moonshayde | Is It UST?

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Is It UST?

This isn't exactly meta, per se, but delves into some meta issues within the context of fanfic and writing. You can apply this to many fandoms, but I will be using SG-1 to illustrate my points.

I find UST (unresolved sexual tension) to be a term/phrase that is often misused and can be dangerous when labeling writing. Conversely, it can be helpful. So...what do you do?

UST has a foundation in the inherent chemistry between two characters, three characters, an ensemble cast, etc. Chemistry in general is the heart of most engrossing tv and writing. Without chemistry, the characters fall flat and we are less emotionally involved in their actions.

The thing with chemistry is that it can be interpreted and read in a number of ways, one of which is UST. While I am not saying that all chemistry translates into UST, all UST has its roots in chemistry.

Apparently, this can create a problem in the fanfic world. Someone who likes gen will tend to turn their backs on UST and label it a form of ship/slash. Or a fic that may have UST between Sam/Jack may be dismissed because of a dislike for that pairing.

However, there is a chance that the UST in the fic is not actually UST at all, and just chemistry. Could we be turning our backs on outstanding fiction because we perceive UST in a fic when really there's not? Are we dismissing fic that has amazing chemistry between characters because it's labeled as UST, but that UST can be read as either sexual or not? And are we, as writers, boxing ourselves into a corner when writing a fic that has chemistry between characters that could be read either way?

I'm a fan of labels. Really. I don't want to open a fic and get a surprise pairing inside. I don't want to read a fic that I thought was gen and find that it's really a Jack/Daniel slash fic in disguise or fic where Sam and Daniel are secretly angsting over their feelings for each other. Not when I tuned in for a gen fic. What I'm trying to say is, are we limiting ourselves with UST?

I would say the main draw to the show that many of us share is the amazing chemistry between the cast. Whether that cast for you consists of an original cast -- say Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c -- or a change in cast -- say Jack, Sam, Teal'c, and Jonas. It could be Cameron, Sam, Teal'c, Vala, and Daniel. Landry. Hammond. Janet. Whatever. It's the chemistry between the characters added to a decent plot.

Whether your pairing is canon or not is irrelevant. There is no denying that in most shows there is chemistry between most of the characters. In the case of SG-1, I would argue there is chemistry between all of the characters. I really don't think you can deny the chemistry between Sam and Jack -- some may not see it as sexual chemistry, but there is some kind of chemistry between them, whatever it is. There is chemistry between Jack and Daniel, whatever it is. The same for Jack and Teal'c. Daniel and Teal'c. Sam and Daniel. Sam and Teal'c. And so on and so forth.

The show has given us several examples of chemistry. You can look to Need for Jack's caring for Daniel. You can look to The Fifth Race for Daniel's caring for Jack. Singularity is a good example for Daniel supporting Sam. Holiday can show Sam's caring for Daniel. Foothold is a nice example of Teal'c protecting Sam. Death Knell has a nice supportive scene at the end with Jack caring for Sam. Cor-ai had a passionate Jack fighting for Teal'c (along with the others). The list just doesn't end.

Chemistry isn't all hugs and cuddles, either. Chemistry takes on the form of anger, tension, need, conflict, pain, hurt, separation...the list goes on. We've had examples of this through a show like SG-1 between all the characters.

However, the former examples that I listed, the ones that show deep caring, commitment and love, are more often than not the examples people cite as showing UST. (Though, chemistry that involves feelings of anger, betrayal, sadness, pain, etc can also show UST.) The key is that we can read these scenes any number of ways. Some slashers feel the scenes in Need and The Fifth Race indicate UST and a sexual/romantic love between Jack and Daniel. While, at the same time, some people see Death Knell as Sam/Jack ship. Holiday is one of the eps trumped by the Sam/Daniel people. Foothold for the Sam/Teal'c crew. Yet, someone who does not support that pairing can just as easily see those scenes as friendship.

