theory in progress

[laleia]

So I think the difference between shipping an OTP and accepting a ship is that when you accept a ship, you are willing and maybe even interested in reading fanfic that features that ship (provided it is done well). When you ship an OTP, however, you are willing to read a fanfic with no real plot and no real purpose other than that OTP. (Compare to accepting a ship, where you willing to read plot-less fic of the ship, i.e. PWP, but your motivation is the porn rather than the ship.] Even if it's a short romantic drabble whose where the main character's names could be interchanged with almost any other from any other universe, shipping an OTP means you are excited just that there is fic of this ship. You will even sometimes read fanfic that is mediocre, as long as it provides you that rush from reading about your OTP.

(That's why it is possible to ship numerous OTPs -- because you're willing to read fanfic about all of them to satisfy your craving(s).)

Comments

[bunney.livejournal.com]

Interesting theory, but for me, it's the exact opposite. When I ship my OTP, I cannot tolerate fic that isn't reasonably well done and I'm not willing to read anything just because their names are on it, nor do I think it's acceptable to read fic where the characters could be interchangeable with any other character, in any other verse.

Casual shipping, or accepting a ship, mean I'm not invested in it, like I am with my OTP, therefore I don't care about the quality or plot. If it's good, I'll read it. If not, then no skin off my back. I'll just move on to the next story.

Sorry, but I think this is backwards.

[eldarwannabe.livejournal.com]

I live this theory. Not for every OTP and always, but I settle for some crazy stuff when I want my OTP fix. For ordinary ships, my tolerance for badly-written or OOC stuff is nearly nil. It's actually fascinating to watch me, because I can be really fussy about quality but I'll read through a 22-part epic high school AU for my OTP and I would never do that otherwise.