My other fandom is a...

[dolorous_ett]

I started this LJ for Harry Potter fanfic. That was all it was going to be for. It's ended up as a lot more than that - including a sympathetic ear and source of brilliant advice - not to mention contacts with really interesting people. And I'm very happy with it this way.

One thing that's very noticable at the moment, though, is how much non-HP fandom stuff there is on my friends-list. People seem to be marking time until something interesting happens (the film of Book V, perhaps?) - and that includes finding new fandoms to play in. 

I don't have a lot of time at the moment, or a telly, so a lot of these new fandoms have rather passed me by. I drop by the journals of good HP writers to read their non-HP stuff from time to time, with varying degrees of enjoyment, but I know I'm missing things.

So I would be very grateful if anyone passing by who's active in something non-HP could spare a few moments to tell me a bit about your other fandoms. Why do you like it? Would you recommend it to everybody? What makes it different from the others? Would I enjoy it?

Thank you!

Comments

[waterbird.livejournal.com]

I am very fandom monogamous. No other book, series or film has ever gotten quite the sort of hold on me that Harry Potter has -- so my eyes usually gloss over at the mention of other fandoms on my flist. The closest I've come to exploring another one was after reading Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials this summer. I took a brief look around for some fanfic and found some lovely art ... but I didn't linger. My heart belongs to Harry.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I'm the same. I have dabbled reading in Star Trek: Enterprise fanfiction, but I didn't like most of what I read, and no-one seems to bother with it at all now. Harry for me any day. There seems to be something for everyone in this fandom, in spite of all the spats and shipping wars.

And a lot of books I love I'd NEVER read fanfiction from - either because I think people would make a mess of it or because the author is on record as not approving.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I like your icon - do the characters mean [surname] King on the top one and Imperial Concubine on the other? Your supply of beautiful oriental men icons never fails to impress me!

It sounds like a lot of fun - far more friendly and intimate than this fandom. And far more quickly developing. Though I'm not sure I'd be up for writing it myself, especially with the parlous condition of Chinese football these days...

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Your captions made me laugh... though I don't know enough about football to join in, alas, alas...

[ajat.livejournal.com]

Heh ! Don't tell me footieslash is small. Nope ! Yeah, smaller than hp, deffo, but no, not really small.

[vivien]

I dabble in other fandoms, but my main source of preoccupation is milliways_bar, an two-years-old+ panfandom RPG. You can play anyone you want (who's not taken, of course), drop in for threads whenever you want, be part of plot or not - it's very flexible. The characters you meet make you want to read/watch their canons, I have found, and that is the way to find other (usual small) fandoms you adore.

I play Tom Riddle, Ingress from Neverwhere, Susan Pevensie, and Governor Swann who all have found themselves visiting Milliways, the restaurant/bar at the end of the universe. It's fun.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

That sounds like amazing fun. It also sounds like the sort of thing that completely eats up your life. So I'd probably better stay well clear!

[riibu.livejournal.com]

Harry Potter is the only fandom where I have been really active, but I'm lurking and sometimes participating in some others. There's Dark is Rising fandom based on children's fantasy books by Susan Cooper (my own childhood favourite so there's a lot of nostalgia included). Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell fandom (another bookish fandom) is small but quite promising - I like especially the fan art there. These two fandoms are small and I feel welcoming to newbies. Then there's huge Final Fantasy VII fandom based on a video game, and now also a movie. I like the mix of science fiction dystopia and a fantasy world in it. The fandom is really active. I should also mention Star Wars, but I've found that fandom a bit difficult to get in.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I remember The Dark Is Rising books! I loved them as a kid.

And I love Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell too, though I can't imagine writing fanfic about them because they seem so complete already.

Final Fanasty must be fun though - sort of like Sanguinity, only for real?

[aerama.livejournal.com]

A Dark is Rising fandom!! I had no idea!
...though I should have, because everything has a fandom these days.
I wonder...maybe there is a John Bellairs fandom too, like with The House With a Clock in its Walls , etc.

[aerama.livejournal.com]

That's pretty interesting! By the time I came along, I wouldn't have known this started out as just- for-HP-fic, because it's so versatile. I have also noticed that you don't post idly either - you always have something worthwhile to say. *pressure*

Doctor Who all the way - whether past years or current! I am behind a season or two anyway, as we just now are getting the first year of David Tennant, so I tend to settle into the past Doctors if reading fanfic, so as not to get spoiled. It's a very fun fandom, and there are some great writers out there who extrapolate the characters and put them into different situations.
Plus, if you don't like one Doctor, you can always read about another Doctor. Or just a particular companion. Or even spin it off yourself, and take the companion out of the Who-niverse entirely.
Also, it is an endless fascination as to what the companions DO when they're shucked out by the Doctor. How do they explain a 2-year absence? What's happened to their flat in the meantime? What about pets?? These new seasons actually address that. The family, work, friendships of the companion are not only shown, but shown in DEPTH.

