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sulwenI love fandom. I love it in the general sense, the basic idea of people with a common interest coming together in the spirit of community and creativity. I've been in many fandoms over the past 10+ years, and I've seen a lot. I've seen talent and joy, love and support. I've also seen drama and wank and hatefulness. It's always going to be a mixed bag - that's just life. But I do think that there are some basic truths to what we do that apply to everyone, and sometimes people need to be reminded.
I don't profess to be in charge of anything, and what I say here is my opinion alone. Take it or leave it as you see fit.
You will also notice that fandom, for me, is ALWAYS about fic at heart. Adam fandom seems to be quite an anomaly in this respect, and some of what I've seen there is what inspired me to make this post.
*
On Language
Definitions can vary widely depending on who you ask. Here's how I define some of the most common fandom terms.
RPS - Real person slash, in contrast to FPS (fictional person slash).
Ship - to say "I ship it" is basically to say "I like it" or "I'm a fan of it." It's stating a preference - nothing else. I ship Adam/Tommy and House/Wilson and Jack/Ianto and many, many others. Basically, I'm differentiating between something I generally like to read and something I generally don't. For example, I don't ship Dean/Castiel. I will still read it if it's by an author I truly love, but it's not something I'll seek out.
OTP - generally stands for "one true pairing." This is just a stronger version of shipping. My Supernatural OTP is Sam/Dean. I strongly prefer to read this pairing above any other. It still doesn't mean that other fic is out of the question, though. My Harry Potter OTP is Snape/Hermione, but I've read hundreds of thousands of words of other pairings and truly enjoyed doing it. It's when something really jumps out and grabs at you above all the other options.
Tinhatting - a term which, as far as I know, applies only to RPS (a subject I'll be discussing further later on). Feelings toward this term seem to vary widely across fandoms. I first heard the term applied to Jared/Jensen shippers in the Supernatural fandom, and it was generally used quite positively. It was pretty much applied to ALL J2 shippers, not just the ones who "really believed." It was a tongue-in-cheek term, one that we used to poke fun at ourselves. We would joke about shining up our tinhats and such, and it was fun, funny. In Adam fandom, the term is used quite differently. A tinhatter to them is always a "true believer," someone who has gone beyond the realm of fantasy and fiction and started focusing more on their conception of reality - what they want to be real. Their happiness is suddenly tied up in what actually happens in real life, instead of the fun of playing with what-ifs.
I know a lot of people who either verge into tinhatter territory or are fully there. It's not my place to tell them they can't be invested in real life or hope for a certain outcome. But to them, I say one thing: you're going to be disappointed more often than not. By tinhatting any specific pairing to an extreme level, you're just setting yourself up for heartbreak. Better by far, in my opinion, to put yourself in a position to be as happy as you possibly can. If you're extremely loyal to an OTP, that's perfectly fine - just express those feelings through creative endeavors rather than trying to force your fantasy upon reality.
That's not to say that reality isn't important. I'll squee just as hard over a new picture or quote or vid as the next fangirl. But it's NOT because I'm taking it as "evidence." I'm not looking for what it "means." I see that new bit of canon and get excited because of the stories that can come from it - how it can feed the fantasy. These bits of reality should be the wellspring of inspiration from which we draw - nothing more, and nothing less.
**Please see the comments for more on the origin of tinhatting! Thanks, guys, for helping me round out this definition.
Canon - the source material. For most fandoms, canon is a TV show, movie, book, or video game. In RPS fandoms, canon is what we know about the people in question. For example, the fact that Adam was on American Idol is canon. It really happened.
Fanon - tropes that the fandom at large tends to agree on, but may or may not be true. For example, in Supernatural fandom, the exceptional size of Jared Padalecki's genitalia is fanon.
*
What NOT to do
These mostly apply to RPS, though some of them can be related to fiction-based fandoms as well.
- Don't get too invested. Try and keep some perspective. Who Adam's currently dating seems to fade in importance when you think about the protests in Egypt or the brutal murder of Uganda's leading gay rights activist. And always remember, fandom is supposed to be fun. If it's not, you're doing something wrong.
- Don't involve the people you're shipping in fandom. Tweeting Adam links to fanfiction or requests to make out with your chosen person is extremely rude and tasteless, and can end up being hurtful. Imagine if someone started tweeting you and asking you for a sex tape or telling you who they thought you should date. Wouldn't you be pissed?