With such a spectrum and fluidity in the show itself, it's not unusual to find that in fanfic, too. When I read a fic, I expect there to be caring between all the characters, like I see on the show. I expect to see that spark, that chemistry between the characters, reflected in their own unique bonds.

For some, that is not the goal. Not all fic should reflect this attitude. If you are writing a slash fic about a perceived sexual relationship between Daniel and Teal'c, then you might not necessarily need Sam and Jack in your fic. If your fic only concentrates on two characters, one character, a side character...things change. Maybe you don't like a certain character and don't want to read fic that has that character in it. Or maybe your interest is solely in a pairing. Plus, there are times maybe that's all we want to read and think, "Oh, I'm in the mood for some Cam/Sam today..." It's a different dynamic. I'm not really speaking to those kinds of fics here.

But in a standard, teamesque type of story, where all the characters play a role, you're undeniably going to hit that chemistry that is present if it's a well-written story. That chemistry is going to slip into the conversations and actions between Jack and Daniel, Jack and Sam, Jack and Teal'c, etc.

Here's the problem. If an author wants you to know, yes read this chemistry as sexual, a label is slapped on that says UST. If a writer doesn't feel it is sexual, no label of UST. However, some writers don't like to be bound by an either/or attitude and are open to people interpreting their characters' chemistry as platonic or sexual. To slap a label saying UST doesn't reflect the nature of the story.

And yes, I am one of those people ;)

However, by labeling a story gen -- a story that tries to show chemistry between all the characters -- you run the risk of an outcry in the fandom over mislabeling. Some people will say that you're trying to sneak ship or slash into gen story. And sometimes people do, both consciously and subconsciously. But I think it's fair to say that there are a lot of writers out there that are open to people walking away with whatever view they want. If someone reads a story of mine that is gen and walks out of it thinking, "wow I saw something between Daniel and Teal'c" and I never intended that in the first place, I'm okay with that. And it has happened. I'm okay with people seeing ship when it's not there, slash when it's not there. And frankly, I try to write my gen in a way where people can see whatever they want, just like we do in the show.

But like I said, there's always a risk. You can't please everyone. And there will always be someone that doesn't agree with your views. There are fics where this doesn't apply -- full out ship and slash, for example. Also, there are times when a definite UST label is needed and others when gen is more than appropriate. It's a fine line, though.

My concern is that we might be missing some very good fic out there. Fic that might be perceived as Sam/Jack, but really just has some great chemistry between the characters and has a great plot. Or, a fic that might be perceived as Jack/Daniel which actually is just a story that can be read either way, again with a great plot. And that goes for Sam/Daniel, Daniel/Janet, Cameron/Teal'c, Jonas/Sam, even interactions between minor characters and original characters...you name the combination.

I wonder what are your thoughts on this? Again, I used SG-1 as an example but it can be applied to any show, despite whether the show contains canon pairings or not.

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Have to speak fom my own meager experience here...

I rarely see a UST label on any fic. I enjoy chemistry between characters, and if someone wants to read more into that, then that is their own POV, and nothing can be done about it. I think all this constant labeling of fics actually steers opinion, and ruins surprises. Regular fiction isn't labled past the general genre.

I approve of labels for genre only. I don't even like mentioning the possibility of a character death, because it advertises what you've written and takes away a large part of the drama. If you know such and such is going to die, why read it? Let's advertise everything in a label-summary, "the team goes to this planet and does this thing and it's wrong and as a result such and such dies and everyone mourns for him/her." Well thanks, fine, no need to read the fic now.

Anyway, to me, UST is impossible to accurately label. If the tension is unresolved, does that mean is exists but neither party is willing to admit it? Does that mean exists only in the reader's mind? Does that mean they want to do it but physically can't? And isn't all sexual tension unresolved, hence the tension bit? Several of my gen-fics can be read as pre-slash, because of the chemistry. I've been told as such. Never got in trouble for it. And as a result became acquainted to the new "bring your own ship" idea. Which leaves me with an image of someone standing at the docks, waiting.

