short of one of us changing,

[minxy]

I had this sad thing happen fannishly in the last few days. I hit this absolute impasse with a friend about what constituted a spoiler and what would be good to have behind a cut tag (short story, I think a casting spoiler is a spoiler because it hasn't aired in an episode yet; she feels that if it's aired in a commercial running on the scifi channel and all the hell over the boards and the T.V. Guides and such, then it's no longer a spoiler.) I really think we're both being pretty reasonable, and it makes me incredibly sad that I'm probably going to stop watching her LJ for a little while until the spoilers, by my definition, aren't. I was being all angsty and wanting her agreement on the defriending thing, but now I've caught up a little on my flist I am reminded that it's not all about me, and she really doesn't need to be burdened with my issues. So, hugs and love and temporary break.

So, for the record, I agree with sage_theory and tptigger on spoiler etiquette. I appreciate anyone who makes the effort to enable my complete spoiler-phobia and I do realize that I'm not always easy to accommodate, or predictable. Usually it's a non-issue and your normal MO has almost always been sufficient for me.

In an effort to cheer myself up, to celebrate nialla42 and because I've read some really impressively structured stories lately (not least from gateverse_remix, as a group, actually), I give you:

Kick-ass awesome structure in fanfic, a completely incomplete list of four in the Stargate 'verse:

nialla42's breadbox editions are a snarky, MST3K-structured send-up of the best, worst and most ridiculous in Stargate SG-1. She's coined terms like SNIT (Sam Needs Intensive Therapy) and done a pretty stellar job of not character bashing, but criticizing. All while bringing teh funny. I think they're all worksafe, unless the BDSMers calling for a safe word in certain scenes is over a line. SG-1.

Wot I read yesterday: The New Atlantian Dictionary of Literary Terms: A Complete Reference in Four Volumes, by thingswithwings. This has multiple pairings+, an incredible theme of communication running throughout, some of the most fascinating characterizations of Lorne and Kate that I've seen and a fascinating reference text definition structure, which thingswithwings uses to tell at least four interweaving stories that are complex, mostly happy, and wonderful. Not worksafe, I don't think. Slash, het, poly, femmeslash, friendship, campfire stories... you name it. SGA

Which reminds me of: Able to Zoo, by runpunkrun. Each section is a drabble, but also alphabetical, they may and probably will hit every pairing in SGA, and are likely to cause loud laughing. You are warned, people reading at work. R rated. SGA.

And, in celebration of the Jack/Daniel ficathon stories (which I haven't read yet) going live today, one of my favorites Jack/Daniels ever, from greensilver, runner of the ficathon Every Year. Amabar, Amor, Amabor. This was a story for Destina, and it has an incredible numbered structure that always impresses me in a very emotional way. I'm serious. The numbers are *moving*, and I suspect it's a combination of structure and story and storytelling, but it meshes incredibly well. Worksafe, actually, which always surprises me. SG-1.

Lastly, something that hopefully will cheer everyone (multi-fandom):

Comments

[nialla]

If you want to defriend, that's perfectly fine. You don't need my agreement for that, it's something that you need to decide for yourself according to your comfort level.

I just can't see how saying an actress is going to be on a show next season is any different from knowing who's in the cast of the current Harry Potter movie or knowing what movie Brad Pitt is in next. I know in this case it does bring up the specter of changes that will have to happen in the plot, but as long as it doesn't go beyond the simple fact of casting, I don't see the issue. It's just something we'll have to agree to disagree on.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yup. Still, it makes me wistful to harsh on anyone else's fannish experience, and I feel bad for hitting a place where I can't accommodate or deal and defriending is so Draconian. I am sorry, and I will see you at SNIT and in chat and in comments and all that.

(It's also, in a purely academic way, interesting that you mention Harry Potter, because presumably, if you've read the books, you are as spoiled as spoiled can be. And yet this doesn't bother me, for I am woefully inconsistent. Also I care a lot more about the books that the movies--I get annoyed when booksites tell me how many characters might die in the upcoming books and all that. SPOILERS! I want to cry, raising my fists to the heavens! SPOILERS, BOOKSELLERS! They never listen and have a reasonable dialog with me about it, though.)

[mmmchelle.livejournal.com]

I agree with you on the spoiler thing. I recently had the ending for a series spoiled by a casting spoiler. Knowing the actor/actress wasn't returning meant I *knew the ending.* I was mildly put out, as I share your spoilerphobia.

