Fandom Snowflake, Day 2

[cairistiona]

Day 2

In your own space, share a book/song/movie/tv show/fanwork/etc that changed your life. Something that impacted on your consciousness in a way that left its mark on your soul.

Hmm, I'll have to pluralize the "a" on this prompt, because two works changed my life: Lord of the Rings (book and movies) and Captain America (movies mostly but also comics). In a lot of ways, the heroes of both works inspire in much the same way: they must overcome hurdle after hurdle to achieve success. I find that very inspirational in facing real-life challenges. And of course, both stories have a lot of untold moments that trigger my imagination to fill in the details. I've never been much of one to use fanfiction to "fix" canon, although in the Captain America and specifically Bucky Barnes comics there's definitely some things that need addressed (Ed Brubaker, I'm looking at you for wiping Natasha Romanov's love for Bucky away). If I read or watch something that makes me feel strongly it needs "fixed", I usually just move on without getting too obsessed. Both LOTR and Captain America have so much that doesn't need fixed that it's a joy to go in and fill gaps and extend stories onward after they've ended in canon. I also enjoy exploring the lives of minor characters and creating new original characters to interact with the canon heroes (or reflect back on their interactions... outsider POV fics are fun to write).

Of course, there's also all the like-minded friends I've made in both fandoms... any time you make a new friend, your life is changed for the better.

Comments

[sperrywink]

any time you make a new friend, your life is changed for the better

Truer words! And I love fandom friends for sharing my passions. Most of my friends met through other events aren't in fandom, and we're close or BFFs even, but it isn't the same as squeeing with fans.

[cairistiona]

And people who aren't in fandom have no idea how rewarding it is... which I find rather sad, because they miss out on so much joy.

[shirebound]

It still delights and amazes me how much LOTR (books and films) steered my life into new and wonderful directions.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

It's an amazing thing, isn't it?? *hugs you*

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

any time you make a new friend, your life is changed for the better.

*swoopswirls you*

Also, gapfilling for the win! SO much fun to fill in those spaces.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

WHEEEE! *g*

When I look over all my fics, probably 90% are gapfillers, either of canon or my own stories. I can't seem to stop. *g*

[imbecamiel.livejournal.com]

:) It's amazing what a difference having good friends to fan with makes in my longevity in a fandom. Not to mention that unique blend of enjoyable canon to explore with room to play and expand on things... There are so many things that I've loved that haven't quite managed to hit that sweet spot. Canon may feel too airtight or complete on its own (or may be in such a unique style that it just doesn't feel like any expansion would feed the aspects that made me fall in love in the first place). Or it may be, as you said, that while I like it, there are just too many things that I feel need fixing (though I have dabbled in a few fandoms where the fanworks had the unusual quality of taking a concept/setup and using it better than the original ever managed to). But it seems like the brick wall I run into most often is that fandom is nonexistant, or once flourished but is now a ghost town, or I can't find a corner that isn't entirely centered around romantic pairings that I'm just not interested in.

CA and LOTR have both had a particularly marked staying power in that regard. Plenty of room for imagination, and wonderfully inspirational, good, complex characters. ^^

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Oh boy, yes to all you said. There definitely has to be a 'sweet spot' for me... and yes, there has to be a corner where I can carve out a playground with some likeminded fans. I feel very fortunate that in the stucky-obsessed Captain America fandom there's still a strong presence of those of us who see Cap & Bucky as friends only. Otherwise I'm sure I wouldn't be as invested in the fandom or creating as many fanworks, though I'd probably still love the characters themselves. I have to have good fandom friends, though, to keep me interested in creating.

And yes, complex, inspirational characters are LIFE. :)