Be afraid

[leethet]

Like all my fanfic thoughts, this is probably a dead horse kind of thing. But I was thinking that in gen hurt/comfort, there is a strong erotic element. It's not exactly sexual, but it's usually extremely physical -- much touching, much physical trust and intimacy. And I wonder if it's as close as nonslashers will get to slash. Any and all thoughts on the topic are welcome here.

Comments

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

It's interesting in this talk of 'love' we're talking about between two people. What about the love of a cause?

See, that's what I find almost erotic. ''Tis a far far better thing I do..." and all that.

What goes on between Solo and Kuryakin I tend to just take for granted.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

It's interesting in this talk of 'love' we're talking about between two people. What about the love of a cause?

See, that's what I find almost erotic. ''Tis a far far better thing I do..." and all that.


And you know what? That's the part that I take for granted. Or rather, I assume that it's a part of their appeal. :) Of course they are devoted to the cause and I love 'em for it. Otherwise I'd be reading/writing about two bankers or something. :)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

That's very interesting. We problematize different issues and then get enthused about what's problematic.

I suppose that makes sense because we are locating potential complexity and conflict in different places.

(And BTW, I think you're in the majority here, certainly among slash writers but perhaps among gen writers too)

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Well, there's a great deal of slash that, to me, could be any two guys, bankers or trash collectors, rather than spies. I like the spy stuff (on a pretty juvenile level, I admit -- shoot 'em up, gadgets, world travel). I like that they care about a noble goal, enough to risk or give their lives to it. That's part of most any good story, slash or gen (although I can certainly enjoy a more domestic fic from time to time).
Mind you, any fandom, I think, has a percentage of slash fic that I would consider any-two-guys. Just smut using the characters' names.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

So let me ask you a question though:

Based on your comments above, do you see the guys with a different sexual orientation based on whether you're writing gen or slash? Is it hard to switch from one to the other? Are they basically the same in your head or different?

I ask because even tho I can accept that the guys might be straight, bi or gay, I only see them one way when I write.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

Based on your comments above, do you see the guys with a different sexual orientation based on whether you're writing gen or slash?

Of course. In gen, they're straight. In slash, they're (usually) bi or (sometimes) gay. How could it be otherwise? (I know, I'm opening myself up for wank, but it really is how I see it, and what the hell, it's my LJ *g*).

Seriously. I started writing gen. Then I considered flipping that one switch, sexual orientation, and seeing where the chips fell. Naturally, that one switch affects other aspects of a person's life (hence the story), but for me, the difference is that one switch being flipped. Otherwise, basically, they're the same guys.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

How could it be otherwise?

Well, again, I tend to agree. One of the reasons I don't write slash is I believe they would have to be gay or bi and I don't really see them that way when I'm writing. I can certainly read them otherwise and accept that they certainly could be, but when I'm walking around inside their heads, they don't feel gay or bi to me.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

One of the reasons I don't write slash is I believe they would have to be gay or bi

The weird thing is, this is actually debated. Personally, I don't find it debatable, because if they're going to have sex with someone of the same gender willingly ... er, definition of gay/bi, anyone? And yet there's the whole "they're straight but they sleep together" contingent (I've seen the idea in other fandoms) ... makes no sense to me, but there you go. I'm no gender/sexuality expert, but I sort of figured straight/gay/bi was kind of about who you found sexually attractive, not irrelevant to it. :)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, this is a much debated point which usually leads to the variability of sexuality and whether sexuality is a dichotomy or a sliding scale (How does one define 'straight'? What constitutes straight and/or gay.)

But once again, were in intimacy territory and the fantasy of romantic love that transcends all possible barriers.

I'm afraid I'm not much of a romantic when it comes to relationships between people, which may be why the love of cause and/or calling interests me more.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

But once again, were in intimacy territory and the fantasy of romantic love that transcends all possible barriers.

Well, it's true that there's an element of fantasy here, but I don't know that I can surrender the definitions of words and say anything goes because of it (not that you're implying that's OK). :) Without some precision of language (and meaning), a basis in reality (plotwise and characterization wise), the story's of no interest to me. But again, that's more about my general pedantry than about gender debate(which I'll leave to those who feel a need to argue about them -- I'm comfy with my simple definitions *g*).