#responsible fandom

Hi there anon-friend! Thank you for asking, and we will specify this in future content warnings. There will be no incest content in Double Dealings.

While Javi and Ezra are cast as twin brothers, the eventual pairings are separate with our second person OFC, Dolly: Javi/OFC and Ezra/OFC.

This was never really a question for @stardustandskycrystals and I, as it’s not a subject we’re comfortable exploring. The eventual result of the story will be a consensual polyamorous “V” relationship with Dolly involved with both twins, but they are not involved with one another.

My Thoughts on Cosplay-shaming & Responsible Fandom

(In response to Misa on Wheels - although I found her post via Facebook, if I find the corresponding Tumblr post, I’ll link it here.)

One of my friends commented that Cosplay has become full of negative attitudes and criticism/elitism, much like the “bad, old days” of being a geek, and that for him, it’s leached the fun out of the hobby. Another friend commented that fear of Cosplay-shaming and 'slutification’ keeps her as a relative newcomer away from the hobby.

I enjoy Cosplay as both a fan & as a cosplayer, so I was disturbed by my friends’ takeaway from Misa’s post. I also have a long-standing interest in what I call “responsible fandom”, so this post was my response:

This is one of those things where a few loud voices in an echo chamber make you think that "everyone" is saying the same thing.

There are assholes in cosplay / cosplay-fandom just like there are assholes in every other aspect of modern life. The only difference between past and present is that social media lets (encourages?) people doing cosplay to solicit opinions from total strangers / the net-at-large, who may not be as well-mannered (or self-moderated) as say, folks you meet face-to-face at a con or cosplay meetup.

You guys are talking about 3 different "trends", none of which are as default as you might think.

First, there's the 'stripperiffic cosplay' thing, which IMO just comes from a place of business - internet burlesque models testing/using cosplay as a way to expand their market. There are garden-variety 'hot/sexy cosplayers' too, but that's folks being folks, nothing new to see there.

Second, there's this hipster-weeaboo thing where some folks think creative pursuits should all be strictly 'regulated' according to some set of rules, accuracy/precision, who is & is not allowed to do what cosplay/knitting/cooking project, etc. That's just straight-up bullying from folks who are anxious that others will see through their "mean girls" act to the quivering, insecure person beneath.

I wish more folks found the self-confidence to tell those people off, but geeks in general, and newcomers to any hobby, tend to be extra susceptible to such intimidation tactics. The only solution I see there is community-policing, and making sure folks who try that shit are 're-educated', or get the 'talk-to-the-hand' response.

And finally, as cosplay becomes more mainstream, and gets more exposure & participation (as makers or fans), it simply starts to absorb the same cues and pros/cons of other hobbies. Yeah, the news will cover the extremes, and ignore the 'regular-person' cosplay. Yes, the trolls and "armchair-cosplayers" will voice their unwanted opinions.

And yeah, people's existing insecurities and self-image/social-belonging issues will bleed over into their hobby. Cosplay doesn't actually transform you - you're still Cinderella under the fancy dress. It’s still up to you - and only you! - to decide how/whether to enjoy the ball while you're there.

Wanderers, I need you to use your imagination. Today, I’m putting you in the shoes of an actor you admire. It doesn’t matter which one; it can just be you, if you were an actor, if you like. The important thing is that you imagine this for me. Will you give it a go? OK.

(Read More)

All from my favourite webzine (I'm nicking one of their ads in order to illustrate this)

Advice on:

Interacting with any celebrity you might happen to run into

Taking photos with celebrities - and when (not) to

Permission and privacy - a guide for fans

Where to draw the line

Set visits

Online interactions

hi guys. before i make the post brewing on the back burner i'm very very curious so pls tell me :     how do or don't you rationalize rpf ?  what, to you, makes or doesn't make it okay?  when is it or isn't it okay?  it's okay when/if it's _____ but never _____ etc~~

i have anon on so feel free to put your name on it or not

i knooow y'all have had this debate;  hit me with some of the how and why you're in the place you are 

We’ve all dreamed of this moment, haven’t we? There you are – looking stunning, might I add, that colour really suits you – and minding your own business wandering along the high street, and suddenly there they are! That guy from that thing! Or maybe you heard so-and-so was doing a small gig nearby and decided to go along and check her music out. Either way, you’re suddenly just a few metres away from someone of whom you are a massive fan. What do you do?