fandom natterings
Jan. 12th, 2004 01:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lierdumoaSo I've been feedback whoring with great vigor, of late. I nagged two friends into giving comments for my last icon post and another into giving comments on the Roxie/Velma PWP I wrote a while back. Really, telling me you liked something on AIM just doesn't cut it for me. I need it sitting concretely on my lj where I can access it at any time. Because feedback is like crack. And I've been known to go though withdrawl when I don't get any.
Now the Roxie/Velma PWP has been the subject of much whining. I mean, really, I hate listening to myself whine about this, but I can't seem to stop. I don't think I ever complained about not getting feedback more than I did for this fic. I think it is because porn, more than any other type of fanfiction, is written for the feedback.
I don't get off on the porn I write -- at least not to the extent that I would someone else's porn. Being that I am the writer, I am forced to nitpick everything. Overthink everything. The goal of porn is, of course, that the reader be thinking as little as possible while reading it. Basically, we're talking "porn stupor" here. To achieve said reaction, I'd have to say that the two things you have to worry about most are style and pacing. It's important to not upset the flow of the scene. If something doesn't sound right, you reword. As for pacing, writing porn is like writing suspense. You're not really feeling it because you exactly what's going to happen, but you have to make sure your audience feels it.
Now I love pretty much everything about fanfiction. I love a good metaphor. I love good characterization. I love intriguing plotlines. But when it comes to writing fanfiction, there's one thing I like writing above all else, and that's porn. My plotlines always end up with holes that I spend hours with betas trying to repair. My characterization usually isn't lacking, but it still takes hours upon hours to get it right. When I write a sex scene, it's solid. Nobody complains. I fix what I think needs fixing -- and I'm probably harder on myself than any beta would be, but when I'm done -- I'm golden. Barring a few early attempts in which I was told the sex was unrealistic, my porn has been subject to virtually no compliants.
And I don't know how other people don't agree with me, but writing it is fun. Plotting out the order of events. Coming up with a few creative descriptions. Some come out before hand while others just show up as I write. Changing style to suit the context. Because really, there are a lot of types of sex scenes, and I've been one with a tendency to use sex scenes as plot devices. I don't necessairily write erotica for the soul purpose of getting people off (what?!? that doesn't make any sense!!!). I site, for an example, the Bitter Water sex scene (read: here). I don't know how well it worked out, but I was trying to be all deep and shit. Make a bunch of freaky weird parallels with the freaky death scene in chapter one (read: here). Mull over all the implications of death and sex and love (and pleasure and pain, of course -- I'm a kinky chit).
Oh, and dude -- those scenes don't make any sense unless you at least read the prologue. Everything's in my memories.
But where was I? Types. See, people don't usually overanalyze porn the way I do -- at least not to my knowledge. But seriously. We have the smut, unadulterated and unapolagetic. I cite A Perfect Plan as my alltime favorite -- nobody writes smut like Brenda Antrim. Other good smut in that category would include anything by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nautibitz. Then we have the more poetic type sex scenes. Often very well written and constructed, but usually not a huge turn on for me. I'd site rageprufrock's This Too as an example. This kind of thing has a tendency to make me feel like sex isn't really the point of the fic -- even if it is. Still enjoyable, however, as I love the attention to detail and the way the crudest or most ordinary of behaviors is given a strange grace. Finally, there are scenes that really can't be called anything but art. I cite shaenie's Memento. I believe my initial reaction was "Oh, holy fucking shitfuck!" followed closely by "I can't breathe."
Okay, so there are plenty of smut reccs I could add here, but I'm lazy. If anyone asks specifically, I'm sure I can eke out some more later.
And in a narrow change of subject, I have an HP recc. A fic I rediscovered among![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-syndicated.gif)
switchknife's reccs pages, only to find it had sequels. It's Harry/Lucius, but don't let that scare you away if you don't like Lucius. This is the sort of fic that could make you like him, almost against your will. I normally wouldn't read this pairing, but I definitely count it as an exception to the rule.
