Other writers continuing one's stories?

[adreamweaver]

Could I ask another question of the experienced writers out there?

I just got an email as follows:  'hey. i just read your fanfics "changes" and "her way" and they kinda gave me some new ideas for a fanfic i've been trying to write but been having writers block with. so i was wondering if i could continue your story with mine? you would get the

Comments

[maryperk73703]

Well, if it was someone I knew and that they'd do a sequel justice, I'd probably say yes. However, if it was just some random person, I'd probably say thanks for the compliment, but that I didn't want anyone else to do a sequel.

[adreamweaver]

Oh, I'm so glad you said that! I'm very possessive about my Spike and Buffy and didn't want anybody messing with my slant on them. But I wasn't sure whether something like this was normal in fanfic and I'd be in the wrong for disliking that. Thank you! Now I can say no with a clear conscience.
It was just some random person. That's why I felt so strange about it.

[cordykitten]

What if you don't like the second writer writes your Buffy and Spike, making them different (or acting out of character = not acting like in the 'prequel'). (Not sure if I can express this right.) Can you influence that?
(That were the first thoughts coming to my mind.
Every writer has a writing style that is a bit different.)
Just my humble thoughts but I'm not a writer. And yes, I'm too careful sometimes.

[adreamweaver]

That's exactly why I was worried - that this person would make them act out of character. I'm very involved with my Spike and Buffy, and the way they think and act is crucial - similar in all my stories, past and future. I would hate to find that twisted or spoilt by someone else not seeing them the way I do.

I wouldn't be able to influence it at all. This person is a complete stranger! I'm so glad you have the same doubts as I do. I wasn't sure what was right in fanfic circles, but now I can say no without feeling like a jerk. Thank you!

[cordykitten]

I don't know what's right (common) but I can tell you two thinks:

One taking a story from another author and continue it without asking was brought before stop_plagiarism once.

Second: Zarrah gave permission to another fanfic writer ones to continue her story Cabin fever because she left the fandom (write books for money now). Not sure what the reason was but she took permission back. (And than she made an original book out of it - what must have been the reason for it.)
Do what you feel right (not because it's common).

[adreamweaver]

If there had been money involved, I'd have known how to react - copyright laws being as clear as they are. But here, we're all playing in Joss's sandbox, so I wasn't sure whether somebody could do a sequel without asking. I'm so glad to find that they can't!

At least, she did ask. So I was able to say no. I don't think she meant any harm; she was just as naive about it as I am. But I'm very, very possessive about my Spike and Buffy and really didn't want anyone messing with them. I love reading other Spuffy writer's take on them, but I didn't want my own version spoiled!

Thank you so much! You helped more than I can say!

[dampersnspoons]

I know this is an old post but I was coming over here to friend you and saw it and after bleaching my eyes to clean them, I had to post.

WHAT???

Why would someone even ask this? I mean, it's flattering to know that they were inspired to write something because of a story you wrote but to add onto it and make a sequel is A: really weird, B: something I've never heard of before and C: kind of stealing/lazy. That's my opinion and I would immediately decline and make them swear to write their own story and not steal the characters you developed on your own. My lord, some people scare me.

Anyway...hello! I'm adding you to my friends because I heart your stories and I'd like to get to know you better so there can be more obnoxious posts like this from me in the future, hahaha!

[adreamweaver]

That's exactly what I felt when I saw that email! Which was why I posted asking for advice. I was so totally taken aback. So I declined and found to my relief that she was a totally new writer and thought I had a copyright on the "Spike/Buffy claimed" and the "Sunnydale kingdom" ideas. She thought the only way she could use them was to do a sequel. Once we got that cleared up, she promised she would get them to that point in her own way and wouldn't use my stories as a lead in. Whew! :D

Love hearing from you! And love your reviews! Thank you!

[pfeifferpack]

Popped in to check on you...haven't seen you about and was a bit concerned. Hope you are simply busy and will soon return to us.

As for the post....I'd not be too happy to see someone else continue my stories. If they want to write something that borrows an idea or two and they let me know that's fine but not an actual sequel. That's just me though and not a hard fast rule. I suppose its from the fear that what is written might be far from my own thoughts on how it would continue...I can be controlling of my output LOL. If you don't want them to do it you can easily let them know you are flattered but have ideas of your own even if you don't write those ideas!

Kathleen
Really hoping to hear from you soon!