- Don't forget that these are real people you're talking about. They have lives and concerns of their own. They don't exist purely for your pleasure. Treat them with some respect.
- Don't bash other people for what they choose to ship. Fandom is a lot more fun when we live and let live. No one is forcing you to read anything you don't want to. The back button is right there - use it.
- Don't give other people control over your fandom experience. Find people you get along with and stick with them. Use the block and unfollow buttons on Twitter, and be smart about managing your LJ friends list. If there's not a community that suits your needs, make one. All the power is in your hands. Use it.
- Don't wait around for someone else to satisfy your personal needs. Pissed off that there isn't more Adam gen? Tired of the same old pairings? Write something! Leading by example is much more productive than sitting around whining about it.
- Don't limit yourself to one fandom. Explore! While you're being bored during downtime in one fandom, something exciting and fun could be happening in another. Besides, more fandoms equals more fic!
*
A Quick Note On RPS
I have always believed that writing about real people is no different than writing about fictional characters, and I'll tell you why.
My characterization is based on public persona - what these people choose to show the world. I learned about Adam by reading his Twitter and watching interviews. That is all information freely given, and more than that, it's a role he plays, as we all do (and celebrities doubly so). That character is who I'm writing about. How could I possibly be writing about the "real" Adam? I don't know him. It would be more accurate to call him "an original character based on Adam."
This is why it doesn't bother me a bit to read or write fanfiction about real life couples. I have no idea what they do with each other in private. If I want to take inspiration from what I do know about them, fine. I honestly don't believe it's any different from shipping two people who are not a couple or two fictional characters. However, I don't judge those who do find it unappealing. To each their own!
*
About Subject Matter
I know a few people who believe there are things who shouldn't be written about. It's their opinion and they absolutely have the right to it. However, as a writer, this idea offends me at a very basic level.
Exploitation is one thing. But to say that a concept should NEVER be fictionalized is a huge problem for me. Should we pretend that sexual abuse and AIDS and homophobia and death don't exist? As a writer, I find all those things interesting - what effect do they have on human psychology and behavior? How do we, as a species and as individuals, overcome the worst parts of human nature?
I understand triggers. Believe me, I do. And I'll come down hard on anyone who doesn't properly warn for potential triggers. It's only fair to give your reader the option NOT to read. But that doesn't mean those concepts shouldn't be explored at all.
I know a lot of people who read fanfiction for fun and escapism. Most of the time, I'm reading for the sex and romance too. But that's not ALL fanfiction can be. I've read fanfiction that made me cry, and fanfiction that made me think, and fanfiction that inspired me to make positive changes in my own life. I've read fic that's helped me deal with the dark places in my own past.
Because it is free and unfiltered, fanfic has all the potential of published fiction and more. Some of the best writing I've ever read has been fanfiction. That's why I don't believe in limiting subject matter - ever.
*
In Conclusion
I doubt anyone is going to agree with me on every point, and that's to be expected. However, I hope that anyone who reads this can at least find something thought-provoking. Feel free to link this post wherever you see fit. I welcome discussion in the comments, as well. As you can tell, I spend a lot of time thinking about these things, and I'm always happy to talk about them.
More than anything else, I believe in a free and open community, where everyone can read and write and discuss what they like in peace.
I don't profess to be in charge of anything, and what I say here is my opinion alone. Take it or leave it as you see fit.
You will also notice that fandom, for me, is ALWAYS about fic at heart. Adam fandom seems to be quite an anomaly in this respect, and some of what I've seen there is what inspired me to make this post.
*
On Language
Definitions can vary widely depending on who you ask. Here's how I define some of the most common fandom terms.
RPS - Real person slash, in contrast to FPS (fictional person slash).
Ship - to say "I ship it" is basically to say "I like it" or "I'm a fan of it." It's stating a preference - nothing else. I ship Adam/Tommy and House/Wilson and Jack/Ianto and many, many others. Basically, I'm differentiating between something I generally like to read and something I generally don't. For example, I don't ship Dean/Castiel. I will still read it if it's by an author I truly love, but it's not something I'll seek out.
OTP - generally stands for "one true pairing." This is just a stronger version of shipping. My Supernatural OTP is Sam/Dean. I strongly prefer to read this pairing above any other. It still doesn't mean that other fic is out of the question, though. My Harry Potter OTP is Snape/Hermione, but I've read hundreds of thousands of words of other pairings and truly enjoyed doing it. It's when something really jumps out and grabs at you above all the other options.
