Here's Your Inspiration

[cko]

We've all had brilliant fanfiction ideas that:
--Sit in a folder, half-completed.
--Just hang there, not moving.
--Evaporated in the light of day.
--Dissipated once you sobered up.

This thread is to use our collective energy to bring these shadowy creations into the light of day. Ask for help. Share an idea. Aid another. Leave a bunny. Don't be shy.

[cko]

There's something bothering me about Sam v. Gaius Baltar (Battlestar Galactica). I don't know if it's a crossover (ugh) or just a way to look differently at Sam via the comparison. Here's how I described it at...that other site.

[Sam] and his loved ones have suffered consequences because of his own actions, rather than him just being victimized by the actions of others. That's somehow different, ethically. (I've got this vague thought about him being the exact opposite of Gaius Baltar. But it won't quite gel.) So far, he's played it close to the line, believing he has to make tough choices just so he and his can get to the next day. I guess he could start to get arrogant behind that. Or more self-pitying, which could be equally dangerous (and way less appealing, so, remember, writers--ratings, ratings).

I'm in the Sam Stays Good camp, since I can't see how they could take him bad and then good again without the usual vamp-hyena-werewolf contrivance. Per Soulless Bastard, the Devil Takes Sam's Soul is a great concept, but probably too long a story arc for this show. The more subtle attempts to waylay Sam haven't worked; he manages to come out on top, morally-speaking. (Agh! There's that Baltar thing scratching again. Must give that more thought.)

Anyone? Anything? By the way, there may be no story here. But I'd still welcome any discussion...

[Blue Sunflower]

Aug 21, 2008 23:10:33 GMT -5 cko said:

There's something bothering me about Sam v. Gaius Baltar (Battlestar Galactica). I don't know if it's a crossover (ugh) or just a way to look differently at Sam via the comparison. Here's how I described it at...that other site.

[Sam] and his loved ones have suffered consequences because of his own actions, rather than him just being victimized by the actions of others. That's somehow different, ethically. (I've got this vague thought about him being the exact opposite of Gaius Baltar. But it won't quite gel.) So far, he's played it close to the line, believing he has to make tough choices just so he and his can get to the next day. I guess he could start to get arrogant behind that. Or more self-pitying, which could be equally dangerous (and way less appealing, so, remember, writers--ratings, ratings).

I'm in the Sam Stays Good camp, since I can't see how they could take him bad and then good again without the usual vamp-hyena-werewolf contrivance. Per Soulless Bastard, the Devil Takes Sam's Soul is a great concept, but probably too long a story arc for this show. The more subtle attempts to waylay Sam haven't worked; he manages to come out on top, morally-speaking. (Agh! There's that Baltar thing scratching again. Must give that more thought.)

Anyone? Anything? By the way, there may be no story here. But I'd still welcome any discussion...

Maybe pace can help on this. She loves BSG. I can help with the Sam stuff, but not a comparison to Baltar. I think you're right though, I can't see them making him bad then good again. I think he'll simply stay good.

[pacejunkie]

I'm not getting the Sam/Baltar contrast as a bunny. Baltar (who I adore by the way) is a cowardly egomaniac that will do anything to save his own neck. Sam is the selfless, egoless hero that puts the safety of others before his own. Yeah, they're opposites, like the hero and the villian, but what's the story idea? The stories can't cross, because we're talking hugely different places and time periods. It would be a major stretch that for me would go beyond AU and I wouldn't enjoy it, but that's me.

The only way I can see doing it is to make BSG a TV show and have Sam, Sock and Ben watching the show and talking about it and how Sam differs from Baltar. Maybe they can turn it into a drinking game (like they'd do) and talk about which character they'd want to sleep with, who they'd want to be like, who they hate, etc.

For BSG fans, you could really have fun with it if the discussion was really funny and in character. Sock would totally want to do Starbuck. Ben would have a thing for Dualla (see what I did there?)

I guess there was a bunny there. Who knew. Want to try it?

[cko]

Wow. That's fantastic. Totally different than what I was thinking.
Mine was more an illuminating (or not) comparison of the two characters to help resolve my questions about each...not necessarily a x-over. Like, Baltar does things selfishly but a lot of times they work out to save/help people (Roslin/baby stem cells). Sam does things for good, but sometimes people get hurt.

Ends justify means, that kind of thing. But I like your idea better!
It would be meta, especially the Ben/Dualla. Hmmmmm.....

Plus I don't care for xover, but it can be a way to bring fans from one show to another. I read a great Jayne and Helo (not Jayne/Helo, sadly) that was hilarious, and some of the comments were "I don't watch Firefly but now maybe I will."

