State of the Fandom

Posted by SarahBella in State of the Fandom with Sarahbella | 5 comments

There are so many different genres in fiction, and it seems that there twice as many in fan fiction.  Or maybe we just label them differently.  For instance, the topic of my blog today, fluff.

What makes fluff so appealing to read?  I think, for me at least, it’s the eternal happy ending.  You know that true love will conquer all, everyone will get their happily ever after, and any unplanned pregnancies turn out to be a good thing.  Generally speaking.  There is a bit of the expected in every story, but enough differs that it makes each fic worthwhile.

Fluffy stories are easy and safe for the reader to get emotionally invested in.  There’s little risk of a beloved character dying, or the story wouldn’t be very fluffy.  This goes back to knowing what to expect.  In fluff, there tends to be a general knowing of what will happen.  They’re feel good stories; they warm you from the inside out.  In angsty fics, you can and do get hit from every which way with some form of disaster.   The element of surprise is a huge asset in angst.

Fluffy characters can be easier to identify with.  Not everyone has survived a plane crash, but most people can say that they have been in love or been loved at some point in their lives.  Stories that you can relate to tend to be appealing; it’s easier to imagine yourself in the place of that character, picture yourself falling in love with the tall, dark and handsome hero of the story.  It’s hard to imagine yourself as the victim of assault if that’s not something you’ve ever experienced.  It’s also not something that many people want to imagine happening to them.

What makes fluff so appealing to write?  That part I understand completely.  When I write a story, I immerse myself completely in the characters.  I assume many other authors do the same (but we all know what happens when you assume, so take this speculation with a grain of salt ;)).  Extremely dark, angsty characters can wreak havoc on one’s psyche.  Writing happyfluffybunny stories, makes you feel happier, lighter, and fluffier.  Sometimes, you just can’t get yourself to that deep, dark, deadly place that some fics require.

Fluffy fics make you feel good when you write them.  You feel like maybe the world is a bit brighter for having your fluff in it.  For me, fluff also tends to be a faster write.  I’m more in touch with my ‘happy’ feelings.  I don’t have to stop and analyze every sentence the characters say when I write fluff.   You can get the words out and on paper in half the time if you don’t have to rethink every emotion.

Also, I think that, as an author, sometimes fluff is less risky to share.  It can be hard to admit that you write smut, not everyone approves.  Angst too, can be hard to admit; you don’t always want everyone knowing the dark, creepy places that your mind lurks.

Writing fluff can be a bit like living out a fantasy.  As you write it, you write exactly what you would want to happen in that situation.  You can put yourself with your dream guy or girl (vampires, anyone?) and give yourself the happily ever after you always wanted.

Whether you read it or write it, fluff will make your day a tiny bit brighter!

(And don’t forget to review!!)

♥SB