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ishtar79So fandom is great, right? No pairing too cracktastic, no kink too extreme to have at least one community or fic challenge dedicated to it. Mind you, I’m aware that not all fandoms are created equal, and you’re less likely to get flamed for writing non-con bestiality incest chan in the Fandom Of 1000 kinks aka the HP fandom (or start a series of posts both defending and condemning non-con bestiality incest chan, and then there are sockpuppets, and then a bunch of people delete their ljs, and then the whole thing ends up in Metafandom and Fandom Wank…actually, that sounds exactly like the HP fandom!) than if you write said story in say, Veronica Mars.
Generally speaking though, in fanfic, no subject is really taboo, right?
Except for the things that kind of are.
Adultery/Infidelity: This one has become significantly more common after the Crapilogue Of Doom, if for no reason than the purely practical. Yes, Harry might be considerate enough to divorce Ginny before jumping into bed with Draco/Newly Ressurected!Snape/Hermione/Teddy Lupin but sometimes, it just doesn’t work out that way. In just as many fics, Ginny ends up preemptively leaving Harry for a fellow Quiddich Player (and how much do I love a fandom where that’s already a fanon cliché?), or because she realizes how deeply messed up/deeply gay he is. Or she ends up tragically dying, because she’s considerate like that (or more likely, because the author doesn’t want Harry to look bad).
I awful lot of fans seem to have a pronounced Infidelity Squick. And when it’s actually infidelity within the pairing, then well! This becomes the kind of thing that requires actual warnings, like “charater death”, “water sports” and “bottom!Snape”.
I don’t really get it. Infidelity can be the basis of great drama-just ask Tolstoy! It’s got readily built-in angst, tension and complications, and unlike some of the verse-specific angst, it’s something readers can relate to, at least somewhat easier than it is to relate to the angst of being in love with a Werewolf/Slytherin/Death Eater/Reanimated by Magic Corpse.
Is the problem that it’s a theme that hits too close to home? Yes, in real life, infidelity is a Bad Thing. But then, so is murder, rape or teachers having sex with their sixteen-year-old students, and no of course I’m not equating the level of wrongness in any way, just pointing some typical fic plot points that are overall more popular and (mostly) unchallenged than character A stepping out on character B in an A/B fic.
It’s not unique in fanfic. I love the show Dexter and given the lack of interest/discussion of it on my flist, like to read the TWP forums after every episode (not participate myself, since I have many issues with TWP I won’t get into here). For those who don’t know, the main character of the show is a serial killer. One who only goes after bad guys, sure, and one played by the infinitely charismatic and dead sexy Michael C. Hall, but the bottom line? Serial killer.
Last season included a subplot of Dexter having an affair with a sociopathic headcase by the name of Lila, despite being in a long term relationship with Rita. And then the Internets exploded. Suddenly, much of the season arc and non-soap opera plot elements were pushed to the side in favour of a screaming discussion about how Lila is a terrible character and actress (kind of true on the former, YES on the latter), arguments about whether this technically constituted cheating (“We were on a BREAK!”/Ross Gellar> and a whole lot of (overwhelmingly female) fans grumbling about how they could ‘never look at Dexter the same way again’ and the character was ‘ruined’ for them. And I repeat, fans previously adoring and even woobifying a sociopath who routinely chops people into little bits and have impassionate morally relativist arguments justifying his every action, but oh no, he cheats his girlfriend and suddenly they think he’s kind of a bastard? (This? Is precisely why I avoid the TWP forums!) Oh, fandom, what sweet crack you’re smoking!
Abortion: This is by no means limited to fic: abortion is the pink elephant in the room of popular media, an option that is not only not taken, but seldom even considered. Hell, it might as well not exist.
I realise that it’s a divisive topic (well, in some cultures. I’m happy to say that despite the many ways Greek society is socially backwards, reproductive rights are largely a non-issue. Abortion is legal and acceptable, and that’s all there is to it). Not everyone in fandom is pro-choice, but if you go by the way unwanted pregnancies are handled in fic alone, you’d think nobody is.
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t really matter how you (the writer, the reader, the random troll who stops by to flame) would handle an unwanted pregnancy, only how the character would. If you’re writing BSG where canon states that abortions are illegal and one of the show’s themes in the survival of the human race then yes, the character would probably have the baby. (Or they might go for a highly dangerous illegal abortion to get rid of their potentially homicidal half-Cylon spawn, and presto! Instant drama!). If you’re writing about school age Hermione getting pregnant, especially as a result of rape? Then she would probably abort. Or she could conceivably not, but as I reader I require a hell of of a lot of explaining for that option. Saying ‘Hermione believed in the sanctity of life’ is imposing your own cultural bias on a middle-class, progressive, academically-focused British girl, and it makes me cringe and grit my teeth more than other examples of lazy writing/OOCness.
