Why is Destiel So Popular?
Though I'm not a diehard fan of the CW horror series SUPERNATURAL, I have enjoyed an episode or two from time to time. The series, starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, isn't just notable for its length (10 seasons and counting) but also the nature of its rather rabid fans.
Specifically, those who enjoy slash fiction.
For the uninitiated, slash fiction involves taking two characters of the same gender and creating for them a romantic and/or sexual relationship. It's a known pheneomna in every major genre series -- beginning with STAR TREK, continuing with BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and X-FILES, until it really found its footing with SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL.
The latest craze in the greater slash community is Destiel, which involves two characters from SUPERNATURAL: Dean Winchester and Castiel, a fallen angel sent to Earth.
So, why is this particular pairing so hot right now? And, more importantly, why are so many women taken with a homosexual relationship between two men?
The answers are varied. Some say it enables women to completely detach themselves from a romance and, in a way, objectify two attractive men. With no female to compare themselves to -- be it in terms of looks or personality -- women can lose themselves in the drama and be swept away.
Another explanation is much simpler: women find both men attractive and welcome the idea of reading about them have sex. Easy as that.
Whatever the case, there's no denying the fact that slash fiction has entered the mainstream, and has given way to many successful self-published authors who write exclusively in the genre. While it still remains illegal to write slash fiction of your favorite TV or film series and sell it for profit, there's nothing stopping these burgeoning writers from creating their own characters and developing their own series -- and many have been quite successful along the way.
My take? The more, the merrier. And to this day, I'm surprised that the same-sex scenes in my novel PRIVATE RELATIONS remain among the most popular with my female readership.
Surprised, but not completely taken aback. After all, in a world that's overrun with books, there always seems to be room for one more male/male romance on my readers' virtual bookshelves!
Specifically, those who enjoy slash fiction.
For the uninitiated, slash fiction involves taking two characters of the same gender and creating for them a romantic and/or sexual relationship. It's a known pheneomna in every major genre series -- beginning with STAR TREK, continuing with BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and X-FILES, until it really found its footing with SMALLVILLE and SUPERNATURAL.
The latest craze in the greater slash community is Destiel, which involves two characters from SUPERNATURAL: Dean Winchester and Castiel, a fallen angel sent to Earth.
So, why is this particular pairing so hot right now? And, more importantly, why are so many women taken with a homosexual relationship between two men?
The answers are varied. Some say it enables women to completely detach themselves from a romance and, in a way, objectify two attractive men. With no female to compare themselves to -- be it in terms of looks or personality -- women can lose themselves in the drama and be swept away.
Another explanation is much simpler: women find both men attractive and welcome the idea of reading about them have sex. Easy as that.
Whatever the case, there's no denying the fact that slash fiction has entered the mainstream, and has given way to many successful self-published authors who write exclusively in the genre. While it still remains illegal to write slash fiction of your favorite TV or film series and sell it for profit, there's nothing stopping these burgeoning writers from creating their own characters and developing their own series -- and many have been quite successful along the way.
My take? The more, the merrier. And to this day, I'm surprised that the same-sex scenes in my novel PRIVATE RELATIONS remain among the most popular with my female readership.
Surprised, but not completely taken aback. After all, in a world that's overrun with books, there always seems to be room for one more male/male romance on my readers' virtual bookshelves!
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