I think they're a kind of common language -- La Femme Nikita Fan Fiction Message Board

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Date Posted: Thursday, September 15, 10:38:59pm
Author: JayBee
Subject: I think they're a kind of common language
In reply to: sk 's message, "repetition" on Tuesday, September 13, 08:48:40am

Including certain scenes in stories serves several purposes. In AU, it's a way of name-checking canon, so to speak, and reminding the readers that yes, these really are the same characters, just transplanted into a new setting.

These scenes also function as code -- code for characterization, but also code for how the writer identifies with the source material and what kind of readers she's trying to reach. If a writer includes the hand dance in a story, she's in essence giving a shout-out to fellow HRs because she knows they'll all recognize and respond to that scene in a profound way. I could do the same thing in a story by throwing in certain lines that all TRs would recognize immediately. (And I've found through experience that I can do things like that and have the coded references go completely over HRs' heads, because those scenes/lines weren't memorable to them.)

It's kind of like wearing the team colors as a show of support and way of socializing with fellow sports fans.

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Replies:

oh I hadn't thought of that -- sk, Friday, September 16, 08:04:18am