Smarm
| Synonyms: | ||
| See also: | Hurt/Comfort | |
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Definition
Smarm refers to a genre of a fanwork, in which two or more characters are emotionally expressive, warm, and caring with each other[1]. Smarm, in its purest form, has no sexual content; it is particular to what are more commonly known as gen fanworks. This is not to say that the characters in a smarm fic will not touch—a declaration of smarm is a indication of the author's intent for the touching not to be interpreted as sexual. It's possible that schmoop is used as the equivalent of smarm in slash stories. The "emotionally expressive, warm, and caring" parts are the main literary feature of smarm, as opposed to the will-they-or-won't-they and actual sex parts that are more likely in romantic firstime stories.
History
Smarm was coined by Kitty after she noticed it being used to refer to what she saw as “the gooey bits that gave me the spike in the stomach…” in a particular Star Wars zine[2]. Such use was misappropriated (the original author used ‘smarmy’ to refer to over emotionality and triteness in her scenes), but was continued to be used as a generic label.
Romantic expression in smarm grew to the point that it was difficult to separate a gen story from a slash one in The Sentinel fandom, where smarm stories could include heavy petting, and french kissing, but would assert that this was meant in a non-sexual way[3]. Smarm became the equivalent of a PWP, complete with romantic language, but always ostensibly gen.
In the Xenaverse the term smarm was not used but stories which might be referred to as smarm in other fandoms were sometimes referred to as "romantic friendship".[4]
References
- ↑ Fannish Definitions, by ‘Kitty’, on KatSpace, 2007. (Accessed August 2008)
- ↑ The Origin, History, and Correct Definition and Use of the Fannish Term “Smarm”, by ‘Kitty’, on The Temple Of Smarm, 2002. (Accessed August 2008)
- ↑ The Death of Smarm, by Lucy Gillam (accessed October 2008)
- ↑ The Romantic Friendship Index defined it as a friendship so close that it resembles a romantic liason. The friends are both affectionate and attentive to one another and much rather spend time with each other than others. But this is not a sexual relationship. (Accessed 17 October 2008)
