Little discussion about RPF

[lauren3210]

I made a little comment in my post last night that I was deliberating on whether or not to read an RPF piece by a writer I adore, because I'd never read stuff like that before. When I woke up this morning, I'd got a couple of messages (from people not on my flist, which i don't understand how that works, do people go searching for stuff on here? But that's a question for another day.) saying that there was nothing wrong with RPF and not to be so judgmental. I've answered those messages, but I thought I'd put a little post on here to give my views on RPF, just in case any of the people on my flist also thought I was being judgmental.

My objective thoughts: I don't find it morally wrong, or gross or weird or anything like that, and I don't judge anyone who likes to either read or write RPF. As with pretty much everything, my views are that if it's not hurting anyone, then there's no harm in indulging yourself in the realm of fiction.

My subjective thoughts: I don't get RPF? I don't mean this in a "why would you do that" kind of way, but in an actual "I don't understand" kind of way. I read and write fic about characters because I've fallen in love with these two fictional people; I know everything about them and I want them to be happy in my head, and I know they'll only be happy with that one other character. But with real famous people, I don't actually know them? I have no idea how these people would react in situations, and so to me, RPF always sort of seems to me like original fiction, just with a couple of characters who just happen to look like and have the same names as a couple of people from real life? And the thing is, I get that some people do the same with famous people as I do with fictional characters; they fall in love with them and want them to be happy, and so that's where RPF comes in, and I get that. But for me personally, I don't ever feel that way about famous people. Maybe it's because I've spent so much of my life in fictional worlds, or maybe it's because I literally grew up around semi/about to be famous people (I used to hang out with Frank Bruno's daughter because they lived round the corner from me, and I went to school with Chris Hayden, the drummer for Florence and the Machine and quite a few more) so I'm kind of used to the fact that they're still just people? I just, I don't understand it because I just don't care about the actors behind the characters I love, at least not any more than I would care about the random dude who lives across the road from me that I smile and say good morning to every day.

I don't understand it, but I don't judge it either, because I know that not everyone is like me, and everyone has the right to squee over whatever the hell they want. So please, just in case anyone thought I was judging, just know that I wasn't, and I'm sorry if I caused anyone any distress or discomfort. <3

Please feel free to tell me you agree/disagree/find RPF morally objectionable or whatever; I always love a good discussion!

Comments

[birdsofshore]

I'm not afraid to say that I find RPS a bit morally dubious. I think it's different from writing about wholly imaginary characters - and I think when it comes down to it, it's possibly a rather creepy invasion of the privacy of the people involved.

I still read it occasionally though and you will sometimes see me reccing it ;-) I'm not perfect and I don't expect other people to be, either.

But I'm not interested in the morality of RPS, really: what interests me more is the people not on your flist who messaged you. What is that even about? I don't have any comprehension of how they would have seen your post!

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

There is a part of me that finds RPF a bit morally dubious because, as you said, the invasion of privacy aspect. On the other hand, I can't help but feel that these aren't actually these people but just a characterisation of them and therefore still fictional. But also, I'd be incredibly skeeved out if I came across a story someone had written about me having sex with someone else, so I can see why people wouldn't like the idea of it for that reason.

That's what I've been wondering! I mean, I've had a few comments on posts before from people not on my flist, from when I've written meta, but never actual messages. And there were only two, so maybe someone stumbled across my post accidentally and then told a friend about it? I don't even know, but it was weird, I just figured I didn't know how LJ works (which I don't, because I can't computer). But oh well, LOL!

[capitu]

Until a couple of years ago I didn't even know there was such a thing. *grins* Then someone linked me to a story and yeah, I could see the appeal of it. It's not my thing, but I have no strong feelings one way or the other, you know?

