[HPFGU-OTChatter] Issue of self-control

[Morianna]

I figure fandom addiction is similar to an addiction to p*rn.  Perhaps the strategies which help those afflicted with that addiction can help you with yours.

IMHO, the only real cure for FanObsession is to burn out--and never EVER read cross-over fics!

I started with a pop group fansite back in 98 and "discovered" slash for the first time.  After I read all the fics in their universe, I got pulled Underground into the fandom which revolves around the 80's flick Labyrinth.  From there, I graduated via a cross-over to the Buffyverse.  After reading all the Spike/Willows I could find, another cross-over led me to Snape's dungeons.  I haven't left yet. All of my fandoms involve either real Britons, or those who just play them on TV. I used to think they had to be blonde until I figured out I prefer DarkSnape to BlondMalfoy....

I was a reader of Harry Potter for years and years, but avoided the fandom as much as possible because I didn't want to get sucked into kiddie-slash or whatever.  I now know most writers are more responsible than that.

I admit I have called in sick at work once or twice in my live because of fan-issues (waiting for tickets, skipping work to read HBP, etc).  But, I also know my boss is a fellow FanObsessive (he tends to stick to his Star Wars obsession--but he did SQUEE with me over HBP)--he also missed work in July 16th.  


Prof Mori

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: guha1991 
  To: HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 8:57 AM
  Subject: [HPFGU-OTChatter] Issue of self-control


  Hi all,

  Greetings from a long-time lurker. I feel like I'm pretty pathetic, 
  but, after all, I do need help about this issue, and a lovely elf 
  from HPfGU did send me here...here it goes--

  How do you all control yourselves? I mean, I love the books, and 
  fanfics as well, but sometimes, there is a point when I'm thinking, 
  wow, this is really disrupting my life. It's just as if I'm addicted 
  to this whole business.

  It all started out quite innocently; with the HBP coming out, I was 
  curious about any clues or discussions on the web, and I stumbled 
  over Mugglenet for the first time. It expanded to other news and 
  discussion sites like here, hp-lexicon, and TLC, and when I finally 
  figured out that I had read almost all editorials, I started with 
  fanfics. I normally dislike fanfics, because I thought that they 
  distorted original characters, but some of the HP fanfics were so 
  good, I just got hooked. I guess it's partially due to the sheer 
  number of fanfics available, which makes the possibility of finding 
  good writing so much better..Starting with fanfiction, fictionalley, 
  checkmated, sugarquill, etc, it's been now 3 months since I've been 
  reading fanfics, and I think I am seriously addicted. Here, 
  Mugglenet, and Checkmated are the first sites I check when I log on. 
  I usually skim most of the new posts. I've been thinking about the 
  reasons that I've been so hooked on fanfics (I mean, I did have a 
  phase for those trashy romance novels, but that was in junior high, 
  for only a couple of years), and I guess that it's the world of HP 
  itself. I am so attached to the characters, I can't stop reading 
  more about them. 

  I've checked the 12-step thingy for AA, and I think there is a 
  similar pattern; I haven't acknowledged my "addiction" to anyone 
  else; my life has been disrupted by reading fanfics 'til 2 or 3 at 
  night; I've lied about working on the computer when I've actually 
  been reading; I've tried to stop but have failed and come back a few 
  times. I don't know what to do. I mean, I love reading, but I want 
  to stop it until I can control it. (I mean, I have a life, I have 
  kids, and also work, so it's not like I can go on like this 
  forever). 

  The only thing I can think of now is to disconnect my internet 
  service. But I do need it for other work. Wow. Sorry for the really 
  long and depressing post. But I really enjoyed HBP with my daughter, 
  and love the fics here--it would be great if I could just be around 
  moderately.. I don't know; any other suggestions?










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