SQUEE! Proposal for Prophecy ACCEPTED!

[mijan]

I just received an e-mail from the Prophecy people with the following:

"We are pleased to inform you that your proposal for a roundtable entitled "Characterization of Canon Characters in Slash Fanfiction Writing" has been accepted by the vetting committee as a part of Prophecy's daytime Formal Programming. Congratulations!"

There's obviously more to it, but in short, I've been accepted!  So, now that I have that assurance, I want to tell everyone about it, and ask you to attend!  I wanted to have a guided round-table style presentation discussing how fanfiction authors approach the characterization of our canon males in slash fanfiction.  I've noticed that people often approach writing characters differently, depending on if they're going to be gay or straight, despite the fact that the personality of the character really shouldn't change.  At least, I don't think it much should.  Either way, I proposed a discussion and here's what I submitted:

This will be an in-depth discussion of characterization of canon characters in slash fanfiction writing.  The writers of our fandom have a variety of ways in which they approach the challenge of taking canonically straight or orientation-ambiguous characters and giving them a defined homosexual or bisexual nature.  We will explore the different approaches of characterization observed in fanfiction, to include:

- Close adherence to canon.
- "Flamboyantly" gay characterizations.
- The "Top/bottom", "Seme/uke", "Man/woman-man" dynamics often applied to gay couples as stereotypes, regardless of the canon nature of the characters.
- Fandom clichés for specific characters.

This presentation will be conducted as a guided round-table discussion.  For the first half of the presentation time, I will give brief introductions to each style of characterization that will be covered, then read brief samples of writing from select various authors demonstrating each of the major categories of discussion.  After each introduction and reading, I will open the floor to discussion of each writing style.  The prompts will be:

- Is this a style you enjoy or dislike?
- What does this style contribute to fandom?
- Is this style true to how you view the characters, whether or not it is canonical?
- Is this style an authentic portrayal of homosexuality, or is it a misrepresentation?
- If this is a misrepresentation, are slashers actually doing a disservice to gay people?

Other prompts will naturally be added in the course of discussion.

For the second half of the presentation, a guided comparative analysis of these characterization styles will be conducted.  Using several characters, to include specifially Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Lucius Malfoy, we will explore how these different characterization techniques are applied, and whether or not they are effective for some characters and not others.  We will also ask ourselves whether our characterization habits are a positive contribution to fandom, or whether we are limiting ourselves and our writing by the clichés and labels we tend to use. 
 

So, that was the proposal.  However, I know that in the course of a round-table, other things will come up.  Fandomers are nothing if not independant thinkers, yes?

If anyone has suggestions for selections of writing that I could use as samples, PLEASE let me know!  I'd actually be happier using other people's suggestions for samples, instead of things I select myself.  I want this to reflect fandom thoughts at large, and not just my opinions.  Any other thoughts will be appreciated (although be aware that I can't use everything!). 

And finally, if you're coming, let me know if you plan to attend!

SQUEE!

Comments

[avidbeader.livejournal.com]

I congratulate you! I can't be there, as all my mad money is going to Phoenix Rising, but I know you'll be great!

[vampireanneke.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun. I may stop by your panel, even if I'm not really a fanfic writer. My Harry Potter Music videos were moved to imformal programming and may still get accepted. While my 7 deadly sins, 7 DADA teachers was accepted as a poster session.

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

Now dahlink you know I'd love to be there, but alas, I'm highly likely about to head to Sectus. And dude, London!!!!

But a huge McSquee for you, and I hope it all goes well.

Huggles! :X:X:X

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

If you happen to still need a registration for Sectus, I've got one that I'm not going to be able to use and would be happy to sell it for less than the going rate.

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

Ooh, much love!

Excellent! I haven't actually bought the registration yet!

Mijan has my email, and my YiM ;;)

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

Score! I knew I was being lazy about getting rid of that thing for a reason. I'll be out of town all weekend (and, um, *ahem* I can guarantee that Mijan will be occupied, as well) but poke one or the both of us in a few days or whenever you're ready and I'll hook you up.

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

Dude! Icon <3!

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

LOL!!! My love of the doctor was failing after late last season and the first two eps this season, but Shakespeare TOTALLY renewed me. My fangirl squee knows no boundaries. I've watched it twice already.

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

And now that my ticket to London is actually confirmed... Dude, I'm going to London.