Stargate-SG1 and Stargate Atlantis: I am more on the periphery of these fandoms in regards to seeking out fanfic; I enjoy it when I stumble across it but don't necessarily go actively searching all the time. For me I think it's more watching the shows and perhaps talking about them rather than going heavily into fanfic; though I do have some favorites bookmarked! It's probably more that I have limited time.

...I think that's it. There's always, of course Sherlock Holmes, which I love beyond reason. :)

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

You always say the nicest things! *blush* *preen*

Truth is, I first had the idea of an LJ to just do fic - then I saw some of the other things people were doing, and it seemed much more fun their way!

Lots of people love Dr Who - and I loved the books as a child (for some reason never saw much on TV!) and the new series... though strangely, I've never thought of reading much fic on the subject. Perhaps I should start?

I've never seen either Startgate, so I can't really comment - but sci-fi in general is good news.

And Sherlock Holmes is of course one of the greatest fictional characters ever. (have you heard the BBC adaptations? They are fantastic.)

[aerama.livejournal.com]

I love those books too, especially when there are minute differences between that and what we saw on the show; it makes you feel like you have an extra special insight.

I think there are some fab fanfics out there for Who; maybe I'll rustle up a couple links if I can find them (I tend to drift into the romancy ones, alas, but I just read an awesome on the other day...)

I have not heard the BBC adaptations of Sherlock Holmes! I take it they are audio?
I remain thoroughly enamoured of Jeremy Brett. *sighs happily*

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Whereas to me Clive Merrison will always be the Sherlock. I've no idea what he looks like in person - he might be fat, sweaty and balding for all I know - but for all that he sounds just exactly the way I'd always imagined Holmes.

Yes - audio tapes, and CDs too I believe.

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

Well, I think my only other "fandom" is Renaissance drama (hey, I've written fic for it, and there's always shaksper_random, so I guess it counts). Anyway, I like it -- quite apart from having a degree in it -- because such things as twincest*, cannibalism**, the Pope keeping a stable of boy sex slaves and occasionally poisoning them***, &c. are actually canon.

* The Duchess of Malfi (granted, it is one-sided twincest); see also John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, although I can't remember whether they are actually twins or not.

** Titus Andronicus.

*** The Devil's Charter by Barnabe Barnes, a gloriously bizarre play.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Wow... what's fanon for most fandoms is canon for yours!

Particularly cherished *** - it does sound a very strange play indeed!

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

It is a VERY strange play. Basically, it's about the Borgia family, only Barnes seemed to be under the impression that they weren't exciting or scandalous enough on their own, so he spiced the story up by throwing in a few doomed boy sex slaves, a pact with the devil, et al.

[ignipes.livejournal.com]

I've become rather fond of this little monster show on the telly -- perhaps you've heard me mention it once or twice?

I love the show Supernatural because it's one of those things where every time I watch it I feel like they're making it just for me -- classic creepy American myths, legends, and horror stories, a badass car and a heavy metal soundtrack, episodes that actually take place in towns and states that aren't located on the east or west coasts, sly and self-aware genre humor, all of it centered on the story a very dysfunctional but very loving us-against-the-world family.

As somebody on my flist pointed out last night, it's almost ridiculous the way an episode that was, essentially, all about porn and zombies (no, really) could also be one of the heart-wrenching hours of TV we've seen... but it works. It works because it's not about monsters, not really; it's about a family that's been crushed by tragedy and has spent their entire lives trying to make it so that doesn't happen to themselves or anybody else again.

Now, the fandom I like because it's so friendly and enthusiastic. There are some people who snip and bitch, but for the most part everybody is welcoming to people who don't like the same things they do or don't have the same theories. (There's a lot of discussion -- something I'd never really thought about before, but getting new canon every week makes people meta like crazy.) It's also the only fandom I've ever seen where gen fic matches or even outnumbers shippy fic, so when it comes to fic many people read and write all across the board.

Also, the boys on the show are really hot, which doesn't hurt. ;)

Er. I feel like I should apologize for rambling, but you did ask. *g*

Gosh, Percy, are you a prefect? Why didn't you say?

