I see myself as pretty much an Edward/Bella kind of girl. But the slashtastic pairing of Edward and Jasper made me realize there are other contexts and relationships out there that can really work well together.
For a Twific Pimps podcast, I was sent out into the unknown terrain of wolf pack fic for an episode where we had to read fics we otherwise wouldn't try. I didn't really get into pack fic, but I discovered the awesomeness that is Leah. And even more surprising was how juicy the match can be between AU/AH Leah and Edward!
Where you been all my life, girl?
Leah is a fascinating character. Canon Leah is more emotionally complex than Bella. Leah brings real issues of betrayal and loss to the table.
In fic I've found that her character is often flawed. She struggles to deal with things like resentment that lurk beneath the surface of her actions. It influences her whether she means for it to or not, whether she's even aware of it or not. It makes her more gritty and interesting from the start.
The thing with a Leah character - there is such tremendous potential in fic to explore the depth of this character.
Flawed people in real relationships
I never realized how compelling this Edward/Leah matchup could be. I've only read a handful of these fics but the ones I have really enjoyed have been the AU AH pairing of a challenging Leah (with remnants of canon traits), and an Edward who is up for the challenge but has flaws of his own. As opposed to canon E/B, the Leah connections I have read were ignited in the physical and they then had to negotiate how the relationship is translated in the real world.
Out of the shackles of E/B predicitability
A benefit of reading a Leah who is paired with Edward: there is a sense of unpredictability. We're going in knowing she is flawed so we don't assume a happy ending. This opens up story possibility because your readers are not locked in with this expectation where they're just waiting for the HEA. Leah stories provide authors with the freedom to explore alternative paths and keep their readers guessing without fear of the retribution of E/B shippers with pitchforks.
In fact, with one Leah story I'm reading right now, Hair of the Dog, I am rooting for the characters to NOT end up together. For the story she has written, and where we are right now in the story (it's a WIP), that is what I want for these characters. What I think needs to happen. And that realization has been such a powerful element in the story- that it's OK and actually sometimes better, if characters don't end up together. And it's not sad, it's actually demonstrating a character's build of strength which is an emotional payoff for the reader.
I'm not anti-HEA, just pro-possibility
There is one chapter left to go and we are still unsure of whether or not these characters will end up together. And there is a true sense of uncertainty which you wouldn't have with an Edward/Bella fic. Regardless of how this story ends, I think this author, mjinaspen, sets up a really interesting potential use of Leah as a character in fic who's not obligated to deliver the audience with a HEA. Not like how authors are beholden to E/B shippers who will pummel them with death threats if their Bella and Edward don't end up together.
Purposeful angst?
Which is not to say I'm looking for a no-HEA just for the sake of having no HEA!!! Be smart about it.
In this particular story I just mentioned, the no-HEA isn't a stunt this author is pulling as a demonstration of angst. I have found in lots of "angst" fic that authors take cheap shots at the readers' heartstrings. In this case, the no-HEA is a compelling choice that the author has built up and justified within the story.
I am hoping to get down with some great angst and I think Leah offers an interesting avenue for writing GREAT ANGST and real relationship uncertainty. [Note: Not just any angst, great angst. If you fuck with my heart for no other reason besides the fact that you can, I'm going to know, and I'm probably not going to like your story.]
Got some Leah for me?
If you know any, please rec me some great Leah stories. Don't just rec it to me because it's a Leah story. Give me some compelling character exploration.
Rec me some interesting alternative paths in stories, Leah or E/B. But don't just hit me with angst for the sake of angst. Hook me up with some stories with interesting and purposeful choices.
And if these stories aren't out there, WRITE THEM! please. and thanks.
Two amazing fics I'm reading that opened my eyes to the potential awesomeness of Leah:
Hair of the Dog by MJinAspen
AH. A few peeks into the volatile, passionate, and occasionally sweet love affair between Edward Cullen and Leah Clearwater.
Confessions of a Difficult Woman by Einfach Mich
Leah Clearwater is not the kind of girl that goes for guys like Edward Cullen. In fact, she thinks he's an asshole and Edward's made it clear he hates her too. One drunken night changes everything. AU AH For the Parkaward Contest
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