Prophecy Roundtable - Help me pick a title!

[mijan]

I'm going to be running a roundtable discussion at Prophecy.  I'd like to have some feedback on the title.  First, the topic is the characterization of canon males in slash fanfiction.  Here's the original abstract 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, here are the possible titles:

1. "Canon Boys; Writer's Toys - The Characterization of Males in Slash Fanfictiction"
2. "Canon Boys; Fanon Toys..."
3. "Canon Boys; Slasher's Toys..."

Other suggestions are highly welcome, but I need to come up with something ASAP.  So, of these three, which do you like?  And do you have any better ideas?  Anyone?
*offers chocolate as a reward*

Comments

[adorkable37.livejournal.com]

I like the all but I think the first one sounds good. I'm not much help in this department.. I have trouble naming the playlists in my iTunes. O_O

[tsuj.livejournal.com]

I'll take #3 for $500, Alex...

I like 3. "Canon Boys; Slasher's Toys - The Characterization of Males in Slash Fanfictiction"
And might I just add that it is also: Readers' joys!

[wednesdayjones.livejournal.com]

I am answering here, as you requested, Mistress *bows*

3. "Canon Boys; Slasher's Toys..." is my choice, seeing as you poo-poo-ed my other suggestion ;)

[miraba.livejournal.com]

Given the topics, #3 is the most accurate.

[hoshiforever.livejournal.com]

I like #1. ::nod:: I wish I could be there to hear your presentation!

[xingou.livejournal.com]

I vote for #2.

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i like #2 because i do think of them all as fanon toy's and you've already explicitly said it's particularly about slash in the subtitle. [*nods*]

wish i could be there. [*pouts*]

[glockgal.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! I hope I can make this roundtable. :D

Anyway, my vote is for 'Canon Boys; Fanon Toys' because:

1) Canon and Fanon, two sides of the Fandom whole
2) "Writer's" excludes artists and other members of fandom who also subscribe to slash dynamics
3) "Slasher's" is repititive to your subtitling.

Hope that makes sense! And wheeee PROPHECY!!!!

Canon boys...

[shilelagh.livejournal.com]

I love the first title. I think that really has a zing to it.

[wook77.livejournal.com]

I like the first - "Canon Boys; Writers toys".

Reasoning - I've seen the "woman-man" characterisation in het stories for Draco, especially. I think that that sort of weeping-emo-goth-girl sort of characterisation for men in HP is larger than just slash. By titling it with the writer's toys, you're allowing for an exploration of that phenomena as well, if you so choose or if the discussion goes that way.

Just my two cents :)

[elsie.livejournal.com]

I like title 2 simply because the other options have a distressing abundance of S sounds. Especially 3.

Also, methinks Seamus Finnigan deserves a place on that character list. Slash writers use him a lot as a minor character and tool for the main characters' development.

[avidbeader.livejournal.com]

Hey, jumping in for a sec. wieimmer contacted me to say that she thinks your email to her got shunted into spam for some reason, and if you could try again at georgiatassos AT gmail DOT com she'd greatly appreciate it!

[carmenoph.livejournal.com]

I'd say I like title 3 better.
Have you read "Ever so slightly longer but not quite as thick: Toward a quantitative literary sexology of Harry Potter fanfiction"? It might be a useful reference for your discussion, plus it's hilarious. Here's the link http://www.research.piratequeen.ca/