Fannish Fifty: Snowflake Challenge #11 - Tropes, Kinks, Themes etc

[smallhobbit]

Today's snowflake_challenge says: Talk about your favorite trope, cliché, kink, motif, or theme.

I have, as many of my friends know, a competency kink.  I don't expect my characters to be perfect at everything, but I do like them to be good at their job.  (I also like people in public office to be good at their job, but that's another matter entirely!)  They don't need to be wonderful at all aspects, being competent means recognising when another member of the team can do something better than you and letting them get on with it.  However, my kink also requires not just my character, but some of those around to be able to do their job, rather than the drama coming because my character is the only competent person; the drama should come from external causes.

I used to volunteer as a Brownie Guide leader (retired last summer) and within our pack (unit) we all had our own strengths and weaknesses.  But we were competent and worked together and the girls had a good time.

It was with competency in mind that I created a new character when I was writing Lewis fics.  DI Garrett first appeared in The Last Man Standing Just Got Felled By A Lion and I liked him sufficiently to let him stay and progress to a DCI.

I also transported ACD's Sherlock Holmes stories Stanley Hopkins into BBC's Sherlock, where Hopkins is a DI with the Met River Police.  He's a stickler for health and safety, not unreasonably given the nature of the River Thames, plus the fact that that police force is responsible for abseiling down buildings when required.  River Police

Comments

[makamu]

I have, as many of my friends know, a competency kink. I don't expect my characters to be perfect at everything, but I do like them to be good at their job. (I also like people in public office to be good at their job, but that's another matter entirely!) They don't need to be wonderful at all aspects, being competent means recognising when another member of the team can do something better than you and letting them get on with it. However, my kink also requires not just my character, but some of those around to be able to do their job, rather than the drama coming because my character is the only competent person; the drama should come from external causes.

I also love competence kink and I agree with you that the trope works even better when combined with strong team dynamics and an appreciation for other people's skills.

And thank you for reccing two fics - I need to check them both out ( Lewis fic!)

[smallhobbit]

I like a good team working together - for me combatting whatever's happening elsewhere is far more interesting than concentrating on disfunctions within the team. I write much less Lewis fic than I used to, and now generally stick with my own 'verse I've built up over the years.

[makamu]

I like a good team working together - for me combatting whatever's happening elsewhere is far more interesting than concentrating on disfunctions within the team. I write much less Lewis fic than I used to, and now generally stick with my own 'verse I've built up over the years.

For me, it's very much a matter of balance. I'm fine with there being differences of opinion and heated debates. All they should do is come from and end at a place of mutual respect.

And I'm looking forward to exploring your additions to the universe of the series :)

[smallhobbit]

In a good team there will be differences of opinion, because they are all individuals and no-one should feel unable to express their thoughts. But they should be there for each other when it matters, and if they aren't it's because they've been prevented by an outside event rather than their own incompetence.

[makamu]

In a good team there will be differences of opinion, because they are all individuals and no-one should feel unable to express their thoughts. But they should be there for each other when it matters, and if they aren't it's because they've been prevented by an outside event rather than their own incompetence.

Where can I sign this? :)

[spikedluv]

Oh, yes, competency! I hadn't added this to my *coff* growing *coff* list, but I might. *g*

[smallhobbit]

There are, of course, other things I like, but this one is fairly essential to me.

[snowynight]

I really love when characters enjoy working together as a team and are good at their job. That's why I love Star Trek: the Original Series

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I can see why Star Trek: the Original Series appeals to you - they were all good at their own roles and worked as a team.

[snowynight]

Yeah. It's my feel good show.

[shipperslist]

Competency kink is one of the many, many reasons I like Agent Coulson so much. Unassuming, mild-mannered man with a kind smile--and so, so much more.

[smallhobbit]

Sounds good to me!

[cornerofmadness]

very nice. I need to check out your story. I love Lewis Thanks for sharing!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much!

[cornerofmadness]

You're welcome

[corvidology]

Ah, competency kink, such a glorious thing!

[smallhobbit]

I thought you would appreciate it :)

[svgurl]

I don't expect my characters to be perfect at everything, but I do like them to be good at their job.
Oh yes, this! Competency kink is great, and it is good to see the characters shine at what they do. I love teams so yes, when it all works together, it is even better. :D

[smallhobbit]

I've been very pleased to find I'm not alone in this.

[silveradept]

People being good at what they do makes for a lot of great story possibilities, especially when that competency allows them to drive the plot or make great discoveries. Multiple characters being competent in their domains makes for good team dynamics.

[smallhobbit]

I agree. It does so much for the plot, rather than waiting for things to be sorted. And I do like a good team.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Ah, ye olde competency kink! I always associate the you and it in my mind, of course. And before you, I didn't know it existed. I think it's especially noticeable (meaning, noticeably absent) in commercial media. Detective stories, often. I do laugh sometimes at poor Inspector Rebus and his colleagues and superiors and think 'Hobbit would not approve!'

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I do like some competency. Not that I expect perfection - that's unrealistic - but I don't like stories where the problems are caused because people can't do their job (I get enough of that in real life!)

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I have a huge competence kink too. My audience shares this, and often prompts me to fantasize about it. Mostly involving a society that actually works and is not a garbage fire.

Re: Yes ...

[smallhobbit]

Wouldn't it be good to have such a society! Competence for the win!

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I talk about a couple of my favorite competence series here, Love Is For Children and Polychrome Heroics. My readers really like digging into what makes a functional society work, and they'll copy replicable activities out of my notes. I can't count how many people have set up a quiet room or corner from that.