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Non-BWL Harry fics

Discussion in 'Fanfic Discussion' started by 3domfields, Feb 25, 2011.

  1. 3domfields

    3domfields First Year

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    Okay, so while reading Inheritance Cycle I was struck by an idea for this genre and was wondering if it's actually worth writing because from what I've read a lot of people dislike this type of fic, except for the few which are decent or above.

    While I have a fairly good amount of ideas for the fic written down, and more if I seriously put my mind into it, I'd hate to write it only to find out people dislike the type of idea.

    The basic premise though was: "Bill Weasley was his own Secret Keeper" and then going from there.

    I figured, JK obviously didn't do it with James because of the plot needing to happen.

    Thank you.
     
  2. Nae

    Nae The Violent

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    Writing something for the approval of others or not continuing to write because you thought they won't like it should never be your priority.

    Just sayin'. The experienced authors here will probably give you some tips about this plot bunny of yours.
     
  3. 3domfields

    3domfields First Year

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    It was between this idea and another, which I think I can say is better left unsaid, which is why I had that opinion. :)
     
  4. Viewtiful

    Viewtiful Groundskeeper

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    Well, yeah, that's sort of the case for any fic. Reading through the Fanfiction Pet Peeves thread gives the impression that a cliché fic premise isn't bad in itself, just usually executed badly by a poor author. If you have the talent, as The Santi has demonstrated, you can make a stale idea good again.
     
  5. coleam

    coleam Death Eater

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    Is this gonna be a "Neville is the BWL" fic or something else? With "other BWL" fics, it's not too hard to come up with conflict (most people tend to use Neville/Harry's sibling as the main conflict for Harry), but if there is no BWL it becomes more challenging to think up a compelling conflict. You also run into the problem of Harry having a totally different character (raised by his parents, not being hunted by Voldemort, etc) and the challenge of writing two virtual OCs (Lily and James). These are the main hurdles I can see with writing this type of fic, so if you already have ideas for them, then you're in decent shape.

    If you do write cliches (i.e. Harry in conflict with the other BWL), try to do them in a new way. You need to find a way to distinguish yourself from the masses of shitfics that used the same premise.
     
  6. addictedforlife

    addictedforlife High Inquisitor

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    Maybe I'm thick, but what does
    have to do with Harry being BWL or not?:(
     
  7. Absolutista

    Absolutista Fifth Year

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    If Bill and Fleur could do it without a third party, why would James and Lily need one?
    Unreacheable Potters = no attack...
     
  8. addictedforlife

    addictedforlife High Inquisitor

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    ... :wall::wall::wall:
    Thanks.
     
  9. Skeletaure

    Skeletaure Magical Core Enthusiast ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    When I was thinking about Healer!Harry, one idea I had was as follows:

    Voldemort starts his takeover several years later than in canon, hoping that age would weaken Dumbledore (whereas he was immortal due to horcruxes).

    During his rise, James and Lily Potter are killed. Harry is not killed. Voldemort is not destroyed.

    Harry goes to Dursleys, as canon.

    Harry goes to Hogwarts. Does better than canon. Attracts the attention of Dumbledore for some personal tutoring (Duelling? Occlumency?). Applies to be a healer. Is accepted.

    In his 7th year, Voldemort is destroyed in a BWL scenario, with an OC character as the BWL.

    15 years pass, during which Harry has risen up the ranks of the healers, specialising in damage caused by Dark magic. Area of research is obscure curses. Has worked several times with the Auror office.

    Voldemort resurrected as canon. The Order is reformed. Dumbledore recruits Harry, whom he taught at Hogwarts and knows is skilled, as well as being very knowledgable about Dark magic.

    From there I'm not really sure. It's not really a plot so much as an idea I entertained.

    One possibility is Harry takes up the DADA position. The wording of the Ministry decree means Umbridge only gets the spot if Dumbledore can't find a teacher - though I'm sure the Ministry would get her into Hogwarts somehow. The idea is Harry would become a kind of mentor for the BWL (who is meant to be like canon Harry) and thereby be an interesting look at how a different version of Harry would view his canon self.

