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What do you know about fan fiction?
I'm new to writing fan fiction (I just finished a short HP piece) and I'm wondering about some terms I'm seeing bandied around.
What does "slash," "one-shot," and "beta," mean? I know this is probably a stupid question, but you don't get an answer without asking, right ;)
4 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Slash=gay relationships
One-Shot=one chapter only
Beta=an editor for the story
- Rose DLv 71 decade ago
The answers you have so far are spot on. You might find the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_fiction to be helpful, as it provides some historical context to go with the terminology, as well as having some good points on etiquette. There are a number of fan fiction communities and groups, and many have different terminology for different reasons. For example, while most people call stories with same-sex relationships "slash", the anime/manga community has an odd system that has something to do with citrus fruits. I've never quite grasped what lemon and lime mean in this context, but it's important within that group.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Hey, no question is ever stupid! If you don't get something, you don't get it, right? =)
Slash fiction is a genre of fan fiction. It focuses on the depiction of sexual or romantic relationships between two or more male characters, who are not necessarily engaged in relationships in the canon universe. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction
One-shot is a single-chapter work of fiction, or an issue or episode of fiction that stands alone.
A beta reader (or betareader, or beta) is a person who reads a work of fiction with a critical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story prior to its release to the general public. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_reader
Source(s): If you need more help, send me a message! =) - 1 decade ago
Here are some more terms you might want to know about :)
PWP = plot? What plot? = A porn story with all sex and no attempt at a story
Lemon: same as PWP
Smushing: combining the names of two characters romantically involved in the story ex: Romione (Ron/Hermione) or Spuffy (Spike and Buffy) etc.
AU: alternate universe
Femmeslash: lesbian
H/C: hurt and comfort (one char is hurt and the other one offers comfort)
MS/Mary Sue: Ugh! What NO ONE wants in fanfiction! A perfect char (usually the author's avatar). Read elsewhere about this one, it's too distasteful for me ;)