[pacejunkie]

Yeah, we were hoping something like that would happen with Reaper/SPN crossovers. It still might. I know I have a few BSG fan friends I've been trying to turn on to Reaper. And if you do watch both shows, you would get the injokes with Dualla, Chief and the random demon.

I have this wacky idea of the guys watching the show and playing their game and then the next day, Sam gets a copy of his contract delivered and asks the demon messenger, "Have we met before?" ;D

[cko]

OhOhOh! But...it's possible this is too complicated for me. If you can get somewhere, go ahead. But I'll let it stew.

In another direction: Sock/Marlena/Ben anyone? A continuation of my Sock/Marlena story? From each of their different points of view. Rashomon. That's...as far as I've gotten.

[amber]

So, I need an escaped soul idea, and vessel.

I'm putting my writing off because I dread writing about the escaped souls... and all that. x__x

Help? D:

[onyourmark]

I forget if someone already posted this, but there's a list of suspected or convicted serial killers in the Washington area here. It's pretty depressing to read, actually, but it might get you started thinking.

If that's too serious, just try working backwards! Think of the most ridiculously inconvenient vessel possible, and then imagine what kind of Soul might be connected to it.

[Blue Sunflower]

Aug 27, 2008 12:38:32 GMT -5 @amber said:

So, I need an escaped soul idea, and vessel.

Toothbrush for a dentist who permanently put his patients to sleep.

Chalkboard eraser for a teacher who slept with her students.

Syringe for a nurse/doctor fake "angel of mercy".

Petri dish for a scientist who purposefully infected his patients.

Remote control for a televangelist who was more into the money than his faith.

Beer bottle that Sock really wants to drink for an alcoholic.

[pacejunkie]

Blue those are awesome! I want to write another fic so bad, but I don't want the soul capture to be the focus. I'd like it to be more of a mythology or relationship based ep but I can't come up with a winning plot.

How about if the Devil gives up trying to corrupt Sam for a while and instead turns to Sock and Ben who are much more easily corruptible? He becomes their wing man, helping them pick up trampy girls, getting them drunk and letting them drive, that kind of crap. Sam has to bail his friends out before they end up in hell, sinning their way there. Sock and Ben (or maybe just Sock, is it out of character for Ben?) think Sam is overrreacting and being a drag, and accuse him of being jealous because Sock thinks the Devil is a cooler friend. But then the Devil tries to set them up to be killed, hoping to claim their corrupt souls. That's when Sam finally steps in and stops it and the boys realize the error of their ways.

Not bad, eh?

[Blue Sunflower]

Aug 27, 2008 13:12:36 GMT -5 pacejunkie said:

How about if the Devil gives up trying to corrupt Sam for a while and instead turns to Sock and Ben who are much more easily corruptible? He becomes their wing man, helping them pick up trampy girls, getting them drunk and letting them drive, that kind of crap. Sam has to bail his friends out before they end up in hell, sinning their way there. Sock and Ben (or maybe just Sock, is it out of character for Ben?) think Sam is overrreacting and being a drag, and accuse him of being jealous because Sock thinks the Devil is a cooler friend. But then the Devil tries to set them up to be killed, hoping to claim their corrupt souls. That's when Sam finally steps in and stops it and the boys realize the error of their ways.

Not bad, eh?

Nope. I do think it's out of character for Ben - unless it's Sock who's the one dragging him into it and not the Devil. "Benji, seriously. What could it hurt?"

Or actually - if he initially goes to keep an eye on Sock, but the temptation is too overwhelming. Ben *can* fall for temptation - hence the tracksuit. I can see Sam yelling at him "Aren't you supposed to be the voice of reason???"

[pacejunkie]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, of the time Sock and Ben both used the stolen money. I was surprised Ben would do that but he totally rationalized it. Maybe he's torn between the two of them, like the friend caught in the middle. I have to come up with a more interesting role for him. I like your idea of Sam trying to use him to help out, but Ben failing at the task when the Devil wins him over too.

[cko]

Nope. I do think it's out of character for Ben - unless it's Sock who's the one dragging him into it and not the Devil. "Benji, seriously. What could it hurt?"

And with the appropriate motivation...

That would be fun to examine. What motivates different characters to make certain choices? What tempts them?
--Go against their natures to do something out of character.
--Go with their darker side.
--Do something bad for a good reason.
--Do something good and something bad happens.

