Fannish Love

[dwgm]

Some of my earliest memories, beginning when I was three years old or so, involve falling in love with stories and characters from television, movies, and books. My head has always been filled with stories about the characters I love, from Yogi Bear & Boo Boo, Lassie, Bonanza, My Favorite Martian, King Arthur (inspired by Richard Burton in Camelot), The Beatles (on seeing A Hard Day’s Night), High Chaparral, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Lord of the Rings (the book), Star Trek (the original series), Star Wars, McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series, Miami Vice, Phantom of the Opera (Michael Crawford RPF, omg!), etc., to my obsession of the last four years, Pirates of the Caribbean.

Growing up, none of my friends seemed to share my fannish tendencies, and it wasn’t until I began looking for further Pirates adventures on the internet in late 2003 that I discovered that I was Not Alone. Reading others’ stories or sharing my own, it’s been an amazing experience, more fun, more satisfying than I ever imagined possible. I’ve met, both online and off, so many wonderful people, and each of them has at least that one thing in common with me: Fannish Love.

Fannish Love is a very real thing, as long as it lasts, whether it’s weeks, months, or years. Fannish Love is particularly intense for those of us who write. We spend many hours, countless hours, with these characters, composing stories in our heads long before they are pounded into a keyboard and appear on a screen. These stories, these characters, are important to us in the same way story and myth have always been important to people. They speak to us of our human condition, in words that reach our minds and hearts.

Additionally, there is no one correct interpretation of a story or character. There are many variations that can fall within the parameters of canon. Sometimes a majority of fans will agree on various points, but that doesn’t mean that the minority view is incorrect, and sometimes views are as diverse as fandom itself. The one thing all views have in common is that they are more or less dear to the hearts of their proponents, and because of this, friendly discussion of them is acceptable, but acrimonious debate or intentional ridicule is not.

Fannish harmony is a truly joyful thing, because we do care so much, but conversely, fannish discord hurts, and takes the fun out of participation in fandom. Just as in any human interaction, the feelings of others must be taken into consideration, and civility should be the order of the day. Unfortunately, whether it’s meta, comments, or even author’s notes, the “anonymity” of the internet encourages just the opposite. One may feel fewer constraints regarding content, tone, and language, resulting in messages that may be misinterpreted, or interpreted all too accurately. When one creates negative energy, damage is done. And as these instances multiply over the course of time, harmony is destroyed.

Whatever you write – stories, author’s notes, meta, comments, whatever – let it be written out of love. Love of the characters, the stories, and your fellow fans. We’re all in this together, as diverse as we are. Let’s be good to each other, civil in debate, gentle in criticism, respectful of each others’ likes and dislikes.

And if all else fails, remember what Thumper’s dad said, savvy?


~.~

Comments

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wow. This was not at all what I was thinking when I wrote it.

[erinya.livejournal.com]

I know that, and I appreciate what you've said in your post. I think that what you have said is true, and I accept my own culpability in losing sight of the love and the fact that fandom is not, in fact, SRS BZNS; the fact that it doesn't hurt me to ignore what I don't like. I don't believe that I am the only one who forgets that, who finds it difficult to keep quiet in the face of attitudes I find distasteful. But others have made it clear here and elsewhere that they feel that I (and my opinions) am the problem, and am not welcome. If that is the majority opinion, I have some duty to listen to it, and consider bowing out. And I feel I will be in good company with those who have already departed the fandom if I decide to do so.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

We've sustained such enormous losses, and it would break my heart (and many others) if you left. We are here because we love the characters, so much so that our different views of them tear us apart, too.

Go write me a story. It's my birthday on Thursday! Please?

[erinya.livejournal.com]

I saw that your birthday is coming up! I will see what the muses can do. While they are recalcitrant towards me, sometimes they are more willing to write for someone else--particularly someone who has been so kind towards their product!

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Now I'm smiling all over.

*hugs you very much*

[erinya.livejournal.com]

....Would it be very, very wrong of me to write a Pirate King story?

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

I would love it if you would! As you know, we think pretty much alike on that score.

[bombazzinedoll.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to pop my head in and give you a Random Reader Hug™. *hugs*

I love your work in the PotC fandom, and I really hope you don't leave. Don't let the blustering get to you.

[erinya.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You have no idea how good that is to hear right now. You are not just a Random Reader, but a Valued Reader!

*hugs*

[fried-flamingo.livejournal.com]

*smooches you and chains you to the mast*

*then goes off to play with my bratz dolls and think about make up*

[virgo-79.livejournal.com]

**throws self on ground and grabs Erinya's ankles** Nope. You can't leave. And if you try I will be forced to sit on you. And possibly to sing. Loudly.

[geekmama.livejournal.com]

Wow. Now that's a dire threat. 0.0

[captaintish]

May I join in as another random reader saying, "Don't you dare leave!"