There is a definite difference, at least for me. A ship, be it slash or het, story is one that focuses on the relationship itself. A gen focuses on the person as a whole, not just a part of who they are. Relationships shouldn't be the most defining characteristic. A good story, a good telling, talks about the different parts of character. Relationships are a small portion. For all we know, Rodney might have peed in his bed until he was five (granted, totally fanon concept), but that doesn't change that he had Sheppard for a boyfriend for six months. It shouldn't have alter, not something that small.
I read Freedom, and the relationship was a sliver, not the total. It changed him, because of their interactions, but it wasn't the only part. Losing Atlantis was just as devastating. Military showing up, trying to force his hand, that was a blow, too. People always interact. No one lives in that plastic bubble, no matter how often Hollywood tries to convince us. Every single thing we do will change us. The same should logically apply to characters that show a definite growth.
(You know, the last time I metaed was over Percy Weasley...been awhile. Dang.)
Oh, yeah, and that's why I'll never get people who insist on calling it a ship story if a character has even a stray thought of another character. I read a great story with Radek that had him briefly think of his ex-wife...it was labeled a "Radek/OFC" ship and to me that story was totally gen....he wasn't pining over her, it was just something that had made him part of who he was.
That is a brilliant example of a het example for me. I haven't been reading fic this week - save for Freedom - because of how crazy it's been. I mean, of course Radek's wife might be an OFC. We don't know enough about his background to make it canon. That's the point of fanfic, I thought. To work out what canon'll never tell us, or expound on the teeny grains we are given. And if it's just an off-cuff remark that helped shape him, but wasn't ultimately about him, then why label it such? It's a misrepresention, in my opinion, because all those gen-but-not-shippers will miss it, and all those those ship-but-no-genners will, too. There's appealing to your audience, and then there's alienating. To me, labeling the story as such is doing the latter.
Before SG fandom, I was in Harry Potter. Now, as much wank as they generate, at least I understood the basic labels. I got them. I'm struggling in this one because it seems like everyone's coming from other fandoms and the definitions aren't overlapping. And it's leaving me wondering just what fandom I'm and other people are in. Since it doesn't seem to be the same one.
I read Freedom, and the relationship was a sliver, not the total. It changed him, because of their interactions, but it wasn't the only part. Losing Atlantis was just as devastating. Military showing up, trying to force his hand, that was a blow, too. People always interact. No one lives in that plastic bubble, no matter how often Hollywood tries to convince us. Every single thing we do will change us. The same should logically apply to characters that show a definite growth.
(You know, the last time I metaed was over Percy Weasley...been awhile. Dang.)
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Before SG fandom, I was in Harry Potter. Now, as much wank as they generate, at least I understood the basic labels. I got them. I'm struggling in this one because it seems like everyone's coming from other fandoms and the definitions aren't overlapping. And it's leaving me wondering just what fandom I'm and other people are in. Since it doesn't seem to be the same one.
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