Okay, so I like really poetic pieces. Especially when they're well done. I like all that artsy shit, and this fic is full of it, but I think it manages to pull it off without coming off as *too* artsy. Well, I'll let ya'll be the judge.
Je Te Plumerais, The Exaltation of the Lark, and Birdseye by Nimori (website); hard R
The relationship is handled very delicately in the first portion. The author sort of eases you into this unusual pairing. The second part is a repeat of the first part, only in Lucius' POV. It is definitely more daring than the first part. Oh my God, the characterization is beautiful. Lucius is a startling superimposition of crudity over grace. He is the consummate nobleman. He not a good person, but he's real. His love for Harry is a bit twisted. I think the author would have done well to simply delete her last sentence in this part, as it crossed the line from sweet to shmoopy, but that was my only criticism. The third part wraps up the relationship. It touches on the fate of people like Draco and Snape and Sirius, as well as the two main characters. This part includes a piece on Sirius that is simply heartbreaking.
Just...dude. Read it.
Note: I'm using my "porn bunny" icon in honor of the porn rant.
Now the Roxie/Velma PWP has been the subject of much whining. I mean, really, I hate listening to myself whine about this, but I can't seem to stop. I don't think I ever complained about not getting feedback more than I did for this fic. I think it is because porn, more than any other type of fanfiction, is written for the feedback.
I don't get off on the porn I write -- at least not to the extent that I would someone else's porn. Being that I am the writer, I am forced to nitpick everything. Overthink everything. The goal of porn is, of course, that the reader be thinking as little as possible while reading it. Basically, we're talking "porn stupor" here. To achieve said reaction, I'd have to say that the two things you have to worry about most are style and pacing. It's important to not upset the flow of the scene. If something doesn't sound right, you reword. As for pacing, writing porn is like writing suspense. You're not really feeling it because you exactly what's going to happen, but you have to make sure your audience feels it.
Now I love pretty much everything about fanfiction. I love a good metaphor. I love good characterization. I love intriguing plotlines. But when it comes to writing fanfiction, there's one thing I like writing above all else, and that's porn. My plotlines always end up with holes that I spend hours with betas trying to repair. My characterization usually isn't lacking, but it still takes hours upon hours to get it right. When I write a sex scene, it's solid. Nobody complains. I fix what I think needs fixing -- and I'm probably harder on myself than any beta would be, but when I'm done -- I'm golden. Barring a few early attempts in which I was told the sex was unrealistic, my porn has been subject to virtually no compliants.
And I don't know how other people don't agree with me, but writing it is fun. Plotting out the order of events. Coming up with a few creative descriptions. Some come out before hand while others just show up as I write. Changing style to suit the context. Because really, there are a lot of types of sex scenes, and I've been one with a tendency to use sex scenes as plot devices. I don't necessairily write erotica for the soul purpose of getting people off (what?!? that doesn't make any sense!!!). I site, for an example, the Bitter Water sex scene (read: here). I don't know how well it worked out, but I was trying to be all deep and shit. Make a bunch of freaky weird parallels with the freaky death scene in chapter one (read: here). Mull over all the implications of death and sex and love (and pleasure and pain, of course -- I'm a kinky chit).
Oh, and dude -- those scenes don't make any sense unless you at least read the prologue. Everything's in my memories.
But where was I? Types. See, people don't usually overanalyze porn the way I do -- at least not to my knowledge. But seriously. We have the smut, unadulterated and unapolagetic. I cite A Perfect Plan as my alltime favorite -- nobody writes smut like Brenda Antrim. Other good smut in that category would include anything by
nautibitz. Then we have the more poetic type sex scenes. Often very well written and constructed, but usually not a huge turn on for me. I'd site rageprufrock's This Too as an example. This kind of thing has a tendency to make me feel like sex isn't really the point of the fic -- even if it is. Still enjoyable, however, as I love the attention to detail and the way the crudest or most ordinary of behaviors is given a strange grace. Finally, there are scenes that really can't be called anything but art. I cite shaenie's Memento. I believe my initial reaction was "Oh, holy fucking shitfuck!" followed closely by "I can't breathe." Okay, so there are plenty of smut reccs I could add here, but I'm lazy. If anyone asks specifically, I'm sure I can eke out some more later.