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Yes - come to think of it, I do have vague recollections of you mentioning "Supernatural" once or twice (a day) this summer!

Don't apologise for rambling! I was going to ask "What's the big deal with 'Supernatural'?", but I couldn't think of a way of phrasing it that didn't sound vaguely derogatory, and I didn't want to get attacked by a bunch of Supernatural-lovers - there are a lot of you about, by the looks of things...

I love the show Supernatural because it's one of those things where every time I watch it I feel like they're making it just for me -- classic creepy American myths, legends, and horror stories, a badass car and a heavy metal soundtrack, episodes that actually take place in towns and states that aren't located on the east or west coasts, sly and self-aware genre humor, all of it centered on the story a very dysfunctional but very loving us-against-the-world family.

Now this is an argument I can really relate to. A lot of the comments on such seem to be all excited squeeing about hot blokes... which are a great thing, but the world's full of 'em. A great story that really resonates - now that's a thing to treasure (and if there are gorgeous hunks of manhood, well that hardly hurts, does it?)

Re: Gosh, Percy, are you a prefect? Why didn't you say?

[ignipes.livejournal.com]

There is a lot of squeeing about hot boys -- they are quite easy on the eyes -- but I don't think anybody would watch the show or be as invested in the characters as most people in the fandom are if it was all about pretty faces. There's a fantastic family story underlying the whole thing, and even when the monsters are silly and the plots are so-so, the family part of the show is always gold.

Re: Gosh, Percy, are you a prefect? Why didn't you say?

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

That's reassuring to know.

Because despite the squeeing, it's definitely on my to-watch list. Though it's possible I'll just find it too scary - I can be a real wuss sometimes!

[dharmavati.livejournal.com]

Well, I think I'm currently in limbo as far as fandom life in concerned... I'm acutally involved in sampling other fandoms for now and trying out new things. The one fandom that I think I've really stuck to, aside of HP, is the Avatar: the Last Airbender fandom, which is ridiculously fun. I'm sure you've probably see me talk about it a lot becuase it's quite addicting.

The main reason I love this fandom is really the awesome canon. Sure, everyone's free to dismiss it as just another kid's show, but they'd be missing out on everything! The characters are well-written, the plot is intriguing, and the show has everything from humor to angst to action/adventure. The depth of material that is shown on the show, from the heavy references to Chinese/Japanese/Korean history and culture to the accurate represtations of martial arts and war to the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters makes me wonder how children are even able to understand all of the things in this cartoon. But they seem to enjoy it anyway, as do the adults. Also the people in the fandom are friendly, so that's always a plus. There are some who border craziness, but there are many people who are intelligent and fun people to talk to and interact with. And the fic and shipping are not bad at all. :D

My other budding love is House, M.D, although I think I don't really have much of a taste for sipping in that fandom. It's another fun, intelligent show and I enjoy watching it for the medicine, the humor, and the drama. I haven't really edged into the fandom much, yet, but it seems quite robust and energetic to me. :D

[aerama.livejournal.com]

House, MD: Yes!

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a great fandom to be in - though I've still no idea how I'd get a look at Avatar, let alone become a fan!

As to thorny moral issues, why not expose kids to them young? I've always felt that having these things are part of the mental landscape makes it easier for kids to tackle in the end...

I've never seen a single episode of House either - despite a lot of enthusiasm from my f-list. I'm really rubbish at being multi-fandom!

[dharmavati.livejournal.com]

As to thorny moral issues, why not expose kids to them young? I've always felt that having these things are part of the mental landscape makes it easier for kids to tackle in the end...

Very true!

As for watching Avatar, I understand that the show does air in the UK (although the channels and whatnot confound me; if you have Nickelodeon, it's most probably on that channel) but most countries outside of the U.S. seem to be stuck woefully in the first season. Thankfully, YouTube is awesome in that many wonderful people have uploaded episodes onto that site, allow us to watch them whenever we want.

And, when it comes to both House and Avatar, I must confess that I find myself downloading episodes from both shows online from LJ communities and the like because sometimes I don't have time to watch them... but if you would like watch them or even have a sampler episode of either, let me know!

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I might take you up on that offer - though not before the current work crisis is over (ie the next month!).

So if you get a strange reply to a long-dead post, it's me!

[krisomniac.livejournal.com]

I think you might enjoy Supernatural. It's very American. Very male. Very... wonderful (see icon).

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I liked Ignipes's plug for it - a lot. It's now on my to-see list... when I get my act together and get a telly!

