Inevitable, Harry, Ginny, and the fandom

[mhalachai]

I think I've been spoiled a little, coming from a fandom like Anita Blake, where there doesn't seem to be any canon paring that people rabidly and loudly avoid. I'm not one chapter into the Hogwarts section of Inevitable, and someone has already told me they're done with the story because they don't like Harry/Ginny. (Who is unimportant, and this is not an attack. I suspect several of the non-commenting readers may have the same reaction. I'd like you to stick around, obviously.)

I was wondering if anyone would do this, and I have to say that I'm not shocked, given the nature of the Harry Potter fandom, but it's still a bit of a surprise.

Here's my opinion: It doesn't matter if this story will have aspects of Harry/Ginny. It doesn't matter if this story has aspects of Ron/Hermione, either, because that's not the point. This is a story about Harry and his friends, his enemies, his goals and aspirations. Ultimately, it's entirely about him.

We're 46 chapters in. Harry had one late-night conversation with a girl he's known since he was 12, and who has battled Voldemort since she was 11 years old. I will still continue to tell the story I created before HBP came out.

This isn't an angry, off-the-cuff rant, it's just my thoughts on my story, and HP fandom in general. I was wondering if this would happen after the die-Ginny-die calls started after HBP.

That's all I have to say.

Comments

[dryad-duinath.livejournal.com]

*petpet*

it's a very nice story, I think. I would, as always, love some slash, but I think your story is going where it needs to go. if that makes any sense at all.

[houses7177.livejournal.com]

See, this is why I don't really consider myself as part of the HP fandom. Too touchy. I think you're doing a masterful manipulation of Harry in all his forms, and it would be remiss of you to completely ignore the fact that he's a 17 year old horny teen. He just is. To leave any note of this out of the story wouldn't be true to Harry.

But to have a rabid reaction because of some pre-conceived notions about whether pairings should or shouldn't be done? That's insulting to you as a writer. You've sold us on much more out-there things than Harry having a relationship with Ginny, if that is where you go with this. Heck, I'd buy your Harry/Luna or Harry/Jason or Harry/Anita if you threw your efforts into it. But that's because I trust you as an author.

*Grump*

I should also add I'm two chapters behind because I've not been able to devote time to reading since I'm traveling. When I get back though? rowr.

[denitta.livejournal.com]

I really need to catch up on this fic (as in haven't read 42, catch up), but I wanted to comment to say that that is so sad. This story is awesome in my opinion and to drop the story for such a small point is well, shallow.

Pay them no mind, and please don't change a thing.





*cough*thisiswhyIshipHarry/Draco*cough*

[cgilmore.livejournal.com]

Me too!

Er... That is to say, I agree with other people making comments here that getting twitchy over Harry/Ginny, much less what actually *appeared* in the last chapter, is just plain silly. I commented elsewhere that I'd like to see it stay relatively relationship neutral, and that kind of reaction is pretty much spot on why.

There are a lot of pairings that just bug me, but I can be sold on given a good author. There are even more that I'm utterly indifferent to, and a few that I enjoy. I don't really identify myself as part of the HP fandom (nor the AB fandom, for that matter), so I don't have a banner to wave nor a 'ship to crusade for. There also aren't any that I'll read just because of it being X/Y - either I'm sold by the plot or not at all.

Anyway, my point is this: It's your story. Tell the story you want to tell. You won't please everyone, but then, you're not supposed to.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) It does make sense, and that's totally how I view things.

[whoyouinvent.livejournal.com]

stopping reading now would make as much sense as closing hbp on page 499, never to pick it up again or find out what happens, as soon as "Harry looked around; there was Ginny running towards him...Harry kissed her."

personally, h/g doesn't bother me (although i felt it was a little too predictable, but hey, 16 year olds tend to the predictable) that much. i still love your harry, and want to know what he does with himself. not to mention all of the other characters in your world, which is one of my favourites.

[eavling.livejournal.com]

There isn't so much pairing turf warfare in Anita Blake, because Anita's making noises under the covers (and in the bathrooms) with practically everyone...er, almost. But you do have a point.

E.A.V.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

So the solution is clear: Have Harry sleep with everyone. Now *that* would be an interesting story.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

"Harry looked around; there was Ginny running towards him...Harry kissed her."

maybe if I had a stroke from WTF... you have to admit, it was out of nowhere. But then, teenage hormones.

