How technology will forever change writing
I just got my early birthday present from my hubby, furrylogic... a new Kindle Fire. And in doing so I have found out that not only am I in love with the thing but that the world of writing and books will never be the same. Let me elaborate
So, I've been involved in fanfic really for about 16 years and in that time I have seen it come from out of the shadows and into a somewhat recognized art form. People still buy books and authors still get published, but with the ebook there are now many people that are breaking from trying to get an agent/publisher to be published to self-publishing ebooks.
Now this is probably a good and bad thing - like so much fanfic/original fic that is posted out there I expect that 90% of the stuff that is being self-published is crap (case in point - The Wesley Crusher p0rn novel on Amazon) but I bet there will be some really wonderful books that see the light of day that never would have been published before.
Besides that though, there is the way books/writing is available now. I remember old floppy disks (the huge ones, not just the 3.5 ones), zip drives, burning CD's and then flash/thumb/USB drives as ways to store my writing and others. I can't tell you how many stories I probably have saved somewhere that no longer exist on the internet. And of course I went through the printing phase of some fic (not a long-term practical solution through).
I have read these stories on desktops, laptops, PDA's, smart phones and now my new fire... and with this last I have to say I can't imagine the world ever going back to books or segregating publisher and self published fiction ever again. When the Kindles first arrived there was a big buzz around romance novel enthusiasts no longer having to read their novels in shame when on a subway train because no one could see the cover. And in a way the Kindle will bring fanfic into legitimacy as MOBI's with cover art for your favorite fanfics (I spent a good 8 hours in the last 48 building some for myself, including my own stuff). I wouldn't be surprised if the next wave of fanfic is the bundled cover page, MOBI file and the whole kit and caboodle for anything 'novel' length.
So, here's to the revolution - and I hope to have my own spot in the army of writers.
Ms. J.
So, I've been involved in fanfic really for about 16 years and in that time I have seen it come from out of the shadows and into a somewhat recognized art form. People still buy books and authors still get published, but with the ebook there are now many people that are breaking from trying to get an agent/publisher to be published to self-publishing ebooks.
Now this is probably a good and bad thing - like so much fanfic/original fic that is posted out there I expect that 90% of the stuff that is being self-published is crap (case in point - The Wesley Crusher p0rn novel on Amazon) but I bet there will be some really wonderful books that see the light of day that never would have been published before.
Besides that though, there is the way books/writing is available now. I remember old floppy disks (the huge ones, not just the 3.5 ones), zip drives, burning CD's and then flash/thumb/USB drives as ways to store my writing and others. I can't tell you how many stories I probably have saved somewhere that no longer exist on the internet. And of course I went through the printing phase of some fic (not a long-term practical solution through).
I have read these stories on desktops, laptops, PDA's, smart phones and now my new fire... and with this last I have to say I can't imagine the world ever going back to books or segregating publisher and self published fiction ever again. When the Kindles first arrived there was a big buzz around romance novel enthusiasts no longer having to read their novels in shame when on a subway train because no one could see the cover. And in a way the Kindle will bring fanfic into legitimacy as MOBI's with cover art for your favorite fanfics (I spent a good 8 hours in the last 48 building some for myself, including my own stuff). I wouldn't be surprised if the next wave of fanfic is the bundled cover page, MOBI file and the whole kit and caboodle for anything 'novel' length.
So, here's to the revolution - and I hope to have my own spot in the army of writers.
Ms. J.