I wrote a story last year that was Father's Day inspired and I honestly don't even remember if there were any others, so let's see if we can come up with some stories showing Han's softer side.
In the mean time, anyone have any thoughts just in general about Han and Leia and kids? It's certainly an interesting dynamic. For some reason recently almost the only ideas that come to me are mundane things between Han and Leia and the kids. I have no idea why. But I really like writing/seeing them in this family dynamic. And, contrary to what the EU says, I see them as very involved parents. I don't think either one would take the decision to have kids lightly, and I think they'd want to be a part of their children's lives as much as possible. Also, I just think it's cute.
So, let's get some stories going and some talk. And Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there!
I would like to turn the EU on its head. I want to explore the possibility of the Solos having a more or less normal life with their admittedly exceptional kids, but they still are kids. I was looking at some Jaina-Han vids on YouTube. You almost never see Jaina out of her flight suit or military gear. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThe most fun thing about being a writer is that you sort of get to rule the universe (within reason).
And, I miss my father, who died in 1986. I think about him a lot.
I think Han is excellent father material. I could see him being patient with his children. I think he'd love teaching them what he knows, listening to their stories, and wanting to be around them as much as possible, helping with schoolwork, reading stories, listening to their jokes and telling them a few. As the father of infants, I think he'd totally pitch in with the daily care of them.
ReplyDeleteHaving not had a family life, I think that raising the kids would be Han's priority (and Leia's). I think he'd encourage his Force sensitive kids to figure out how they could use their gifts in order to do things that were beneficial to them and others. He might point out that Jacen would be a good veterinarian and Anakin an engineer. Jaina might want a military career, and Han wouldn't deny her the opportunity, but he'd be pretty upfront about the problems of having one. (Of course, she is Daddy's Girl and he has a definite weak spot for her.) The idea of child soldiers would be abhorrent to him.
I could see Han losing his temper at them on occasion, as every parent does, but I don't think it would happen frequently. And I actually think he'd be a firmer disciplinarian than Leia in some ways.
Okay, now I've gotta write this ;)
Well, the EU could very well be turned on it's head with Episode 7 approaching. We could get totally different kids for Han and Leia, maybe they'll have more than 3, maybe they'll have less. Maybe they won't have any! (Although I'd be beyond pissed if they pulled that one) We just don't know at this stage. But the family life we think they had could be very different.
ReplyDeleteI also think they would be great parents, and no way would Leia be seen to neglect her kids as the novels would have us believe. Han would be a great Dad, as he has a great deal of life experience. And we know he's got a softer side buried beneath that roguish exterior, and I'm sure becoming a father would definitely bring that out more. I can't think of anything more adorable than Han Solo holding a baby. Awwww.
I like to play a game called, Let's half believe the EU. I mean, I love the idea that they have three kids, and the twins sound adorable, but...I mean...I think that there's a point when they would have kids that you're right, they would be very involved and everything. I haven't really read a lot of the EU, specifically nothing with them as young kids, but it seems to me like based on what I've read, they weren't there as often as I'd like to think.
ReplyDeleteBut that's why Fanfiction was created right?
Anyway, I personally see Han and the one who's always there, but he's like, as some have already said (I need to comment earlier because I always say that), he would also be a bit firmer with the kids. I don't know, but I have an idea for a story. We'll just have to see if I can write it tonight since I won't have time until like three weeks from now to write otherwise (I mean, I can a little, but this sounds like just the writing I need) =)
Also, I'd like to say that this background picture is incredibly distracting, but I don't want it changed. It's probably just because he's wearing my favorite color[s]...I think I stopped to look at it about ten times while reading this post.
Also, it's kind of ironic that my security message had Luke as one of the words.
DeleteAwww, c'mon Zyra. I was all ready to write about Han and Bria's love child. ;)
ReplyDeleteIced tea --->>> netbook
DeleteI've obviously bored you all to death with this topic. Feel free to detail the specifics of how he BECAME a father, to, if you so desire ;)
ReplyDeleteOne thing that really bothered me when it came to the EU and Han and Leia with their kids was the wild inconsistencies. It really became evident when we were re-reading the books. I mean, one book they're pretty involved and eating dinner with the kids and putting them to bed and reading them stories, the next they haven't seen them in a month and only get to visit, and then in the one after that Han doesn't even work anymore, he just stays home and takes care of the kids because they had just been kidnapped recently and don't trust anyone else to watch them. Then the next book it's like they don't even HAVE kids. It's infuriating!
Like I said, I see him being very involved and really enjoying teaching his kids all sorts of new things, like how to fix the Falcon and how to fly and things like that :) If we are to believe his childhood as outlined in the EU, having not had a family growing up I can definitely see him wanting very much to make the most of the one he gets as an adult. I can see him having a lot of fun with his kids.
This is not usually an angle I think about writing. Might be an interesting challenge for me to write some family fluff as I usually don't. I didn't realize the EU was so wildly inconsistent. That's pretty bad. And I certainly agree that Han and Leia would want to be part of the their children's lives and not ship them off somewhere. It really was a shame they did that in the EU. I'm sure Leia has fond memories of her adopted father and would want to have a good family life with her own. I would expect Leia to be more of disciplinarian than Han. He looks the fun, cool dad that would let them eat chocolate cake for breakfast. Ok maybe he wouldn't because Leia would kill him if he did. And I'm sure Jaina didn't like bringing boys around to meet the family. I'm sure Han would try to scare the boys off. :) But I bet Han would be quite involved with the kids, teaching them how to fly and stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteWell, there's no requirement to jump into the challenge if you're not into writing these kinds of stories. I think I've said before about all I ever come up with anymore is family fluff, and I know as well as anyone that it doesn't actually make for compelling stories, just a little bit of cute.
DeleteI think it would an interesting challenge to try and would love to. It's just these particular plot bunnies don't like to visit as much. I'll have to see. But I love reading the family fluff. And you certainly come up with some sweet moments. :) Always cute.
DeleteOk, I've got one!
ReplyDeleteWhere do I send it?
Sunrider: you can send it to me at: shouldigetoutandpush@gmail.com
DeleteClaire, you have moved me to write a story with Han and his newborn twins :)
ReplyDeleteZyra has one of mine. I'm working on the baby one now.
ReplyDelete