The Fan Fiction Thread

[narm]

I don't wanna read 50 shades based on some of the details I have heard. I am no prude. And I know it is just a story, and a harmless book that gets to say/do whatever it wants. But what annoys me is that I read the female protagonist is a virgin. Oh, of COURSE she is! It sounds to me like one of those things where her new found sexual experience is okay by virtue of her, um, virtue. That bugs me. Why can't she be sexual, and THEN find this Christian fellow and decide that what she really wants? I mean, really. It seems to play into some kind of virgin/whore thing that bugs the hell out of me. Same with Twilight. If peeps enjoy them, more power to 'em! That's fine. I just can't relate at all to the female lead.

[Neurochick]

Aug 4, 2012 2:23:02 GMT -4 narm said:

I don't wanna read 50 shades based on some of the details I have heard. I am no prude. And I know it is just a story, and a harmless book that gets to say/do whatever it wants. But what annoys me is that I read the female protagonist is a virgin. Oh, of COURSE she is! It sounds to me like one of those things where her new found sexual experience is okay by virtue of her, um, virtue. That bugs me. Why can't she be sexual, and THEN find this Christian fellow and decide that what she really wants? I mean, really. It seems to play into some kind of virgin/whore thing that bugs the hell out of me. Same with Twilight. If peeps enjoy them, more power to 'em! That's fine. I just can't relate at all to the female lead.

I think this is a very valid point. I read the entire trilogy and this did bother me a bit. It's almost as if the writer feels that no way would a woman who has had a previous relationship want a man like Christian. It's the same with Twilight. I can hear the discussion of, "why would a girl who's been in romantic relationships want a guy who's a vampire?"

It's the same theory of (Boardwalk Empire reference here!) the only woman who would want Richard Harrow would be a blind woman, which isn't true, but the scenario is one that many people would feel comfortable with.

[chiqui]

Most of the old Harlequins and other romance series had heroines who were virgins (may be different these days.) If it wasn't stated, it was implied. I guess it goes all the way back to Romeo and Juliet.

[Neurochick]

Very true about those old romance books.

I think 50 Shades is the fantasy of meeting the love of your life at 21 and you are the love of his life as well. Then you have this passion for each other that is still smoking even after years have passed. I dont think most people get that and if they do they don't get it at 21, and it isn't constant

[chonies]

Well, to be fair, most of the old (pre 1980s) Harlequins culminated in a very passionate kiss and a marriage proposal. Now many of them have more experienced heroes and heroines, although there are a few imprints that are more chaste ("Virgin Brides" is one) for those who want them.

Interesting, though, that the core of the comparison samples remains so similar.

[chiqui]

I'm getting passed-along copies of all three books, so now I can see what all the brouhaha is about for free. Reading them will be homework for my own erotica writing. Probably what NOT to do.

The books are still selling well at my store, and now they've been joined by similar "naughty" imprints, as well as Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty trilogy which has on its cover the blurb "If you loved 50 Shades of Grey, you'll love this!" I think it's a disservice to Anne Rice, her books were far more elegant and witty, but YMMV.

It also bugs me, a little, from an old fogey viewpoint, that all these books are displayed with all the other trade paperbacks and not in their own "Erotica" section like they woul be in the good old days of Barnes & Noble. Which means any kid who can read could just come along and browse without interference (the Dr. Suess and American Girl books are directly on the other side.) Probably not damaging in the case of 50 Shades because it seems so dull, but Sleeping Beauty, which is set in a fairy tale universe, is another story....

[Deleted]

I have a fan fic question. Why are hetero love scenes referred to as lemons?

[Freelance Exorcist]

Aug 16, 2012 16:31:08 GMT -4 @borokat said:

I have a fan fic question. Why are hetero love scenes referred to as lemons?

From TV Tropes:

The term was originally specific to the anime fanfiction community, although by the early-middle 2000s it had spread to other fandoms as an alternative to just calling something porn or smut. The origin of the term is obscure, but the most common etymology traces it back to the "classic" hentai anime series Cream Lemon, by way of an early mailing list for publishing erotic anime fanfic, called "The Lemon List" in its honor. The term derives from the idea that like a lemon, sexuality looks beautiful and alluring, but when you experience it more directly, it's bitter and sour.

It's not just for het fic, though. Pretty much any smutty fanfic regardless of the pairing can qualify as a lemon whether it's a PWP or a longer, more plot-driven fic that contains a lot of explicit sex.

[Deleted]

Thanks Ghost! That was very interesting.

[Freelance Exorcist]

No problem!