Tinhatting - a term which, as far as I know, applies only to RPS (a subject I'll be discussing further later on). Feelings toward this term seem to vary widely across fandoms. I first heard the term applied to Jared/Jensen shippers in the Supernatural fandom, and it was generally used quite positively. It was pretty much applied to ALL J2 shippers, not just the ones who "really believed." It was a tongue-in-cheek term, one that we used to poke fun at ourselves. We would joke about shining up our tinhats and such, and it was fun, funny. In Adam fandom, the term is used quite differently. A tinhatter to them is always a "true believer," someone who has gone beyond the realm of fantasy and fiction and started focusing more on their conception of reality - what they want to be real. Their happiness is suddenly tied up in what actually happens in real life, instead of the fun of playing with what-ifs.
I know a lot of people who either verge into tinhatter territory or are fully there. It's not my place to tell them they can't be invested in real life or hope for a certain outcome. But to them, I say one thing: you're going to be disappointed more often than not. By tinhatting any specific pairing to an extreme level, you're just setting yourself up for heartbreak. Better by far, in my opinion, to put yourself in a position to be as happy as you possibly can. If you're extremely loyal to an OTP, that's perfectly fine - just express those feelings through creative endeavors rather than trying to force your fantasy upon reality.
That's not to say that reality isn't important. I'll squee just as hard over a new picture or quote or vid as the next fangirl. But it's NOT because I'm taking it as "evidence." I'm not looking for what it "means." I see that new bit of canon and get excited because of the stories that can come from it - how it can feed the fantasy. These bits of reality should be the wellspring of inspiration from which we draw - nothing more, and nothing less.
**Please see the comments for more on the origin of tinhatting! Thanks, guys, for helping me round out this definition.
Canon - the source material. For most fandoms, canon is a TV show, movie, book, or video game. In RPS fandoms, canon is what we know about the people in question. For example, the fact that Adam was on American Idol is canon. It really happened.
Fanon - tropes that the fandom at large tends to agree on, but may or may not be true. For example, in Supernatural fandom, the exceptional size of Jared Padalecki's genitalia is fanon.
*
What NOT to do
These mostly apply to RPS, though some of them can be related to fiction-based fandoms as well.
- Don't get too invested. Try and keep some perspective. Who Adam's currently dating seems to fade in importance when you think about the protests in Egypt or the brutal murder of Uganda's leading gay rights activist. And always remember, fandom is supposed to be fun. If it's not, you're doing something wrong.
- Don't involve the people you're shipping in fandom. Tweeting Adam links to fanfiction or requests to make out with your chosen person is extremely rude and tasteless, and can end up being hurtful. Imagine if someone started tweeting you and asking you for a sex tape or telling you who they thought you should date. Wouldn't you be pissed?
- Don't forget that these are real people you're talking about. They have lives and concerns of their own. They don't exist purely for your pleasure. Treat them with some respect.
- Don't bash other people for what they choose to ship. Fandom is a lot more fun when we live and let live. No one is forcing you to read anything you don't want to. The back button is right there - use it.
- Don't give other people control over your fandom experience. Find people you get along with and stick with them. Use the block and unfollow buttons on Twitter, and be smart about managing your LJ friends list. If there's not a community that suits your needs, make one. All the power is in your hands. Use it.
- Don't wait around for someone else to satisfy your personal needs. Pissed off that there isn't more Adam gen? Tired of the same old pairings? Write something! Leading by example is much more productive than sitting around whining about it.
- Don't limit yourself to one fandom. Explore! While you're being bored during downtime in one fandom, something exciting and fun could be happening in another. Besides, more fandoms equals more fic!
*
A Quick Note On RPS
I have always believed that writing about real people is no different than writing about fictional characters, and I'll tell you why.
My characterization is based on public persona - what these people choose to show the world. I learned about Adam by reading his Twitter and watching interviews. That is all information freely given, and more than that, it's a role he plays, as we all do (and celebrities doubly so). That character is who I'm writing about. How could I possibly be writing about the "real" Adam? I don't know him. It would be more accurate to call him "an original character based on Adam."
This is why it doesn't bother me a bit to read or write fanfiction about real life couples. I have no idea what they do with each other in private. If I want to take inspiration from what I do know about them, fine. I honestly don't believe it's any different from shipping two people who are not a couple or two fictional characters. However, I don't judge those who do find it unappealing. To each their own!
