Giving Thanks

[itsallovernow]

Still buzzing from the weekend.

Saw crankygrrl off this morning and I'm disconsolate, wrecked I tell you at the absence of all of these amazing women, particularly my fellow hussies.

M. was a fabulous host, and I just feel like riffing on his goodness, his warm amusement, understanding and encouragement. I really was so very pleased to see everyone this weekend, to renew and strengthen acquaintances and just be constantly awed by the brightness, the shine and sheen and wit of these people that I've met. How damned smart and kind and interesting they all are. I was impressed with the graciousness of the actors, the writers and people involved in the show, but just as impressed by that same graciousness from the fans and the fen, from my friends and the people I've only a slight acquaintance with.

Yeah, there were definitely people that made me slump in my chair, cheeks flaming with embarrasment, muttering, "Dude," to myself while rubberneck held my head to her chest. But I felt largely sheltered from that.

The fic panel was something I'd been half dreading, half anticipating and I really do think it went as well as it could have, given the preparation and the circumstances. Jeff Rab, Florida Redleg (Joe) as readers, kazbaby1, KernilCrash, ScaperRed and me. We introduced ourselves, and gave a variety of "I write because it's an outlet and I love the show" sort of answers as well as talking - prompted by Jeff - about the difference between reader feedback and awards. We all felt that they were very different sorts of recognition, and that the awards could be mixed blessings. I said that I thought nominating other people was gratifying, sometimes more so than the award itself, which wasn't modesty or false witness. It really is a chance to say, "These are the stories I think are worth of recognition." I also sang the praises of the LJ crowd because I firmly believe that it fosters a different and more open, experimental writing opportunity than the boards.

I still maintain that crankygrrl question about writing sex, and why couple with suelac's question of why there is so little slash in the fandom where the most intriguing. One of the questioners asked why we thought there were so few Mary Sue's in Farscape fic, and a later discussion in the room pretty much came to the conclusion that the relationships were pretty well developed, as were the characters and as a result, many of the Mary Sues came up in relationship to Crais. This makes a lot of sense. His story is somewhat open ended (if you ignore the whole fiery death thing), and it's the only one that has the potential for introducing characters out of nowhere with all of the resultant qualities of eye color, ability etc.

The sex question, despite my blush, was interesting. I'm not trying to justify writing porn by making it sound like high art, and I did say that I liked writing about sex, but I also do think that in the context of the characters and the show, sex is a legitimate form of communication and miscommunication. I'm hoping to expand on that theme a little if I have time. I also said that the sex was titilating , but it had a purpose beyond that, or that the mix of theme and sex were part of the whole shebang.

Cofax question was also interesting in that it's really sort of indicative of a lot of the questions and theories that surround slash writing. Putting aside the finding hot men fucking attractive, I think that male on male slash serves a unique purpose. It allows the writer to inhabit a stornger, more aggessive character, it allows the exploration of subtext, it showcases different themes and elements, and dude, none of these are new theories, but they have a lot of merit.

I think in Farscape the het ship is compelling because both of the characters are strong, flawed and a match for each other. I also think Aeryn has enough strength, enough uncompromising elements to fullfill most of the desire of the writer to both inhabit and play with the identity to have the character to be a foil for her partner.

For those of you who actually saw the panel, what other questions would you like to have seen asked answered and discussed>?

This is just the first layer of thought, but I'm exhausted and I need to pack, so I'll return to this in a week.


Meanwhile, I'm off for Thanksgiving. Have a safe journey to those traveling, and warmth and love for those who are staying at home.

This year I'm giving thanks for friends and family, for health and creativity, for laughter and words and those people out there who thought they couldn't make it, yet have anyway, for my pets and my dreams and those moments that I would never want to give back. And for great shoes, and sparkly bangles and enough love and insight and strength in the world to want to work towards a more lasting sort of harmony.

Comments

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

another wonderful burbank post, thank you. it sounds like an amazing experience.

and what you said about farscape, ship, and aeryn as a character rings very true for me. it's hard to find a show, book, story (etc.) with a character like that. it's one of the things i adore about farscape is the strength and layers to all the characters. *g*

your writing is as always, eloquent and thoughtful. thank you. have a wonderful holiday, i liked your thankful list, sparkly is great, as are memories, relationships with people and animals. *g*

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thanks honey. Hope you had a marvelous Thanksgiving.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

nice and quiet...just the way i like it. just the uber-cheesy scifi channel movie marathon. heh heh heh! ;)

[dealane.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the fic panel review. I am fascinated by the whole fanfic phenonmenon, and while I can easily explain why I read fanfic (hungry for more story even when the story's over in TVLand), I don't really understand how and why you guys write what you do, even as I thank my lucky stars that you do write. I wish I could have been there in person!

Have a safe and tasty Thanksgiving!

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.

I don't really understand how and why you guys write what you do, even as I thank my lucky stars that you do write.

That's really the age old question, isn't it? I think everyone starts for personal reasons, much like the stop for those same personal reasons, but in the middle, I don't know, it becomes addictive and you find that you have all of these stories to tell and a cast of characters set up to allow you to tell them and it becomes fun, and fullfilling and challenging, and well, that's why I've been writing at any rate:)

[haphazardmethod.livejournal.com]

It sounds like the fic panel provided food for thought, and you can't ask for more than that.

And speaking of food, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thanks honey! Hope your Thanksgiving was lovely!!!