Fandom Discussion: Rarepairs and Response

[themostepotente]

I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I've just now gotten around to posting about it.

What is it about certain rarepairs and a lack of feedback that has some wondering; Is it worth my time to continue writing them?

I'm talking Snape/Lucius, Snape/Draco, Lucius/Sirius, Snape/Filch, and a host of others I can't think of right now, because fuckin' A it's 4 a.m., time for us vampiric types to be in their coffins.

But I mean c'mon -- Snape/Lucius? WTF, people. So effing hot, but every time I see a SS/LM fic, it gets next to no feedback. It doth boggles thy mind.

Snape/Draco is another one. I've seen some GORGEOUS Snaco, and yet the feedback SUCKS MY CYBERCOCK.

Not very encouraging, I can imagine, if you've ever wanted to attempt something different.

Someone once told me that Snarry, Harry/Draco, and Remus/Sirius comprises the backbone (skeletal system) of fandom. But man, what about the other systems?

So if you are a rarepairs writer, does the lack of feedback influence your writing them? Or do you just say 'Fuck the masses. I like it, and I'm still writing it!'

--P

Comments

[starrysummer.livejournal.com]

In terms of what I write, I'm definitely a "fuck the masses" girl. But it does bother me that fewer people are interested in what I'm writing. I think part of it is my frame of reference-- I'm friends with some really really amazing authors who do write more widely-read pairings.

But... while I suppose I probably could sit down one evening and write seventh year Harry and Draco having some snide but witty banter in the corridor and then shagging in the broom closet, it just wouldn't interest me. Maybe I'd get some positive feedback (or maybe not because it'd be uninspired and kinda lame), but personally, I wouldn't get much out of it.

As far as pairings go, I'll write *any* pairing. Seriously. From Harry/Draco to Remus/Boggart/Whomping Willow/Grindylow. Someone dares me, I get an idea... I go. But the way I like to see the more popular pairings is usually a lot darker and more violent than the way most of the fans of those pairings like to see them. As someone commented earlier, darkness doesn't do it for her. My fic? Even if it's H/D or R/Hr, it's still going to be pretty fucking dark. So it's not just pairing, it's taste, when it comes down to it. And apparently I'm a wee bit twisted. But I can indulge in that in fandom and enjoy it- whether I'm the one writing it, or you or Liz or Anj, or someone else who's not writing to the critical mass.

That does not, however, mean that I don't enjoy bitching and moaning about it from time to time. I've made my decision- I write what I want to write, I write for the people that inspire me. But, yeah, I'd certainly wish there were more people out there who shared my tastes.

Heh, and speaking of popular pairings done unpopular ways, I have this Harry/Ginny banging around in my head that half of fandom will skip because it's Harry/Ginny and the other half will run away from because it's going to be really fucking twisted. If I ever write it...

[luminousmarble.livejournal.com]

I'll read it. :D *would love*

[starrysummer.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[starrysummer.livejournal.com]

Also, I'm rereading some of the comments here and noticing that a lot of people are saying Snape/Lucius is too dark for them.

I really must be off the deep end, since I tend to find Severus/Lucius not dark enough. Angsty, yes, but it doesn't really lend itself to the incestuous chan character death torture fic that's near and dear to my heart.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Heh, and speaking of popular pairings done unpopular ways, I have this Harry/Ginny banging around in my head that half of fandom will skip because it's Harry/Ginny and the other half will run away from because it's going to be really fucking twisted. If I ever write it...

I hate the pairing, but if it's fucking twisted, I will read it :-)