CatalenaMara

I read this discussion too and it's really interesting :))

Though I've got to say that currently I'm a bit sick of Spock healing everything with a little mind meld, so I avoid them a lot in writing, LOL! (Found this out after a little analysis of my latest stories *G*)

The concept of telepathy fascinates me. The fannish use of "the bond" has certainly fallen into its own archetype; its own cliche. I never much cared for the "two way radio" concept of the bond that was common in a lot of early - and some more recent - K/S stories.

As for instant mental healing - satisfying as though that can be when it's well done - all too often it's more like a rabbit out of a hat, a bit of magic, rather than a satisfying story conclusion.

I've always preferred complexity to simplicity. I see this sort of mental communication as having many more ramifications, complications and drawbacks than many other fannish writers.

I know it's a subject I'll keep considering for fic, because I'm always looking for a way of writing a different take on a familiar subject.

I've always preferred complexity to simplicity. I see this sort of mental communication as having many more ramifications, complications and drawbacks than many other fannish writers.

I would love reading more about those complications and drawbacks - or your ideas of them! (Maybe start a discussion on one of the KirkSpock mailing lists?)

And yes, complexity is just more fun and more rewarding in fic, IMO.

*waves at you from across the seas*

I have a thing for soulbonds, but think I agree with penknife that the whole soulbond thing works a lot better when one or both of the partners are aliens and/or elves. (Or maybe it just takes a better writer than Mercedes Lacky or Stephenie Meyer when it comes to soulbonded humans. Ahem.)

The fanon version that I have a love/hate relationship with in K/S is the death bond, where Spock dies if Kirk does or vice versa.

There is something about this concept that I love with sheer fannish glee - it just gets me. It's a kind of devotion that's larger than life; Anthony and Cleopatra, dying together.

Yet I feel I should hate it, because it's so completely illogical and insane. What kind of population would Vulcan have if the married couples all died together? What could possibly make Kirk agree that when he dies, he'll more or less murder Spock, who would have many more years to live otherwise? And how could Spock not want to protect Kirk instead of put him in danger?

*waves at you from across the seas*

Waves back. :-)

I have a thing for soulbonds, but think I agree with penknife that the whole soulbond thing works a lot better when one or both of the partners are aliens and/or elves.

Agreed, though there's always The Sentinel, as well. But it's a lot harder to justify when it's just two regular humans.

(Or maybe it just takes a better writer than Mercedes Lacky or Stephenie Meyer when it comes to soulbonded humans. Ahem.)

Well, I've never read either of them. Mercedes Lackey came along when I was totally burned out on fantasy and I haven't read Meyer's work because - though I *love* a good vampire story - and I don't have a problem with the "young adult" category (having read all the Harry Potter books) - I heard the word "chaste" used to describe these books, and figured I didn't want to waste my time. ;-)

The fanon version that I have a love/hate relationship with in K/S is the death bond,

Oh yes! That makes absolutely NO sense at all, but it certainly is epic. As you said, absolute, larger-than-life devotion. This is the stuff of legends.

I can always play the devil's advocate on anything, and I'm very aware that what I might find intellectually silly I can find emotionally very appealing.

I enjoy almost any concept when it's well written, including the death bond.

As I said in my comments over there, I don't care what is done, I care how it's done. I've read lots of fresh new ideas given a slipshod depiction. I trust the writers I like to take me where the story needs to go.

Ditto! I long since learned that even what I consider absolutely ridiculous concepts can be done brilliantly in the hands of a good writer.