[mini-rant] rpf

[bantha_fodder]

i'm going to talk about rpf. RIGHT NOW.

1. RPF = Real Person Fic.

2. It exists.

3. If you're writing it, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HELL. Writing it, and at the same time saying that you're going to hell, is unproductive behaviour.

4. If you're not writing it, you can totally say that others are going to hell. This is a fandom certainty, a fight that has been going on for years. I've been on panels at cons about this particular argument.

5. If you are making an RPF filter, because you are OMG SO EMBARRASSED, you may put me on it, no questions asked. My first RPF fandom was five, maybe six years ago, so you have nothing to hide from me.

6. I write RPF all the time. Mostly by request, but whatever.

7. Seriously. Ask me to write RPF for a fandom I'm already in, and I'll probably do it. I LOVE RPF.

8. You guys have heard of Lotrips, right? I thought we'd finished this argument years ago.

9. The reason for this post is that, apparently, overnight, RPF has appeared in new BSG fandom, and the people writing it are totally excited but all convinced they're going to hell. AND THEY'RE NOT OKAY CLAIRA? YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HELL.

Thank you for your attention.

Comments

[mnemo-syne.livejournal.com]

RPF would be about the actor, instead of the character? Do I have that right?

Huh. Okay. So what was it then, your first RPF fandom?

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

You are correct.

My first RPF fandom was Roswell, closely followed by BtVS. Then LotRPS. Now, although I occasionally peek in at LotRPS and HP every once in a while, I mostly write for me (and A Certain Person), Emma Thompson/Alan Rickman, and Children of Dune RPF.

Wow. I'm a little bit weird.

[mnemo-syne.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks. Heh. And what's a Lotrip?

[resmin.livejournal.com]

You have Children of Dune RPF? Between who?

Also, yes with the "stop saying your going to hell" bit. Although I admit that I flailed a bit when I first started out. I think it takes a bit before the shock wears off.

[mollymoon.livejournal.com]

I definately admire you for saying the obvious (i.e. no one is going to hell) and just want to add the even more obvious point that if one doesn't like RPF, don't read it.

There are vast numbers of people who think we're crazy for writing fanfic in general (If I hear one more person argue to just "write something original", I'll scream. Fanfic is a hobby for me. I also like to play cards online, but that doesn't mean the best advice one can give me is to quit my dayjob and turn into a professional poker player.) and even within in the writing communities, there will always be subcultures (Rabid slashers think that het writers are anti-homosexual; het writers think that rabid slashers are mysogynists).

All in all, I have a very libertarian view on it. You don't like it, don't read it. No one can force you to read something you don't like or write something you don't want to.

Oh, and hi. I friended you recently re: BSG and never said hello. So, yeah, hello. *meep*

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

Hi!

[eken95.livejournal.com]

"All in all, I have a very libertarian view on it. You don't like it, don't read it. No one can force you to read something you don't like or write something you don't want "

For me it's less about what fans do/don't want to read and more about whether the actual people it's written about would be offended/pissed off by it. For me the character they play is public property but not the real person with real feelings behind the character and certainly not their family.

[voleuse.livejournal.com]

There's BSG RPF? OMG YAY!

I mean, where? Has it not appeared yet?

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

The only RPF that's public is if you go to elly427's journal and read the comments in the last couple of posts. Then you have to sidle up to Claira and ask her very nicely to put you on her rpf filter, because she just posted something hystericalfabulous a couple of minutes ago. Other people writing (WATCH ME OUT YOU ALL) are liminalliz, and I think rawles. Oh, and also anr.

[stars-like-dust.livejournal.com]

I shall add you asap. :)

[bijoux.livejournal.com]

... Claira's going to post it, right? I heard talk of it on Liz's journal, and am kind of like, Um, want to read (!).

*prods you to prod her*

:)

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

You have to ask to be on her filter, I think.

[baggers.livejournal.com]

And a hearty WORD to you on this grey and dull morning.

I have two thoughts. 1. BSG RPF OMFG YAY! 2. The amount of wank that will ensue over this is going to be epic. Which is so ridiculous, and yet totally expected, given that I think approx. 99%* of people in this fandom are new to fandom entirely.

*Number not at all accurate, but results are skewed to include people who behave like they are new to fandom.

[liminalliz.livejournal.com]

*clings to your wiseness*

[ancarett]

But what if they're going to hell for other, completely unrelated reasons? I think your reassurance might be counterproductive there.

I can totally buy that they're not going to hell for writing RPF. But it'll make me all angsty and worried that someone thinks they're carrying a "Get out of the seventh circle of the Inferno -- FREE" card when they're, like, not. For totally unrelated reasons, like, say, the axe murdering or the usury or whatever. You know?

[cirakaite.livejournal.com]

But . . . the going to hell is the fun part of RPF. Really. Honest!

[elly427.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

It's just it's so squeeful for the most part at the moment, except when someone is all "ew. That's approaching immoral." That gets the girl
down.

[starringsarah.livejournal.com]

It's fic. I just can't get all worked up about it, because it's not real. I understand the squick, but well, setting yourself up as the arbitor of good taste where fanfic is concerned, even RPF, is one slippery slope into madness. And let's face it, it's too often used as an excuse to be judgemental and superior.

That's a really long winded way to say, if you don't like it, don't read it. I, however, will read anything well written. So RPFers, don't hide your light under a bushel. Harder for the lightening strikes to find you. :-)

Hi btw!

[calita.livejournal.com]

I love this comment and am in complete agreement with it.

I've mentioned this in several comments, but I'm new to RPF and an unashamly liking it. Those that like to write it should do it without being prosecuted for it. And those that don't like it, shouldn't read it. It's very simple really.

[gobsmackit.livejournal.com]

I love you for this list, and for altering me to the fact that it exists in the BSG fandom, even though it makes me just about the saddest girl in the world to think of BSG RPS being locked up.

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

I've been writing RPF since 1975.

And Paul McCartney seemed to survive it pretty well. And no, I didn't kill Linda off. (She ran off with Ringo.)

*grin*

[bantha-fodder.livejournal.com]

HAHAOMG. INGRID, stop showing your age! *g*

Linda and Ringo, also, HA. I love you.

[eken95.livejournal.com]

I still don't agree with it, but thought you might be interested in this.

http://www.answers.com/topic/real-person-fiction

[shoemaster.livejournal.com]

Best part is how it links to this "related" article. (http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=73ojq91121ons?tname=munchausen-syndrome&curtab=2222_1&hl=real&hl=person&hl=fiction&sbid=lc01a)

[cupiscent.livejournal.com]

I'm totally going to hell.

But it's probably the rampant blasphemy, casual lying and occasional disregard for property ownership that's going to do it. That and the bad puns.