A Doyle-thing to think about...

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

There's something I've been wondering for a while, off and on, every time I read a fic that reminds me of it, and I'd love to hear what other people think about this. Can anyone tell me:

What is it about canon Doyle that has made fanfic writers portray him as:

a) incredibly selfish

b) incredibly tight with money

I'm really really curious - anyone got any ideas? Are there particular moments that stand out, where he behaves like that? Why do they stand out? Or is it some more general thing? How many people would agree with that portrayal?

It's not that I can't see what might make an author write Doyle like this, it's just that I can't see why he's so often portrayed that way. Whatcha think?

Comments

[jgraeme2007.livejournal.com]

I don't have enough sense to let stories that have already been written and considered the basis of Pros fanfic to affect my writing. And I'm sure there are plenty of people who wish it did! *beg*

I think this ties back to SL's original question. Certain tropes have been picked up along the way and embraced. Someone mentioned the idea of Bodie's background, and The Game is another example. Someone had to be the first to put these things into a fic, but they obviously hit a nerve with a number of other writers/readers, and they've been embraced tothe point that they are nearly canon.

So apparently a lot of what was written/established early on has influenced what came later.

But then there are just as many writers -- like yourself -- who write without being influenced by what came before. And I've heard a number of newer writers state that they never read the old fics -- deliberately avoid them, in fact.

Like for me it's fun to compare notes on all the different DiaG fics -- see what writers picked up from each other (or maybe they just spontaneously hit on certain elements) and where they differ.

Like the length of Doyle's hospital stay. You've got writers estimating everything from four to eight weeks. There are certain motifs that crop up: Doyle's nightmares, the discussion about leaving the locks undone, etc.

I thought you did a nice imaginative take on your story, and I agree, it didn't seem much influenced by anything that had gone before.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I thought you did a nice imaginative take on your story, and I agree, it didn't seem much influenced by anything that had gone before.

Why thanks! I happen to love DIAG stories myself and will read most anything rec'd to me regarding this ep. I'm glad you thought my take was a little different. That is a very nice thing to say.