Even my most gen-ist stuff isn't very gen.

I mean, Et Tu is basically gen, being just a wee ch. study, as is Devils With Halos, but the rest of what might be called gen in the Collected Works of Ms. Minim Calibre contains Subtext.

I firmly believe that slash is not the same as smut; you will note that in the above story (Still Untitled, Hint Hint), there is no smut, but It's All About Two Boys In Love. And is, of course, Slash. Damn it.

I know enough people made uncomfortable by sexual content that I can see it might be handy.

No! nononono! Because the ratings system, albeit modelled upon your US system that still throws me a bit, deals with the sexual content thing. Slash doesn't mean Sex. I can't say that clearly enough. Slash is often thought of as meaning sex by those who don't read it, and as being motivated purely by prurience (as it certainly is at times - as is much 'Het' fic) but it doesn't have to involve sex. Or kissing. Or even overt declarations of love. The term 'preslash' strikes me as clumsy and I eschew it for aesthetic reasons and because of the implication that the 'slash' has only happened once lips and/or hips have started bumping.

imho, the thing that makes it slash is that a non-canonically-acknowledged piece of same-sex chemistry is being addressed/acknowledged/expanded upon.

oh crimeny, I'm bad at titles. I'm no help.

Ple, couldn't he grin or something instead of outright "saying" he's looking forward to dawn? I want broody wes.

I know enough people made uncomfortable by sexual content that I can see it might be handy.

Sorry--I should clarify. I don't believe that slash=smut. Not hardly. I should have said that slash or het combined with an NC-17 (or even R) rating might help someone realize that they might prefer to avoid a story or at least put on their skimmy-specs once things head bed-ward.

Hrrm.

I was going to have him look back at Gunn, but that didn't work, and I was going to have him smile, but that didn't work (he's still a sexy little Eeyore, he's just less Mr. Mopey Donkey Pants at the end than at the beginning). I'm trying to think of a way to word it that may not be so happy but that also basically says "moving on, starting to occur."

Hmm, I wonder if 'metaslash' might be an apt term for slash that does not contain outright smut/porn/erotica.

Okay, Ple? Don't use the phrase "Donkey Pants" unless you outright intend me to get wrenched out of "Aaaw, Woobie!" and catapulted into "HungLikeAHorse!" And spill grapejuice on my keyboard in the process.

Ah, the poor Fay Keyboard!

Don't suppose translating to trousers helps?

Okay, but slash is still homosexual, so, the same people, would, unfortunately, be as offended by Ple's story above as by anything more overt. I should have said that more clearly.

Though, now that's just supporting people's prejudices. I'm stream of conciousness on only 5 hours of sleep posting, again.

gen = general fiction, no romantic activity het = heterosexual characters, relationship implied, stated, or overtly sexual slash = one or more characters who are currently in an implied, stated or overtly sexual homosexual relationship, whatever their usual preference.

So, other than romance or fiction, I really don't get why they're classified, either. And, I don't see romance and fiction as very valuable either, since if they're well-written, it doesn't seem like it ought to matter. I can see rating G, PG, R, etc., for those who don't like to read about sex.

There are people out there who think that the Buffyverse fanfiction isn't labelled enough. That things should be Arranged As They Are In Other Fandoms.

Which is to say, subcategorized so you always know exactly what you are getting. I have a sneaking feeling that Buffy writers are more polypairdom than, say Voyager or X-Files writers generally are. (Note: I picked two fandoms out of a hat, based on what I've heard about them. I could be talking out of my behind.)