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heidiBut it's going to have to wait for the weekend. Both my son and I were sick with colds this week, and I'm still recovering - hence, my online time's been a bit truncated, and it's been a little tiring to sit and read through everything in one fell swoop, which I need to do.
But I am going to repeat here something that I just posted in a comment elsewhere, in reply to someone's answers to my survey last month in which she said that some of the best things about the HP fandom were expanding her appreciation of the books as she listens to others discuss it, and the fact that it's gotten her to start writing again after a lull of more than a few years.
These, IMHO, are the two most important things about this fandom - it's really gotten a lot of people writing and not just fanfic. Some of the posts on places like HPfGU and other message boards, like DA's and on SQ about the books themselves are so insightful (almost like reporters or essayists), and the discussion on FA and SQ simply about writing - the craft and process - and reading are so phenomenal. It's almost like a perpetual near-master-class that really makes people grow.
I was trying to explain to someone yesterday that this isn't just a fandom with ship battles and silly newbie questions - this is a fandom that, if you're willing to open your mind and your eyes just a little bit - gets people to think and to grow. And it's people of all ages - and to a large extent, as long as you (a) have something interesting to say, and (b) say it with reasonable grammar and a limited amount of netspeak, someone will listen to you. And maybe that only happens when you filter away the differences among how each of us reads the book and look at the things each of us has in common, or when you find yourself surrounded by people who (a) want to become better at something they love, or (b) want to share a thought about something they love- both of which are equally important and meaningful.
And now I'm veering precariously close to the area of deep thoughts, and will stop now.
But I am going to repeat here something that I just posted in a comment elsewhere, in reply to someone's answers to my survey last month in which she said that some of the best things about the HP fandom were expanding her appreciation of the books as she listens to others discuss it, and the fact that it's gotten her to start writing again after a lull of more than a few years.
These, IMHO, are the two most important things about this fandom - it's really gotten a lot of people writing and not just fanfic. Some of the posts on places like HPfGU and other message boards, like DA's and on SQ about the books themselves are so insightful (almost like reporters or essayists), and the discussion on FA and SQ simply about writing - the craft and process - and reading are so phenomenal. It's almost like a perpetual near-master-class that really makes people grow.
I was trying to explain to someone yesterday that this isn't just a fandom with ship battles and silly newbie questions - this is a fandom that, if you're willing to open your mind and your eyes just a little bit - gets people to think and to grow. And it's people of all ages - and to a large extent, as long as you (a) have something interesting to say, and (b) say it with reasonable grammar and a limited amount of netspeak, someone will listen to you. And maybe that only happens when you filter away the differences among how each of us reads the book and look at the things each of us has in common, or when you find yourself surrounded by people who (a) want to become better at something they love, or (b) want to share a thought about something they love- both of which are equally important and meaningful.
And now I'm veering precariously close to the area of deep thoughts, and will stop now.
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(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-03 07:16 am (UTC)Nicely done, Heidi. Couldn't have said it better myself...
~Amber
(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-03 07:53 am (UTC)I saw this post and just had to respond.
1. I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do for this fandom. You really give of yourself, and it means so much!
2. I really like the point you made about how this fandom has gotten people into writing. It is a great place to meet like-minded folks and superior writers. I agree with your comment about some of the insightful posts about the books. Some of these people could make a living as professional essayists.
3. I applaud you for the post in your LJ asking for feedback. It shows how much you value the fandom and the FA site as a whole. You opened yourself up to criticism, which is a very hard thing to do, and you have handled it with grace.
Looking forward to your responses to that large post and would welcome more deep thoughts!
Elia
(no subject)
Date: 2002-05-03 07:58 am (UTC)Do not encourage here! She is meant to be writting SoC, hence she is not allowed to think about posts on such matters until she has.
Oh, hell. Enjoy
Date: 2002-05-03 08:05 am (UTC)“Draco?” She stood and turned in one simple motion and with a thought he was across the room, close enough to touch her hand if he’d been able to. “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be in France?” All of a sudden, she looked nervous, as if she could see the news he brought etched onto his face.
