Meta: What makes a story CLex for me?

[danceswithgary]

Recently, I've been going through my collection of CLex stories, working on adding to my rec lists. In addition, I'm always reading through the new stories on offer in the SV communities I follow, looking to add to that collection.

My rec lists are comprised of stories that I've enjoyed, not just a categorization of every stories, hence not all stories are included. Usually, when I bypass a story it's because I don't care for a particular kink or trope, the characters are acting too out of character in my opinion, or the characters are too generic. I know many people are reading for the sex - I'm looking for the story. Sex is icing on the cake.

Excessively out of character or too generic. Story killers for me when it comes to my OTPs, and the story won't end up on my hard drive or a list.

So, what makes a story CLex for me?

In a recent meme, gyri asked me, "If you could narrow it down to just one, which universal theme/human condition would you say the bond between Clark and Lex represents?"

My answer was, "I'd say the overriding factor in my stories is that, despite their differences, they both yearn to belong. Rich/poor, older/younger, loving parents/absent parents, alien/human - it all boils down to what happens until they fill in the empty spaces for each other."

That really is a large part of the attraction of CLex for me; the story of two characters that are able to connect despite their differences. In addition, in my opinion, a CLex story should incorporate at least some elements of SV or DC/JL canon that make Clark and Lex identifiable, something that makes them different from everyday Tom, Dick, or Harry. If you could change the names and the story reads the same, I'm afraid it's likely not going to mean CLex to me. It could very well be a good story, but if I'm looking for CLex, I expect to find it. That personal rule applies to AU's as well as episode tags or remixes.

Important pieces of canon for me: keeping/revealing secrets, use/abuse of power, use/abuse of money, physical/mental alienation, morality issues, physical presence, parental influences, jealousy/envy, and of course, world domination. *grin* A story doesn't need to contain all or even any of those items, but at least considering it could be helpful.

One of the first things I do when constructing a CLex story is decide how I'm going to represent Clark and Lex, how I will make it clear to the reader who I'm writing about. Granted, I'm writing in a fandom and there is some expectation that the reader will at least be familiar with Smallville so that I don't have to fill in every detail, but there should still be something identifiable.

Using some of my own stories, I'll try to give examples of how that thought process worked, focusing on AU's, since the other stories I've written were usually episode tags or remixes and, as such, contained the elements in question as a given.

His Alibi was the second story I wrote, based on a favorite film, and I admit I was still very new to the process. Still, despite the fact that I used extensive sections of the movie dialogue, I added elements that I believed changed it into a CLex AU.

A large portion of the plot was dependent on a series of incidents that led Clark, a washed-up crime novelist, to believe that his mysterious houseguest, Lex, was trying to kill him. Now, Clark Kent is invulnerable, so how could he be afraid of or be injured by knives, arrows and garage doors running amuck? The answer: Clark chose to become vulnerable in order to understand humans better, in the hopes of being able to write more believable books. In addition, how did the beautiful stranger Lex end up bald and associated with a circus, and on the run from evil henchmen? Backstory, my friends, which plays to the final solution of the mystery. Throw in some existential angst on the responsibility of Clark to be a superhero, an ex-wife named Lana with Lana traits, a snarky editor named Chloe, a loyal friend Pete and you have a CLex AU.


A later story, Regarding Lex had at least one negative review which led me to become a great deal more careful in the amount of movie dialogue to incorporate in remixes. I was accused of simply changing the names, although the reviewer admitted to abandoning the story early on.

What made that story CLex for me was the examination of Clark and Lex's relationship when Superman's responsibilities were added into the mix. In addition, it dealt with a relationship between two men, one of whom wasn't willing to make a commitment, along with a daughter from an 'adulterous' encounter, details which obviously did not appear in the film. Lex struggles back from a life-threatening injury and memory loss discovering he'd turned into Lionel along the way, Clark deals with an injured partner and a return to keeping secrets previously revealed in their life together. In addition, JL characters helped develop the plot along with an SV Pete who saves the day as a therapist.

In short, it all boils down to if it isn't a story specifically dealing with Clark using his powers; I want to know if there will be powers or secrets past, present, or in the future. The same applies to Lex who is rich and has parental issues and a less-than-pristine past. This is proto-Superman we're dealing with - that's who Clark is, Lex is the issues-ridden rich man or the future villain. PWP's are one thing, but I'm finding I've lost my taste for generic porn, unless it deals with Clark or Lex-specific differences from the norm.

Some additional examples not built on SV episodes, but use SV canon/backstory/characterization:

You've Got Mail! - Clark has to deal with his mother's diary and the search for why he's different, in addition to losing his livelihood to book tycoon, Lex.

Have A Mice Day - PWP with a Clark that tends to artistic destruction when he loses control.

Destiny's Savage Heart - historic AU that deals with Clark and Lex raised by American Indians and including a very alien Clark, dangerous meteorites, and an evil Lionel.

Destiny Wears A Disguise - historical AU with meteorites, an exiled Lex, an alien ship that sends Clark running to the big city.

Beneath The Skin - deals with Clark's alienation and the resultant revealing of his secret to Lex.

