FF as Therapy

[happyshep]

I'm sorry that I don't have time to reply to your recent replies on the last topic. I surely will within the next few days.
Mpbrennan's most recent comment reminded me of something which I have been meaning to explore with you but didn't remember to until now.

• Can you explain, if this is the case with you, how fan-fiction (more specifically the H/C, angst and friendship genres) can become a sort of coping mechanism in times of stress or depression? Do you find therapy in it beyond escapism?
  
• I am aware that many authors will (sometimes unconsciously) work through personal problems through the process of writing a story. Have you ever done this?

[happyshep]

Bump.

[mpbrennan]

Hmm . . .

Well, from my comments in previous posts, you can probably already tell that I have issues. I won't reiterate too many of my comments except to say that fanfic has given a chance to step back and take a closer look at my own emotions through the objective lens of the characters. I wouldn't say that I use it as a coping mechanism per se, because when I'm severely stressed or depressed I tend not to be able to write much--the stress shuts down my creativity. In good times, though, it helps to think about some of life's tougher issues in a free space. For my latest fic, for instance, I deal with a lot of questions. "How would a character react to a situation in which he feels helpless?" "How can a character learn to let go of anger after being betrayed?" "Why is it so difficult for a character to admit he is wrong?" The questions are real life issues; the spaceships are thrown in to make it more interesting. Probably not everyone takes such a psychoanalytical approach, but it works for me--it helps me resolve personal issues and readers seem to like it. (shrugs)

On a slightly different note, I observed a similar phenomenon in the "House" fandom after Dr. Kutner's suicide a few weeks ago. An interesting trend emerged in the first few fics after it happened. Instead of writing about it from his perspective, several authors published "letters to Kutner" from the other characters. This puzzled me a little at first. Then it occurred to me that the authors were simply identifying more with the shock and confusion of his friends since that, unlike suicidal depression, is something most people will deal with at some point in their lives. I don't personally know any of these authors, so I can't speak to their motives, but I couldn't help but wonder if any of them had done what their characters were doing--written to real life friends and loved ones asking for answers.

These types of fics are the exception more than the rule. Frequently, fics are simply written for fun or for reader feedback. "Therapy fics" probably compose a very small, difficult-to-identify subgenre. Even in my fics, the emotional issues typically take a back seat to plot development, and working out a character's motivations is often a purely cerebral exercise.

This is getting deep . . .

[azalea3]

Going deep is good. (No irony or innuendo intended--LOL)


I agree with all of mpbrennan’s comments about fan-fiction being a conduit for self examination. I have used fan-fiction stories as a way to work out frustrating life dilemmas. I don’t usually publish my therapy writing because it obviously isn’t audience focused or audience ready and doesn’t track well for readers.

Because therapy fiction, or trauma fiction, or just plain-old rant fiction has visceral immediacy it can be quite compelling. When heightened language and hard-won personal revelations are slung into fan-stories, the ‘realness’ of most stories is enhanced.

Though I don’t recommend personal turmoil as a catalyst for improving fiction, I can’t deny the power of writing to help solve problems. Perhaps it’s all a kind of self medication, but it works.

I don’t think the therapy aspect of writing necessarily explains the addiction of fan-fiction but since everyone needs help getting through life’s toxic zones, there will always be correspondences and a sense of ‘I’ve been there, sister’ between the writers and the readers of therapy fiction.

I was fascinated with mpbrennan’s idea that therapy fics might be a ‘difficult-to-identify subgenre’ lurking out there among the fics. I suspect she is right. Though identifying them specifically could prove elusive.

[gaunicorn]

I find I do tend to write (or make icons) more when I'm stressed out about just about anything. Whumping someone can relieve a lot of frustration.

I know that a lot of people active in (online) fandom have physical or mental problems, and some of them do inflict their particular problem on characters. I try not to bring my problems into my fics. I've been blindsided by new (to me at least) authors who apparently like to work through their problems in a fic and usually just end up abandoning it and the author.

[mpbrennan]

Obviously, there is such a thing as overdoing it. When my fics take a "therapy fic" turn, I try to keep it to the symbolic or the thematic. Even so, I've had readers bail. A reader of one of my "Pretender" fics actually left a review along the lines of "You're a good writer, but this story has gotten so dark and depressing that I don't see any hope for recovery. Consequently, I'm removing it from my story alert." I was left going "But . . . but . . . but . . . It was just about to get happy again!"

Realistically, though, there are all types of readers just like there are all types of writers. What one reader enjoys another will loathe. As authors, we can't let it bother us when reviewers speak their minds, even if we don't like what they have to say. It's a drawback of that instant feedback we crave. All I can do is write the stories that resonate for me.

Out of curiosity . . . happyshep, are you still checking this forum, or is the project thingy done? It's finals time for me, so I haven't been around much.

[happyshep]

mpbrennan -- the anecdote you provided in reference to the fan response to Dr. Kutner's death is very fascinating. This will be a useful example to use in my argument.

"I don’t think the therapy aspect of writing necessarily explains the addiction of fan-fiction...", "These types of fics are the exception more than the rule." After reading this thread I now understand why this is the case, whereas before I'm certain I would have believed the therapy aspect was a driving factor. Thank you for clarifying the nature of this idea.

gaunicorn -- "Whumping someone can relieve a lot of frustration." - I'm in complete agreement, especially on the point you make about writing as just one means of releasing tension.


As for your question mpbrennan, I think that may have already been answered in the email which I've just sent out to everyone. I should be back with fervour from here on. The "Thing!" as I like to call it, is due in a couple of months, although a full draft is due in a couple of weeks (yikes!).

Oh and I'll close this topic. Have a look at the new ones which I've just put up.