![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aruanit's the old standby, "Don't take this so seriously."
Well, which part am I not supposed to take seriously?
The part where people were hurt by the malicious content of what was supposed to be a Christmas present? Well pardon me for sticking up for my friends and having a problem with something I saw as an injustice and the gall to stand up and say something about it all.
The part where it's "just fanfiction" and therefore isn't worthy of being recognized as the authors possessing merit, as being just as good if not better than the last published novel I picked up, as being equally valid as a Shakespearean sonnet for consumption and discussion purposes?
I love fandom, and it's just not possible for me to love the phenomenon of fanfiction any more than I already do. I applaud the authors who put in their own time and hard work to bring us these wonderful stories for which there is no other forum. I applaud RPS writers even moreso, as the distribution is even more limited without the existence of archives which are liable to be found by the Powers and that only causes heartbreak, and for doing it despite the inherently "controversial" nature of their subject matter. They give of themselves and without any sort of substantive, real-world compensation, creating something and sharing it with the rest of us because that's what they want to be doing. And that can be everything, to the author or her public.
There are people who don't like Shakespeare, or the classics in general, but make sacrifices at the altars of their favorite fanfiction authors. Are their opinions less valid if they can back them rationally and intelligently, as is the requirement for any logical argument?
And no, people, it isn't "just fandom" any more than it's "just fanfiction." I don't think any of us are dismissive of the relationships we've formed or the good times we've had because this mutual thing of adoration brought us together. On some occasions, a single piece of fanfiction has been just as poignant and significant to my life. Hell, it's just like their music, and the boys are always talking about how that's what they love hearing, that's what they hope to accomplish, to touch just one person, to make them feel their music and understand that it means the world, if only for that moment. And when that happens, I'm just supposed to laugh it off or roll my eyes because it hasn't won a Grammy, or in this case, a Pulitzer?
But that's just me, and of course, as per the sentiment I haven't seen nearly enough in the course of this whole discussion, YMMV.
Well, which part am I not supposed to take seriously?
The part where people were hurt by the malicious content of what was supposed to be a Christmas present? Well pardon me for sticking up for my friends and having a problem with something I saw as an injustice and the gall to stand up and say something about it all.
The part where it's "just fanfiction" and therefore isn't worthy of being recognized as the authors possessing merit, as being just as good if not better than the last published novel I picked up, as being equally valid as a Shakespearean sonnet for consumption and discussion purposes?
I love fandom, and it's just not possible for me to love the phenomenon of fanfiction any more than I already do. I applaud the authors who put in their own time and hard work to bring us these wonderful stories for which there is no other forum. I applaud RPS writers even moreso, as the distribution is even more limited without the existence of archives which are liable to be found by the Powers and that only causes heartbreak, and for doing it despite the inherently "controversial" nature of their subject matter. They give of themselves and without any sort of substantive, real-world compensation, creating something and sharing it with the rest of us because that's what they want to be doing. And that can be everything, to the author or her public.
There are people who don't like Shakespeare, or the classics in general, but make sacrifices at the altars of their favorite fanfiction authors. Are their opinions less valid if they can back them rationally and intelligently, as is the requirement for any logical argument?
And no, people, it isn't "just fandom" any more than it's "just fanfiction." I don't think any of us are dismissive of the relationships we've formed or the good times we've had because this mutual thing of adoration brought us together. On some occasions, a single piece of fanfiction has been just as poignant and significant to my life. Hell, it's just like their music, and the boys are always talking about how that's what they love hearing, that's what they hope to accomplish, to touch just one person, to make them feel their music and understand that it means the world, if only for that moment. And when that happens, I'm just supposed to laugh it off or roll my eyes because it hasn't won a Grammy, or in this case, a Pulitzer?
But that's just me, and of course, as per the sentiment I haven't seen nearly enough in the course of this whole discussion, YMMV.
no subject
Date: December 27th, 2002 03:24 pm (UTC)I also like how you express yourself, and I must admit that I have come to respect you for taking the time to quietly and cleverly answer all comments that have been thrown your way. You have the courage of your opinions and know how to back them up, and whether I agree with you about them or not doesn't keep me from respecting that.
Also, I couldn't agree more with you about fanfiction. The first of your posts that I read might have made me feel uneasy, and even a bit offended, but this one made me want to hug you. It certainly helps to throw a new light on what you wrote about the slashas.