I need to ask Mijan if they have squirrels in London :P

And the doctor has so totally taken over this thread.

And <3 the Bard.

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

LOL! She's probably so sqeetastic that her friends are getting along, she won't care that we've hijacked her comments. I have plans to introduce her to the Doctor very soon. Hell, if I have to watch Star Wars, then she can suffer through a bit of Doctor Who for me.

OMG! *is out of Doctor Who icons* Might have to be moving onto the Torchwood, next.

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

Hehehe, that she probably is...

And I have a few more doctor icons before the Torchwood one...

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

HOMG! *stares*

*drools just a little*

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

hehehehee. yes. very yum.

And now I have booked everything, just the registration to go:D

and here endeth today's Dr icons, with my personal favourite :D

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

Cool. If you're on yahoo IM tonight, I'm professorfionafawkes. I'll be up for a bit, killing time before my flight.

And on the topic of Jack icons...

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to hear about her reaction. ^_^
The Doctor is a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is, that's for sure.
And, yeah, my brothers introduced me to Star Wars, and my love to classic Doctor Who, so I'm sure they are smacking their heads against the walls as we speak. (I have taken over their fandoms, MWAHAHA!)

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Yes, they have squirrels in London. Big fat happy squirrels, who will sit on your knee on a park bench, and eat peanuts out of your hand. You'll be in heaven, m'dear. *giggle*

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

There is so much squee to squee about when you tell me such squee worthy things...

Yes, that noise you just heard? me and the squee.

lubs <3

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, you know I'm going to Sectus, too. So that means I'll get to see you anyway! :D

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

OMG, that is just too fantastic for words... I'll get to see you again, and the amazing MillieWeasley, my rp cowriting partner in crime...

WOOT!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

You didn't know I was going? I thought I'd told you! Oh dear! Well, we'll get to read the book together! Oh happy SQUEE!

[awaywithpixie.livejournal.com]

well I just put my airfare on the credit card... OMG, how the hell am I gonna pay for that before I go!??? LOLZ.

Howam I gonna sit still on a plane for 24 hours?

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

*raises hand*

I think I might be able to make it. ;)

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, I should hope so! LOL.

[fiona-fawkes.livejournal.com]

;)

[acejillian.livejournal.com]

OMG I wish I was going if only to participate in this roundtable. Man, I would love to do something like this in a chat room!

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

WHOOOT! :D I'm so excited. And you said the MAGIC WORDS...

Luna Lovegood. *is unabashed Ravenclaw fangirl*

OOOH I should do her in my next painting for the art gallery!!

*is inspired*

*hugs*

[voldiebeth.livejournal.com]

Ohh that's awesome! I'll definitely come to your panel. Keep me updated when it is during the week:D

[mijan.livejournal.com]

MUAHAHAHA! Absolutely!

*tackles you*

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

*squee*
I'm so happy for you, but (call me self-absorbed) I'm happy for me as well, because I might see you! I'm moving to Buffalo at the end of May, so my love mentioned driving to Toronto. The kids can go to a Blue Jays game, and I can attend Prophecy!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

OOOH! You MUST! :D

[loudmeggaphone.livejournal.com]

Congrats!!! Count me there in the audience. Oooh this will be so much fun. I cannot wait.

*big hugs*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

YAY! *hugs*

congratulations!

[patch254.livejournal.com]

I doubt I will be attending, however I did want you to know that I've bought the plane tickets and will be there the week before your birthday :-) was wondering if perhaps we could get together for some lunch or dinner? email me...we'll chat

Re: congratulations!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

EEP! I need to tell you... because I haven't posted it on my LJ for everyone to see yet... I'm moving to Kansas. With my girlfriend. What can I say? I've found the right one! I'll still be going to Prophecy, of course... but I'll be living in Kansas by then. Near Kansas City. Er... ever been to Kansas City?

*meep*

Re: congratulations!

[(Anonymous)]

wow...um...good for you? lol
You know that's why I moved to texas and four years later we're still together. :-)
No, I've never been to KC but I've got a couple of friends there. We wont be flying through there at all, but that's ok. We'll catch you some time. I'm gonna get goin cuz eli's bday was/is today and I'm exhausted from the party lol...Who knew silly string could take your breath away? lol just lemme know when you're moving..i'll help ya ;-)