Excuse me while I ask a question (or 5)

[outsidethebx]

Inspired by redsnake05 in this entry, I wanted to throw out some thoughts to everyone.

Comments

[yellowsnakepoet]

Wow, that's a good question, but very difficult to answer.

[outsidethebx]

...but something very interesting to ponder.

[azaufan]

great question(s)...i'm gonna cogitate on that and get back to you (love that word and rarely get to use it). My initial response is (E) Alex, all of the above.

[outsidethebx]

awesome. I was hoping you'd respond as I'm very interested in your thoughts. Looking forward to your feedback. :)

[redsnake05]

I do think that some fan activity is generated by the desire to see oneself in texts and see your own life reflected in some way. This can partly be from a deisre to escape heteronormative ideals, as portrayed damn near everywhere, but not the whole story. I'm bi myself, but I rarely write femmeslash (though I love to read it). So, perhaps the desire in my case is not necessarily to see me in texts and reflect my life, but to explore many different types of 'other'.

I'm going to think about this a bit more and get back to you with further thoughts.

[outsidethebx]

Seems like everyone is having to think about this entry and respond later. :) Wasn't trying to be too complicated! lol

Anyway, I do appreciate your thoughts. I've often wondered exactly who are these people who are involved in fandom, and what prompts us to be a part. I think it would be an interesting study to find out our occupations, hobbies, schooling, gender, sexual orientation, etc, just to see if a common denominator exists.

I think it is possible to explore differences through fandom, as I have done the same. There are so many, as you described, "different types of other," and to see a positive (or negative) portrayal of these differences gives me another perspective.

my take...part #1

[azaufan]

From my perspective, it's been a personal challenge to encourage myself to actually put my "imagination" into words. By nature I'm the logical sort, and as such I used to just enjoy reading fanfic, but the more I read the more I thought...you know...I've had similar ideas regarding certain characters but I never thought I would actually be able to put it down in a choerent form. I too as a child had a huge imagination but never really shared it with anyone, however, the ideas have always been there I just didn't think I could do it.

I have more to say but it's been a long day. Stay tuned.

Re: my take...part #1

[outsidethebx]

It's funny how all this began for me. The gf has been into fandom for years, but I never really knew what it was. I started reading/writing to understand and appreciate something that meant a lot to her, and now I can't get enough. lol I've always, as described earlier, been the imaginative type. By nature, I'm the musician, the dreamer, etc. I love to solve problems and always believe a practical application exists...pretty much to all things

[sophie_lover]

Wow, great question!! Its not at all easily answered... gonna have to think about this!! I know how you feel about talking about fanfic to someone who doesn't read or write it... it is very much like outing your self in a way!! They look at me like I'm from alien planet or have two heads suddenly!!!

[outsidethebx]

...but I thought you did have 2 heads!

There are some things you naturally know not to bring up in a public forum, and for me, fan fic is one of them. When the gf and I are discussing it, as people walk by, we'll lower our voices or talk in a sort of coded fashion. When I'm at work, and talking to her on the phone, we'll talk about that "website" we visit a lot (LJ), and what our friends had to say about our "stories." Interesting how that works...