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

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I don't mind ambiguity in a story. :) I just don't have it in the sexuality of the characters when I'm writing gen and slash. I know where their persuasion lies when I write them. That doesn't mean there can't be ambiguity in the story (of many sorts); it only means there's none in my mind as I'm writing. :)
However, I think I understand what you're saying about the story you're referring to -- and it is true that a gen story may be perceived by a reader as slashy. That's well and good. I only draw a line when a reader tries to tell me I wrote a slash story when I wrote a gen story. As ever, readers can think what they like. I just don't like other people telling me what I was thinking. :)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

My feeling is that unless explicitly stated, slash is often in the eye of the beholder. Some folks see slash where others do not.

I don't really care whether or not someone finds something I wrote slashy. I know what I was thinking when I wrote it. Once it's out in the world, readers can provide whatever interpretation they desire.

Frankly, I'd rather that than not be read at all :)

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I don't really care whether or not someone finds something I wrote slashy. I know what I was thinking when I wrote it.

I entirely agree.