I think the idea of H/G is predictable, but I hope to take it in a non-predictable direction, if that makes any sense.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

The G/H relationship won't become the story. Harry being Harry will remain the story. It's like, in 20 years when I'm rich and famous, and someone writs my biography, they won't focus on that relationship I had when I was 21. That's sort of what this is.

You won't please everyone, but then, you're not supposed to.
But I still want to. When I get told I'm doing it wrong, I get all twitchy. and defenseive. And slightly over-reactive. But hey.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

You like H/D b/c they are awesome? I agree. As an aside, what I want is one post-HBP H/D story that deals with what Draco did. Any suggestions?

since chapter 42, I've written far too many words to count. I'll slow down for you :)

[iamabee-buzz.livejournal.com]

Regardless of where my own shippership may lie, I think it's utterly ridiculous to stop reading a story because you don't like a pairing that appears. Unless the only reason you're reading it is for a specific romance...which is completely stupid considering the fact that romantic relationships are only one small part of all the elements that make up the focus of Inevitable...
Whatever. If someone stops reading, it's her loss.

Besides, just between you and me...although I love Harry/Ginny (and Ron/Hermione)...I think even thus far in your fic you've done a better job of establishing those connections than J.K.R. did in HBP. It just makes SENSE. At least, I think so.

[iamabee-buzz.livejournal.com]

lol

Inevitable, the alternate plotline. :P

I'd totally read that

Didn't see that coming...

[(Anonymous)]

Wow,
I could care less who hooks up with whom.. (or is that why Ron is so sulky.. he has the hots for Harry? <kidding.. don't shoot!) Just keep writing characters that are true to YOUR story and "themselves". I love it! I think most of us do cause you rock!! Could Dean and Seamus be a couple?? I would not think someone who writes Anita stuff would have a problem with M/M?? the still lame shopteacher guy.. who will open an account.. honest!

[kyani-no-kokoro.livejournal.com]

I love what you've done with the story so far, and I trust where you're taking it, whatever pairings you do or don't include. Keep it up! ^_^

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I think having gotten past the point where I sold a HP/Ab cross in the first place, I thought the rest was a given, ya know?

As a reader, I'm less likely to *start* a story where, for example, I'll know it to be Anita/Edward. But I'm also unlikely to drop a story once I've started for a pairing. If the story loses my interest from characterization changes, that's one thing. But this... oh well.

I look forward to seeing what you think of what I've done, when you get a chance to read it.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I trust, that if it stops making sense, you'll all call me on it. I have no problem with people telling me I'm incoherent -- in fact I encourage it.

Like I said, this isn't a shipper story. It's the tale of one little boy (well, not so little) in his struggle to save the world. Minor thing, that.

[silver-venus42.livejournal.com]

I just want you to know that, even if I don't personally like H/G, I support you because you happen to be awesome. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Re: Didn't see that coming...

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Heh. No, Ron's not got the hots for Harry, but he is rather jealous of his friend. He keeps coming back to this.

But I digress.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Glad you like it, and thanks :)

[iamabee-buzz.livejournal.com]

I volunteer to tell you you're full of crap the moment you start making senseless stuff happen.


and, pfft...I save the world all the time. With my...astounding...coffee-drinking skills! Yeah, that's it...
*runs away*

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Good.

And you everytime you drink a cup of coffee, God pets a kitten. It's like a rule.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Thanks. What's important is that the story is working out. I suspect that it is, and plan on keeping it that way :)

[catherinecookmn.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that you've had to suffer the slings and arrows of certain folk. All I can do is pat you on the shoulder and say "Honest, Mhal, we're really not all like that. Some of us actually made it past puberty.")

The Harry/Hermione 'shippers can be pretty crazed people. They nearly went ballistic when HBP came out! (I myself used to hang out a lot with the SS/HG 'shippers, and while some of them can be pretty wacky, none of them was issuing death threats against JK Rowling for failing to canonically link Snape with Granger.)

[catherinecookmn.livejournal.com]

everytime you drink a cup of coffee, God pets a kitten. It's like a rule.

And every time you have a mocha, God scratches a kitten behind the ears. :-)