Things Wot I Have Learned From Fandom: A List from a BOFQ

[hackthis_archive]

Things Wot I Have Learned From Fandom:
A List Made Up on the Fly By Somebody Who's Been Doing This Shit Way Too Long


1. Everyone is someone else's fan.

2. That story that you hate. Somebody else loves it to death.

3. That story you love. Somebody else hates it to no end.

4. You are not that good.

5. You are not that bad.

6. You can thank Eric Clapton's dad for #4 & #5

7. If you spend all your time and love and adoration poring over a story it will not be as well received as the story you wrote in two hours.

8. Fandoms change, fans do not.

9. That person you hate will always show up in your fandom. (Dammit)

10. Those people you love, you will have to drag kicking and screaming into your fandom. (But it's worth it.)

11. Do not let the person you loathe drive you out of the fandom you love. (Easier said than done).

12. There is nothing wrong with using cliches.

13. Just don't use them all at the same time.

14. Fanon is not canon.

15. No, it's not.

16. Fandom tropes are not a bible. Do not feel obligated to follow them.

17. If you don't like'em, fuck'em.

18. If they don't like you, fuck'em

19. Get a beta.

20. No really, get a beta. Get a couple if you can.

21. Your story will always have at least error. (At least mine do).

22. You will make friends.

23. You will lose friends.

24. Sometimes this will happen at the exact same time. (That's just how it goes)

25. You are not always right.

26. You are not always wrong.

27. Be careful what you say. It will come back to you.

28. Be careful who you say it to. That will come back to you too.

29. Nobody likes everybody.

30. Nobody is loved by everybody.

31. Sometimes you are going to want to say something. Get up and walk away. No. Do it now. If it's still eating you in an hour or six, then say something.

32. Say something. Anything.

33. Everybody loves feedback. Everybody. I have never met anybody who said, "Damn, I got too much feedback."

34. Think about what you say. There's no reason to be an asshole. Unless someone else is an asshole first. Wait, no. Just don't be an asshole.

35. If someone says "no," that means "no." It does not mean let me harass you about it because I am special snowflake and I should have what I want and if I keep bothering you maybe you'll give it to me.

36. Maybe we're all special snowflakes, but guess what? Fandom is a big fucking blizzard.

37. HAVE SOME MOTHERFUCKING MANNERS.

38. Treat people the way you wish to be treated.

39. Treat people the way you wish to be treated.

40. If you don't like it, stop bitching about it and make your own.

41. See #37.

42. Have fun. It's not that serious. No, really, it's not.

43. When in doubt, read #1-#42.


ETA: Notice those numbers shifting on you? That's because I keep adding things. Make that #44: You are always going to be fucking with your posts. Just accept that.

Comments

[serialkarma.livejournal.com]

*kisses you*

[anywherebeyond.livejournal.com]

I love you, my bb. <3

[suaine.livejournal.com]

I think you're awesome.

[antinous-wild.livejournal.com]

I love this. :)

[jibrailis.livejournal.com]

Amen.

*bookmarks this list for future reference*

[faekitten9.livejournal.com]

Well played.

[ionaonie.livejournal.com]

This is an awesome list.

Every single one of these things is true.

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

This is magnificent.

[pandarus.livejournal.com]

SO TRUE OMG.

::applauds::

Yes. That.

[foxxcub.livejournal.com]

So much word to #7.

[johanirae.livejournal.com]

I'm reading and nodding my head in agreement to so many of these...

[syllic.livejournal.com]

33. Maybe we're all special snowflakes, but guess what? Fandom is a big fucking blizzard.

Oh, hackthis. But I am a snowflake that is painting a picture of an arctic fox on the tundra. Surely....?

No?

Mostly: love to you and this.

[acroamatica.livejournal.com]

A very sane, reasonable, thought-out list. Dare I ask what prompted it?

Also, that reminds me how much feedback I owe you, hahaha. Later, when I am not at work and can reread everything at my leisure.

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

Amen.

[la-tante.livejournal.com]

i just want to reach through my computer screen and give you a huge hug and kiss. well said with love and humor! you rock! maybe we can make this required reading for all fans.......

[lovetheboys.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

*bookmarks*

[kakairupowns.livejournal.com]

I love this so much~ It's all so true!

♥

[sin-fuego.livejournal.com]

*applauds* I agree but the whole thing but especially this bit:

34. HAVE SOME MOTHERFUCKING MANNERS.

Also, I'd like to take this time to say thank you for your Friday rec lists. I eagerly look forward to seeing what catches your eye and it's introduced me to some wonderful fic :)

[hollyxu.livejournal.com]

28, 28, 28, all the way home.

Also, this list is awesome. :D

[sffan.livejournal.com]

Gold. Just plain gold.

[fivil.livejournal.com]

Good advice, all around. Cannot but second.

. Those people you love, you will have drag kicking and screaming into your fandom. (But it's worth it.)
This is one I struggle with, though. I never want to be one to over-recommend things to people because I realize tastes are different and god knows I've given some fandoms a thousand chances and not been into them at all.. Oh well.

[figletofvenice.livejournal.com]

my reaction to this is pretty much a-fucking-men.

thanks for posting it. it's the kind of thing I'm definitely going to have to come back to. and remind myself of.

[angelgazing.livejournal.com]

I love (and agree with) everything in this post so, so much, but I can't stop laughing over this one:

21. Your story will always have at least error. (At least mine do).


The thing that makes fandom the most wonderful is that you're never alone.

[chicklet-girl.livejournal.com]

You are v.v. SMRT.

[airspaniel.livejournal.com]

Hell to the motherfuckin' yes.