So, here's some truly intellectual discussion of what we do (IE: You write fanfic? Read this.)

[katekat]

Actually, that should also say (IE: You know someone who writes fanfic?  You know someone who reads fanfic?  Read this.)

(linked from shehasathree):

The subject of this paper is the emerging genre of internet fan fiction, and the way in which women, the primary authors of such fiction, are using the paradox of cyberspace--personal privacy in a public forum--to explore feelings and ideas denied them in the past. Its specific focus is on erotic stories inspired by characters created for TV and film that fans have appropriated for their own narrative purposes. I am going to suggest that the protection and freedom of cyberspace is enabling these writers to defy many of the social taboos that have inhibited self exploration and self expression in the past, and that the implications of this phenomenon can inform our understanding of the social, psychological, and literary uses of cyberspace.

[full text of article here]

Comments

[khaoschilde.livejournal.com]

Interesting read. Makes me wonder about my motivations in fandom.

[katekat]

Do you agree with any of her contentions - I kind of like her theory for why women like/dominate the slash feild (that we are able to express desire in fanfic that is not conventionally acceptable)... ever since I started reading slash I've always wondered what my own attraction to it is - and why slash smut fic (by and large) seems to be hotter than het. I mean, theoretically, why am I getting roused by a sexual situation that I have no chance of being a part of, you know?

Someone suggested that it's just as hot for women to think of two men being together as it is for men to think of two women being together (and lord knows that's supposed to be a conventional stereotype of male sexuality right?)... but there isn't that common perception about women in media/traditional romance/etc. Perhaps there's the threesome factor (ie: two guys and one woman, a woman would like that) but when I've said to friends who were more conventional than I about their sexuality that I find two guys together unspeakably hot, they've looked at me with confusion (or, in some cases, an expression of mild disgust as if I was an abberation).

I also think her take is interesting because she didn't look at our fandom - and it makes me realize how varied these fan productions are (a fact that I tend to forget, living my fandom world in the buffyverse, you know?)

Glad you found it interesting!

[khaoschilde.livejournal.com]

I agree that fanfiction enables women to express desires they don't express in RL. That pegs me perfectly. Like you, my growing interest in slash made me wonder if I was a bit wonky. Moreso than most women because I haven't the slightest bit of interested in femslash (which would seem to be the assumed preference by men that all women are in some form or another attracted to or fantasize about other women.) As for threesomes, while I certainly find the fantasy of a Ripper/Me/Ethan sandwich much too guh-some, I think it'd be way too much work.
:o)

I also tend to forget there is a whole world of fandoms with varying interests so it's good to know there seems to be some common threads.

[elizabuffy.livejournal.com]

this is just weird...i was stalking your flist and my latest entry isn't on it! i can see it on my flist, but not on yours *mind boggles*

~e!

[katekat]

that's weird, because I can see it when i'm on my flist - (well, unless you posted something other than the 'I'm coming to Austin' post ... that's the last one of yours I see)

[elizabuffy.livejournal.com]

apparently, LJ has changed their settings and one cannot see flocked posts on others' flists...even if they both have the person friended...that's so weird

~e!

[katekat]

ah livejournal, land of the exciting changing restrictions. turds.

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

(uh. yeah, you can see I'm still miles behind on my f-list)
Excellent! Thank you so much for linking this! :) I did my master's thesis on gender studies and technology so this stuff really interests me.
Also, it's kinda neat to write essays about fanfiction and get paid/acknowledged for it ;)

[katekat]

lol - you're really not that far behind if you're responding to this!

But glad you enjoyed. I love reading good essays about fanfiction, since that's actually how I got into it anyway, from reading "Reading the Vampire Slayer" ... they mentioned slash fiction and I was like, 'really? that's out there? where!?' and then found some.

And you did your master's thesis on gender studies and technology? That sounds so cool!! Where's it so I can read it??

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

And you did your master's thesis on gender studies and technology? That sounds so cool!! Where's it so I can read it??
Tee-hee. That's lovely of you, but it's nowhere online :P
I love reading good essays about fanfiction, since that's actually how I got into it anyway, from reading "Reading the Vampire Slayer"
Yeah, really gives you a new perspective on things. That's a really interesting book :)

[katekat]

Tee-hee. That's lovely of you, but it's nowhere online :P
well, if you're ever in a sharing mood, and have a copy of it virtually, email it? Cuz I'd love to read it.

And I completely agree - reading the vampire slayer was an AWESOME book (even if I didn't necessarily agree with every single thing it said, I still love me some meta)