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[nelson_bannaba]

I was reading fanfic the other day (imagine that) and I had the thought - If I were writing this fanfic, I'd do XXX and XXX differently. So, what if I did, you know, do that? Take the premise from a fanfic and rewrite it the way I think it ought to have been written

Comments

[nelson_bannaba]

Yep, boring. But I didn't actually want to rewrite a fanfic, just talk about writing it. Cuz I'm lazy.

[nelson_bannaba]

But I hate to disappoint you? Did you have any in mind?

[paynesgrey]

I'd say initially bad idea. Then again, how close would your fic be to her idea? The IY Fandom has so many fanon cliche ideas people might not even notice. If it's too recognizable... ugh, I'd write it and maybe ask the author for permission. I dunno.

[nelson_bannaba]

That's the reasonable approach, to avoid all tears and wank. But do you ever feel twinges of guilt for not doing that (asking for permission) for the 'real' author (meaning Takahashi, etc.)

[paynesgrey]

Not really considering she makes shit loads of money, is probably not easy to contact, and hasn't scorned off Fanfiction like Anne Rice has. So no... no guilt here!

[nelson_bannaba]

I guess I get baffled when people get all worked up over this sort of thing, but then, I've never been plaged and likely won't ever be, haha.

[knittingknots]

I have had the same urge, but so far have resisted it, even as a practice exercise, but damn, my background as an English teacher makes me want to put red marks all over some of'em....

[nelson_bannaba]

I know. But then the other day I substituted your for you're and nearly cried.

[knittingknots]

Grammar's easy. Teaching folks to make sense and avoid stupidity in what they say is the hard part.

I particularly loathe author notes where they are giggling at torturing the characters just because they can. Ah, me.

[nelson_bannaba]

The ones where they have a long conversation or interview with the character - *sigh*

[manonlechat]

Sticky...

But then again, to paraphrase T.S. Elliot (and I believe the man was quite serious in saying this): immature writers imitate; mature writers steal.

Reinterpreting her premise isn't the same as stealing chunks of text, or rewriting action and dialogue in your own words. It sounds like you want to change--make something original out of a seed idea.

Maybe the proper credit would be something like, "the premise of this fic was directly inspired by XXX's story XYZ?"

I dunno.

Sticky. :)

But I've also experienced the urge before so I know where you are coming from.

[nelson_bannaba]

the premise of this fic was directly inspired by XXX's story XYZ

Boy oh boy, if I did that, I'd have some drama heading my way quick. It'd almost be worth the work, almost. :)

[manonlechat]

I promise to bring virtual roses to your debut on Fandom_Wank.

Oooo! I hope that this is a BNF whose story you're eyeing!

[aiffe]

Do it, and don't credit the original author. If you take any OCs, rename them. There are so many overused and reused and rehashed and just doggone similar ideas in fanfic that as long as you don't give it the same title, don't copy/paste, and don't mention it, no one will ever know.

Seriously.

A few of my fics are like that. Sometimes the "seed" idea is something as generic as a pairing. ("Everyone does X pairing wrong. I could do it better.") Sometimes there are plot elements.

It's not plagiarism. It's how ideas work in the world of writing. You're not even doing anything wrong.

Incidentally, if the fic in question were mine, and you told me, I wouldn't be offended, and would even be curious to read your version. I can't speak for other authors, but I think some people would feel the same.

[nelson_bannaba]

I can't speak for other authors, but I think some people would feel the same.

Well, we don't hear from those guys, since they're busy being cool and not complaining. But those that do complain are usually pretty loud about it.