I found your post through metafandom, and just had to comment. I hadn't really thought about the cyclical nature of my reading habits regarding fanfiction, but now that you've pointed it out...the bulk of my smut-reading does take place when I discover a new fandom. Or, too, when I discover a new pairing that I hadn't previously considered.
I'm not sure that for me it's a marker of "local lingo" adaption or if it's a "oooooh shiny!" reaction. But once I've settled in to whatever fandom, I do drift away from the PWPs and go for more general fics.
You've given me some food for thought. Why do seek out, or not seek out, smut in fanfic? There are definitely fandoms where I actively shy away from smut, and others where I'm more likely to read it.
Here from metafandomyourlibrarianMarch 11 2010, 21:29:03 UTC
I can't say I tend to read stories for the sex regardless of how long I've been in the fandom, but it is interesting to think about why language tends to vary from fandom to fandom. How much of that is influenced by canon and how much by the writing community?
Re: Here from metafandomthefroggMarch 12 2010, 02:16:51 UTC
I would hazard a guess that it's almost always the writing community - at least in fandoms that are based on non-written canons (tv, movies, RPS, possibly comics).
Most authors in fandoms based on written canons usually tend to at least try and keep the same tone/vocabulary as the original. Except, well, most canons don't generally have graphic sex scenes.
I am fascinated by this idea. I skim plenty of sex scenes, but read plenty too -- and have never really noticed why some get read (other than quality [g]), but since I'm also a fannish butterfly and always picking up a new fandom or pairing...you may have pinpointed my unconscious reason!
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I'm not sure that for me it's a marker of "local lingo" adaption or if it's a "oooooh shiny!" reaction. But once I've settled in to whatever fandom, I do drift away from the PWPs and go for more general fics.
You've given me some food for thought. Why do seek out, or not seek out, smut in fanfic? There are definitely fandoms where I actively shy away from smut, and others where I'm more likely to read it.
Hmmm.
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I think you're right in that there is an "oooh, shiny!" factor, but it doesn't explain it all.
More food for thought.
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Most authors in fandoms based on written canons usually tend to at least try and keep the same tone/vocabulary as the original. Except, well, most canons don't generally have graphic sex scenes.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other?
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Cool concept!
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