I have actually often wondered why there's such an overwhelming preponderance of non-genfic in fandom, when that clearly doesn't represent real life.
None of the reasons I've thought of quite explain it, but here's a few:
(a) The old, 'mm, it's hot' factor. (b) The old 'OTP!' or at least 'wouldn't they soo work?' factor. (c) The fandoms themselves usually tell stories that are overwhelmingly gen. A minority of the characters may have romances, one or two of which may be fleshed out, because the plot takes precedence. Maybe fanfic is there to give all the characters and all the pairings a chance? (d) Related to above. If humans do think about sex every x seconds where x is a small number, then in a way maybe all this fic is representing 'reality', because the rule of fanfiction is that everything that can happen, will happen. (e) Taboos. If we have any sort of a kinky side at all, it's easier to find it (fictionally) in fanfic than just about anywhere else. Plus, the whole women-writing-for-women stuff. (f) Sex/romance can be a distraction, or a replacement. It can also be seen as going all the way. So the deep relationships you mentioned as being the kind you like to see in genfic... get taken to their extreme. To quote from The History Boys, "the transmission of knowledge is itself an erotic experience." So, mentors and students get it on/fall in love.
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Date: 2006-12-09 11:11 am (UTC)None of the reasons I've thought of quite explain it, but here's a few:
(a) The old, 'mm, it's hot' factor.
(b) The old 'OTP!' or at least 'wouldn't they soo work?' factor.
(c) The fandoms themselves usually tell stories that are overwhelmingly gen. A minority of the characters may have romances, one or two of which may be fleshed out, because the plot takes precedence. Maybe fanfic is there to give all the characters and all the pairings a chance?
(d) Related to above. If humans do think about sex every x seconds where x is a small number, then in a way maybe all this fic is representing 'reality', because the rule of fanfiction is that everything that can happen, will happen.
(e) Taboos. If we have any sort of a kinky side at all, it's easier to find it (fictionally) in fanfic than just about anywhere else. Plus, the whole women-writing-for-women stuff.
(f) Sex/romance can be a distraction, or a replacement. It can also be seen as going all the way. So the deep relationships you mentioned as being the kind you like to see in genfic... get taken to their extreme. To quote from The History Boys, "the transmission of knowledge is itself an erotic experience." So, mentors and students get it on/fall in love.