On RPFs

[just_keep_on]

This is in response to windstar127's post about RPFs but it got way too long ^^; I make a couple references to her post, so let me know if I need to clarify anything.

Let me reiterate: it got way too long.

Comments

[breakism]

And you are not a part of zuka_politics because...?

See, this is the kind of stuff that's in there, lol. And you're good at it.

Good points all around.

[just_keep_on]

Because I'm selfish and want my LJ to look all cool and smart? XD

I mentioned this before, that it's because of the events that, directly and indirectly, led to the creation of zuka_politics that had people so emotional about it. I will admit that I'm also still a bit emotional about that. Is that any fault of the community's? Absolutely not. But I will not say that I won't ever join because, as you can see by this post, I do like to ramble.

But I also like trying to make my LJ look cool because most of my posts are made of "OMG, look at this video!" ^^;

[happy_riceball]

"You have to believe in the situation you're creating, this world where Osa prefers winter to summer because she likes to lounge around next to the fireplace, listening bossa nova, all quiet and serene but when a tractor comes crashing into her house, she totally - and justifiably - freaks out." -- *dies* XD That has got to be the funniest mental image ever. I adore you.

And like I felt with windstar127's post, I think you have the issue figured out.

When I first heard about RP fics, it was because a friend of mine was writing one for a Chinese pop band. I thought, "Oh.. okay... that's a little weird, Eunice." and was done with it. I never imagined I'd be writing some myself someday

[just_keep_on]

I think a glass of wine would complete the image, don't you? And depending on the reaction Osa has, she'd either A) offer the driver of said tractor a glass of wine or B) spill said wine all over herself and thus get even more not laid-back and quiet XD

It's hard for me to think these are real people I could bump into on the street. There's a part of me that still wonders, "What if I *were* to meet these people?" or - since that would be highly unlikely - what if that person were to read my fic. Would they be completely appalled? Would they be amused? So every now and then, I go into a little panic

[happy_riceball]

A glass of wine and a book, I think, and she should be wearing a pair of reading glasses. :D

I'd be amused by fiction about me too. (Oh goodness, my sister and best friend have actually written silly little stories starring me. Most ridiculous things ever-- apparently I'm rivals with my fictional love's toy Barbie named Mary-Ann, who he keeps in his hair, and whenever I have fights with her, she calls me Susie Q and tries to kill me with scissors. O_o)

Then again, I think the content of the fic matters quite a bit. As you said, some people just... um... They're not as wonderful as you are with writing. ^^;

I will tell you about the radiator-ness when I have time to type out the whole thing. XD *class starts soon*

[happy_riceball]

TT___TT I forgot to log-in.

[ilovetakahana]

But. While writing, you can't think that. You have to believe in what you're writing. You have to believe in the situation you're creating, this world where Osa prefers winter to summer because she likes to lounge around next to the fireplace, listening bossa nova, all quiet and serene but when a tractor comes crashing into her house, she totally - and justifiably - freaks out. (Okay, extreme example, but see! As a writer, you have to believe it! XD) You have to believe in the situation, in the world that you are creating, even if that world is fiction.

I think that happens to be at the heart of all sorts of fiction - or at least, my view of fiction, as spelled out by my gurus Stephen King and Neil Gaiman. Either a "what-if" or a character compels a writer to imagine what happens next.

It gets sticky when it's RPF; you and windstar127 have made the cogent points. You're both saying that it has to do with distance, and for me that seems to be the right attitude to take.....

[just_keep_on]

*bows to Stephen King and Neil Gaiman*

And I learned another new word: cogent. ^___^
(Yes, I get excited when I learn new vocab words XD)

[windstar127]

i totally agree with the fact that you must believe what you're writing. that's the reason my muse shut down completely when it came to osasa fics. due to various factors, i can't suspend disbelief long enough to write that anymore. i'll try the whole AU thing again and see how that works though. in AU, they might as well just be original characters.

but yes, in most cases, the author takes the public profile, and turns that into a character, and then sees how that character reacts to certain situations. i don't think the real person in that case is having his/her privacy infringed upon because you've already gone from their public profile, to a character that the author thinks fits the public profile, and by that point, you're two steps removed from the real person, their private self.

[just_keep_on]

I remember there being a discussion way back when on the subject of AUs on an old SM forum. It went back and forth between AUs being original fiction or not. I don't remember the outcome of the discussion, but - and this is me just pondering - I think it's easier to make an AU an original story.

and by that point, you're two steps removed from the real person, their private self.
Very well said.

[kuna]

I love you because you do stuff like this XDD

You make some really good points. RPF was always challenging for me to write ("always" here meaning the two occasions I've ever ventured to do so...) and I think that's because I had trouble alternating between the realms of real and fictional. Not that it made me uncomfortable (---Interesting fact: I've never had a problem with RP fanfiction. I wonder what that says about me. XD) but I would be plagued with guilt for 'betraying' the characters I was writing about when I had to fill in the gaps myself.
Awww, look at me pretending to be a writer now XD

[just_keep_on]

You mean prove that I'm a complete and utter dork? XD

I've never had a problem with RP fanfiction. I wonder what that says about me. XD
That you never had a problem with RPFs...? XD I think it just says that you were able to have that distance that allows you to enjoy it.

Awww, look at me pretending to be a writer now XD
I have and always will firmly believe that anyone can write. However and unfortunately, not everyone can edit nor give constructive criticism, which is necessary for a writer to improve.