(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.

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

"Punkin" is always cute!!

[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.

[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*