I see your friend's point, but not all of us frequent the boards or watch the commercials on scifi for this very reason.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

{{{massive hugs}}} sent your way.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yes, and yet, I FEEL LIKE A JERK. Can't explain it.

Apparently I've recovered by commentficcing in what seems to be a universe growing up around the remix fic. We've got the original, the remix, the sequel to the remix being written by the original's author, a missing scene cut from the actual remix and a ficlet written after the fact in the comments to the missing scene post.

*face/palm*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

*cuddles*

[live-momma.livejournal.com]

Casting spoilers can be tricky. On one hand, fans of a certain actor could be quite interested to know that he/she is going to be on an upcoming episode/season of a show. On the other hand, fans of the show could garner more info than they'd like from knowing that the person is going to be on that show.

I didn't consider a certain actor joining Atlantis to be a spoiler, because I didn't know anything about her role (good guy, bad guy, red shirt, etc). Other people did, even though it was common knowledge and SciFi was promoting the change quite vocally.

OTOH, I've even been spoiled by commercials! There were one or two episodes of SG1 this year that I thought showed too much in the online promos. I knew what was coming to the extent that the tension they were trying to build was pointless, because they'd already shown me the next scene. That's also why I always fast forward through the opening credits for BSG. ;-)

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Right back at you. :)

I hope there's time in the coming days for you to plotz and read and just enjoy. *more hugs*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Erm, not likely. I have to go to Wisconsin tomorrow (suddenly and at no personal expense) for about 24 hours. I fly in and out of LAX, which is 2 hours from my home on a good day, only to turn around and drive back down to LA for a race Saturday.

I don't know what's happening Sunday. Lately Sunday is my whole weekend. Maybe I can get Rydra to tell me more story on Sunday.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Yup, I pretty much haven't got enough television time allotted to stick around through the credits, so I don't see those 'Next time on SGA', curiously spoilery as they are. What I always remember is Joss Whedon complaining about tptb totally spoiling the pilot of Firefly with their promos leading up to the premiere.

So I really don't consider Scifi's spin to be part of the show. When the show is over, I'm out. When the opening credits are rolling, I'm not reading them.

I have to say that most of the reason I just can't handle this any more is that most of the reaction to this casting spoilers is OTT negative or bitter somehow. I don't want that in my fannish soup on a normal day, let alone with a side of spoilers. Makes me sad, you know? Don't harsh on my squee.

[mmmchelle.livejournal.com]

All that commentficcing sounds like an incredible amount of inspired fun.

I felt badly for being put out too, but I know I would've enjoyed the ending more if I hadn't known what was going to happen.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Well good that you don't have to pay for it. Hopefully flights will be on time and the weather fine.

As for LAX.....gah.

Weekends need to be at least two days. I'm just sayin'.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

LAX = teh airport of evol

I've found that I regret it more if I don't play as hard as I work. So, one day set aside for racing and sports is probably worth doing, even if you lose most of the day to retreading old roads and sitting around on a beach with cute boys who have a habit of taking off their shirts....

Um. What was I saying? Oh yeah, several have gotten my phone number. Hee!

I really need to go home from work now. Yes.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Heh! It is indeed.

And yes to what you said about the days, and the beach. Also the phone numbers....um, go home and have a great evening!

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

*randomly hugs you*

because, um, just because...

*scampers off*

[wraith816.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you've got spoiler issues. I have never gone spoiler-free for something until now with SPN, and you know? I'm realizing now that it really kinda sucks how difficult it is.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

Thanks. Since posting I've flown halfway across the country and back, been wined and dined, made at least 5 random new friends and been given a round of cheese. I spent a day at the beach, attempted to sleep in two different cars and at least one airplane. I've had my seat kicked and my skin crisped and been given a third place medal.

So, a little perspective, I guess.

Still, though. *hugs back, rather exhaustedly*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_minxy_/]

It does, it also kind of sucks that people you really like can be the ones to unpredictably and without warning, randomly tell you something that changes your experience of a show. It's funny how we assume that everyone sort of wants the same fannish experience.

DUDE. I'm sorry I've got spoiler issues too.

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

Sounds exhausting and also rather a lot of fun.
(and I'm glad to know you got cheese, seeing as how you said you were going to Wisconsin and that pretty much requires obtaining of cheese)

Hope you can get a little rest now!