The misogyny towards fanfiction
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| News Media Commentary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The misogyny towards fanfiction |
| Commentator: | Nandhini Narayanan |
| Date(s): | September 18, 2015 |
| Venue: | online |
| Fandom: | |
| External Links: | The misogyny towards fanfiction, Archived version |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The misogyny towards fanfiction by Nandhini Narayanan is an article in "The Chronicle," a Duke University student-run newspaper.
Some Topics Discussed
- misogyny and fandom
- Fifty Shades of Grey
- the terms fangirls and fanboys, mommyporn
Excerpts
I wouldn’t dare to venture an opinion on the legality of the matter, especially when authors themselves hold varied opinions on how they feel about it. JK Rowling is a famous supporter of fans deriving upon her work. Steven Moffat, co-creator of BBC’s “Sherlock” (which, by all definitions of the word is fanfiction) actively encourages people to write more of it. George RR Martin vehemently opposes any use of his creations in fan-written stories. Robin Hobb received a lot of ire in late 2005 for publishing an angry article titled “The Fanficion Rant” on her blog, outlining how fanfiction offended the writer of the original piece.
Sure, the term “fanboy” is also common internet lingo. But do a google search of the two terms. Look them up on urban dictionary. Read some of the comment forums. Look at the context in which they are used. One term will be used to describe somebody who spends too much money on DC comics. The other term will imply the person to be in need of mental help; refer to them as preying, lustful, out-of-control beasts; mindless, shallow and ditzy in the pursuit of their obsession. No awards to guess which is which.
I understand that much of the modern perception of fanfic writers is based on the attention devoted by mainstream media to the “Fifty Shades of Grey” phenomenon. While fanfic has existed since the “Star Trek” years as a perpetual beast functioning behind the curtain of mainstream society, it was “Fifty Shades of Grey” that brought the term to the attention of the average Joe. If we could have picked off a list, it would not be the work fanfic writers would have chosen to put on display.
Here’s my problem: if there is criticism directed at “Fifty Shades of Grey,” then it should be about the writing (which, in my opinion, leaves much to be desired). It should be judged on the agency of its characters, the quality of its plot, the dangerous precedent set by its poorly researched BDSM and its merits as a novel. While a lot of critics did address these glaring issues, there was great deal of attention devoted to associating the poor quality of material to fanfic writers in general
I am concerned about this social inclination to dismiss or trivialize fanfic works. The implication is that something written by women and read majorly by women is somehow less important and unworthy of respect. There was a loud and angry twitter campaign a while ago called #fakegeekgirls. The premise was that several women were attending comic conventions in costumes in order to “seem nerdy and pick up the interest of men.” Female cosplayers were specifically picked on and accused that they were dressing up to get attention. Yes, I saved up for weeks, tailored my own spandex outfit and took a nine hour flight to trap you in my romantic clutches, dear stranger.