And in a narrow change of subject, I have an HP recc. A fic I rediscovered among
switchknife's reccs pages, only to find it had sequels. It's Harry/Lucius, but don't let that scare you away if you don't like Lucius. This is the sort of fic that could make you like him, almost against your will. I normally wouldn't read this pairing, but I definitely count it as an exception to the rule.Okay, so I like really poetic pieces. Especially when they're well done. I like all that artsy shit, and this fic is full of it, but I think it manages to pull it off without coming off as *too* artsy. Well, I'll let ya'll be the judge.
Je Te Plumerais, The Exaltation of the Lark, and Birdseye by Nimori (website); hard R
The relationship is handled very delicately in the first portion. The author sort of eases you into this unusual pairing. The second part is a repeat of the first part, only in Lucius' POV. It is definitely more daring than the first part. Oh my God, the characterization is beautiful. Lucius is a startling superimposition of crudity over grace. He is the consummate nobleman. He not a good person, but he's real. His love for Harry is a bit twisted. I think the author would have done well to simply delete her last sentence in this part, as it crossed the line from sweet to shmoopy, but that was my only criticism. The third part wraps up the relationship. It touches on the fate of people like Draco and Snape and Sirius, as well as the two main characters. This part includes a piece on Sirius that is simply heartbreaking.
Just...dude. Read it.
Note: I'm using my "porn bunny" icon in honor of the porn rant.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
*comments*
Date: 2004-01-12 06:39 am (UTC)that's very interesting rant/ideas, I never really though of it that way, normally when i write a smut scene/story (more often than I should) I just write, I don't think about all that stuff as much... or atleast not on a concious level... like I always have the my own little shake and bake recipies for how it should go, and maybe that's includes my pacing? *shrugs*
but I do know i don't have nearly the same relationship with my betas as most people do... :(
I usually just get back oh here are gramatical errors and 'it was good' blah.
anywoo you should write more EW fics :P
and keep up with the icons.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-14 10:21 pm (UTC)That said, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE WAS A PLOT?!?!?! How dare you imply such a thing! Everything that took place was either sex, or in preparation of sex. It doesn't count if it's in preparation of sex, because then it is simply part of the porn scenario. Porn usually requires some sort of scenario. It's not the same as a plot. Don't argue with me on this. Because you'll lose the argument.
If anything, there was plot subtext -- the implication that something was developing outside of the sex. But plot as subtext is entirely different from plot as text.
Hmph!
And porn is a singular noun. Always. It does not agree with the verb "are."
Oh, and by the way, thanks for the feedback. *impish grin* I'm such a heinous bitch.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-15 01:24 am (UTC)And you see? This is why I don't leave feedbacks. It's not safe for my fragile feelings.
*frowns* Why do people always laugh when I say "my fragile feelings"?
no subject
Date: 2004-01-15 01:30 am (UTC)As for your fragile feelings -- none of our conversations, e-mail correspondence, or mutual beta work has ever been safe for your fragile feelings.
And most people would not yell at you for feedback. Most people would be perfectly gracious. Most people aren't me. Besides -- usually you don't have to leave feedback because you beta my stuff.
:o)
And I don't know why people laugh, but I laugh because I'm just mean.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-15 02:17 am (UTC)*evil grin* Ha! Typo! Ha! -- not so sure why I'm "ha-ing", but hey, it's rare that you mistype something. So, ha!
As for your fragile feelings -- none of our conversations, e-mail correspondence, or mutual beta work has ever been safe for your fragile feelings.
Point taken. You know there was actually a time where I'm afraid to read your e-mails? Thankfully that has passed.
And I don't know why people laugh, but I laugh because I'm just mean.
Gee, thanks.