Look, it’s not as if it’s a plot I encounter particularly often. I make a conscious effect to avoid baby!fic and I mostly read slash, but when I do occasionally stumble upon it, mostly in Snape/Hermione fic, I’m deeply disturbed by the writer posting apologetic author’s notes about even mentioning the “A” word or even worse, anti-choice being kind of the default fic setting. Since I’m assuming not every single writer's personal politics are anti-abortion, then a big chunk self-censor. TV shows/films self-censor to avoid loss of adverts/viewers. Fic writers self-censor…why exactly? Losing readers? You do anyway by your choice of paring/rating/inclusion of the words ‘frock coat’/because X BNF that Y reader hates in your flist. Flames? The very act of posting a fanfic in the HP verse online makes flames a real possibility. I’m not saying every writer should engage in an awareness-raising campaign, all I’m saying is that if you’re prepared to stand by your choice to write Underage/Crossgen/Rickman!Snape, be prepared to stand by your choice to write…well, choice.
Generally speaking though, in fanfic, no subject is really taboo, right?
Except for the things that kind of are.
Adultery/Infidelity: This one has become significantly more common after the Crapilogue Of Doom, if for no reason than the purely practical. Yes, Harry might be considerate enough to divorce Ginny before jumping into bed with Draco/Newly Ressurected!Snape/Hermione/Teddy Lupin but sometimes, it just doesn’t work out that way. In just as many fics, Ginny ends up preemptively leaving Harry for a fellow Quiddich Player (and how much do I love a fandom where that’s already a fanon cliché?), or because she realizes how deeply messed up/deeply gay he is. Or she ends up tragically dying, because she’s considerate like that (or more likely, because the author doesn’t want Harry to look bad).
I awful lot of fans seem to have a pronounced Infidelity Squick. And when it’s actually infidelity within the pairing, then well! This becomes the kind of thing that requires actual warnings, like “charater death”, “water sports” and “bottom!Snape”.
I don’t really get it. Infidelity can be the basis of great drama-just ask Tolstoy! It’s got readily built-in angst, tension and complications, and unlike some of the verse-specific angst, it’s something readers can relate to, at least somewhat easier than it is to relate to the angst of being in love with a Werewolf/Slytherin/Death Eater/Reanimated by Magic Corpse.
Is the problem that it’s a theme that hits too close to home? Yes, in real life, infidelity is a Bad Thing. But then, so is murder, rape or teachers having sex with their sixteen-year-old students, and no of course I’m not equating the level of wrongness in any way, just pointing some typical fic plot points that are overall more popular and (mostly) unchallenged than character A stepping out on character B in an A/B fic.
It’s not unique in fanfic. I love the show Dexter and given the lack of interest/discussion of it on my flist, like to read the TWP forums after every episode (not participate myself, since I have many issues with TWP I won’t get into here). For those who don’t know, the main character of the show is a serial killer. One who only goes after bad guys, sure, and one played by the infinitely charismatic and dead sexy Michael C. Hall, but the bottom line? Serial killer.
Last season included a subplot of Dexter having an affair with a sociopathic headcase by the name of Lila, despite being in a long term relationship with Rita. And then the Internets exploded. Suddenly, much of the season arc and non-soap opera plot elements were pushed to the side in favour of a screaming discussion about how Lila is a terrible character and actress (kind of true on the former, YES on the latter), arguments about whether this technically constituted cheating (“We were on a BREAK!”/Ross Gellar> and a whole lot of (overwhelmingly female) fans grumbling about how they could ‘never look at Dexter the same way again’ and the character was ‘ruined’ for them. And I repeat, fans previously adoring and even woobifying a sociopath who routinely chops people into little bits and have impassionate morally relativist arguments justifying his every action, but oh no, he cheats his girlfriend and suddenly they think he’s kind of a bastard? (This? Is precisely why I avoid the TWP forums!) Oh, fandom, what sweet crack you’re smoking!
Abortion: This is by no means limited to fic: abortion is the pink elephant in the room of popular media, an option that is not only not taken, but seldom even considered. Hell, it might as well not exist.
I realise that it’s a divisive topic (well, in some cultures. I’m happy to say that despite the many ways Greek society is socially backwards, reproductive rights are largely a non-issue. Abortion is legal and acceptable, and that’s all there is to it). Not everyone in fandom is pro-choice, but if you go by the way unwanted pregnancies are handled in fic alone, you’d think nobody is.
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t really matter how you (the writer, the reader, the random troll who stops by to flame) would handle an unwanted pregnancy, only how the character would. If you’re writing BSG where canon states that abortions are illegal and one of the show’s themes in the survival of the human race then yes, the character would probably have the baby. (Or they might go for a highly dangerous illegal abortion to get rid of their potentially homicidal half-Cylon spawn, and presto! Instant drama!). If you’re writing about school age Hermione getting pregnant, especially as a result of rape? Then she would probably abort. Or she could conceivably not, but as I reader I require a hell of of a lot of explaining for that option. Saying ‘Hermione believed in the sanctity of life’ is imposing your own cultural bias on a middle-class, progressive, academically-focused British girl, and it makes me cringe and grit my teeth more than other examples of lazy writing/OOCness.
