Self-indulgent Rant
Mar. 8th, 2004 06:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
and_chocolateSometimes I just can't wrap my head around the LotRiPS fandom.
The "sane" portion of the fandom parades around, shouting at the top of their lungs that "it's not real; we don't believe any of this is truly going on; we're not like the crazies over there with their conspiracy theories; we know it's just fiction," and then as soon as someone writes something edgy or dark or otherwise "unsavory," these same folks are up in arms, complaining that the actors wouldn't do that, or that it's sick or depressing or ruining their fandom....
What happened to "it's just fiction"?
Isn't this just one big game of "let's pretend" in the first place? So how is it somehow worse to write stories where Elijah abuses Dom than to write stories where Elijah buggers Dom? Because, let's face it, neither one is likely to be true and the majority of mundanes would find both ideas equally disturbing. Technically, both are fictional stories about non-fictional people, made up by fans for the consumption of other fans; they're the result of a writer wondering "what if" and exploring a situation that, by definition, is not reality.
Yeah, so maybe it doesn't hit your kink. Maybe it disgusts you, even. You know what? You're obviously not the intended audience, and you don't have to read it! This isn't A Clockwork Orange.
And yeah, it's a bummer that people aren't writing what you want. That sucks and I can feel your pain. But I'm not whinging on in my LJ about how there's not enough of a certain flavor of Orlijah out there, because I know it's not the universe's responsibility to cater to me and my desires -- much as that sucks, too.
Honestly, in the end all I can think of to say is to quote Denis Leary: "Life's hard, get a helmet. Shut the fuck up. Next."
The "sane" portion of the fandom parades around, shouting at the top of their lungs that "it's not real; we don't believe any of this is truly going on; we're not like the crazies over there with their conspiracy theories; we know it's just fiction," and then as soon as someone writes something edgy or dark or otherwise "unsavory," these same folks are up in arms, complaining that the actors wouldn't do that, or that it's sick or depressing or ruining their fandom....
What happened to "it's just fiction"?
Isn't this just one big game of "let's pretend" in the first place? So how is it somehow worse to write stories where Elijah abuses Dom than to write stories where Elijah buggers Dom? Because, let's face it, neither one is likely to be true and the majority of mundanes would find both ideas equally disturbing. Technically, both are fictional stories about non-fictional people, made up by fans for the consumption of other fans; they're the result of a writer wondering "what if" and exploring a situation that, by definition, is not reality.
Yeah, so maybe it doesn't hit your kink. Maybe it disgusts you, even. You know what? You're obviously not the intended audience, and you don't have to read it! This isn't A Clockwork Orange.
And yeah, it's a bummer that people aren't writing what you want. That sucks and I can feel your pain. But I'm not whinging on in my LJ about how there's not enough of a certain flavor of Orlijah out there, because I know it's not the universe's responsibility to cater to me and my desires -- much as that sucks, too.
Honestly, in the end all I can think of to say is to quote Denis Leary: "Life's hard, get a helmet. Shut the fuck up. Next."
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-08 07:54 pm (UTC)And of course the answer to the "why isn't my pairing/kink/etc. represented" whine is: Well, WRITE IT. Write something so amazing/hot/thoughtful that everyone becomes entranced and wants to explore the idea also. Presto.
Incidentally, speaking of "why isn't there any ____"-- I'm new and naive. Is there any fic where Dom is an asshole? I've seen ThoughtlessBastard!Billy, I've seen Jerk!Elijah, and I've seen TooStupidToKnowAnyBetter!Orli but where are the not-nice Doms? 'Cause if I don't find it soon, I'm gonna have to write it, and it isn't going to be pretty.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-09 06:22 pm (UTC)Well, yeah, that'd be my solution to it, too. I'm glad I'm not alone in my cranky rant-dom. *g*
Is there any fic where Dom is an asshole? ... 'Cause if I don't find it soon, I'm gonna have to write it, and it isn't going to be pretty.
I can't think of any offhand, so you may have to write it. *g* If you do, be sure to share it with me, 'k?
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-08 08:14 pm (UTC)I always find the whole internet flame war concept a bit bizarre, because the internet's such a non-confrontational environment - a person can just walk away from whatever upsets him.
Also, I tend to think of the slash writing I've done as exercises to expand my writing skills, to learn how to write sex scenes, romance, and humor in a way that make an audience have a reaction (positive or negative). I find I can read just about anything if it's well-written, unless Sean Astin is having sex - but that's my own personal squick so I avoid it.
Just my two cents, for what it's worth :)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-09 07:21 pm (UTC)Okay, that is just hilarious. Is that your cat?
a person can just walk away from whatever upsets him
In theory. Of course, in practice it's sometimes harder. I mean, I could've just walked away and not posted my rant. Hell, I tried to do just that, and it kept bugging me until I finally wrote it up, sent it to three different people for opinions, and finally posted it.
I tend to think of the slash writing I've done as exercises to expand my writing skills...I find I can read just about anything if it's well-written
I agree with this whole paragraph (except for the Sean Astin thing, because I like him -- though I'm afraid to read RPS featuring him because people so often trash his relationship with Christine, or just gloss over it entirely *g*).
Thanks for the comments!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-08 08:16 pm (UTC)I consider myself of the sane sort, but I did have my phase of intense ranting against rape fics for example. Reminds me I should never reread my old entries. What an uptight ass I've been. Jeez.
My explanation is, as always, after a certain time people get on each other nerves, get testy, and the tiniest bit has them in arms. We just know eachother for too long by know. There's no reasonable discussion possible at some point. We've been there, done that.
*hugs small, wank-free fandoms tight*
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-09 07:28 pm (UTC)I think we all have issues like that, where we get irrational for a time just because of how the issue affects us -- emotionally or whatever. It can be forgiven and, often, forgotten.
My explanation is, as always, after a certain time people get on each other nerves, get testy, and the tiniest bit has them in arms.
I think that people get testy when they feel that something they love is being taken away from them. I just have this huge issue with the sense of fannish entitlement that seems to be so commonplace lately.
Of course, I can't say that my rant doesn't qualify as another facet of that sense of fannish entitlement. I mean, do I have the right to complain about their behavior when what I'm complaining about is them complaining about someone else's behavior? *g*
*hugs small, wank-free fandoms tight*
I understand. I'm happily in a small fandom-of-two. Though, honestly, we'd like more people involved because we want more fic. *whines just a little*
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-08 09:34 pm (UTC)how there's not enough of a certain flavor of Orlijah out there
Inquiring minds want to know... what is your "certain flavour"???????
:)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-09 07:35 pm (UTC)I don't know that I've actually sat down an analyzed what it is that makes me love certain Orlijah stories and not others. Mostly that statement was a hypothetical example rather than a factual one.
If pressed, though, I'd have to say that I really like stories where neither of them is overly experienced with other guys, neither of them is too much of a bastard, and where if they don't end up happily together, at least they don't end up absolutely miserable. Bittersweet endings are okay, though.
Um. I think I just described See Under: Clue, Getting A. *g* That being the story that sucked me into LotRiPS, it's hardly surprising that I like things in that vein.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-10 09:21 pm (UTC)Oh yeah! They press my buttons too.