impulsereader | In which I type about fandom.

My experience with writing Stay and the response to it has been very positive, especially when I wondered if I should post it at all. But it really has given me a handle on talking to my friend, who is still in hospital. It also seems that my words have been meaningful for others, which makes me both humble and very, very moved. It is, as you say,an example of the best fandom has to offer as a supportive community.

I agree with your analysis thoroughly. I may admire the talents/looks of certain actors in my fandoms, but it's always the ideas that got me involved in the first place. When I write fanfic, I'm exploring those ideas and expanding them, as well as exploring and expanding my own writing with scenarios and ideas I haven't necessarily written before. In fact, two RL writing projects have evolved from all my Sherlock fic, so it's been very good for my writing in general. :)

I'm amused when I find out the creators are engaging with the fandom, but I have reservations too. I know that when I'm reading, or writing, fic or admiring art (whether gen or slash) I'm not really seeing the *actors*. In my head, they are the *characters* and while they look like the actors (to greater or lesser degrees) that's not who I see. It's one of the reasons I've never been into Real Person fic. But I'm not sure the performers can see that separation - and of course, in some cases, that separation doesn't exist for the fan creator or fan consumer of a story or piece of art. It must feel very confronting for the actors, sometimes, and that's a shame. (FOr me, they've so absolutely created an entirely new person, it's only the new person I see, as it were.)

I think I'm babbling now.

Anyway, I'm supposed to be doing my Day Job now, so off I go. Dayjobbing away. :)

Yes, that's what worries me sometimes. I feel that the actors don't get that we're not secretly talking/writing about them. Or, at least, most of us aren't. It's a tribute to the work they've done embodying someone else entirely that we're inspired to spin tales around these characters. I don't want them to be scared of their fans, basically, and I wish fandom in general could try to keep it classy around the actual actors. Let's face it, there isn't much direct interaction, so if we could just try to keep it together for the short time during which it is happening then we can go off and squee into our pillows as much as we like.

I hope your friend is well on the mend and you'll be able to visit soon if you haven't already.

Hubby is visiting him tonight - we thought it best that he not be overwhelmed by visitors, and he and hubby are close friends. We'll probably both go to see him when he goes home on the weekend.

And, yes, fans need to keep some of their kinks to themselves. Most of them probably wouldn't appreciate it if some random person from work/school came up and said 'all my friends and I talk about you as an AU version of yourself wearing red knickers or getting all sweaty with your best friend, and then we put the art and stories on line, cool huh?'. SEriously, no. I know it's not precisely the same situation. But really, if the actors go *looking* for this stuff in their free time, having heard about it, they've only themselves to blame. Fans offering it up like rare and refreshing fruit? Not classy, folks.

It's not precisely the same situation, no, but it is pretty darn close; it's also hilarious to imagine.

*shudder* Reminds me of the time a creep we thought was a friend told my girlfriend-at-the-time and I that he'd like to watch. Fantasies are one thing; confronting people with specific fantasies involving them (and I think that's how a lot of actors take it) when there isn't an ongoing relationship is intrusive, to put it mildly.

I love your Gladstone's Collar series. I also hear what you are saying about using fanfiction in a therapeutic manner, which is pretty much solely what I use it for.

When I lecture to students on Fandom I often point out, more seriously than humourously, that if you can tell me who your favourite character and what appeals to you about them I can tell you what you present preoccupation is.

You probably already know my occupation, but I admit I usually like characters not simply on their own but because of their dynamics with at least one other significant character. I've always been a huge fan of Holmes and Watson, from ACD onwards, and a lot of it is to do with their dynamic, and how their gifts and defects balance out. I like characters who are intelligent, quick with a quip, perhaps a little dark, or at least flawed, especially if they have unexpected friendships. I always liked the Avon/Vila dynamic in Blake's 7 for that.

When I was first writing Sherlock fic, and I had a problem with their voices, I realised that Avon and Vila were very similar. It's no coincidence that Martin Freeman got the role in Blake's Junction Seven for that reason I think.

And isn't that a ridiculous short film? Without being at all like SF, it still manages to be actually pretty much exactly like the show! Freeman was very well cast in that.

My heart warmed when I saw Martin carrying their Orac across the bridge. I was so glad Tudders managed to still be alive to be him again. The reaction of Paul Darrow at a convention when he saw the bit with Avon and Blake in the loos was priceless. A friend and I had a very hard time keeping our faces straight.

That was fabulous! And 'Are we there yet?'. And Mark Heap, and Johnny Vegas, and, oh, EVERYONE. *chortle*

I must confess to the following pattern re: fandom - I fall head over heals for a character and by default the actor who plays them, and this then motivates me to devote my complete attention to the work as a whole, be it a film or a series. Thinky thoughts feed on the energy created by character love, but the end result is the same, I think, as it is for the "fans of the show" you describe above.

I also believe that age may have something to with it, although definitely not always. Very definitely not.

Fandom at its best can indeed be a wonderful place that meets our needs for community, connection, intellectual stimulation, and many other things. I've seen plenty of the worst of fandom as well, but just can't quit it.

Bathrooms are the one place in the house where you can let your kitsch flag fly, no question :-)

Edited 2012-11-14 23:42 (UTC)

I also think age has a lot to do with it, but I didn't want to make it seem like the main point because you're right, it's very definitely not always the case.

