| Glossary Ok people, let's get something clear from the get go. These aren't precise definitions; it's not a fanfiction dictionary. I put my own definitions here, from what I've learnt in two years of writing and reading fanfics. All that I put here is *my* vision, my opinion; it's not a religion or something like that. So if you happen to disagree, please, please don't flame me. In fact, if you disagree, e-mail me and tell me why. I could add-remove-correct the item as I see fit given your mail. -See my Quick definition of Fanfiction here- FANDOM: Stories about a particular show, book, comic, manga or whatever (they're fics about boy bands *shrug*) CANON: Aspects of a fic, or entire fics absolutely faithful to the original. For example, Buffy/Angel is a canon couple. FANON: Aspects of a fic, or entire fics based on things established by fans as true, or that they wished were true. For example, Spike/Angel is a fanon couple (sorry, I had to) IC: Means, 'In character'. It's simply making a character recognisable, even in situations they wouldn't normally encounter. OOC: This is when you (purposely or not) change a character's personality, or exaggerate a particular aspect of it to fit your story best. OC: Original characters. Characters created by the author and inserted into the canon universe. MARY SUE: Mary Sue is a so-called 'original character' that sounds remarkably like an over- idealized version of the author. Avoid them, I *beg* you; if you have any respect for yourself and what you write, DON'T DO IT!!! Just say no!!! *takes deep breath* Ok, moving on... RATINGS: Same as the movies, I think; from G, going through PG, PG-13 (some use PG-15) R and NC-17. LEMON/LIME: Both are types of ratings for anime fanfiction. Both for fics of heavy sexual content. The first is stronger than the second. Don't ask me where they come from, Japanese are crazy!! (Related terms: Lemonade, citrus, and someone once used orange juice and Tang...oh wait, that was me *-*) YAOI/SHOUNEN AI/SLASH: Slash is the occidental term for the other two that are for manga and anime. It's essentially a story about to boys/men in love/in lust. Though originally each terms had different connotations, in fanfiction they're used for the same, most of the time. Check the rating; that will give you an idea. YURI/FEM SLASH: This refers to stories about two girls in love/in lust. SEME: It's the dominant part of a same-sex relationship. Even if you don't know the dynamic of the couple in the bedroom, this usually stands out anyway in fics. UKE: It's the submissive party. Usually marked because it's the name that goes second when you find a pairing. For example, if it says RuHana (Slam Dunk), Rukawa is seme. If it says HanaRu, it's the other way around. (Note: Personally, I prefer fics that aren't so stuck up on who's doing what to who) DARK FIC: Dark in nature- of course- they usually deal with suicide, self-mutilation, disturbing imaginery, rape or dark thoughts. Though you can also find all of these things as a warning on their own. DEATH FIC: Warning for when a fic is entirely about the death of a character. T.T PWP: Stands for 'Plot, what plot?' Fics of sexual content and...little else. SMUTT: Shameless fangirly handling of characters, either in a PWP or a longer, plotted, fic. Of a sexual nature. FLUFF: Not necessarily of a sexual nature, but definitively of a fangirly nature, which is almost as dangerous *-*. I don't know how to explain it; it makes me think of cuddling and earlobe nibbling. Always check the rating though. WIP: Work in progress. Which means chances are you're never going to find out how they end. HET: Stands for heterosexual relationship. You won't find this warning often, unless you're surfing an established Yaoi fandom; and it's still not necessary. HENTAI: Means pervert in Japanese. You do the math. Mostly used in het fics. FEEDBACK: It's the only term you really need to learn. It's simply when you let an author know what you though of their story. Memorize it. It's what keeps fanfiction going. Remember authors don't get paid. FLAME: This is when stupid people happen to read your fic and don't like it. Instead of writing a fundamented, though negative review, they mess with your mother's reputation. Ignore the monkeys. |
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