Look, it’s not as if it’s a plot I encounter particularly often. I make a conscious effect to avoid baby!fic and I mostly read slash, but when I do occasionally stumble upon it, mostly in Snape/Hermione fic, I’m deeply disturbed by the writer posting apologetic author’s notes about even mentioning the “A” word or even worse, anti-choice being kind of the default fic setting. Since I’m assuming not every single writer's personal politics are anti-abortion, then a big chunk self-censor. TV shows/films self-censor to avoid loss of adverts/viewers. Fic writers self-censor…why exactly? Losing readers? You do anyway by your choice of paring/rating/inclusion of the words ‘frock coat’/because X BNF that Y reader hates in your flist. Flames? The very act of posting a fanfic in the HP verse online makes flames a real possibility. I’m not saying every writer should engage in an awareness-raising campaign, all I’m saying is that if you’re prepared to stand by your choice to write Underage/Crossgen/Rickman!Snape, be prepared to stand by your choice to write…well, choice.
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no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 12:22 pm (UTC)As for Dexter, I seriously don't understand what crack a fan of the show would have to be smoking to be up in arms about him cheating on Rita, at least that one time. (Now that he cheated on her with Lila, that much made me say, "Oh, Dexter. *headsmack*") Putting aside that he is a serial killer, the man is so uncomfortable and awkward in a personal relationship that even at season's end I don't think he really understands that he does actually love Rita. He'll admit to loving Cody and Astor, but his grasp on romantic relationships is a bit shaky. I can buy him cheating on her and go along with it for the simple fact that he just doesn't get it.
The thing is, when it comes to people in real life, it lowers my expectations and opinions of people a LOT if they're cheated on a loved one. If you can't keep loyal to a significant other or spouse, my ability to trust you also comes into question. And it's one thing when it's a fictional character who'd I expect it from -- I have a hard time believing Sawyer from Lost could stay loyal to anyone -- but it's an entirely different and uncomfortable scenario seeing it come from someone for whom it's entirely out of character. And yeah, people whom you'd never expect it from cheat, but it's kind of hard to write a character doing that when doing it makes you hate them for it. (Which feels weird to say because I've written Sam Winchester going dark and killing everybody, but that's potentially in character. And interesting.
And hot.)no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 01:34 pm (UTC)(Now that he cheated on her with Lila, that much made me say, "Oh, Dexter. *headsmack*")
Hee. I can relate.
And Dexter definitely doesn't *get* the complexities of relationships. I actually agree with the theory that in his mind, it wasn't cheating, because that fight with Rita made him go 'Well. That's over, then.' He wouldn't knowingly make the decision to cheat, not because he's morally opposed to it, but because he's very careful about avoiding messy human emotions/complications.
have a hard time believing Sawyer from Lost could stay loyal to anyone -- but it's an entirely different and uncomfortable scenario seeing it come from someone for whom it's entirely out of character.
And yet, I'm certain there are a lot of schmoopy Sawyer/Kate fics out there where he's 100% and wouldn't dream of cheating. Fans can have a selective understanding of characterisation.
And yeah, people whom you'd never expect it from cheat, but it's kind of hard to write a character doing that when doing it makes you hate them for it. (Which feels weird to say because I've written Sam Winchester going dark and killing everybody, but that's potentially in character. And interesting. And hot.)
Agreed both on the fact that people whom you wouldn't expect it from do cheat and that it's hard to write (well, I imagine. Read, too!) a character in a way that makes him unlikeable to you. But then, people enjoy characters doing Not Nice At All stuff all the time, not to mention like fundamentally unlikeable characters, so I still wonder why it's infidelity in particular getting singled out on a fandom-wide level.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 01:57 pm (UTC)I think it goes back to what you just said about Sawyer/Kate fics. Yeah, from the outside point of view of somebody who knows the fandom but doesn't watch anymore, I think Sawyer is not trustworthy in a relationship and Kate would be dumb to think otherwise. But if you really like a character, you're not going to want to see that. And depending on how good the writer is, they might even be able to get me to buy it.
For me personally, there's way too much guilt and anguish in stories of infidelity for me to want to read them, not to mention that it's far too realistic a concept in that regard. There are a handful of stories that I loved but would never read again in a million years, and the one common thread they share is that they're all painfully bleak. The story may be fabulously written but if I come out of the story feeling awful I'm not going to want to go near it again. (See: Atonement. Lovely movie. I *really* don't want to watch it again.)
There's nothing enjoyable for me in a story about characters I like cheating on their significant others. It makes them people that I'm not sure I'd want to associate with in real life at the same time that it's not an interesting situation for me as a reader.
no subject
Date: 2008-02-21 04:09 pm (UTC)I can understand the sentiment. It's why I (usually) don't read anything involving non-con, character death or mega-angst of any variety. I come to fandom to unwind, and while I appreciate some bleak fics in terms of writing, it's not what I prefer to read.