I think the key is that fans who are lured in by an actor can choose to keep a narrow focus or they can allow themselves to engage with the show and its themes as a whole, falling in love with even more depth. That's what leads to the really good fanworks, because you wouldn't write a story (well, I'm sure someone somewhere would) with a central theme of, 'Benedict is sexy'. You need a storyline, a journey, and sighing over his eyes (as wonderful as they are and as fun as that is) just doesn't provide one.

I'm strongly leaning toward the kitsch. There's also quite a lot more choice if I go in that direction - people really, really liked avocado for a while. :-)

people really, really liked avocado for a while

They DID, and I've finally had enough time to get over the onslaught of avocado from living in 70's styled apartments in days past - I can totally enjoy the era's kitsch again.

I completely agree, Benedict (and Robert, and Johnny) being sexy as all get out can add a certain joie de vivre to a well plotted and character informed story, but without the latter the sexing is just mechanics. I don't begrudge working out their fantasies on the computer monitor to anyone (and whoa, that thought doesn't bear close scrutiny), but sometimes the woobie love becomes intrusive in the fannish realm. My icon is a result of one of my "worst of" experiences, in which I was called, among other things, "a blonde cheerleader type that had everything handed to her on a silver platter." Which made me snorkle, and befuddled my nerdish heart:-)

That is a lovely quote. Can I use it as the closing sentence in my article?

Hello, and yes, of course - not certain which sentence, but choose any one you like :-)

It's this one (I want to quote it as my closing sentence)

"Fandom at its best can indeed be a wonderful place that meets our needs for community, connection, intellectual stimulation, and many other things. I've seen plenty of the worst of fandom as well, but just can't quit it."

The question is whether you want to be quoted under your actual name or fan pseud.

I think it will have to be my username, for Reasons :-)

Where will your article be posted? I'd love to read it.

In a MediaMag (a journal for sixth form students) which I will scan and email for everyone who has participated.

Lovely, I'll look forward to seeing it :-) You can pm me for the email anytime.

I've just read the finished product - first name only cited if that changes your response. It turned out excellently, though the funny was cut out of my quote so I'll have to submit it here to allow it to be properly appreciated. :-)

You always have the best links. My work internet doesn't like that site for some reason and doesn't want to display the pictures (all 3 browsers, bizarrely), but I'll hop on as soon as I'm home. The anticipation is killing me!

A lot of the beds are pricey, but some have a "headboard only" option and are pretty reasonable. You might try just www.humbleabode.com and then click the sorting tabs for "iron bed" and so on, and see if your browser likes that better :-)

That is exactly my pattern as well. I can't get into a fandom unless I fall completely and hard for one of the characters. And then it expands to encompass the actor who plays the character and the whole rest of the show. Once I fall in love then I want ALL the meta and ALL the discussion. With a nice side order of ALL the shallow fangirling as well... :D

Once I fall in love then I want ALL the meta and ALL the discussion. With a nice side order of ALL the shallow fangirling as well.

Yes! Total immersion in the fannish experience, no shame required ♥

Hear hear! :-)

Awesome. I wonder which actors are the most Siren-like in this respect, pulling their fans along in their wake. I bet you could even rate them. They'd have to be at least a 5 to get a certain percentage of fans to follow a show they otherwise wouldn't watch, and at least an 8 to then get them to want All the meta and ALL the discussion. :-)

I tend to pick towels that hide stains- especially hair dye stains.

I'm not sure what happened, not being in the fandom, but I wish to high heaven that people would leave the actors out of their fic-writing endeavors. Slash away. Write RPF, if it floats your boat. But stop forcing it on the actors!

Sorry, that topic makes me a little ranty.

Edited 2012-11-15 01:09 (UTC)

It wasn't a huge deal, really. The Gatiss panel event was fun (by all reports so far) and I wish I'd been there. I think it was overwhelmingly cool in actuality and I'm really glad it went well because it was for a good cause which is clearly dear to Mark - so it's all fine.

This post was just sort of a 'hm, lots of fandom stuff this week and quarryquest is asking about this aspect of it' reaction. :-)

I totally agree - I think some of the actors just don't get it, which is fine, but take that into consideration and don't ask them to flail around where they're not comfortable.

TBH it was a little embarrassing when one of the audience asked if we'd ever see John in red pants and Martin said he knew what it related to and that we were all fucking shameful. However the best response to 'fandom slash' questions was the one Andrew Scott gave - he's been asked what he thought of MorMor and his answer (by proxy of a dummy and Mark Gatiss since he wasn't actually there) was that it was how you said murmur in a Northern Irish accent. I may have laughed unfeasibly loudly at that.
In fact I spent most of the session laughing madly. It was brilliant fun and I'm glad I went but I did wince a few times.

I'm so glad it was a fun event, and I'm very pleased it benefited a great cause which is important to Mark. I'm even more pleased that you only winced a few times. :-)

Now NaNo is done (well, sort of done) I shall endeavour to do my write up very soon :)

How long do you plan to stay in the place? How long do your enthusiasms for color last? How often are you willing to paint/buy new bathmats/etc.? If you love avocado forever and plan to stay forever, go with the avocado. If you go through colors quickly and hate to bother to change your color scheme, save yourself the grief and go with vintage blue. If you don't plan to stay long, go with whatever you can see yourself taking to your next place.

Sometimes I find myself following a show where I don't like any of the characters, but think the situation and/or character interactions are interesting.

In which I type about fandom.

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