there are always exceptions, it's just that from years of reading fic, I've learned what I like, so I'll always go for things I like first, and crossovers (or AUs) are at the bottom of my list. I'd have to be pretty bored to read a crossover, and I am almost never that bored. *g*

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I think it has to do with why I read fanfic, and that's specifically to get more of what I like about a particular show.

See, that's interesting, cause it's the same reason I read fic - but for me, it means I tend towards long, plotty adventures as my first choice. Focused on my characters of choice, of course *g*

I tend not to like wildly AU stories or stories that change canon drastically either.

Have you found that most crossovers fall into this category? I guess because I put a heavy emphasis on 'could it happen?' when reading crossovers, I mostly remember those that (IMO) could slot into the canon without too much trouble. I guess this depends heavily on the two source texts...

I've learned what I like, so I'll always go for things I like first,

An entirely reasonable position *g*

Interesting thoughts, thanks!

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

but for me, it means I tend towards long, plotty adventures as my first choice. Focused on my characters of choice, of course *g*

I should have specified what I like about the show. *g* For me it's the character stuff. I can overlook almost anything as far as the plot or story goes if the characterizations appeal to me and make sense. I tend not to care that much for the stories on a show like Stargate or Supernatural. I can revel in the cheesiness or ridiculousness of the stories, but it's the characters and the character moments that I love most. Without them, or if the characters are changed in a way that I don't like or that doesn't appeal to me, and I lose interest in the show.

I tend to find fanfic adventure stories to be a bit on the boring side, because they tend not to focus on the characters in a way that I'd like. As I said, though, there are always exceptions. I love a long, plotty fic without the adventure story if the plot focuses on the characters, and I can enjoy even adventure stories if they also focus on the characters.

I do find that most crossovers fall into the AU category--actually, othey are a step below AU stories on the "could this really happen" scale. *g* Also, I don't know why but I tend to really dislike any type of intrusion on the canon of my show by including the canon or characters of another--even if it's a show that I watch. I never even liked SG-1/Atlantis crossover fic with some exceptions.

I don't have a problem with any type of fic, though. I think people should write what they're inspired to write and read whatever they like. :-)

[lyore.livejournal.com]

I love a long, plotty fic without the adventure story if the plot focuses on the characters, and I can enjoy even adventure stories if they also focus on the characters.

My ideal fic is a long, plotty adventure which is character driven - sadly, such fics are few and far between.

I tend to really dislike any type of intrusion on the canon of my show by including the canon or characters of another

I can definitely understand that. On a similar note, it really bothers me if there is a lack of balance between the two sources - for instance, if the characters suddenly turn up in another's canon and start dominating the story. It can be almost like a Mary Sue using the characters from another canon.

I think people should write what they're inspired to write and read whatever they like. :-)

Absolutely!