Why the Gals Love the fanfic!

[Guest]

While rambling the web, I hit upon this nifty little article. It coroborates my own experience in the world of fan/slash fiction and I thought it worthy of mention and discussion here.

Why the Chicks Love The Fanfic

 

[Stella_Omega]

Well put.
I recently consoled a woman- my age- about getting slammed within the fanfic "community" and I have finally learned NOT to ask why she didn't simply start writing original fiction.

I find it all vastly amusing. I do have a few fanfic preferences of my own, and I will search out, and read, and judge other people's stories by how close they jive (in my august opinion) with the canon- and I find myself dismissing, say, Harry Potter fics because who the hell cares about Harry Potter anyway? The answer is plenty women do. And there is one friend of mine who I have drifted away from- because our fiction tastes no longer match up.

But my aquaintance who was so upset- she was attacked by a cadre who objected to the choice she made as to the romantic liason. As in; "You fucktard, how can you possibly put Hermione with Harry- when Harry obviously should be with Draco!" (all names and novels have been changed to protect the innocent characters)
It used to be unbelievable to me that people could get so vociferous about this stuff. however, the undeniable fact is that they do... Fans will try to ruin each other's lives over these things.

My standard of judgement is different- for one thing, I require a modicum of writing skill. And as far as the sexual content is concerned, all I ask is that I can believe that the characters are doing what they would do. But I have slammed fanfic for being too far out of canon, and I now realise that they have made the character into someone I don't recognise any longer.

Guess I'm still a girl where it counts

 

[elsol]

*burp*

I stopped at the part where she said she didn't know *any* men who read and bought romance novels.

I do... I'm one of them (and I'm not the only one I know of)... Harlequin Temptations are porn stories and why I rarely read most online female writers; there is a commercial quality product for that Voice.

Seriously, I remember a particular Temptation about a woman with a 'cowboy fantasy'.... I was bathed in sweat by the time I finished.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Stella_Omega]

*burp*

I stopped at the part where she said she didn't know *any* men who read and bought romance novels.

I do... I'm one of them (and I'm not the only one I know of)... Harlequin Temptations are porn stories and why I rarely read most online female writers; there is a commercial quality product for that Voice.

Seriously, I remember a particular Temptation about a woman with a 'cowboy fantasy'.... I was bathed in sweat by the time I finished.

Sincerely,
ElSol

Dude, you should introduce yourself, and let her know!

I know more than a couple of men involved in FF. And they seem to have the same reasons and criteria as the women fans do.

 

[Huckleman2000]

Wow! I've gained an insight into female porn, when I barely knew it existed!

 

[Guest]

I'd venture there are as many men who read/write fanfic as there are women who read/write pure stroke stories -- but fanfiction is a pretty female dominant venue. The SF cons I attend usually have some fanfic groups in attendance -- I've seen several, complete with t-shirts -- and they tend to be overwhelmingly female. Doesn't mean men don't read and write it, just means they are not that visible and may well be a minority.

I thought this artical was particularly interesting when combined with the other one about the "new mainstream market" for erotica aimed at women -- there's another thread on that. And there's yet a third thread on pornography and various attitudes toward it, especially from and about women.

It ties back into an olrder discussion I posted to some weeks back, concerning a supposed "auto-ick" factor from women concerning watching bi or gay men interact sexually -- that men find bi/lesbian women hot, but women do not find bi/gay sex at all interesting. I pointed out the subset of fanfic called "slash" which is, in its original definition, ALWAYS gay male romance and sex.

I'm not trying to draw circles around anything. I'm just a little amused when I hear someone express surprise that women would like erotica/porn and be astonished like its some brand new phenomena of the new century, when I've been reading slash since the 70's and I'm certain there are SOME samples of women originated and read erotica before then.

 

[Stella_Omega]

What makes me laugh, as I've said before- is the terminology that the internet community has created. Slash, Drabble Yaoi, fer crissakes. It's as if the English language never functioned as a carrier for pornography before these children showed up

That "auto ick " myth concerning gay male sex probably contributed somewhat to my gender confusion as a teen- if women weren't turned on by written or visual porn- and I was- then I must not be a "real" woman, and since I would have HATED to lose my libido then a "real" woman wasn't what I wanted to be. Likewise, since I was participating in gay sex, and enjoying the hell out of it- the gay boys were more accepting of me than most of the straight ones- I must be, really, a gay man.