*
About Subject Matter
I know a few people who believe there are things who shouldn't be written about. It's their opinion and they absolutely have the right to it. However, as a writer, this idea offends me at a very basic level.
Exploitation is one thing. But to say that a concept should NEVER be fictionalized is a huge problem for me. Should we pretend that sexual abuse and AIDS and homophobia and death don't exist? As a writer, I find all those things interesting - what effect do they have on human psychology and behavior? How do we, as a species and as individuals, overcome the worst parts of human nature?
I understand triggers. Believe me, I do. And I'll come down hard on anyone who doesn't properly warn for potential triggers. It's only fair to give your reader the option NOT to read. But that doesn't mean those concepts shouldn't be explored at all.
I know a lot of people who read fanfiction for fun and escapism. Most of the time, I'm reading for the sex and romance too. But that's not ALL fanfiction can be. I've read fanfiction that made me cry, and fanfiction that made me think, and fanfiction that inspired me to make positive changes in my own life. I've read fic that's helped me deal with the dark places in my own past.
Because it is free and unfiltered, fanfic has all the potential of published fiction and more. Some of the best writing I've ever read has been fanfiction. That's why I don't believe in limiting subject matter - ever.
*
In Conclusion
I doubt anyone is going to agree with me on every point, and that's to be expected. However, I hope that anyone who reads this can at least find something thought-provoking. Feel free to link this post wherever you see fit. I welcome discussion in the comments, as well. As you can tell, I spend a lot of time thinking about these things, and I'm always happy to talk about them.
More than anything else, I believe in a free and open community, where everyone can read and write and discuss what they like in peace.
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no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 12:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 12:56 am (UTC)So having spent time on political sites in the past, I've been highly confused by the way people use tinhat to mean obsessive hope over two famous people being a real couple. Except I guess those people can be refusing to let any real information into their brains to mess with their view of reality.
I also thought "fandom" meant people who were fans of a band, or an actor, or a movie series, or whatever. I'm starting to see many deeper devotions to it.
I'd never heard of fanfic except for people writing Star Trek inspired fiction until stumbling into LJ from links about Adam news on Twitter. It weirded me out until I figured out what you said about it being characters inspired by the real people. Or at least, those are the stories I enjoy - where I can visualize the characters the same as if I associated them with an actor in a movie, and can recognize bits of detail about their real lives as fun easter eggs.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 12:58 am (UTC)I especially agree with "What NOT to do"!! Except for the last point, as I've found that I'm surprisingly monogamous when I'm into a favorite fandom. Save for the occasional little affair on the side. :)
All is fair in fiction, I say. Every writer I know gives the warnings BEFORE anyone reads a story and everybody can decide for themselves, if they don't care about a specific topic.
I avoided RPS for the longest time, I thought it was disrespectful to the persons involved. But another writer has eased me into it a while ago and I don't understand my former issues with it anymore, on the contrary, I mourn what I missed because of that. Your explanation "character based on xyz" is just perfect.
I remember one Adam Lambert saying that a lot of people take pop music (and the artists) too seriously, when it's supposed to be FUN. Just like fandom, as you said before. Let's celebrate that. :)
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 12:59 am (UTC)I worry about people getting too wrapped up in things and not having other interests!
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:05 am (UTC)It's interesting to see what it means for other fandoms, now that it's been released into the wild.
(no subject)
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From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:27 am (UTC)"I'll squee just as hard over a new picture or quote or vid as the next fangirl. But it's NOT because I'm taking it as "evidence." I'm not looking for what it "means." I see that new bit of canon and get excited because of the stories that can come from it - how it can feed the fantasy." <---THIS SO HARD. Perfect. Uch. Now I'm gonna go pull up some pictures of Viggo and Orlando wearing the same shirt and reminisce, lol!
<33333333
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:28 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:36 am (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: 2011-02-06 01:54 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:58 am (UTC)I do get very OTP in a fandom but that's only for the fanfic. While I'd love to see Adam and Tommy together in RL - honestly I cannot imagine anything hotter - I'm well aware it's not going to happen. They will live their lives. And I will enjoy OTP fanfic about the two of them. All good!
