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On Fandom
I 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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