The Wolverine & Rogue Fanfiction Archive Interview with Saxonny
| Interviews by Fans | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Wolverine & Rogue Fanfiction Archive Interview with Saxonny |
| Interviewer: | The Wolverine & Rogue Fanfiction Archive |
| Interviewee: | Saxonny |
| Date(s): | June 20, 2005 |
| Medium: | online |
| Fandom(s): | X-Men |
| External Links: | the interview is here; [htthttp://www.webcitation.org/6KvyrJA4e copy] |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Wolverine & Rogue Fanfiction Archive Interview with Saxonny was conducted in 2005.
Other Interviews in the Series
See The Wolverine & Rogue Fanfiction Archive Interview Series.
Some Excerpts
From 1998-2001 I was hired by the state to form an outreach program that combined classroom curriculum and the performing arts. There were supposed to be four teachers: Music, Drama, Dance, & Costumes/Make-up. I was one of the very first hired (betcha can't guess which one. No, seriously. Go on. Guess.) and I was specifically told by my boss NOT to do ANYTHING regarding planning until the other teachers were hired. So I found myself sitting at a desk in my very first private office with absolutely nothing to fill my days besides the occasional trip to the coffee shop and catching up on Elfquest comics at the library.It dawns on me that I've always wondered what happens AFTER the end credits to Labyrinth. Sure, Sarah defeated the Goblin King and was sent home, but do I REALLY think that means the story is over? My brain takes hold of an idea about what their NEXT meeting might be like.
I start to type.
I feel like the biggest f*&king dork (mind you, I didn't know there was a word to describe what I was doing, and I never expected my story would be shared; who the H-E-double hockey sticks would I share it with?!?!) but still, I continue to type.
Fast forward a few years. I found the internet and this wonderful place called fanfiction.net where I realize for the first time: I am not alone. Labyrinth was my first fandom and X-Men my second. I haven't really expanded from there, but I do read Hermione/Snape IF its well done.
Ever look at something you haven't seen or read yet and known...KNOWN...that if you open that door and watch or read that one thing, a rabid fangirl would be born? I knew before I ever saw X-Men that I was going to go apeshit over it. I'd collected the comics and religiously taped the cartoon series that came out in 1992. I can't begin to explain why the X-Men franchise drew me in but there you have it. Then when the movie came out and I saw this unknown actor from Australia in tight jeans and no shirt and growling like he was born to play Wolverine? Words cannot describe. I think I shoved the fangirl into a cage and locked it tight for at least two years lest she do something embarrassing. Wolverine & Rogue were the driving characters of the original X-Men movie. The on screen chemistry between Anna Paquin and Hugh Jackman leave their relationship open enough for the possibility of shipper fics. Everyone in this particular fandom agrees with that, I think its safe to say. I am attracted to the idea that they are both slightly damaged people with humungous mental and physical obstacles that bar them from living normal lives, and that through each other they can find salvation and love. (although sometimes the occasional "they destroy each other with their love" fics are a good read! Hee!!) It leads to some very very deep and pensive writing.
Any relationship in a book or a movie that grabs my attention and holds onto it for a sizeable amount of time always involves a pairing where there is a distinct age difference and the relationship is not clearly defined...but attraction is implied. Labyrinth: Jareth/Sarah. X-Men: Wolverine/Rogue. Harry Potter: Hermione/Snape. The Thorn Birds: Ralph/Meggie. Phantom of the Opera: Eric/Christine (now ask me why this is so. I'll give you a blush and a blank look; I truly have no idea.) (And my boyfriend is behind me watching Sex & the City and giggling. I think I'm disturbed) All these fandoms can be described as:Older man, younger woman, the man watches over/protects/guides/educates the girl, some reason they can't be together (usually age, fear of becoming more than friends, dark pasts, angsty but not violent, etc etc)
I've only ever written for X-Men and Labyrinth. They both have the elements listed above. It is difficult, however, to work on a Labyrinth fic and an X-Men fic at the same time. Sarah and Marie get along fine but Jareth and Wolverine hate each other's guts. Its hard to move from the mind of a make-up and tights-wearing Goblin King to a manly man wifebeater-wearin' and beer drinkin' badass.
In retrospect, after a good night's sleep, I'll acknowledge that writing X-Men stuff is slightly easier. A good chunk of the world is previously defined (assuming its not an AU fic); a character's past, the world they live in, what they're fighting for, who the bad guys are, etc etc...which is a relief at times.