BNF issue

[mollyringle]

Posted here because I said I would on the Ringwraith journal...

[Poll #758886]

Comments

[neadods.livejournal.com]

BNF doesn't equal being a psychotic despot a la MisScribe. Most of them become "big names" by doing what you do - being funny, being interesting, being clever, and therefore being someone that everyone in the fandom knows because you're so fun to be around.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

That is a sweet way to put it - thank you. Yes, given the drama surrounding so many BNF's, I wasn't sure I cared to be one, but definitions may vary.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

IMO, the drama comes about from people wanting to feed their egos by being "thought of" or "treated like" a BNF. There's a big name for that, and it even starts with an F, but it's not "fan"!

Fanthropology dubbed them Iagos - those who create friction in their need to rise.

Whereas, among *fans* there will always be some whose reputations rise because they are good at being fans, via art, humor, writing, running websites, whatever. Stuff that all the fans know and appreciate because it aids everyone's overall fan experience.

That's my definition, and I'm stickin' to it. :>

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I actively avoid friction, at least in online fandom, so I differ from many notorious ones there. It's too bad that so many people forget the important rule, "Fandom is f***ing funny." :)

[sopdetly.livejournal.com]

I've met very few BNF's who weren't nuts. They do exist, of course, and maybe you're one of them. However, admittedly I am not even in the LotR fandom, which is where you are most likely going to be a BNF, so I could be totally off my nut. ;)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I personally don't think I spend enough time doing fandom related stuff to be a BNF, but it's not a label you can apply to yourself anyway. So, on a whim, I thought I'd ask. :)

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

I think you're a BNF for a few reasons:

a) Your parody work has featured on TORn.

b) You do have a pretty hefty readership for your parody scripts and so forth.

But is my vote colored by my secret desire to be buddies with a real live BNF? After all, I am Moggy's sock puppet (and, by strange reality-bending coincidence, her puppeteer).

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ah, not exactly "featured" on TORn...much as I wished it! But yes, hehe, maybe having a couple different LJ's, one for all-fandom, already qualifies me. Now, if I start sockpuppeting, we'll know the answer for sure...

[trilliah.livejournal.com]

You know why I voted how I did. ;)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Well, sure, I know you like me for the sex, but that doesn't necessarily make me a BNF.

Hee.

[laleonaenojada.livejournal.com]

I think you are a Medium Name Fan. Lots of people in the fandoms know who you are, but there is not all the wank surrounding you that one might find with other BNFs. As far as I can tell in the few years I've been reading your journal, most of the wank on here has been about politics, not fandom. I'm not very active in the LotR fandom, though, so you may be much more of a BNF in that fandom than I am aware of.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

That sounds about right to me. I think, if I rank anywhere in the LOTR fan fame, it's in the lower tiers--not the proper BNF's. It doesn't matter much to me one way or the other, but I figured I'd ask on a whim!

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

Hard to say, as I'm not in the LOTR fandom - love the films, but not interested in fic, extreme squeeage etc. So I don't know who the Big Players are. :) Lots of people read your parodies though, so you're probably quite well known, though I don't think you write fic, which probably reduces the no. of people who know who you are.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I doubt I'm one myself...not enough wankage surrounding me. But then, I consciously try to diminish that, so maybe that disqualifies me right off the bat. :)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

See, I'm not a LotR fan particularly either - but I'm here because your parodies amuse the heck out of me. So your reputation is big enough for your name to be known outside of a fringe fandom. And you're a fan.

I vote that we find a new term for Big Name Wankers.

[peripety]

I said no because you never struck me as seeking "diva status" like most BNFs do. But hope you aren't disappointed at being normal ;)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Heheh--not at all. I am rather relieved at the proportion of "No" answers, oddly. I do wish to remain a normal person.

[innogen.livejournal.com]

You have an honorary mention in my fake Jeremiah Slash/Discussion/Commentary for the season two DVD's that will never come out. I think you might find it amusing. ::grin::

Innogen

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Haha! Yes, thank you for that. However, since I'm not familiar with Jeremiah, I suppose I wouldn't have much of interest to say...

[captnofmyheart.livejournal.com]

Lemonlye - I think we know each other from a previous "lifetime" on LJ - I used to have a journal under the name ladyaubrey. I have come back to LJ but largely for fandom purposes.

I have friended you - hope you dont mind.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Yay, you have returned! Welcome back! I friended you as well. Glad to see you again. :)

[captnofmyheart.livejournal.com]

HI there... Glad you remember me well -good to see you too! LOL Thanks for friending me back. Ithidrial was the one who told me this community had been formed and told me you headed it..."I know that person!!"

[kimuracarter.livejournal.com]

I think you are a BNF, mostly because of your parodies on LOTR.
I don't think that this is a bad, or that you're a diva or anything. People respect your opinion and enjoy reading what you have to say on fandoms and other subjects. And you actively encourage participation and discussion, rather than just standing on a soap box and proclaiming your views. So, I think you're a great example of a BNF is admired but down to earth. ^_^

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

If there is a way to strike a balance--"big name" but accessible--then I hope to have done it. But I sort of doubt I'm a BNF simply because I almost always could keep track of the comments and actually interact with people, not just get buried in admiration like Cassandra Claire or something.

[elycia.livejournal.com]

When I first got into LoTR fandom, after the RotK movie came out, I joined the lordoftherings community. Through that, I found your parody scripts, and I started reading your journal. Through THAT and the comments you got there, I learned about some other folks who were also interesting and wrote good stuff and were generally worth reading. And through them, I discovered a wealth of delicious fanfic, which eventually led me to write it myself. So to me, you are a BNF, just because your journal attracts other "big" names, and because you help bring people in the fandom together in one place. (I've never thanked you properly for this, either--I owe you!)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Awesome! If I led you to some of the true greats, and contributed to your own excellent writing at all, then I am pleased indeed. You owe me nothing except the right to keep reading you. :) Hurrah!

[naill-renfro.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding? You're the biggest! Plus you're funny, which is what matters most.