Week 4: Brief 2

This week I decided to research and look into other fan-fictions that are based on the same topic as mine; that is, The Office (US version). It was difficult to find them- apparently this isn't a very well-covered base for fanfic. However I did manage to find this site that has hundreds of amazing fan-fiction pieces. They are generally very well-written and explore the many possibilities in the love life and encounters of Jim and Pam. After reading these pieces, I decided that I would prefer to steer clear of exploring these possibilities. I wanted to do something that was original and hadn't already been done by others.

While brainstorming my own original ideas for my twist on The Office, I thought of the following options:

-Jim falling in love with Phillys. I am completely aware that many people are not familiar with this TV show or any of its stock characters so I will quickly sum up what this plot would entail. Phyllys is an overweight, and much older, character. She is dithery and fumbles around the office with little to no purpose. Jim, on the other hand, is a handsome go-getter with a fetish for grape soda. He's well-meaning and earnest, and he typically (according to the original screenplay) is in love with Pam. He pursues Pam regardless of her engagement to Roy throughout the entire first 3 series of the show. Audiences are enthralled with the blossoming of their romance, and how they finally get together. But what if Jim had given up after being slammed constantly in his attempts? That is, I feel, what fan-fiction is all about. It's discovering the 'what ifs' of  series, and completing the back story for them. If Jim had given up on Pam and gone for Phillys instead, things would have become very interesting. They would be a mismatched couple and no-one would have seen it coming. The dynamic would have been both captivating and entertaining.

-If Dwight had developed a crush on Michael Scott. Throughout the entire series of The Office on television, Dwight constantly seeks Michael's approval and praise. Often, his attempts are pathetic and sickening. I think it would interesting to channel this into a crush on his boss. Not only would it be believably because of his back story, but it would also be a challenge to write as I have never written anything even remotely homosexual before.

-If Michael was actually in love with Toby. There is a definite tension between Michael and Toby, very much a love-hate thing. Toby loves Michael- or more blatantly, wants his approval. On the other hand, Michael appears to hate Toby's guts.Tapping into that would be hilarious, and a challenge for the same reasons that the above would be.