The curse of perfection

[graculus]

If there's one thing (just one? ha!) that drives me insane about some fic it's the curse of perfection. I've noticed this in a few fandoms, but the most recent example I came across was a Harry/Snape story, so I'm going to use that as my example.

How it works is like this: our hero (in this case, Harry) is thrown into a difficult situation with his nemesis/future paramour if it's slash or het (in this case, Snape). Despite the trials and tribulations they face, Harry is to all intents practically perfect in every way, toiling nobly at various thankless tasks while Snape misunderstands/ignores him until suddenly! Revelation! Oh noes, he has been so mean to poor ickle Harry (including some dodgy sexing, if it's a slash or het story)! How can Snape ever make it up to him? *wibble*

Pfft. Didn't you ever read the HP book with all the emo!capslock!Harry ranting? He's a teenager, FCOL!

Perfection is an unnatural curse, because perfect people aren't human beings, they're robots. Go back to The Source, dudes, not the sparkly characters who only exist in your head. That is all.

Comments

[cycnus39]

At the moment, I'm being irritated by stupid writers lowering the intelligence of characters to a ridiculous degree because they're too simple minded to grasp things like basic physics. Yes, the Doctor has absolutely no understanding of physics. Time Lords are famously stupid, after all. *cries*

Ouch.

[auctasinistra.livejournal.com]

It's not a good thing (or is it?) that I see myself in this mirror. ;-)

I hate astute readers who point out weaknesses in my writing meanies like you. :-)


Rethinks some future scenes ...

Seriously. I'm glad you said this. I hate the extra work, but ultimately I'm always glad when someone points out a problem in my writing - I'm not assuming you were speaking of my work, but what you said applies nonetheless damn you.

[dementordelta.livejournal.com]

*sigh* You just totally described my upcoming Snarry Games fic. Back to the drawing board...