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 02:24 am (UTC)Since you're defining some fanfic terms, would you mind explaining 'stan'? From context I think I know the gist of it, but am curious as to what it means or how it originated. :o)
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 02:32 am (UTC)Thank you for clarifying all the terms as well. I've seen them and had a general understanding. I have a better perspective how I am involved and evolved in this fandom concerning my OTP's with RPS, and other pairings I sometime ship.
I recall the shift that took place between Adommy and Kradam, which caused for some hurtful or uneasy feelings, but eventually found a way of co-existing in the same fandom. I suppose this time around the shift feels a bit more strained, and may take a little longer to settle in. Primarily due to the length of a transition of Adam's career. We don't have daily and weekly updated material to draw from like we did of Idol, or later GNT tour.
Without us having ongoing Canon for inspiration, it is very natural for a part of Adam's fanbase to get excited about "new material" to feed the fantasies when Sauli entered the scene. He is adorable, and that certainly helped. Just because I entertain myself over this at the moment, doesn't mean the OTPs I explored before aren't interesting anymore. I will re-visit them, and especially with the writers I adore reading such as yourself. So, thank-you!
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 02:41 am (UTC)As an example of how very large fandom can be and that experience differs for people, I first heard tinhat used in HP but I've heard it originated in LotRips. I heard it associated with various pairings and especially with certain RPGs IIRC.
I too agree with the idea of RPF being based on characters. It's funny how I could understand that viewpoint of others for years but never got into it myself until within the last year or so.
"Don't give other people control over your fandom experience."
A THOUSAND TIMES YES.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 02:50 am (UTC)Lyn
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 03:05 am (UTC)As a writer (and obviously I speak for myself) I inhabit the characters I am writing about, whether they are the original characters from my novel, or Sam and Dean, or Adam and Tommy. In very real emotional ways, I AM those characters and they are me.
I absolutely can tell the difference between my fantasy and actual Adam's reality. There is no problem with that. The thing is, I do not, and can never, live Adam's actual reality. That is for him and his friends and family to live, and I have no place there. The ONLY reality related to him that I have access to is the one I can see. His persona. And that persona strongly informs the character I am writing. The character I AM in many ways. So when I (who takes the ONE and the TRUE parts of OTP very seriously) see or hear about that persona being with someone who isn't the other half of my pairing, it's genuinely painful to me. As though I found out that my partner were cheating. Or maybe more accurately as though I found out that my brother and SiL (whom I both adore to pieces) were getting a divorce. It's totally involuntary, and it's just how it feels. I can't decide not to care, because I DO care. You don't tell a child whose mother hits him, "Oh, don't love your mom. She hurts you."
Having said that. This in no way means I don't want ACTUAL Adam to date whomever he wants. I genuinely and with all my heart want this man I admire and adore to be happy beyond his wildest dreams. With WHOEVER makes him happy. That, however is ADAM. not persona!Adam. Persona!Adam I want to be with Tommy. So I would really rather not see or hear anything about him being with someone else. He can and should be with someone else if that is what he wants. Just not on my twitter feed or my LJ, because that breaks my heart.
It's up to me to filter and avoid places that are going to upset me. I am willing to take that responsibility and do that to the best of my ability. I am getting pissed off with the people who are doing things like typing S*auli when they tweet so it doesn't trigger filters because they think people like me are stupid and lame and should get over it. Honestly that is like saying I'm stupid for finding offensive when someone uses the word "gay" to mean undesirable and I should get over that. It's treating people who experience fandom differently like second class citizens. I have quite a lot of experience with that in the real world, thanks, and I'd rather not have it in my fandom spaces, too.
People should write about whatever they want to write about, however they want to write it. I have a scroll feature and a back button. But they do need to remain respectful of others. Both in fandom, and for fuck's sake the objects of fandom.
(no subject)
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From:On Fandom
Date: 2011-02-06 05:22 am (UTC)Re: On Fandom
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 06:14 am (UTC)I have however, NEVER seen fanfic and fandom analyzed as well as you just did -
BRAVO....
Now, changing gears a bit, just to be a brat and be funny...
"Canon - the source material... in RPS fandoms, canon is what we know about the people in question...
Fanon - tropes that the fandom at large tends to agree on... the exceptional size of Jared Padalecki's genitalia is fanon."
So, in this fandom, the size of Adam Lambert's genitalia is not only FANON, it's CANON, because we have seen objective evidence?
Hugs and love, dear - your "thinky" posts are just as wonderful as your fanfic posts!
