mini meta fest: aliens in fanfic

[wishfulclicking]

When Aliens are in the canon:

If the canon contains aliens then I expect aliens in fanfic to follow the rules of the source. If a person is creating another race within a canon that already possesses aliens, then they need to have minimal overlap with the aliens already present and should fit within the spirit of the rules of the universe unless their difference is the point. Ex: if I'm working in a canon where the aliens are more comedic, having a race of bloodthirsty conquerors would take work, especially if I'm treating them seriously. But this could easily fall into creating fanfic that vastly differs in tone from the source.

When they aren't in canon:

This is a scenario I have not come across often, but usually when I do find a fic that has a canon character be revealed as an alien, the character's alien nature is used to partially explain the character's canon odd ways. Ex: Gerard and Mikey Way as aliens in a bandom RPF fic; Brittany from Glee. I've also read Arthur from Inception being an alien, but that had more to do with JGL's past role in 3rd Rock from The Sun.

What I'd like to see is more characters who fit to social norms and excel be written as aliens playing a role to the best of their ability. Like instead of having Mark from TSN be an alien, write Eduardo as one trying to figure out human relationship and bonds and failing miserably but learning in the end.

(---a point that could apply to both scenarios)

+ There's a real opportunity to explore breaking conventions and having that be the norm when writing alien characters; most aliens in canon are not the main pov so in writing fic from their pov, one can delve into how they would view things coming from another place/galaxy/species. There are so many assumptions woven into the routine of living that can be disrupted without someone rebelling if the person/being is not from this planet. I'd love to see more fic dealing with a truly alien being, and not a being that feels like a human with an extra limb or another shade of skin.

Comments

[blnchflr]

I loved the idea of this prompt, but then I realized there's not much to say on fics with canon aliens, and I don't think I've ever read a fic with non-canon aliens, *sadface*.

It sounds interesting to explain a character's odd way as her/him being alien!

[wishfulclicking]

It's a rare thing to find a fic that makes a canon character an alien so I almost always give them a shot. My current fandoms are very mundane in setting so I had to reach to think on canons with aliens that I've followed.

[kabal42]

I don't think I've ever read a fic where someone is revealed to be an alien, but I can see it work as a trope. Fascinating post, really. I like your point about wanting 'truly alien' beings - I think that's one of the big challenges in fantastic literature, to create that kind of being that feels so alien that it is almost or fully incomprehensible.

[wishfulclicking]

It is super hard to write truly alien beings as the pov, it's easier, I think, to have a human pov reacting to an alien because there's still the base to compare everything.

Generally, I've found more fics revealing characters to be something supernatural like a fairy or succubus than aliens; but I think both are similar when it comes to different pov.

[kabal42]

I agree with you there. I wish I could think of any good examples, because I'm sure I've read some where the external POV worked in that respect. In fact, thinking about it, maybe Paul Edwin Zimmer's 'Dark Border' duology. (So not fic, but published stuff.)

*nods* Yeah, I've seen those too. My two main fandoms both have magical creatures, so there's lots of room for that kind of thing. There is a similarity to it, that's true. Especially when used as an explanatory device, as you mentioned it.

[rodo]

First of all: This prompt was brought to you by my getting into a fandom with aliens for what seems like the first time. I was trying to write one particular kind of alien and just had so much trouble with it, it was odd. Especially since the other kinds didn't confuse me as much. It really got me thinking about writing something, you know, alien. It doesn't help that I've read quite a few rants on how people get that aspect wrong and humanize the character.

I totally didn't expect the secong part of your post, but I am in love with it. There are so many vampire!AUs and stuff, we need more Actually An Alien fics.

[wishfulclicking]

What fandom are you involved in?

This question was tougher than I expected because I hadn't given much thought about aliens in fanfic, and though I have read fandoms involving aliens I've never considered what it took, and most of the stories weren't so much about their alien nature as it was hooking them up with someone. Also, all of these aliens were very humanoid.

We totally do need more Actually an Alien fics. It is so rare, and I think it should at least be as common as succubus fic, or if I dare to dream, wingfic.

[rodo]

Mass Effect. It's sci-fi and has different types of aliens, most rather humanoid (bipedal, one head, mouth, two eyes), but not all. It isn't my first fandom with aliens either, but one main character (Garrus, a turian) was really hard on me, while the all-female asari were not. I didn't even attempt to write a hanar (walking pink squids) or an elcor, which would be even more difficult.

Some big fandoms (like the Stargates, Star Wars) have a lot of aliens, so I guess it's telling that the concept is so underrepresented. I think maybe the aliens aren't meant to be too alien, or maybe popular (centemporary) sci-fi doesn't explore the possibilities so fans don't either.

[wishfulclicking]

Oh I have seen clips of that game, I hadn't even fully considered a canon with different kinds of aliens.

It just feels like my areas of fandom are more likely to add in wingfic or making characters succubi or fairies than aliens. Perhaps if aliens had more of a moment in the mainstream then it would filter down to wider fandom.