In His Image - What would happen if someone other than the Kents found Clark and Lionel dies in the field? Canon characters with twists.

Save A Horse - PWP with farmboy/billionaire contrasts.

Dance With Your Heart co-written with morganichele - Lex took a different direction when it came time to go to Smallville and Clark has his powers, which needs to be dealt with when it comes to competitions.

Do You Believe In Magic? with morganichele - The Kents belonged to a circus and as a result certain canon characters lived a very different life. Clark has powers, secrets are dealt with very differently, and Lex is a Luthor who isn't instantly mistrusted.

Le Beau Et La Bete Noire Lex and Clark don't meet until much later and Clark is barely dealing with Jor-El's demands on a remote island.

Dalla Luce Della Luna (By the Light of the Moon) - Clark's powers are one of the issues to deal with when he meets Lex.

Not Of This Earth Clark and Lex are actors and Clark's powers are just one of the problems they face getting together.

Sculpted from Life - Clark's powers are gone due to illness and a reclusive Lex holds the cure.

Art Appreciation - Clark has to deal with the AI's expectations and find his place in the world, Lex attempts to move beyond his reputation.

Two Years From Tomorrow - Clark's powers aren't enough to save Lex, it will take something more.

Nothing But Air - Lex is disinherited and Clark's powers won't save the day.


Finally, what does out of character for CLex mean for me?

Too sweet, too many pet names, weeping (a few tears are okay), overly femininized (really a separate discussion because I have my own extensive issues with feminine stereotypes), Clark excessively BDA (Big Dumb Alien), Lex too emotionally weak/fragile, abusive Clark with the exception of red-K.

Note: The above are my opinions and not meant to point to specific stories outside my own.

Comments

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

Hey, nice, thought-provoking post :) I agree with much of what you say here, especially about the 'not just changing names' issue. There has to be strong elements of Lex and Clark characteristics in a clex story for it to work for me as well. Although, I have to say, I prefer my stories much closer to cannon than most fanfic writers/readers i.e. I like to see SV episodes re-written or write ups of missing scenes as opposed to a seperate plot with Clark and Lex in it.

Reading this has been especially interesting for me then because it has re-inforced the fact that stories CAN still be clex even while outside a SV setting. I know I tend to pass over AUs like quite a lot but after this I think perhaps I'll read more :D You've been my acception because I have read and enjoyed several of yours in the past, but maybe it's time to broaden my horizons clex-wise and try some other authors as well :p

p.s. ITA with your OOC points too and it's an issue I'm continually struggling with in my own fic. Mostly because I really LOVE the idea of Lex being emotionally fragile, purely because I know he ISN'T, and I worry that sometimes I veer towards that portrayal too much in an unconscious attempt to panda to that kink. Any advice? :)

[danceswithgary]

There are certainly a number of AU's that wouldn't qualify as CLex for me, but off the top of my head and can't recommend specific AU stories that I enjoyed outside of a number in the svbigbang, harlequin_sv and Clex the Classic collections I enjoyed.

Advice on an emotionally fragile Lex? That's a tough one for me I guess since although I gravitate to emotionally stunted or warped individuals(Lex, Sheppard, McKay), they aren't weak. They've prevailed against some overwhelming odds and if they were going to fall apart it would be in private and possibly never.

Lex, in particular, can be over the top in rage but, in my opinion, the only time we see him truly fragile and vulnerable in canon is when he's been drugged in Shattered and Asylum. I try to keep that in mind when I'm writing, visualize the man who ordered the investigations into Clark's secrets, who set up ethically suspect experiments, etc. If I allow him to soften, it is usually due to a vulnerable Clark or a child, both cases are canon. Soften, not turn into mush.

That said, you should also write what you like or you may end up dissatisfied with your work. If a more fragile Lex appeals to you, then write him as you see him, understanding that others may not. I like everyone of my stories, even the ones with 3 or 4 comments, because I wrote them to please me, not just to fulfill a prompt. That's also a big reason why some stories are still WIPs - I haven't reached the state of being pleased with what I have put to page.

I wish I could supply more specifics on your work, but I confess I haven't tackled your epic WIP yet, although it's bookmarked.

Best wishes on your writing!

[littlehollyleaf.livejournal.com]

Hi. Yes, it's been YEARS between your comment and this reply, sorry :p

Thanks for the recs and the tips. ITA about Lex only being fragile when he's alone or drugged, that's what I meant really. That and fragility coming through in his inner monologue. In the presence of others he'd appear strong no matter what. Like you I don't mean to make mush out of the guy! That's why I absolutely love seeing/reading him being/thinking/acting emotional, BECAUSE it is so rare for Lex. Hence my struggle, because I know if I KEEP writing him like that he will turn to mush and the fragility will lose it's effect. Going back to his stronger moments like you suggest (him working with Nixon etc) is a good way to combat that though, so thanks.

And it's sweet of you to bookmark my WIP! I guess I hav come across as kinda begging to be read :p Don't feel obligated to read or anything, I really know how hard it is to find time for that kind of thing (witness my late late reply!)

TTFN.