I agree with a_t_rain - that was my first reaction to the question too. OC-fics are so diverse (from the most god-awful Mary Sue to the most brilliant exposition of an obscure point of wizarding culture), that finding one I like is no guarantee that the next OC story I read will give me similar pleasure.
I think it might be more helpful to break down the category a bit - OC writers in general might not have something in common, but historical fiction writers do. But I've never seen historical fiction being slammed as a genre, so it doesn't have the catalyst for the community to show itself, as do the major ships.
Also, the reasons why someone might defend OCs vary. For example, I've seen people argue that OCs are a mark of superior creativity on the part of the author - I don't argee with that, so I'd feel less comfortable being aligned with people expressing such views. It's easier to find commonality between shippers who share an interpretation of a common canon.
Then there are people who think that all OCs are Mary Sues, but I'm not inclined to waste my time arguing with someone who so evidently hasn't gone out and looked, or even asked for decent OC recs.
And a lot of people read fanfic because they want to read about favourite characters, so why would they want to read OCs? I suspect that what OC readers and writers share is an interest - or willingness to explore - the world itself rather than just focussing on the characters.
sometimes it is about shipping.
Yes, but the same is true of any genfic. OCs aren't the only types of fics that people only interested in ships will avoid.
sometimes, I think people fear canon being breached.
Speaking for myself, I have much more fear of that for stories featuring the Trio. Apart from the blatant self-inserts - which can usually be spotted by the end of the first sentence - anyone who goes to the trouble of creating an OC is likely to take as much trouble over canonicity as would any serious fanfic writer.
no subject
I think it might be more helpful to break down the category a bit - OC writers in general might not have something in common, but historical fiction writers do. But I've never seen historical fiction being slammed as a genre, so it doesn't have the catalyst for the community to show itself, as do the major ships.
Also, the reasons why someone might defend OCs vary. For example, I've seen people argue that OCs are a mark of superior creativity on the part of the author - I don't argee with that, so I'd feel less comfortable being aligned with people expressing such views. It's easier to find commonality between shippers who share an interpretation of a common canon.
Then there are people who think that all OCs are Mary Sues, but I'm not inclined to waste my time arguing with someone who so evidently hasn't gone out and looked, or even asked for decent OC recs.
And a lot of people read fanfic because they want to read about favourite characters, so why would they want to read OCs? I suspect that what OC readers and writers share is an interest - or willingness to explore - the world itself rather than just focussing on the characters.
sometimes it is about shipping.
Yes, but the same is true of any genfic. OCs aren't the only types of fics that people only interested in ships will avoid.
sometimes, I think people fear canon being breached.
Speaking for myself, I have much more fear of that for stories featuring the Trio. Apart from the blatant self-inserts - which can usually be spotted by the end of the first sentence - anyone who goes to the trouble of creating an OC is likely to take as much trouble over canonicity as would any serious fanfic writer.