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 08:01 am (UTC)I'd never actually come across tinhatting before I became involved in this fandom, I skirted round the edge of the SPN fandom but never got truly involved - met some wonderful people though and reconnected with a couple of others that I'd lost touch with from other fandoms I've been in over the years (I've been around fandom in one from or another also most 20 years and that's a very scary thought in it's own right *g*)
I loved your explanation of RPS *nods*, I use a similar one myself when asked about it. And I think that is probably why I write that rather than FP - I find it very difficult to play in other people's Sandboxes, so any FP I write tends to be rather out of left field to say the least. *wry*
I will say though I do find r/l pairings an uncomfortable read (though admittedly maybe not quite so much in this fandom*g*) but certainly JB/Scot Gill for example, 'specially considering JB's very strong personal take on it. Though he's seems to have softened a bit on the RP fic with himself in it.
Agrees totally with your thoughts about OTP interestingly enough I tend to read OTP (though I read a lot of everything as well) but I rarely write it and that can make your life as a writer somewhat interesting at times. :-)
Fandom should be fun you're right *nods*.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 08:45 am (UTC)THIS THIS THIS
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:43 pm (UTC)Also, I love what you said about, well, censorship. Personally, I get the most satisfaction out of fics that deal with the realities of life. Disease, crime, trauma... it's interesting to me because it's a way to get inside the characters' heads in a way you can't in real life, and it also puts me (or any author or reader) in control of this awful situation. Plus, I love a good cry. If a fic can actually bring me to tears, it's pretty much guaranteed a bookmark in my delicious. It's like a catharsis, and we shouldn't limit ourselves on content if it can bring us that. And you're right, some issues simply shouldn't be ignored just because people don't want to think about them, or because it might offend some small portion of humanity. it exists in life, and therefore, to me, it can be (and sometimes SHOULD be) explored in fiction.
lol well, that was more long-winded than I intended. oops. basically what I'm saying is, great post. it's nice to see the side of fandom that still has their heads in the game and knows it IS a game.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 01:49 pm (UTC)But even then, I did NOT cross the line, not even once. No tweets with link, nor "plese fuck him" or so on; I just enjoyed my private heaven of beliefs for a bit, so I'm asking myself why people cannot do the same... Because, ok, you can believe everything you want, and if you're a delusional fan, it's fine to me, I don't really care, but how can you be such a pain in the ass and tweet them with your wishes? Or hate someone just because his opinion is not the same as yours?
I don't even think we're talking about "fandoms" anymore when it comes to those things, but about how people behave themselves...
btw, thanks for this one :) sorry if this comment is completely random and useles!
no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 04:45 pm (UTC)And tinhatting is hard to solidly define. I tend to think of it in fun terms, "I deny your reality, and am going to watch this show through my rose/slash tinted goggles" but I have definitely seen the nasty tinhatting too.
I really do feel that some people forget that fandom is supposed to be fun.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-06 05:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-08 02:20 am (UTC)anyway..i just love reading the fics...i always hated and when i say hated i mean hated reading ..now that i've discovered fanfics, its all i do in my free time. i really just cant get enough.
as far as why i love them..well first of all, the reality of Tommy and Adam would be nice, but so far not..but in reading my fanfics, if the writer is good(like you) i get sucked in and im there watching it actually happen. and for a moment, im in a wonderful fantasy and it makes me happy..or it makes me sad, or it makes me hold my breath in desperation ...and so on.
im glad you wrote this, i was never quite sure what half the abbreviations meant like WIP? what is that? hmmm well anyway..i am so grateful for this wonderful place i am when i am reading the fanfics. and i have you to thank for making so many of my adam/tommy/sutan/isaac/taylor/taylor etc fantasies happen in these fics. so thank you thank you thank you...i look forward to reading more from you and all the other great writers in this lil fandom community
Random
Date: 2012-02-21 07:22 am (UTC)I kind of think I agree with every single one of your opinions about how fandom should be and about fanfic. We don't necessarily ship the same pairings, but that's not what I'm talking about.
I appreciate that you expressed this and did it so well. I wish a few of the people who have fallen off the happy path, or who have forgotten that RP are RP even when they become famous, would find a way back to the party - you know, that party where everyone has a good time, recognizes the silliness of it all, and respects a boundary every once in a while. They won't read this, though, and even if they did, they would not see themselves. If they had any objectivity at all they wouldn't have wandered so far into the land of cray.
Oh dear, I'm running on. Sorry.
Thanks for the post.