So BNF is bad, how about GPF
vikki and I were discussing the problem with BNF, aka Big Name in Fandom. On the surface you'd think this term would be a compliment, but it's not, because the people who have claimed this name are: a) pretentious, b) hypersensitive to criticism, and c) generally better known for their wankerage than their actual fic writing.
The two examples I was given for BNF's in my own Fandom (FMA) were two people who I'd never even come across! I'd never seen a single fic from them! I mean, I know I'm new and all, but there is no way I'd call these people BNF's if BNF really meant Big Name in Fandom.
So, ok, I accept that BNF has been hopelessly spoiled. It's like being called "special" (thank you, educators everywhere). Still, there ARE some Big Names out there. People who really do contribute heavily and positively to the Fandom. People whose names are recognised (positively) by a majority of the fandom. People who really deserve to have their efforts and talent recognised but who don't deserve to be associated with the Wank Queens.
So, vikki came up with a new term: Good and Popular Fanwriter (or Fanartist). Now we can say to some one: Hey you are a GPF, you know, and they will be complimented. Or someone can write in a community: who are the GPF's, and people can then put down the names of those who have really made a serious contribution to the community, so that these newbies can see what great things the community has to offer.
Now I know, the chances of this term taking off are next to nothing, but ... hey, we can give it a try. So whatddaya say, F-list?
EDIT: LOL... Ok, this really wasn't meant to turn into a love-fest, let's label the popular people thing. Sigh *headdesk*.
The problem is that IT HAS COME UP AS A PROBLEM for me not having a term for this. MORE THAN ONCE. So yes, I DO think there needs to be some term for it. I know there are people out there who can't take a compliment, or want desperately to turn a compliment into something derogatory. I wish they wouldn't. There is absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever with being popular (especially if you are popular for good reason).
Why do we always have to associate popularity with those kids in highschool who snubbed us? There is nothing wrong with being important and involved in a community in a very visible way. Why they heck should we pretend that people like this don't exist, or if they do, it's only in a negative way? Why shouldn't we have something for people to aspire to? There are community leaders out there that deserve recognition for their efforts, without the stain of being associated with brats or wannabes.
Are we all such terrible judges of character, that to be liked automatically makes you horrible? My goodness, look at her f-list! She's got 300 people on it. She must be a stuck-up snob! Couldn't possibly be because she has something really good going. Yes, yes, f-lists aren't the sole way to tell if someone is good, but they can be a factor.
Why is it wrong to recognise someone for being good at what they do? Why is it okay to have a whole lexicon of words to describe those who contribute negatively to a fandom (Fanbrat, Wanker, BNF, Suethor, Troll, I could go on and on), and yet we shy away from having even a few to describe those who contribute positively. Good writer. Yeah. Great writer. Ok.
Ok, lets look at other genres for a second... We have Block Buster movies. We have Best Seller books. We have Star atheletes. We have Big Name Bands. But no term for fanfic writers or their works, because... why?
*headdesk x 10*
The two examples I was given for BNF's in my own Fandom (FMA) were two people who I'd never even come across! I'd never seen a single fic from them! I mean, I know I'm new and all, but there is no way I'd call these people BNF's if BNF really meant Big Name in Fandom.
So, ok, I accept that BNF has been hopelessly spoiled. It's like being called "special" (thank you, educators everywhere). Still, there ARE some Big Names out there. People who really do contribute heavily and positively to the Fandom. People whose names are recognised (positively) by a majority of the fandom. People who really deserve to have their efforts and talent recognised but who don't deserve to be associated with the Wank Queens.
So, vikki came up with a new term: Good and Popular Fanwriter (or Fanartist). Now we can say to some one: Hey you are a GPF, you know, and they will be complimented. Or someone can write in a community: who are the GPF's, and people can then put down the names of those who have really made a serious contribution to the community, so that these newbies can see what great things the community has to offer.
Now I know, the chances of this term taking off are next to nothing, but ... hey, we can give it a try. So whatddaya say, F-list?
EDIT: LOL... Ok, this really wasn't meant to turn into a love-fest, let's label the popular people thing. Sigh *headdesk*.
The problem is that IT HAS COME UP AS A PROBLEM for me not having a term for this. MORE THAN ONCE. So yes, I DO think there needs to be some term for it. I know there are people out there who can't take a compliment, or want desperately to turn a compliment into something derogatory. I wish they wouldn't. There is absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever with being popular (especially if you are popular for good reason).
Why do we always have to associate popularity with those kids in highschool who snubbed us? There is nothing wrong with being important and involved in a community in a very visible way. Why they heck should we pretend that people like this don't exist, or if they do, it's only in a negative way? Why shouldn't we have something for people to aspire to? There are community leaders out there that deserve recognition for their efforts, without the stain of being associated with brats or wannabes.
Are we all such terrible judges of character, that to be liked automatically makes you horrible? My goodness, look at her f-list! She's got 300 people on it. She must be a stuck-up snob! Couldn't possibly be because she has something really good going. Yes, yes, f-lists aren't the sole way to tell if someone is good, but they can be a factor.
Why is it wrong to recognise someone for being good at what they do? Why is it okay to have a whole lexicon of words to describe those who contribute negatively to a fandom (Fanbrat, Wanker, BNF, Suethor, Troll, I could go on and on), and yet we shy away from having even a few to describe those who contribute positively. Good writer. Yeah. Great writer. Ok.
Ok, lets look at other genres for a second... We have Block Buster movies. We have Best Seller books. We have Star atheletes. We have Big Name Bands. But no term for fanfic writers or their works, because... why?
*headdesk x 10*