fan participation

[story645]

My lj time has gotten so low that lately I'm not sure if I'm checking my user info to see if I was friended or defriended, or which I would prefer. I don't defriend if someone doesn't drop me first, but I feel guilty when I can't check things. *shrugs* If you've been meaning to drop me, now would be a good time to do it.

It's funny, everyone was

Comments

[stmargarets]

I don't know if the actual numbers are down, but I do think that people have scattered from the older sites and are creating their own, smaller communities according to ship or interest. And it's true that life circumstances change - esp. in the number of years that the HP fandom has been going strong.

As soon as the OotP comes out in theaters, I'm sure there will be a resurgence of interest. The thing is, there isn't a lot left to talk about now that HBP has answered quite a few questions and has closed some doors.

Still, we're all still interested in each other and the friendships that have been forged in this fandom - and that keeps me coming back. :)

[story645]

I'm also sure OoTP will bring in some more fangirls and bad fic, but I wonder how long they'll stick around and in what context. I don't know, the roles people take on in fandom are interesting.

HBP is weird, cause it's such a transition book. It answered questions and sealed some things, but it totally blew away the setting of the last seven books, which fits perfectly with the books, but is in some ways very surprising. The problem is that a lot of the conversation now shifts to the what's she gonna do next? And that can get pretty old fast, depending on just how outlandish the theories get.

A lot of people seem to still be in fandom for the people, which makes me wonder if they're in fandom proper anymore, or just associated with fandomers. How much participation is needed to be considered part of fandom? Or is saying that you're in fandom enough?

[stmargarets]

I think the true definition of fandom is if you can still tell the difference between the books and the movies. ;) *kidding* (Although I wonder how many in the fandom have re-read the books recently *rolls eyes*)

Oh, it's hard to say - the bad behavior toward JKR after HBP came out and all of that msscribe stuff has kind of made 'being in the fandom' a dubious distinction. I started at the Quill for literary analysis and stayed for the fanfiction. I'd say it's writing that I'm hooked on now.

[story645]

*shrugs* I've never reread books 4-6. No time ever. I started on four, then gave up. But I've skimmed through 4-6 a bunch of times.

Those shifts are interesting too. I started in fandom for the fic and debates. I've sort of phased out of both of those. Did a stint writing essays, sort of phasing out of that. Now it's much more about the people, though I still read the occassional fic and plan on going to the Toronto conference. *shrugs*

[laurel_potter]

I think that each person decides whether they are in fandom by how much they participate. I don't write fanfic or run a site, but I consider myself as much in fandom as those who do.

I'm glad to hear you're going to Toronto; I plan on being there myself.

[story645]

Cool. I'm actually thinking about submitting a paper if I go.