My opinion is, write it, label it with as little as possible to preserve a sense of spontaneity and surprise, and screw the masses that pitch a bitch over it.

Kam

Personally I've never understood the label of pre-slash. It's either slash or it isn't. If it's before any slashy sex happens, it's either gen (because they haven't "noticed" each other yet) or one-sided UST, which should still count as slash. Why bother having a "pre-slash" label? (Not trying to be abrasive, I really do want to know.)

I've no clue. :) Understand that I don't use that label myself, I've just been told that some of my fics have that "chemistry bend". To me, pre-slash and UST are one in the same, because the obvious intent is there. My fics that some consider pre-slash, to me, are standard friendship fics. Close friendship fics. So there is no easy answer to this. I think people are just more familiar with the "pre-slash" term than with UST.

Man, every time I type that I see "STD" in my mind. :D

Kam :)

But why does the term even exist, though? It's either slash or it isn't...I guess I just don't get it. It's like saying you're pre-heterosexual. It just doesn't make sense.

Again, no clue. Haven't thought about it that much.

I've always read the "pre-slash" label to mean "the characters are heading in that direction, but they're not there yet."

For some reason, UST defaults as het in my mind. Just as saying slash means m/m to me without the addition of "fem-" at the beginning, even though technically slash can mean any same-sex pairing.

I even know a lot of fans of same-sex pairings who want it to be called ship because it's a relationship, it's just that those involved having matching parts. To me, that's just confusing, even though I understand what they're coming from. If I see something labeled "J/D Ship" I'm going read it as "Janet/Daniel Ship" instead of thinking it's a Jack/Daniel story.

But that's a long way of saying "pre-slash" might not be the best term, but it's one that fans of that particular story type know what it means. A lot of the terms used are fandom dependent as well. What means one thing in one fandom might means something slightly or even totally different in another.

I even know a lot of fans of same-sex pairings who want it to be called ship because it's a relationship, it's just that those involved having matching parts. To me, that's just confusing, even though I understand what they're coming from. If I see something labeled "J/D Ship" I'm going read it as "Janet/Daniel Ship" instead of thinking it's a Jack/Daniel story.

This is all, but I still say that I "ship" Jack and Daniel. *g* I don't know why that is. Stubbornness? *g*

I learned "pre-slash" within the Stargate fandom and never saw anything wrong with it. I figured it was more specific than UST and I used "pre-het" as its counterpart when I wrote recs. It was brought to my attention that using "pre-slash" could be seen as a heteronormative practice. That was not my intent in using the label so I switched to UST and let the pairing indicate whether it's slash or het.

Hmm, I do disagree with you on this one. Personally, I hate death fic. So I need to know if there is character death in a fic before I read it. If I'm reading a fic and I get to the end and one of the main characters is killed off, I get mad and won't likely read that author again. That mind sound harsh, but I don't read fanfic for the characters to die. Unless they are brought back from the dead or something. But then I don't consider it a death fic ;)

I like chemisty that reflects what we see on the show in its good moments. For me, that reflects a general caring in the team, whatever team that might be. But if it's menat to be sexual, I'd expect a labe; on it since that is not what I'm lookign for. Unless, of course, I am specifcally lookign for a pairing.

I just think there are a lot of grey areas.

Well yeah, I did say that genre needs a label. And I can see people getting upset over death fics, but heck. I say read it and move on. Not reading an author because a character was unexpectedly killed seems a bit extreme, but then we like what we like. I myself certainly don't go out there and read every SG fic known to man.

It's not extreme for me ;) Usually these people are repeat offenders. They keep slipping in things without warnings that I normally find on fics that I like. So, that's what happens in those cases.

In those cases, sure. If it is a repeat thing, then you know what to expect and avoid it. I can see that.

For me it's more than just not liking a death fic. There are times when I really can't handle reading something like that. It's not a case where I could "read it and move on," because it's not that easy. I've already read it. It's already upset me.

There are times when I can handle it and, while I'd never go looking for a death fic, if there's one written by a trusted author or recced by a trusted friend, I can enjoy good angst and/or a good cry as well as the next person.

