Meme Answers Part 2 (& Tredegar House)

[smallhobbit]

This time I'm answering aome 's questions to the fic meme (here):

#12: Which trope would you absolutely abolish?
That's a hard one, because while there are some tropes I dislike and don't read, I wouldn't abolish them as others like them.  Each to their own.  However, the one which really grates is the 'only one bed' type, where it's practically flagged from the beginning that the pining will be resolved by some almost 'deus ex machina' way and it's all 'hearts and flowers' afterwards.  For me, there's no resolution of the original reason for the pining, and it seems that having removed the characters from their normal lives everything is resolved and there will be no problem when normal life resumes.

#28: Stuck in an elevator or camping gone bad AU?
Stuck in an elevator - time to talk about the issues mentioned in the answer above.  Camping gone bad and one character's been rendered unconscious by a tent pole landing on their head, and once the ambulance has carted them off, the other goes home soaking wet and with a mound of muddy clothing to wash.

If you want to choose two or three questions, then feel free to do so.

Also, have another picture of Tredegar House:

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Another lovely photo of the house! I was interested in both your answers. I don't think I've heard your views on the former and I'm certain I haven't on the latter :))

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I don't tend to broadcast my dislikes - just inwardly groan when I read the start of yet another fic (one fandom I'm in seems to specialise in them) in which it's clear a magic wand is going to be waved. I don't think I've ever been asked the latter before ;) It's actually got potential.

[debriswoman]

I do like your camping gone bad scenario...I recall a friend’s description of family camping as “ four angry people in a tent” ...:-p

[smallhobbit]

Yes - not conducive to anything

[scfrankles]

5, 6 and 15 for the meme...?

It's always interesting seeing fanfiction from your point of view. I mean, I generally think of 'only one bed' just as an inoffensive romantic trope that can be pretty enjoyable. But I absolutely appreciate what you're saying. It's probably not a sensible way to sort out a relationship ^^"

[smallhobbit]

Thank you for the numbers.

I've used 'only one bed' as a means to encourage a relationship along a bit, but only when it's been the next logical step, rather than as a potential solution. I dislike the idea of 'we'll sleep together and that will solve everything'.

[out_there]

Camping gone bad and one character's been rendered unconscious by a tent pole landing on their head, and once the ambulance has carted them off, the other goes home soaking wet and with a mound of muddy clothing to wash.

As anyone who has struggled with actual camping knows, when that tent refuses to go straight and you've both had random poles hit your head, no matter how much you may ordinarily love the other person, you will be a snarling creature of hate in that moment. Camping going wrong does not inspire romance.

[smallhobbit]

My feelings entirely.

[aome]

I'm with you on "Stuck in an elevator" vs "Bad Camping AU" - although for me, the "stuck in an elevator" is akin to "only one bed" in the sense of forcing two people into close proximity. It *is* a trope I like, but - like you said - they have to resolve the original issues, without being "Life is perfect, happily ever after" immediately afterwards.

Bad camping, though - no thanks. I'm not even that keen on GOOD camping, lol.

[smallhobbit]

I agree. I see the "stuck in an elevator" as more forcing two people to talk, because what else can they do, and so the possibility of sorting things out, rather than a perfect solution. And way better than camping (of any sort!)