[krisomniac.livejournal.com]

or you can just d/l the first season from bittorrent and watch on your computer. *says the girl with the patience of a gnat with ADD*

[ajat.livejournal.com]

Terry Pratchett !

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Can't argue with that! Though we seem to have the most fun with different books... part of the fun of reading them is seeing the reactions in others, perhaps?

[ajat.livejournal.com]

Why do you like it? - For the utter snark.

Would you recommend it to everybody? - Good grief ! No ! Only to people who have properly functioning brains.

What makes it different from the others? - The total snark.

Would I enjoy it? - YEH !

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Would I enjoy it? - YEH !

Right, as ever...

I do enjoy him. I like the snark on the whole rather better than the fluff in his stories... just lately I've been enjoying his books more again for that very reason, as there seems to be more snark to fluff.

[fungus-files.livejournal.com]

You're probably noticed that I've more or less fallen out of fandom altogether, rather than only being on hiatus from one (or more). It's a combination of lack of time to invest in HP - it's so true that you get back what you put in - and also a general fading of interest in many aspects of the fandom.

Er, so nothing to rec to you fandom-wise. If you're in the market for 80s films and cheesy monster movies, I'm your woman. :)

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

I'm not surprised you're less HP-involved right now - I can't think of a better series of reasons than the ones you have.

As for zombies etc, as a teenager in the 80s I was terrified of anything scary.... but now I'm strangely aquiring a taste for them - and not just zombie marsupials either!

[themolesmother.livejournal.com]

When it comes to writing fic I'm a relative newcomer and HP monogamous.

When it comes to reading fic I'm rather more promiscuous. I have sampled Dr Who, Stargate SG-1, Babylon 5, and Buffy/Angel, among others. The real problem lies in finding well written fic. Dire stuff is not the sole province of the HP fandom!

MM

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Dire stuff is not the sole province of the HP fandom!

Amen to that! I tried dipping a toe in the Dr Who fandom once - and either my tolerance for badfic has gone down, or that fandom is an even worse setting for badfic than HP - I suspect the latter.

[themolesmother.livejournal.com]

I suspect the latter

Dead right. The whole Nine/Ten/Rose strand in the new series has given the Sueauthors a whole new dimension to play with!

If you're interested I do have an author of what I consider good Dr Who fanfic on my friends list. Let me know if you're interested in reading and I'll rec you one.

MM

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Wait until they get their hands on Torchwood's canonical Mpreg...

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

You're joking... aren't you? You have to be... right?

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Well, he might have been joking...

*Shudders*

[themolesmother.livejournal.com]

What a truly frightening thought.

MM

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

I have got (as you may have noticed) rather into Dorothy L Sayers at present. I blame an over-investment in Harriet Vane. Alas, if only there were an actual fandom! I'm working on a fic master-list, but there's probably more Robin Hood/Guy of Gisbourne slash out there. I used to read a lot of Buffy fanfic and even (in the dim and distant past) Anne Rice. But no longer. Dr Who I steer clear of.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

Yup - I've noticed the Wimsey-fics - though if there was a fandom I probably wouldn't read anything except by authors I could trust to bring out good stuff - Wimsey badfic would be hideous.

I'm working on a fic master-list, but there's probably more Robin Hood/Guy of Gisbourne slash out there.

The legend, or the Kevin Costner film? *is intrigued*

Is Buffy fanfic any good? I've only even read crossovers, and they tend not to be.

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

Perhaps we should thank heaven for small mercies, and that the world remains free of Wimsey badfic, at least until I write "The Were-Leopard of Whemmeling Fell".

The legend, or the Kevin Costner film?
The latest BBC effort - Robin of Sherwood it is not. Given that Marian has no purpose and can't act, that Robin is a pretty boy in hose that unlace over the buttocks, and that Guy is played by Richard Armitage in huge amounts of black leather, Robin/Guy cannot be far away.

It is a long time since I really read any Buffy fic, though it was really my introduction to serious fandom as opposed to unix groups.
With one exception, I never wrote it, being rather parasitical than participatory, but my sister was v. keen. Some of it was good, lots wasn't.

[dolorous-ett.livejournal.com]

It took me a long time to follow that link! But it was worth it.

Particularly cherished Goldy the vampire goldfish with a three-second attention span... and the fact (so obvious now you say it!) that Darla is actually Darren...

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

If only those bits were mine!

There's a Potter one handing around somewhere, but it was pre-OotP, so never got posted.

[ajat.livejournal.com]

Hee ! Great thingy thru linky. You read PTerry, innit ?