There are also times when real life is too hard or stressful (like right now...my beloved mother-in-law is dying, literally, from cancer; I'm out shopping for funeral clothes for my kids **sob**), and I just can't handle reading something that traumatic right now. I want to read something comforting where everyone cares about each other. *g*

To be honest, though, I don't read fics that are unlabeled or don't have a good summary and/or aren't recced from someone that I know and trust. Some things I just don't want to read right now, but I might want to read it tomorrow. Other times, there are some things that just don't float my boat, so I don't want to read it at all. I don't expect warnings for anything and everything, but I at least like fic to be categorized so that I can find the type of story I feel like reading right now and/or avoid stories I don't want to read.

Okay, don't misunderstand me (I think a few people are). I'm not saying don't label the fics. I'm saying give just enough to suck the reader in, by saying it is a slash fic or gen fic action/humor/team/whatever. I'm also not saying don't label death fics. I'm just saying were I to write one, I wouldn't want to label it myself, because I'd like the shock. When it is labeled, there isn't a shock. But I totally see the other POV for wanting a label.

It all boils down to personal preference.

Sorry to hear about your mother in law. My prayers go out to you and the family! ((((hugs)))))

Thanks. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it here in this public post, though. Eeek. I should probably delete that comment. I'm just not thinking clearly right now. Thanks for your understanding.

Just one thing:

because I'd like the shock. When it is labeled, there isn't a shock.

As readers, some of us don't want the shock, though. I can see why a writer might want to control the experience that the reader has, but as a reader, I'd prefer to have the choice. I don't like surprises of any kind, to be honest--not even birthday presents or something like that. *g*

I know it's the wrong fandom, but this is my *hugs* icon. I'm so very sorry to hear about your mother in law. I just passed the first anniversary of my grandmother's death and my father died a couple of months ago, so I'm in a sad place, too. There aren't really words that help at times like these but you've got a friendly shoulder to lean on if you want to complain, cry, vent, or otherwise deal with the crapitude of life. :)

Thanks so much. It sounds like you've had a rough time, too. :-( I greatly appreciate the understanding, and the same goes for you. (I may delete that other comment, because I probably shouldn't have made it in a public post. I'm just putting on my dunce cap over here. *g*)

I don't even like mentioning the possibility of a character death, because it advertises what you've written and takes away a large part of the drama.

I can only offer personal experience here. A couple of years ago, I picked up some SG-1 short stories by an excellent writer to distract myself from it being the 1st anniversary of a family member's death. It was a stressful day and I was looking for quality escapist fare. Had I chosen a movie, I'd have picked a comedy. If I'd chosen a book, I'd have chosen something other than my usual genre of mystery. I'd have picked up "Bridget Jones" or something I knew was going to be entertaining and death-free rather than say, the newest Stephen King novel.

I chose fan fic posted to a list that requires warnings that day. And yes, I ran into a surprise character death as a culmination of the story. There wasn't an option to press the "go back" button or to unread. It caused me far more angst than the story warranted. Looking back at it, I still get annoyed because it was posted to a list that requires warnings.

I get that it was necessary for the story because it did require being surprised but while the writer might be embarking on a literary adventure, the reader might not be. She might be looking for the fic version of comfort food. The problems arise, I think, that literary efforts and comfort seekers are using the same medium. Writers are using a world with which their readers have a pre-existing emotional relationship so I don't think fanfic correlates to traditional books in the same way. Fan fic doesn't have to establish Jack and Daniel in SG-1 as a traditional book would have to establish who Stacy and Kim are and why we should care about them. Jack and Daniel are characters I've spent years with; they're friends in a way that most book characters are not.

It is the writer's absolute right to put anything - or nothing - on her story. She wants to write a team orgy and call it Daniel/Janet or gen or nothing at all, that's her business. I don't consider it my job to tell her how to present her text but I will choose whether to read her in the future based on those labels and their accuracy.

