RPS/RPF: What are your squicks as far as writing/reading real people go?
I enjoy writing RPS. I enjoy reading RPS. I don't have much of a problem with the myriad moral issues involved with using real people as characters to do with as we wish.
But I've always read or written RPS about celebrities. Any ethical hurdles I may have with RPS are assuaged by the fact that these are people who put themselves in the public eye. Repeatedly, by choice. They benefit directly from their celebrity and therefore I don't have too much of an issue with them suffering the flipside i.e. lack of privacy, for example. This is how I put my blinders on and proceed to happily slash celebrities in whatever direction my mood's taking me in.
However - I've always written about the celebrities themselves. I've tried to avoid writing about spouses or non-celebrity partners, or family members, children etc, because those people didn't choose to find themselves public property. I'm beginning to change my stance on this, just because it fits with a couple of stories I'm writing. I'm overcoming a moral squick and I'm unsure if that's a good thing or not. I figure as long as I treat them respectfully . . . but what I'd think is respectful may be very different to the opinion of someone I'm writing about.
So - How far do/would you go with your RPS? Do you just think, eh, I'm already on the diving board, might as well jump in with both feet and write/read about whoever I want to, in whatever manner I wish? How do you feel about googling facts on actual people you're writing about - like a thorough researcher, or creepy internet stalker (it makes me feel a little creepy, if I'm honest, but not creepy enough to not do it)? Where do you draw the line, if you draw a line at all?
Non-RPF/S* fans: feel free to express opinions stating that you're uncomfortable with RPF and why if you feel you must, but keep it polite/respectful please.
*Real Person Fiction/Slash
But I've always read or written RPS about celebrities. Any ethical hurdles I may have with RPS are assuaged by the fact that these are people who put themselves in the public eye. Repeatedly, by choice. They benefit directly from their celebrity and therefore I don't have too much of an issue with them suffering the flipside i.e. lack of privacy, for example. This is how I put my blinders on and proceed to happily slash celebrities in whatever direction my mood's taking me in.
However - I've always written about the celebrities themselves. I've tried to avoid writing about spouses or non-celebrity partners, or family members, children etc, because those people didn't choose to find themselves public property. I'm beginning to change my stance on this, just because it fits with a couple of stories I'm writing. I'm overcoming a moral squick and I'm unsure if that's a good thing or not. I figure as long as I treat them respectfully . . . but what I'd think is respectful may be very different to the opinion of someone I'm writing about.
So - How far do/would you go with your RPS? Do you just think, eh, I'm already on the diving board, might as well jump in with both feet and write/read about whoever I want to, in whatever manner I wish? How do you feel about googling facts on actual people you're writing about - like a thorough researcher, or creepy internet stalker (it makes me feel a little creepy, if I'm honest, but not creepy enough to not do it)? Where do you draw the line, if you draw a line at all?
Non-RPF/S* fans: feel free to express opinions stating that you're uncomfortable with RPF and why if you feel you must, but keep it polite/respectful please.
*Real Person Fiction/Slash