    My own preference there is that he'd be somewhere between Snape and Lupin. Snape in so far as he thinks that the BWL's attitude is somewhat pathetic. I have a nice scene in my mind which parallels Harry's proclamation in OotP when at Grimmauld place that he wants to join the Order. Upon the BWL saying he's ready to face Death Eaters, Harry would beat the shit out of him to try to get it in to his head that pluckiness alone isn't enough >_< But he'd be like Lupin in that he's willing to take the time to actually help the BWL, not just bitch about him.

    But yeah, there's a non-BWL idea. It's mostly a guilty-pleasure fantasy, but I enjoy thinking about possibilities like that.
     
  10. Skykes

    Skykes Minister of Magic DLP Supporter

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    Very interesting Idea Taure. It is massivly AU, which is not everybodys cup of tea, but I would like to see that done.
     
  11. T3t

    T3t Purple Beast of DLP ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    That's a pretty good idea, Taure. I think the biggest problem would be writing a decent characterization for Harry - everything else just comes with the normal problems of writing AU. Oh, and also figuring out the pacing/timeline - what part(s) of his development/learning etc would be shown prominently in the story?
     
  12. Skeletaure

    Skeletaure Magical Core Enthusiast ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    That is, I think the main barrier to this becoming a story. As I said, it's not a plot. It's a set-up. Presumably a story based in this universe would occur in this universe's version of OotP, where Harry was the DADA teacher. But at the same time, it's so AU that there would need to be a fairly lengthy introduction to this universe to avoid a confused reader. Perhaps it would start with Harry working at St. Mungos as normal, then move on to his recruitment, then a year at Hogwarts as a teacher.
     
  13. T3t

    T3t Purple Beast of DLP ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    You could also have a mini-fic going over the highlights of his life prior to that, maybe 5-6 scenes about 5k words each?
     
  14. Portus

    Portus Heir

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    I really wish you'd let this go, Taure.

    <.<
    >.>

    But if you /do/ end up writing it, I'll give 'er a read.
     
  15. Phantom of the Library

    Phantom of the Library Unspeakable

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    /points at Harry Potter and the Lords of Magic.

    Yeah, good luck with that. ;)
     
  16. Skeletaure

    Skeletaure Magical Core Enthusiast ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    Haha, yeeeah...

    Next chapter due Easter holidays.
     
  17. 3domfields

    3domfields First Year

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    Thanks for all the advice, but I read a fic while at my friends (don't ask me the name as I can't recall it off the top of my head, but it seemed to be recently made if I remember right) and it was such a bad twin fic that it put me off the genre.

    It started out semi-good.

    James and Lily cared about both children, but because the twin was considered the BWL they were worried about him, but still seemed to care about Harry, but focus on the twin.

    And then it went to pot.

    Harry is adopted by Sirius, and renamed.

    And then the bit which made me cringe.

    Harry is named after Albus and Severus (don't ask why Sirius/Severus are tolerable to each other, either) becoming Albus Severus Black.

    Edit:

    This was the idea I had though if anyone was interested:

    James uses himself as Secret Keeper, so Voldemort goes after Frank and Alice, and Neville becomes the BWL like most fics, but I reaalized the only reason that happened was because Voldemort gave Lily a chance to move, which he wouldn't give Alice, so the whole plot falls apart unfourtnatelly.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2011
  18. Admonkeystrator

    Admonkeystrator Seventh Year

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    Harry as the teacher version for an alternate BWL'ds of a Mary Sue?
    There's scores of fics out there, where the teacher after Umbrige is awesome and helps Harry with the power he knows not. 6th and 7th year versions too.
    I don't think I've ever seen Harry as the mary sue before.
     
  19. Jormungandr

    Jormungandr Prisoner

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    Hmm...

    Harry's brother is the BWL; he's magically strong, has the whole prophecy thing down (the prophetic dreams, scar, wand, etc), but also has some of the very weak/basic/latent 'abnormal' abilities that his brother has.

    Harry, erstwhile, is magically weak (but not weak enough to deny in him entrance to Hogwarts/be classified a squib), but is...unusually different and strong in 'other' areas; Harry is what essentially a Ghost/leading into a Spectre.

    This would make Harry and his brother two sides of the same coin, so to speak; one magical, one psionic.

    http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Psionic_powers

    Suppose that could work?
     
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