His mouth twitched nervously; he was more afraid of saying what he’d come here to say than he’d ever been when facing Lucius, or even Narcissa. He’d certainly watched people become devastated before; Lucius had him observe as he fired people or ruined careers, had shown him photos taken of crime scenes and battlegrounds where the faces of the witnesses moved from living ordinary lives into chaos. But he’d never known any of the people in the photos, and he’d never cared about any of the lives that he’d watched Lucius crush – not with any great sincerity, at least. Those who lost their jobs were incompetent The minor Ministry officials who were bribed, then exposed, were spineless and silly. The crime victims were poor, the soldiers went into battle willingly and Muggles were simply inherently weak.
This was personal. “I think you should sit down,” he advised, a bit of hesitation as he spoke the words. He didn’t know how to say what he’d come to say.
“I’ll stand,” she replied suspiciously.
“But I can’t catch you if you faint,” he said, knowing the words were stupid as he spoke them.
“I won’t faint, Draco, nothing could be that bad.” She held up her fingers and began listing things that Draco was sure she thought were impossible. “I’ve had a note from my parents, Ron is at the sea with his family, McGonnagal and Snape are in the castle, Dumbledore is off at a late supper with his brother in Inverness and Harry…”
“Potter’s dead.”
Re:
Date: 2002-05-03 08:06 am (UTC)Forget my last sentence, Heidi, until we get some more of that good stuff. ;)
Elia
*drooling at the prospect of more SoC*
Re: Oh, hell. Enjoy
Date: 2002-05-03 08:11 am (UTC)I love how you describe Draco's inner struggle with how to tell Hermione such terrible news. When it actually comes down to it, he doesn't want to be the one to cause the devastated reaction, espcially in someone he cares about.
Elia
Re: Oh, hell. Enjoy
Date: 2002-05-03 12:08 pm (UTC)Wow...
Date: 2002-05-03 01:46 pm (UTC)Then again, get well really soon, Heidi. And I hope your son is getting better as well.
About the rest of your post, that's true. I lurked a lot before (wayyy back when we were still on EZBoards) thinking it was just okay to read but then decided that this would be a good place to see if my writing skills were still intact. It was gratifying to get all the reviews, even if my original intention was to practice writing to launch a real life freelance career...
Hoping you feel better...
Date: 2002-05-03 02:50 pm (UTC)That mass reply thread was quite... massive :D... and I had nothing new to add that wasn't said before, but it was an interesting read... but do know that I appreciate the work you and others have put into FA and neighborhoods... don't know what I'd do without it to keep me sane during my breaks from RL (gah - to college classes/finals!)
Now I don't write, so I don't fit under that category of writers (nothing strikes me - as of yet...) but I have delurked and met wonderful people over FA Park, which has helped me slightly delurk elsewhere on HP Y!Groups... Previously, I have not had the inclination to do so in other fandoms, but for some reason, HP Fandom had me wanting to - saw discussions being had in FA Park, and I wanted to join in (had no RL friends at all as into Harry Potter as I am... they like it, but have not seen the fandom online)
Over at FA Park, I have made new friends with various interests and coming from different backgrounds. I have had wonderful, interesting discussions with people and as well as insights that I had not seen previously; they opened my mind to new thoughts, and I learned new things as well and I hope they learned things from me as it is a give-and-take kind of thing...
Btw, the cookie - what an ending! :eek:
~Sabs aka Sabrina
Hello back
Date: 2002-05-03 05:46 pm (UTC)This fandom has been a wonderful experience for me, both personally and professionally. Yes, sometimes it distracts me a bit too much for my own good, but it's such fun, and on the whole I'm so glad I've gotten involved. I've met some wonderful people and had some fascinating discussions.
I echo what others said in thanking you for all the hard work you've done to facilitate it.
Cheers,
Peg