Books and a Slash Survey (you know you want to take it...)

[rubberbutton]

Went shopping today; I wanted to pick up some philosophy books for my dad. I abhor shopping. I’d rather have my kneecaps broken. At what point does anxiety edge out of uncomfortable-with-crowds and into actual agoraphobia? It was packed and I was on edge the entire time, like you might be if they were playing music you loathed really, really loud. I’m tempted to accept the inevitable and embrace my inner hermit, working out a system in which I never have to leave my house à la Twitch City.

On the bright side, books! I got Socrates Against Athens: Philosophy on Trial, which was kind of an impulse and I’m not sure will actually get gifted. *g* Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth About Reality is a book I’m not sure my dad will really appreciate, but seems pretty cool to me—which is one of my greatest flaws as a gift-giver. I tend to give things I want and then borrow them. Oops. I also picked up Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes, which purridot recommended.

On the fandom side of things, I’m kinda, sorta working on meta about Victorian romantic friendships and the appeal of slash—something I was jokingly discussing with Purridot (who is catalyst in all things) but then I got carried away, as per usual.

To aid my super-serious scholarship/to satisfy my curiosity, please take a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire:

Assuming you read slash (non-canon, same-sex pairings) at least occasionally...

1. Do you prefer slash to heterosexual (both canon and non-canon) pairings? Why or why not?
2. Do you prefer slash to canon homosexual pairings? Why or why not?
3. Do you have a preference between m/m pairings and f/f pairings?
4. How much do you think your own orientation, gender and sexual experience affect your fanfic-reading preferences? Explain.
5. Do you read gen fic of characters you slash? Do you read it more, less or about the same as fic with overt romance/sex? Why?
6. How do you like sex in slash fic? Is explicit sex a pro or con?
7. How did you get into slash and how old were you?
8. Anything you’d like to share?

Comments

[silja-b.livejournal.com]

Okay, but look out for controversial opinions *g*

1. I prefer following canon but I'm open to good non-canon pairings (same-sex or otherwise) if the characterisation is fair and if they provide novel character analysis. Slash/gen/het/shipping as wishfulfilment has never been my thing. Avoiding shipping tends to make the fandom experience a rather odd one.
2. See 1.
3. Well-written f/f is awfully rare so I suppose I prefer m/m but it's mostly an issue of quality.
4. A year ago I would have said 'not a thing' but I've revised my opinion recently. I think my orientation plays a definite role - or rather, my experiences as far as my orientation goes plays a role. I prefer to avoid stereotypical behaviour or characterisation and I abhor labels. I've seen both good and bad in the fandoms I've passed through over the years. The good is when writers (of all orientations) treat the matter with respect and insight – treat the characters as people who react fundamentally the same, irrespective of orientation. The bad is when the orientation of a character becomes the single defining trait. It's unrealistic not to mention disrespectful. The acid test is the dreaded 'coming out' story. I've been a part of fandom for 15 years and I've read perhaps a handful coming out stories that didn't make me want to throttle the author-person.
5. I usually don't ship at all so it's not really a problem for me.
6. I love erotic fiction but most of the so-called erotic fan fiction I've read has been wildly unrealistic and, quite frankly, badly written. There seems to be a tendency for some writers to want to smash their favourite (male) characters together at all cost - apparently, if one man is sexy then two is just short of perfection. Well, if getting those two people together involves full-frontal character lobotomies then no, I don't like explicit sex at all. Cryptictac and asynca have both managed good slash with explicit sex, but it's hardly erotic.
7. I have no idea. '94-'95 perhaps? So, mid-twenties. I didn't read slash back in the 'zine days.
8. As if #4 wasn't probing enough *g*

[rubberbutton.livejournal.com]

Okay, but look out for controversial opinions *g*

Heh. *braces self*

Avoiding shipping tends to make the fandom experience a rather odd one.

I'll bet. :P It's a novel idea for me, definitely. What do you look for in fic? You keep close to canon pairings--do you prefer fic that keeps as close to the media in format and tone and such?

6. I love erotic fiction but most of the so-called erotic fan fiction I've read has been wildly unrealistic and, quite frankly, badly written.

Oh god, yeah. There's no badfic like erotic badfic. I'm guessing that people aren't holding to the old "write what you know" adage. *g*

8. As if #4 wasn't probing enough *g*

Are you sure? Confessions? Maybe some deep, dark secrets? :D