It's my absolute right to control what enters my headspace. I use the labels as my guide. On t.v., I avoid laugh track shows and church-y stuff. On books, I read reviews and read favored writers. On movies, I go by previews, reviews, and ratings. So yeah, I'm going to be upset if I walk into a Monty Python film only to find a gory horror flick.

Do I read authors who refuse to label? No. Do they care? No. I'm not the audience they're looking for. I'm fine with that.

Well thanks, fine, no need to read the fic now.

I submit that for the great majority of fics, if the standard labels make it unnecessary to read the story, then either the fic sucks or the person's summary skills suck. :)

*Well thanks, fine, no need to read the fic now.*

**I submit that for the great majority of fics, if the standard labels make it unnecessary to read the story, then either the fic sucks or the person's summary skills suck. :) **

Yeah. Come across a few of those. Makes me want to point to the back of a book and say, "See? Do it like this." LOL!

Point taken about the emotional aspect/involvement while reading a fic, that these characters are more familar to us. I sobbed when Holmes was killed and hated Doyle, then realized I was in the middle of the freakin' compliation.

Duh.

Labels are fine as long as they are concise. As long as they don't give too much away. I've read fics that were death fics and thought, "Hey, that SUCKS!" and get pissed, but isn't that the inital reaction the author would want? Sometimes keeping things a secret is necessary. And one can usually go on to the next fic, but if the first one had a emotional impact, then I say the author did the job right. Nothing worse than pouring through safe mindlessness all the time. You know, like my fics are. *splort*

Heck. We could argue this till the cows came home, to no avail. LOL!!

Kam :D

Yeah. Come across a few of those. Makes me want to point to the back of a book and say, "See? Do it like this." LOL!

Oh yeah. I've also seen summaries that are exactly that: a multi-sentence summary of the entire story -- which always leaves me scratching my head.

I've read fics that were death fics and thought, "Hey, that SUCKS!" and get pissed, but isn't that the inital reaction the author would want?

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. I want to be able to consent to taking a trip like that. As with rape, it's a subject that I have to trust an author with before I'll read it. It's a painful topic and I'm not willing to skip down that hall holding just anybody's hand. (How's that for a lousy metaphor?)

For me, it's all about informed consent. A writer who doesn't label deprives me of the opportunity to make that choice -- IF I choose to read. Since I can't rely on an absence of warnings to mean there is no warning needed, I've changed my own behavior and limit my reading to where I can make that choice with my eyes open.

Heck. We could argue this till the cows came home, to no avail. LOL!!

I don't really consider this arguing and I hope I don't come across as argumentative. It's not how I mean it. You had a point of view and I was offering a counter example as to why it might not work for everyone. I'm fine with disagreeing on a philosophy without coming to a completely harmonious accord. You have your approach and I have mine and we're both free to act on them, which is all good.

Nope. Not arguing, figure of speech. *wink* I enjoy differing POV's, and to some extent I agree with what you are saying. If a writer feels it necessary to label to hell and gone, absolutely. I just think it is the writer's choice what to label it, just as it is the reader's choice to continue reading.

Harsh subject matter such as rape should definitely have a warning for obvious reasons. But to me that's a different thing entirely.

hehe I should have just read this and said "me too" yet again, before I posted my latest comment. *g*

Thanks, <lj user="moonshayde", for letting us play in your journal for a while. :-)

Hmm, for some reason, your comment here is cut off but I got it in its entirety in my e-mail version of the comment. We're of a like mind on this issue, all right.

And I also thank Moonshayde for allowing us to highjack her post and have fun discussing labels and fic. I know it isn't the discussion she thought she was starting but I've certainly enjoyed it.

It's all related ;) Besides, LJ is for talking. I like when people have actual conversations on LJ. I like when people post them in their journals and I am open for letting people go nuts on mine.

As long as they stay nice ;)

But yay for semi-tangents! And PRETTY.

That's all I have to say about that.

Yay for real conversations! :-) I'm glad you don't mind. This has been a lot of fun, and nicely distracting, too. :-)

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