Lisa wrote:
Shane Little wrote:
It's not as boring as it might sound-- some of the best fiction is both good entertainment _and_ full of literary merit.
I spend a great deal of time in intellectually challenging
activities -- there is nothing wrong with some pure mind candy for relaxation purposes. My stack of current reading includes a book on history, one each on physics, cognitive science, and software, an SF
short
story anthology, and a Ngaio Marsh mystery. Somehow I doubt my brain is going to rot because I stoop to the occasional formulaic mystery, pulp novel, or frivolous bit of fanfic (slash or otherwise).
Very impressive.
Where do you think the phrase "sexual politics" comes from?
Dunno, but I tend to run when I hear it.
Looks like all that reading didn't count for much then.
So basically then, you read slash for _unrealistic_ relationships?
Well, you're starting to get the idea, I think. Not just slash, however; that applies to most of the fiction I read for pleasure. It's not that
I'm
looking for "unrealistic"; I'm looking for *what I like* -- which often happens not to be especially realistic. (Not everything unrealistic is
what
I like, but much of what I like is unrealistic -- does that make sense,
or
is it getting murkier?)
It makes sense alright, but you're not doing yourself any favours.
correct me if I'm wrong but you're not talking about the "realistic"
genre
of slash here are you?
Er, I don't know -- I'm not sure what you're calling the "realistic"
genre
of slash.
Well if you had quoted my question in full you wouldn't be so confused. It went, "But we weren't talking about "stark realism," just about the story having a basis in some kind of canonical "reality" as a whole, or in the reality of gay relationships. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're not talking about the "realistic" genre of slash here are you?" Other people on the lyst (Tavia, Dana, Julia) have been talking about slash which is realistic either in its depiction of gay relationships or its political attitudes. This is the genre of slash I was referring to.
I think I'm getting a little confused here. Let me get this straight,
you
like to read fanfic about unrealistic characters in unrealistic situations, but they have to be believable in the context of the characters as you
see
them.
That's correct.
I was afraid you'd say that.
I want internal coherence -- the characters in the fanfic
need to match fairly closely the characters I perceive in the original -- but I don't regard those characters themselves as being particularly realistic.
Perhaps that's because realism is not what you are looking for? Personally I think that most of the characters in B7 are very well written indeed; in fact that's what the show is famed for. But somehow you've missed it...
Does this mean then you only read fanfic that you write?
No; I don't write fiction. However, there are a sufficient number of fans who write, and who see the characters similarly to the way I do, that I
can
find fanfic I enjoy reading.
Ah, but how do you know that? You may just *think* they see the characters as you see them; perhaps the authors don't see the characters the way you see them at all. Perhaps if you went up to someone who had written a particular story you had liked, and gave the reasons why you liked said author's particular story, s/he would think you were raving bonkers. But then again, perhaps you would perceive the authors reaction as a sign of their warm approval of your view of their story...
There's also a lot of it that I *don't* enjoy reading, because the characterisations are so far from the way I see them
Are you sure though? Perhaps if you had a couple of pints of beer, things would become clearer and the characterisations would fit your perception. Who can tell?
-- but those characterisations presumably match some other people's perceptions quite well.
Yes, you could be right there. Perhaps the people who wrote them, even.
I've come to like and respect a lot of pro-slash people-- but trying to read it back onto the series is the fastest way to stop me taking what
you
have to say seriously.
I don't understand what you mean by "read it back onto the series".
No. I'm sure you don't.
I got my perceptions of the characters from *watching* the series; I'm not certain how else you would expect me to get them.
But you said earlier that your perceptions have nothing to do with reality or realism, and that you have no problem with that.
I am not suggesting anything, I am telling you that if you want to
write,
or read slash, then go ahead.
Thank you for your permission.
I feel very guilty now, knowing that for all these years you have been waiting to read all this stuff, but couldn't because I hadn't given my permission. You should have e-mailed me sooner, you silly sausage.
Read and write as much slash as you like, but don't then try and tell me that Avon, Vila, Tarrant and all, were written and played as gay.
I'm hardly likely to, since I *don't* think any such thing, nor have I
ever
stated or implied that I do.
Then why are you arguing, on another thread, that slash has a canonical basis in the series?
If that's true then don't reply to this e-mail.
Well, darn; I wish you'd said that back up at the start,
See, you should have read my e-mail first before replying. Think of the time it would have saved -- for both of us.
and not then asked a number of questions which I thought it would be impolite not to answer, since I assumed you were asking for clarification or information...
No. They were rhetorical questions, designed purely to make you look bad. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. I'm only on this lyst in order to irritate you and get up your nose, you know.
Shane
"A fool knows everything and nothing" -- A fool
Who needs Cupid? Matchmaker.com is the place to meet somebody. FREE Two-week Trial Membership at http://www.matchmaker.com/home?rs=200015
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Shane Little