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's not my thing either, now that I've tried it. It just came across to me as still Steve and Bucky, just slightly out of character and being called the wrong names, haha! I don't think it's for me, but if others want to go at it, they'll get no comment from me either way, LOL

[gracerene]

I'm pretty much the same way. What makes me fall in love with two characters together is (partly) their on-screen chemistry (if the fandom is even on-screen), but mostly it's their interactions and their pasts that all make up who they are and make them fit together so well. So I have a harder time getting into RPF. I do read it on occasion (usually when it's been recced to me or its by an author I really like), but I usually just sort of think of it as an AU of the characters w/ different names...

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much my thoughts on it when I read that one last night. Every so often I was like, wait... why he he calling him that, that's not his name... oh no, nevermind. LOL

And I agree, it's the whole thing for me too. A couple of actors might have some amazing on screen chemistry, but I'm only going to OTP it if the relationship makes sense for the characters as a whole. And once the actors walk off screen, my interest in them is done and I care less about them than the dude who drops off my Chinese food (although if actors wanted to also start bringing me food I might start to care about them more, lets be real).

I might read it again in the future, if I come across something that's been adamantly recced or by an author I adore, but I won't be going looking for it, it's just not really my thing.

[inglevine.livejournal.com]

Man, how weird. I don't mean to make you paranoid, but I wonder if it was someone on your f-list using a couple of sock puppets to message you. It just seems unlikely that a random stranger would bother with the messaging.

I think RPF is basically harmless, although I can understand why it would creep celebrities out to come across stories about themselves. But they don't have to read them and people aren't pretending that the stories they're telling are true. It's just playing around.

That said, I can't get interested in it either for similar reasons. I can never really know enough about a real life person to feel confident in capturing them accurately. And there's no real story to play with either. I guess I've had a moment or two--I once developed a strange, sudden craving for Adam Lambert/Jake Shears fic, but it went away and it was mostly about the feathers.

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

Huh, I guess it could be that, I know a few people who moved on from writing D/E fic (Damon/Elena on the Vampire Diaries) to writing for their RL counterparts. But I'm not curious enough to get paranoid about it, just thought it was kinda weird, lol!

I agree that it's basically harmless, but that I can understand why it would be creepy to come across something like that about yourself. So I get why some people are against it, and also why some people are so vehemently in favour of defending it. But it's all just a bit... meh, for me tbh.

LOL feathers! *cackles*

[celestlyn.livejournal.com]

It isn't surprising that someone would read and comment. I think there are a few hp folks who are multi-fandom peeps and write RPF, as well. Plus, if your posts aren't locked and open to the public, they can be seen by anyone. The might pop up on a google search of key words.

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

Ohhhh yeah I guess that makes sense, I don't know how to lock my posts (and I'm truly not fussed about learning) so I guess that could happen!

[celestlyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm another one who didn't realize it existed until just a few years ago. I just can't see the appeal of it. I understand there are fanfics for most everything these days. I was surprised to find it being written for video games, bands (bandom), and the ones that totally mystify me...cartoons. Absolutely nothing is weirder to me than pony-porn. Porny fics written about 'my little ponies' pretty far out there in my mind, yet it exists. So, yeah, the idea of RPF probably isn't as weird as it seems, but I can't imagine ever reading one.

On the other hand, now that I think about it, it might be immensely satisfying to write a fic about how Justin Bieber just woke up one morning and found himself struck by some magic potion that rendered him catatonic. Or even better, turned him into Tom Felton. A kind, gracious, guy who goes out of his way to make his fans happy, instead of the ungrateful, selfish, little bastard that he is. There could be this insane international court battle with the US battling Canada about which country must take him. The US deporting his ass and Canada saying, "No, we don't want him back. He lives there now, you must keep him!"

Yes, I think I can see how that might be satisfying. ;)

[lauren3210.livejournal.com]

I've seen the bandom stuff on tumblr! And lol at my little pony fics just, what is that about (oh lord now i'm trying to picture it in my mind and that needs to stop right now send help).

You should write that justin bieber fic tbh, sounds realy kind of awesome! :D