The Vulnerability of Penetration

[teddy_radiator]

I've just read and shared a very passionate but gentle essay on sex from a very sensitive man's point of view. It is passionate and quite beautiful, I thought, and worrywart1966 brought up a good point that this is a great reference when writing erotica. It really gave me a lot of food for thought:

The Vulnerability of Penetration by Jamie Cattoo

Comments

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Well, it's everything about the D/s lifestyle that makes sense. I have never thought of it in those terms; I know that I've asked a lot of women why they write/draw slash, and I've got several different answers. It's a really interesting subject, and one I like to discuss with my friends.

We got into this big thing at MISTI one night about how each of us created what we did, and what inspired us, and why. It was one of the best evenings. Such great insights.

[errandofmercy.livejournal.com]

I wish I had been there! I hope that sort of topic can live again - our stories of coming into fandom and finding our creativity are beautiful and so unique :)

Slash is pretty fascinating, but so are its cousins. I could write a damn good paper on it for all the self-psychoanalyzing I've done! I got hooked on slash from an early age, and it has since become the lens through which I see the world. Each fandom contributor's personal sexuality and understanding of relationships colors their work so much - which makes reading a wonderful exercise in empathy. It's amazing how intimately you can understand a person from reading their take on romance or sex. You find out what's most important to them, what their soul needs.

As far as the D/s lifestyle, there are aspects that fascinate me, too. Although I think you and I have a very different idea of where Severus likes to be in that equation ;p I often find myself writing him as a sort of tacit or unofficial submissive -in and out of bed... in certain pairings anyway. Not Snupin but for the more imperious characters, sometimes even Snarry if it's on the dark side. I do this (probably) because that is a part of how I see myself.

Sorry for the long comment! I could go on about this stuff for hours XD

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, no. I totally agree - Severus is a complete submissive, bordering on little. With the right person who wouldn't exploit or harm him, he would blossom in the role.

[errandofmercy.livejournal.com]

O_O You really think so? I thought you preferred to write him as a D! Which you do very well, by the way. I never thought I could go for it, but your writing is so solid you have swayed me ;)

With the right person
...unfortunately most of the characters that would be available for the position would probably be tempted to do just that... of course that tension is part of what makes it so fun to write! ;)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

I have written him as a submissive/little before and love that dynamic. He is good at topping from the bottom, but I really do see him in the submissive role. His personality is such that he has to be dominant in many things, but the very fact he allowed these two men to subjugate him so willingly tells me its part of his personality.

I know - it's an endlessly fascinating subject for me as well.

[errandofmercy.livejournal.com]

he allowed these two men to subjugate him so willingly

*fans self* I know, right?! Gives me the chills!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Yes. My only difference is that I don't essentially see him as attracted to them sexually (sorry, sweetie!), but I know many disagree with me.

I think he was so starved for affection and acceptance he probably allowed things to happen, but I don't see him as inherently gay.

I think Bloodcult of Freud summed his personality up best in Seven Preposterous Things. He's such a Northerner, low-rent, white trash, a little grubby, common as dirt, but born with this powerful magical signature that makes him far greater than the sum of his parts. She created a Snape in that fic that will always be the Snape I see in my head. Hard as hell to live with, but ultimately worth it.

[errandofmercy.livejournal.com]

Haha no worries... there are so many Snape pairings - I don't really think there is a "right" one (apoligies for that, too!). Romance and sex are just two of the many ways to explore character... and I like playing with the idea of Snape's scars or sacrifices being even more complex and personal than canon suggests.

he was so starved for affection and acceptance he probably allowed things to happen

I agree with this completely! All sorts of things, too, not just romantic ones - you can see from the "Lucius'lapdog" comments in the books that he naturally placed himself under the wing of a powerful person. And though slash is my main vehicle, I do not see him as inherently gay either. There is something about him that sees/goes beyond the limits of sex, age, class, etc. That is why I love him so much <3

I have been meaning to read Seven Preposterous Things. I started it but trailed off when work picked up. I will have to go back :) I love me some white trash Snape!