Sex Meta: What's Wrong With Sex
What's wrong with sex?
Before I clarify my question, let me explain where I'm coming from. I've been in fandom for about 12 years now and definitely through my late formative years. I've written fanfiction since before I knew the word existed. I also write my own original fiction. In both cases, I write gen. Because, really romance often bores me. I don't generally like reading romance and I certainly don't like writing romance.
This often puts me on the outs with both fanfiction and original fiction. I don't watch most TV shows. I don't like a lot of mainstream fiction. I do, however, like romance when it is countered with a heavy helping of plot. I like plot that isn't romance. What about evil zombies from outerspace coming to Earth to replace your pet dogs with pod dogs? What if the Mongolian Empire had steam powered robots and horse powered zeppelins? What if the world was really run by highly intelligent daffodils? Huh? What about that?
However, I've seen a lot of people bitch about sex. Why, they say, sex should only be used to further plot and characterisation.
Why? What's wrong with sex?
I mean, sometimes I like to do slightly inane things with my characters for the sheer fact that it's delightful. I could, in theory, remove them and the plot and characterisation would still function. But I feel that it adds a little something. (I also like to add paprika to my chicken soup. Delight is a sure reason when it comes to questioning the strange things that I do.)
So, does someone want to tell me why showing sex is somehow a bad, extraneous thing? I mean, I've had sex that hasn't moved the plot of my life or changed my character. I'm sure other people have, too. Why can't fictional characters? Isn't it's fun/hot/I like writing smut a decent reason?
(While in reaction to a lot of writing discussion I've seen, this is in particular reaction to this meta. However, I felt it would be inappropriate to respond with this as a comment.)
Before I clarify my question, let me explain where I'm coming from. I've been in fandom for about 12 years now and definitely through my late formative years. I've written fanfiction since before I knew the word existed. I also write my own original fiction. In both cases, I write gen. Because, really romance often bores me. I don't generally like reading romance and I certainly don't like writing romance.
This often puts me on the outs with both fanfiction and original fiction. I don't watch most TV shows. I don't like a lot of mainstream fiction. I do, however, like romance when it is countered with a heavy helping of plot. I like plot that isn't romance. What about evil zombies from outerspace coming to Earth to replace your pet dogs with pod dogs? What if the Mongolian Empire had steam powered robots and horse powered zeppelins? What if the world was really run by highly intelligent daffodils? Huh? What about that?
However, I've seen a lot of people bitch about sex. Why, they say, sex should only be used to further plot and characterisation.
Why? What's wrong with sex?
I mean, sometimes I like to do slightly inane things with my characters for the sheer fact that it's delightful. I could, in theory, remove them and the plot and characterisation would still function. But I feel that it adds a little something. (I also like to add paprika to my chicken soup. Delight is a sure reason when it comes to questioning the strange things that I do.)
So, does someone want to tell me why showing sex is somehow a bad, extraneous thing? I mean, I've had sex that hasn't moved the plot of my life or changed my character. I'm sure other people have, too. Why can't fictional characters? Isn't it's fun/hot/I like writing smut a decent reason?
(While in reaction to a lot of writing discussion I've seen, this is in particular reaction to this meta. However, I felt it would be inappropriate to respond with this as a comment.)