(no subject)

[allyndra]

So, I was reading fanfic, as I often do, and John called Rodney "Baby," and it jarred me right out of the story. I spent a minute feeling irritated at the story, then I got really irritated at myself. Because I am the Queen of Terms of Endearment. I inherited my tendency to use affectionate nicknames from my father, who refers to my mom as "Honeyhead" so much that their African Grey says, "Goodnight, Honeyhead," whenever you turn off the lights.

Terms of Endearment I use for my husband and/or son:
Darlin'
Darlin'est (in case Darlin' isn't quite strong enough)
Punkin (Never pronounced "Pumpkin")
Punkin Pie
Baby
Baby Doll
Boy-o

And I also use diminutive versions of their names. Pretty much all the time. So, why do I object to fic!John using the word "Baby"? It makes no sense. And I would probably rise up in revolt if Rodney called him Johnny. I conclude that I hold a double-standard. I am allowed liberties that fictionalized versions of my favorite fictional people are not. *nods*

Comments

[xanzpet.livejournal.com]

I'm with you here. I often use terms of endearment with my family and friends, and I call almost everyone 'hun', but seeing them in fanfic can sometimes be very...annoying, especially if it doesn't fit with how I view the characters.

We know per canon that Xander used pet names with both Cordy and Anya, but I have a very hard time picturing him calling either Angel or Spike 'baby' or 'honey', And it's not just men, because I can actually see him calling Riley 'honey'. I can't imagine him addressing Buffy or Faith by such names. Maybe it's a power thing? I'm strange, I know.

Those pet names are also weird to me when I see them in Wincest fics. I just don't see Sam or Dean calling each other 'baby' or 'honey' or 'sweetums' or what have you. It's just not them in my opinion.

I conclude that I hold a double-standard. I am allowed liberties that fictionalized versions of my favorite fictional people are not. *nods*

I firmly support this statement and plan to stitch it on a sampler, take a picture of it, and upload it into my profile so that all potential readers are aware that hypocrisy is perfectly acceptable in fanfiction, just in case they didn't already know.

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

The pairing in question does make a big difference. I remember seeing a poll once about what Xander might call Giles if they were in a relationship, and I simply can't see Giles being called anothing other than "Giles." No pet names, not even "Rupert."

In Atlantis fic, the McKay/Sheppard contingent (*waves a flag*) have made a big deal about the fact that Rodney nearly always calls John by his last name or rank. In fic, calling him "John" is a sign of affection and involvement, and usually comes after or during the hot, hot sex. So far this season, Rodney has called John by his first name twice. There was much glee.

I firmly support this statement and plan to stitch it on a sampler, take a picture of it, and upload it into my profile so that all potential readers are aware that hypocrisy is perfectly acceptable in fanfiction, just in case they didn't already know. OMG, if you did that, I would be your slave for life. *laughs wildly* Seriously, a sampler of any kind of fic-creedo would be the most awesome thing of all time. *ponders learning how to cross-stitch*

[xanzpet.livejournal.com]

I simply can't see Giles being called anothing other than "Giles." No pet names, not even "Rupert."

Absolutely. Xander giving him a pet name makes about as much sense to me as Gunn calling Angel 'honey'.

OMG, if you did that, I would be your slave for life. *laughs wildly* Seriously, a sampler of any kind of fic-creedo would be the most awesome thing of all time. *ponders learning how to cross-stitch*

You are full of win! I've been debating about the cross-stitch thing, just to apply it to a fic manifesto. *nods*

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

"Punkin" is always cute!!

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

When I was in grad school, the departmental secretary heard me call my husband "Punkin" over the phone and was aghast. She stared at me and said, "Please tell me you were talking to a child and not a grown man!" It made me feel like a total weirdo. One who came from a family of weirdoes, because I grew up with "Punkin." I feel all validated by your approval. :o)

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

!!!!! That is totally uncool on the part of the department admin. It's awesome that you have affectionate names for your husband as well as your son! That kind of warmth in families should be encouraged.

So, yay for validation! \o/

[sublimatedangel]

Ah, we also use a large variety of sweetheart nicknames in our household. There is nothing too ridiculous, cliche, mock-able, or bizarre to be used as a pet name. Your dept secretary would die of shock, no doubt.

As to fic... it really depends. 'Baby' especially was triggering for me for a long time, until my view of its use changed. For me, there are two sides... would the character really say that? And what would character B's reaction be? If only one of these is off, I can just kind of skim by and ignore it, but if both are off, I do stop and go, wait, what? No. Really, no.

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

There is nothing too ridiculous, cliche, mock-able, or bizarre to be used as a pet name. That's my motto! :o)

I don't really know why Baby bothers me so much in fic when it's so ubiquitous in real life. It makes sense that a lot of characters would use such a common pet name, but most of the time when I see it ... *grrr*

[wingwyrm.livejournal.com]

Hi!
*waves*
Drive by pimping!

atlantis_9to5 is a new comm that I just made, with encouragement from piratepurple and sardonicsmiley and I was wondering if you'd wander on over to see it! I'd really appreciate it :)

Even if you don't join, maybe a prompt for the New-Comm-A-Thon would be nice *bg*

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

Oooh, fun! I'll come check it out.