 

[3113]

I must be, really, a gay man.

You too! I knew there was a reason I was fatally attracted to you, Stella! I'm not queer...but why don't we tell our husbands that we're goin' fishin' for the weekend?

 

[elsol]

Even though I read romance novels (and the occasional Wonder Woman fan fiction), I am most definitely a straight male.

I've got the visual porn collect to prove it too!

I guess I'm one of them, metrosexual dudes... except I don't do it on subways.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Stella_Omega]

You too! I knew there was a reason I was fatally attracted to you, Stella! I'm not queer...but why don't we tell our husbands that we're goin' fishin' for the weekend?

Still haven't seen that movie... I do have a fishing rod though!

 

[Svenskaflicka]

While rambling the web, I hit upon this nifty little article. It coroborates my own experience in the world of fan/slash fiction and I thought it worthy of mention and discussion here.

Why the Chicks Love The Fanfic

Right on the dot.

 

[FallingToFly]

Oh, most definitely on target, Mal.

I read, write, beta and edit some awesome fanfic, in several different genres. (Well, mine isn't awesome, but the stuff I read/beta/edit for is.)

I actually find it much more enjoyable than most of the original work on Lit. *waits to be smacked* I don't know if it's having a clear picture of where they want this to go, or where it should go, but it seems like FF authors, male and female, have a very sharp vision, and bring it across beautifully.

Don't get me wrong, there's crappy fanfic out there. There's also crappy original stuff. The main thing I've run across in the FF genre is that 'legit' authors tend to look down on it. I would love to hand them a copy of Riley's "Pawn to Queen" with the names blacked out and DARE them to do better.

Some of the most amazing writers I know write fanfic. I look forward to their next installment with the avid joy of a hardcore J.K.Rowling fan's impatience for the newest HP book. I'd have them sign my laptop, rather than a book, in a heartbeat, and treasure it like the Crown Jewels.

*blushes and shoves the soapbox off to the side*

Ahem... anyway. Before anyone knocks fanfic, they should try it. I really loved that article, Mal.

 

[3113]

Even though I read romance novels (and the occasional Wonder Woman fan fiction), I am most definitely a straight male.

Actually, Wonder Woman makes you more suspect than the Romance Novels. Little girls like WW, but they tend to drop her when they hit puberty. Busty women as heroines give way (like Barbie dolls) to more "teen" heroines, like Death who was among the most popular with teen and college girls.

There was a point in the early '90's where a certain artist made the WW comic popular with straight males (that was the period that had WW in black), but on the whole, WW has been and still is most popular--outrageously so--with gay males.

 

[3113]

Still haven't seen that movie... I do have a fishing rod though!

I just rented it to protest the protest that's going on against WalMart for carrying the movie (never thought I'd be cheering on Walmart, but there you go).

My husband thinks we should eat chile and wear cowboy hats while we watch it. I told "Okay" so long as I get to be Heath Ledger.

 

[elsol]

Actually, Wonder Woman makes you more suspect than the Romance Novels. Little girls like WW, but they tend to drop her when they hit puberty. Busty women as heroines give way (like Barbie dolls) to more "teen" heroines, like Death who was among the most popular with teen and college girls.

There was a point in the early '90's where a certain artist made the WW comic popular with straight males (that was the period that had WW in black), but on the whole, WW has been and still is most popular--outrageously so--with gay males.

Let me essplain... actually, let me sum up.

First Season Episode of Wonder Woman
She gets captured by Nazis
She gets put on a rack in that arms and legs apart position

---

Another Episode of Wonder Woman

She does her little spin thing.
She flashes into her 'Wet Suit' Wonder Woman Costume

----

Yeah...okay, I got to go watch my "Wonder Woman" DVD set now.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

So, does that have anything to do with why tabloids are so popular? Seriously, women DO seem to have more of an overall fascination with famous people and trendy styles.

 

[Guest]

So, does that have anything to do with why tabloids are so popular? Seriously, women DO seem to have more of an overall fascination with famous people and trendy styles.

If I buy a tabloid, it's because something stikes me as funny and I want to use it as a writing prompt!

Celebrity magazines are only purchased if they have a good photo of someone I find sexy.

