nny | Why I’m not interested in Out Of Character fics (Reply)

(thoughts on Remus Lupin, David Thewlis, and OMCs)
I was always a Lupin fan. I pretended, for a little while, that I was a Sirius fan, a Snape fan, but I always came back to Lupin because there is something about his character that I’m drawn to. I identify with him in many ways, and I aspire to be like him in others. Though, I admit, I have no desire to be a werewolf.

Initially, I protested against the casting of David Thewlis. I… still do to an extent, I suppose, but you can mark my decision down as Pending. I am willing to be converted.

Somewhere between the third and fifth book, I fell in love with a literary character. I don’t know precisely when it happened, but when I read OotP I found myself wriggling happily when Remus was “on-screen”, as it were. So provided the performance is good, provided I believe that he is Remus, I would accept anyone that was cast.

That’s the thing about fanfiction, you see. It is- in my opinion- written because there’s something about the characters that resonates. Something that niggles at you until you have to write it. Some little snippet that made you want to explore further. I can understand that fiction about a TV series, a film, might be a purely lusting exercise; you want to see the actors together, but can’t bring yourself to write RPS. But slash based on a book? Surely it’s the characters that draw you in?

So I don’t understand OOC fic. What is the point of writing fanfiction if you change the very thing that identifies it as such- the characters? In my opinion there is not a fanon Remus. There are certain things that are free for interpretation, but when it comes to character traits there is Remus and there is Not-Remus. Not-Remus is all very well; he’s an attractive guy, a dark guy, a better-dressed guy… but he isn’t the character I want. You might as well give him another name and make him an OMC. I have nothing against OMCs. I just protest when they’re wearing another character’s face.

I can accept OOCness when the fic is a parody. I can accept it when the writer takes the time to explain. I can accept when the writer is just that good. Some people can justify OOC behaviour, and they can pull me in and remove all my doubts. Some people can’t. Some people shouldn’t bother.

Feel free to argue that my writing isn’t particularly in character- I accept this as a just criticism… it’s because I’m not a great writer. Newsflash, huh? But I like to think I’m improving. I like to think that I am learning from my mistakes and always striving toward a character you can recognise.

So I reserve judgement on Thewlis as Lupin until I’ve seen the film. And I separate the film Remus entirely from the Remus I carry around in my head. The Remus I fell in love with.