first times, established relationships, and breaking off from canon

So I was reading an essay on metafandom by minisinoo about suspension of disbelief in slash, in which she says:

This is why I tend to have problems with OTPs -- both slash and het. There's a sense of "assumed inevitability" that must be bought into off camera rather than built within the story itself. The writer assumes the reader accepts the pairing even before reading. As long as readers do, all is well ... but it won't convince those who don't already see it. (And that often includes me, I'm afraid.)

Frankly, there's little I see as a given about relationships. I want to be wooed into believing by a well-told tale. In turn, I extend that courtesy to my readers. I don't expect you, the reader, to see anything as a given, either. It's my job to sell it to you.

It's ASSUMPTION that kills the believability of a story. Show, don't assume. Build the case. Convince me.

This idea—that all ship fic has the burden of "selling the ship"—is something I've rejected for a while now, though I've never talked about it much specifically. But I do have a problem with it, and this essay makes it easier for me to organize those thoughts, finally.

( I don't see my job as a writer to be selling anyone about anything. )

some wednesday things

• I haven't been on chat lately and I'm not sure when I'll be back on, for various reasons. If you want me, email, and I'll be happy to come on! Or if you have any questions, I'm just an email away!
  
• I don't have anything to say about Idol tonight, and won't until tomorrow night, except that having Scott around would certainly make group sings even more cheesy and ridiculous. That, and I'm glad I watch for Ryan and Simon rather than the actual singers. I hope some of you are still around for the polls starting next week!
  
• The only good thing to come out of Top Chef 5 was Colicchio's diet coke ad, so I'm really NOT watching the reunion show, except to zoom through it to find out who got fan favorite.
  
• I'm halfway through BSG 4.09, for those keeping track at home. I'm really sad about the cat, but cheered by the reappearance of the dog.
  
• I went away this weekend to visit a friend and saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which I liked quite a lot. I'm not surprised to see that it was based on a book co-written by the author of Boy Meets Boy and I'm definitely buying and reading that book when I go to pick up the new Fruits Basket later this month.
  
• It makes me sad, but the renewed racefail makes me glad I'm not an SF/F fan. I'm amazed and somewhat angered, but not heartbroken. Between that and some encounters I had last week, I'm starting to be less and less surprised at the crazy things that supposed non-racists think is perfectly okay to say and do.