My interest in the average celebrity's life, loves, hopes, dreams, etc. is ZERO. They don't know me, I will never really know them, and aside from fuel for my fantasies, they don't interest me beyond their entertainment value. Sometimes their tabloid trials are good for a joke, but mostly I find something else to do.

 

[noxiousblonde]

I started out writing FanFic and should eventually finish the ones I started many years ago. My first one was an erotic FanFic and then I started writing mainstream Fics.

The attraction to FanFic for me was the fact that the characters, settings and relationships were already established. Its a whole world already made and just waiting for direction. Its especially good for people starting out or who feel they aren't ready to start with original writing. It was good practice for me.

Its fun manipulating your favourite cannon and characters, changing the rules and making them live out your fantasies and what you wish would happen. I think women like it because they can make the girl get the guy she should be with instead of the one she's with etc.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Ah, the happy ending. Yes, for me it would be the idea of controlling a celebrity and making them behave as I would prefer. It would be the power rush.

 

[RogueLurker]

Actually, Wonder Woman makes you more suspect than the Romance Novels. Little girls like WW, but they tend to drop her when they hit puberty. Busty women as heroines give way (like Barbie dolls) to more "teen" heroines, like Death who was among the most popular with teen and college girls.

There was a point in the early '90's where a certain artist made the WW comic popular with straight males (that was the period that had WW in black), but on the whole, WW has been and still is most popular--outrageously so--with gay males.

Makes him suspect of what?

Uhm .... I always liked Wonder Woman (or maybe it was Linda Carter?). I may have stopped watching her in my teen years, but that's because the series was cancelled. Don't get me started on the Bionic Woman ...

*off to look for my Wonder Woman nightlight ... surely it didn't get thrown out*

 

[Guest]

Makes him suspect of what?

Uhm .... I always liked WonderWoman (or maybe it was Linda Carter?). I may have stopped watching her in my teen years, but that's because the series was cancelled. Con't get me started on the Bionic Woman ...

*off to look for my WonderWoman nightlight ... surely it didn't get thrown out*

The TV show was a little different from the comic. Wonder Woman in the comics has changed a bit over the years. Take a look and click the "next" button to see the whole gallery.

 

[RogueLurker]

The TV show was a little different from the comic. Wonder Woman in the comics has changed a bit over the years. Take a look and click the "next" button to see the whole gallery.

Oh, I know the comics as well ... mostly from the 80s though. I tended to read Marvel lines more often, but I always had a soft spot for WW.

I love that gallery ... things I never noticed when I was younger.

 

[RogueLurker]

While rambling the web, I hit upon this nifty little article. It coroborates my own experience in the world of fan/slash fiction and I thought it worthy of mention and discussion here.

Why the Chicks Love The Fanfic

Thanks for posting the article, I found it quite interesting as well.

I think that FanFic is the first erotica I ever ran across in the early days of newsgroups. (rec.arts.erotica.startrek I believe was the name). Other than some StarTrek stuff (pick a series, any series), I never really branched out to other types.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I started out writing FanFic and should eventually finish the ones I started many years ago. My first one was an erotic FanFic and then I started writing mainstream Fics.

The attraction to FanFic for me was the fact that the characters, settings and relationships were already established. Its a whole world already made and just waiting for direction. Its especially good for people starting out or who feel they aren't ready to start with original writing. It was good practice for me.

Its fun manipulating your favourite cannon and characters, changing the rules and making them live out your fantasies and what you wish would happen. I think women like it because they can make the girl get the guy she should be with instead of the one she's with etc.

It can be good practice- but should a writer at the top of their game simply continue on that way, instead of developing character development skills?
Aside from any other consideration ,there is always the problem of copyright infringment.
And sometimes I wonder if the fan's fervid imaginations- all those millions of them- don't hamper the writer, as it becomes impossible for her or him to come up with a plot twist that some fan hasn't already written. I know that Terry Pratchett will not visit the forum at his own website, because fans have posted so many tribute pieces there. He does not want to be told "hey, you got that idea from my plagerism of you!"

Ah, the happy ending. Yes, for me it would be the idea of controlling a celebrity and making them behave as I would prefer. It would be the power rush.

Of course, it's the power rush for many a fanfic writer, IMO.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

OK, I'm not very familiar with American pop culture... why is Wonder Woman popular among gay guys?