I can't articulate now b/c I'm also on a conference call (sshhhh!) but for future elaboration, this also relates to the Devil constantly trying to tempt Sam ("kill Greg"..."your friends and family are fair game"). And also--YAY--to my Baltar thing. Somehow.

[amber]

Holy Jesus pants. Those ideas... are amazing. I can't take it... I have to write now... WHY PACEJUNKIE?!?!? WHY DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT AMAZING IDEA?!??!!?11

-die-

I hate you now. XD

[pacejunkie]

I think you guys are inspiring me to do this.

[cko]

Yes! Nothing fills a hiatus like a story from pacejunkie. And...I believe I have a little inspiration, too. We'll see where it goes.

Satanic Meatball, you too!

[amber]

Me too? Stop confusing me. D:

Tomorrow I am getting on WWP and writing.

Also, you know what would be awesome? If we all wrote a story together... that'd be fuckin' EPIC!

[cko]

Yeah, I've been thinking of that. That's one of the reasons OYM started the story in the game thread, kind of as an alternative or a tune up to that idea.

If you have a thought about how that would work, or want to get started, let us know. And good luck with your writing!

[amber]

Well, a good idea I have is role play.

We could each pick a character, more than one is optional, and original characters are good... then once the role play is finished, we could put together our posts and... VIOLA!

That sounds fun to me. XD

[cko]

Hey, pace (or anybody), I know I haven't made this concept crystal-clear, but can you think of an example where Baltar did something as a "cowardly egomaniac" that ended up helping others or contributing to saving the Fleet, or someone's life? I'm thinking of the hybrid baby's stem cell anti-cancer thing, but I can't remember it well enough. And I don't have it in me to rewatch BSG right now. Thanks for anything anyone can offer!

Satanic, I've been curious about role plays but don't get how they work. Can you explain more or point me to somewhere that does? I've wondered about this on other boards...

[amber]

Role play is basically the same as writing a story, except you choose a role (or roles) to write as. Let's say you were Sam and I, the Devil...

Me: The Devil smiled evilly, whilst he dried his hands with the paper towel. Once finished, he carelessly dropped it to the bathroom floor.

You: Sam paused and contemplated for a second before bending forward and picking up the used paper towel that the Devil had discarded.
When he straightened himself back up, the Devil was gone.

Was that helpful? :]

[cko]

Satanic, that's a great description. At last I understand this thing. Are you doing this over at ADDX? Maybe I'll try it over there, to see if I can do it... *is sometimes bad at learning new things*

[pacejunkie]

I'd be up for trying a role play thread here. Onyourmark's has been pretty fun but it's hard to get the story rolling.

And ck, my memory for BSG is not great, since I saw the entire series pretty much back to back and much of it is a blur. I just recently started a rewind but I'm only in season one. The first thing I recall is fingering Dorall as a cylon just to make it look like he was working on the cylon detector but in fact he really was a cylon.

Also wasn't there someone on the Olympic Carrier that knew Baltar was a traitor and Baltar convinced Roslin to give the order to destroy it since the cylon's were using it to follow them?

[pacejunkie]

Oh, I just finished outlining my fic, it's going to be legendary.

[cko]

Pace, thanks, I think one of those will work just fine. Oh, I'd love to do a rewatch on BSG. Gear up for the new, last, half-season.

I have two stories started, one is a version of the Baltar we've been discussing. The other is...something else. But all I have is a paragraph for each, and I keep alternating between them, so I'm getting confused.

Can't wait to see yours! You're gonna be first in, as always, I'm guessing.

[cko]

Here's an idea. Plus, Reaper fic in mixed communities might interest others in the show!

I'm hosting a Multifandom Picture Prompt Ficathon in my journal. I've done this once before a while back and it was a lot of fun.

If you're interested check out the post, figure out what fandom/pairing you'd like to write (if any pairing) and sign up here! marishna.livejournal.com/479016.html

There haven't been any signups for Reaper fic yet and I'd like to remedy that! Sign ups are open until September 5th.

You sign up, and she'll send you a picture as a prompt. If it's any inspiration, there are several sign ups already for Supernatural and Gossip Girl. I'm gonna do it for my pairing.

[pacejunkie]

Oh, that could be fun. I'll check it out.

ETA: Okay, I signed up. October 15th is plenty of time.

[amber]

Thanks, cko. :]

How about we all head over to ADDX and I'll start a role play? It'd be better to do it over there, because I have a board for it. ;]

I'll link y'all to it, once I've posted.

[pacejunkie]

I'm working on a fic today, but if you start it, I'll pop over later. Can I take Ted?