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

[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