Guidlines for writing UC fanfic
- What does UC stand for? -- It stands for unconventional. This is a pretty straightforward word. And when used in 'shipper fanfic, it is pretty easy to see what it means. If you're still unsure, though, read the next point in this outline for further clarification. And for the record, Buffy/Doyle is most definitely a UC 'ship. (As if you didn't already know that! :)
- Couple can not be cannon -- I know, I know, this is pretty much a no brainer. But it has to be said, esp. for those new to the world of UC 'shipperdom. If the couple was together on the show, they aren't UC. Couples such as Angel/Buffy, Xander/Cordelia, Willow/Oz, Giles/Jenny, Willow/Tara, Buffy/Riley, Spike/Drusilla, Xander/Anya, Willow/Kennedy... those are all conventional couples. They were together, for at least a little while, on the show. However, couples such as Angel/Lindsey, Willow/Buffy, Cordelia/Giles, Dawn/Spike, Xander/Wesley, Tara/Oz, Devon/Xander, Darla/Buffy, Faith/Lindsey, Doyle/Willow (etc.)... those are all unconventional couples. They were never together on the show. Heck, a lot of them are couples that Joss and Co. probably wouldn't even touch with a ten foot pole. And that's what makes UC fic so great! We, the fans, can make any couple we want come to life in our fics, even if it's one (i.e. Spike/Xander, Faith/Kendra, Willow/Gunn... etc.) that is never going to come across our TV screens Tuesday nights.
- What is slash and how does it relate to UC fic? -- Slash is generally thought to mean a male/male or female/female (m/m, f/f) relationship not seen on the show. (There has been great debate as to whether or not Willow/Tara is slash or not since it *is* cannon now... I have yet to hear a definitive answer to that one...) If Angel and Xander fall for each other or Buffy and Faith start shagging like crazed bunnies in your story... then it's a slash fic. No doubt about it. One note, while most slash fics that I've read have plenty of hot sex scenes in them... they don't *have* to get a naughty rating. A G rated slash fic is entirely possible... just not that likely. Also, and I'm sure you all guessed this, but Buffy/Doyle is very much *not* slash fic. (There I go pointing out the obvious again. This is becoming a habit...)
- Does a UC fic *have* to be NC17? -- No. As long as the main couple(s) are not together on the show, it's UC. Even if they never get past the kissing, (i.e. if Angel's involved and it's a love relationship, sex would be a big no-no unless you wanted Angelus to come out to play before the fic was over!) as long as they're involved and they weren't together on the show... it's UC.
More to come later... |
