The FanstRAvaganza continues! See yesterday’s post for a list of participating blogs. And check out the index CDoart has created of FanstRAv posts from all blogs taking part.

Image credit: RichardArmitageNet

Although I have not read much in the way of fan fiction myself, I am intrigued by the fanfic phenomenon that has engulfed the Robin Hood villain Sir Guy of Gisborne, one of Richard Armitage’s most popular roles. Some writers who have taken part in this endeavour have even gone on to become published authors in their own right. It is truly remarkable that one man and one character could inspire such creativity and in some cases a whole new career!

But what of Lucas North fan fiction? It does not seem to have reached the same dizzying heights as those fics centered on dear Gisborne. I am presuming of course that Lucas North fanfics are out there? I don’t know, I haven’t really looked! Do you know of a few? If you are aware of some decent Lucas North fan fics lurking on the interwebs, this is your opportunity to tell me and your fellow Spooks Fan Blog readers about them (please comment with links below).

I can’t help but wonder what drives one to write fan fiction based on a particular Richard Armitage role. Obviously the character must be compelling enough to engage the writer – but given that Richard Armitage is the one who embodies and portrays the character, I envisage that writing fan fiction is also an imaginary opportunity to direct Richard’s acting talent to one’s will, and perhaps also to evoke the character of desire that he so eloquently represents. Fan fiction appears to capture an intersection between a fan’s intrigue with a character and their affection towards the actor who portrays it. I wonder which one of these two fanfic writing facets takes precedence?

In my own case I was driven to write a fanfic while in the grip on a hypomanic OCD-like writing compulsion that afflicts me every once in a while. In the usual course of my writing life I never write fiction! In honour of the FanstRAvaganza I am squeamishly publishing an excerpt from the Spooks fanfic/script I began to pen while in this state. Although initially based on Zoe and Danny (bless!) it eventually morphed into a tale of Lucas North reconnecting with a close long lost friend and MI-5 colleague “Raquel” (my own invention – incidentally a fictitious name I give to any bloke who tries to pick me up!). It is loosely set post series seven, pre-series nine. Silliness abounds!