fellowshippers | General comment/question...

Just as with just about everything else in RPS, it's an educated guess on the part of the writer. No way to tell if anyone is getting Orlando's *real* persona down on paper.

By the very act of writing RPS, the writer is already creating a semi-fictional character with a *real* face.

I think that as long as the *dark* side makes sense within the context of the fic and is well written, it should matter less whether it's accurate and more if it's believable.

OK, so my phrasing isn't all that great...

That's actually what I meant. Well, the not writing it believably. But that's really all put down to the question of how good the author is...

*nods* very much so. We can also blame the Victim!Orlando and the Slut!Orlando on the bad writers too.

Aaaah victim!Orli is the worst.

Yes, he was young, not weak, stupid or naive. *shakes head* Some things people will use as plot devices when they are too lazy to actually develope mature characters!

As a writing student, I think writing fiction is hard. You have to meet all these criteria of what people expect out of a story. Your characters should go through some sort of change. They should get somewhere, if not physically than emotionally or mentally or spiritually. Ecumenically.

They need to be well-rounded. Nobody is wholly good or wholly bad. Even your biggest asshole may stop and put a saucer of milk out for a kitten. Or hand a bagel to an homeless person. And even your nicest person will, perhaps, cheat on a test. Or litter. Leave the dog poo on the sidewalk because it's so gross and stinky to pick up. That sort of stuff.

There are things that people expect from a well written story. Standards that they have set up and that they insist on seeing met. And if they are not met, they call that piece of writing "boring" or "meager" or "a piece of shit not worth my time."

Writing RPS is ten times worse because you have a whole new set of expectations to meet. Whereas in writing completely original fiction you get to make up everything about your character, now you have to make stuff up AND fit preconceived notions as well. You're no longer getting into the head of your character. You're also expected to get into the heads of your readers as well, asking, "Is this how other people see him too? Can they buy this from him? Have I taken it one step too far?"

As the above commenter said, maybe you're just not reading good fiction yet. Or maybe you judge too harshly. Or you don't open up your mind enough. Each time an author writes him, this is how he or she perceives him. If it doesn't fit in with the way that you perceive him, that could become a problem. However the important part is this: that author is trying something new and taking a risk. Nobody wants to read about Orlando Bloom killing puppies but if an author feels the need to write it than that author should do it. And if it doesn't fit in the preconceived notion, all the better. Because that writer is then truly doing what he or she has set out to do: write fiction.

I had a discussion online with someone the other day about Orlando. I can't remember who it was, but their theory was, there was no way anyone could be that perfect/talented/beautiful that he either sold his soul, or was just an outright demon.

I think for too long he's been written as an angel, either metaphorically, or seriously. People want to make him hurt, make him the victim, i.e. the rape victim, or he's suicidal, or a slut, or a drug addict. This could just be a natural progression, sort of a back-lash to that.

Or it just could be that he has what seems to be his first serious public girlfriend since LOTR and consciously or not they're lashing out at him. He said it himself, Legolas is non-threatening sexually, so it's safe for girls to like him. Orlando, yeah, not so much anymore.

Don't throw things at me! That's just an idea, I'm sure it's not the case for everybody. Especially in RPS, where the authors tend to be a bit older and more mature. Just an idea. *shrugs*

I completely agree with you.

I had a discussion online with someone the other day about Orlando. I can't remember who it was, but their theory was, there was no way anyone could be that perfect/talented/beautiful that he either sold his soul, or was just an outright demon.

Oh man, that is hysterical.

*has sudden image on Orli on the Mr Hell show selling his soul to Mr Hell*

Oh mi goooood lol

ahaha. this seems appropriate. Someone just pointed me to a fic wherein Orlando does have a deal with the devil. hee.

here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/novanumbernine/18694.html)

Aaaww! Your Lijah 'pet me' icon is soo damn cute!

Oh that fic's just whacky! That is so so cool!

Meanwhile, I have the Mr Hell show tune in my head now lol

That's where the conversation started! That was the fic that inspired it!

Yes, unfortunately once you get the idea in your head, it's hard to look at him and not think about it. I mean really, can someone be that perfect and talented naturally?

No one can be that perfect...

You know it occurs to me that I haven't read a fic about Orlando's dark side. Though I have read a few FPS fics where Legolas had a dark side and part of that characterization was probably drawn from Orlando. Or at least, I believe that the fics worked for me because of Orlando's portrayal of Legolas in the movie...

Though, when I first started reading LOTR RPS I felt that Orlando seemed to be the most difficult character for people to get a grip on. None of the stories felt right to me. Eventually I gave up on ever really getting a feel for Orlando and just accepted the characterizations people offered at face value. I think that's why I prefer Dominic, Billy, or Elijah. They just seem to feel more right somehow. Can't really explain it.

Thats fairly understandable...

(deleted comment)

I'd say Tricia's (www.lureofthering.com) 'Loving Orlando' series is the closest I've ever read...

But I'm starting to think to whole idea is whacked... The whole thing is all in the mind anyways...

ooooh. I have read a couple by her, though not those two. I was going to mention her as an exception to my huge generalization above. hee. Thanks for mentioning her, I'll have to check out the rest of her stuff.

well - i have to say i prefer that reading people's attempts to capture orli's "dark side" (although i hadn't really picked up on it as being a current trend...) to reading fics where he is portrayed as a sappy wilting flower.

i wrote "orli sells his soul to the devil" purely as a joke - i think the truth is that he's probably just a very lucky boy. however, i for one find him much more interesting to write as a malevolent or destructive character. ;)

love,
n.x :)

Meanwhile, I love that fic lol

*winks*

love,
n.x :)

I don't know if this is what you're talking about, but I've recently been considering Orlando's sudden fame. I'd like to believe that he's handling it well but I've been toying with the opposite in recent fics. I'm sure overindulgent-drugaddict!Orli will become the next big stereotype. ;)
Anyway, the dark side, in my opinion, is always much more interesting and complex. I hope writers keep exploring it.

Oh goodie lol Just what we need! Addict!Orli! Wooooeeeee

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