I always find that when such debates as the one you raised happen, people tend to react a bit too impulsively. I still have my reservations about what you originally wrote (and by the way, thank you for answering my comments, I know you must have felt that you were repeating yourself over and over again), but that doesn't mean I'm entitled to pass any type of judgment on you as a person. Not as long as I can see that you have real love and respect for the fandom and those who write in it.
And you know what? I have friends, RL friends, people I love, worship and adore, and we still don't agree on everything. I'm just sad the debate you raised had to take such a bitter turn. But I'm glad I took the time to read your arguments and share my own.
no subject
Date: December 28th, 2002 01:25 am (UTC)Ahem. Yes. Response to the post I'd actually love some discussion of. Woohoo!
*snip wonderfully flattering things about my otherwise easily distracted, pretty-boy preoccupied brain*
All that matters / Is that you recognize that it's just about respect. Irony, irony, how do I love thee. (the title of my challenge fic is actually All That Matters)
Because it is, dammit. I don't know why the people who took to namecalling decided that that was the way to go, either because they didn't know me previously in the fandom or they were just *that* incensed by how they perceived what I'd said, but seriously, while respect might be something one has to earn, I don't feel anyone but the admins were justified in disrespecting me outright, and Georgina took the informationally objective high road. Too bad about the rest, but what's done is done.
The first of your posts that I read might have made me feel uneasy, and even a bit offended, but this one made me want to hug you.
Aaw! *warm fuzzies* But alas, since it caused no controversy, it'll probably go unheralded, but that's never why I write anyway. The girl broke out the Shakespeare line, the rest had been brewing a while because I didn't think I'd taken anything too seriously at all, and a little rant is always fun.
I did sincerely appreciate your response to my post. It showed that you'd read what I'd said to others and stated your points clearly, intelligently, and compassionately.
Not as long as I can see that you have real love and respect for the fandom and those who write in it.
So, so much love and respect some days I honestly *ache* from it. There's apparently only so much love you can hold in your heart before it begins to hurt, and I've been on that brink more times because of fandom and fic than anything else, I think.
I'm just sad the debate you raised had to take such a bitter turn.
As am I. Honestly, I wasn't angling for discussion with that post, but the only regret I have is that it ever came off as demeaning to the challenge admins. Sigh. Done all I can on that front though, and at least Georgina seems to have accepted it, so that's the best I could've hoped for.
But I'm glad I took the time to read your arguments and share my own.
As am I. Good running into you, and hopefully we'll meet again another time, another place, and the next dance will be more harmonious in tone.
no subject
Date: December 30th, 2002 08:06 am (UTC)Heee. Thank you. I'm just sorry I had to cut it down because... well, the extended version also has Lance legs, and ugh... I just... I love everything about that boy, really. *drools*
So, so much love and respect some days I honestly *ache* from it. There's apparently only so much love you can hold in your heart before it begins to hurt, and I've been on that brink more times because of fandom and fic than anything else, I think.
Oh, but how do I agree with you, here. I sincerely think that it's all become an addiction of a kind, for me. I've never smoked, never drank much, never did any hard drugs... but boy, oh boy! I'm pretty sure that what I feel when I go too long without a little dip in the fandoms (nslash and lotrips, for me... and a little bit of HP on the side) could be called an attack of the cold turkey kind. :-)
As for this particular post, I'm sorry no one's answered to it either... This is something that is very close to my heart, of course so... I actually pointed a friend towards this post because I was trying to explain to her how I felt about her writing and how important it was to me. Thanks for giving me all the words I needed to express myself, lol.
Anyway, I find myself comming back to your journal and smiling at your posts so... would you mind if I added you to my friends list? Not asking you to reciprocate, of course, I just want to be able to have interesting people in the nslash fandom to read when I login. :-) Right now, my friends list is too much lotrips, not enough dancing sparkly boys. Mmmmmm... Lance...
no subject
Date: December 30th, 2002 10:01 am (UTC)I actually pointed a friend towards this post because I was trying to explain to her how I felt about her writing and how important it was to me.
*blush* Delightful to hear. I might say I don't write for other people, but we all know how much it means when they tell us we did something right, so thank you. Happy to oblige.
Right now, my friends list is too much lotrips, not enough dancing sparkly boys. Mmmmmm... Lance...
Add away! Always happy for new minions. ;) Naw, you know I kid. And hey, with shared sentiment like that, please, comment anytime.