I very much agree with you where (I think) you say that the issue is complex and that you don't want to be putting down gen. (And that even as you don't prefer gen, that has nothing to do with your regard for people who prirmarily write gen.)
(And that's actually a bit more generous than I can be towards 'ship fic in the aggregate, double good for you.)
But.
Everytime we say that it shouldn't be about gender, it should be about story because your story is tied intimately to who you are, the twists and turns of your DNA as much as your heart and mind.
For me, my gender is not the most significant or basic thing about me. For me, my gender (and who I sleep with, or that I'm sleepign with anyone) is far less intimate to me, than other things.
So part of the whole gen/not gen divide, for me, is looking for stories that reflect what I think is important, and (to a certain extent) what I value.
Another part is that there is so. damn. much. sex in the stories - or in my circle/my fandoms. While yes, it is a part of many adult's lives, imo, fangirlsnboys write about sex and don't write about solving mysteries, flying space fighters, or fighting demons. In that sense, gen is in opposition to 'ship fic, because while sex & other stuff can go together, in my experience, the other stuff generally ends up getting short shrift.
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Date: 2008-02-20 01:55 pm (UTC)(And that's actually a bit more generous than I can be towards 'ship fic in the aggregate, double good for you.)
But.
Everytime we say that it shouldn't be about gender, it should be about story because your story is tied intimately to who you are, the twists and turns of your DNA as much as your heart and mind.
For me, my gender is not the most significant or basic thing about me. For me, my gender (and who I sleep with, or that I'm sleepign with anyone) is far less intimate to me, than other things.
So part of the whole gen/not gen divide, for me, is looking for stories that reflect what I think is important, and (to a certain extent) what I value.
Another part is that there is so. damn. much. sex in the stories - or in my circle/my fandoms. While yes, it is a part of many adult's lives, imo, fangirlsnboys write about sex and don't write about solving mysteries, flying space fighters, or fighting demons. In that sense, gen is in opposition to 'ship fic, because while sex & other stuff can go together, in my experience, the other stuff generally ends up getting short shrift.
So. Any way, that's my take on it.
- hg