Heh. My friend semioticwarrior put it very well, and I quote:
At its worst, fanfiction is only bad writing, and there's plenty of that going on in original ficiton as well. At best, it can be an incubator for writing talent, a community that spawns friendships and discussion, and a very good way to introduce people to books/movies/tv/etc. that they might never have considered before. I've bought books and watched movies and shows I'd never heard of after reading particularly excellent fanfiction. I think, when well done, it can help original artists more than it hurts them. Piracy, not fanfiction, is the bigger infringement.
And for the record, she has just sold a book (to be published March 2011) that started out as (non-Austen) fanfiction.
I think we can agree that, in the Austen sphere, we have ample proof of the "bad writing" she refers to. :)
Oh hate it. It hasn't brought me any joy over the years, doesn't enhance my reading of the original, and I haven't made any longtime friendships through it.
That is not the fault of fanfic, I agree. As a concept it's a good thing.
It's just a pity that so many fandoms center on $ex. I'd be hesitant to tell anyone I read and write fanfic, for that reason. Obviously JA centers on pairings. That JA fanfic centers on that is therefore logical. But there is no logic to pairing off anyone with anyone in crime or children's series. It may be fun to those involved in the fandom, but I once stumbled on some female character having intercourse with a giant octopus, and I'm sorry, but the person who wrote that needs therapy. Or better, a bed partner of her own.
I shudder to think what these people did before fanfic existed.
It's unfortunately true that FF has a deservedly smutty reputation. And like you I'm hesitant to admit to "coming out" as a FF reader and writer, because of it. I've come across some truly horrific fics myself. However, I have to disagree that there's no logic to pairings in other fandoms. Pairings are about character, and if you really like the characters, why shouldn't you pair them off? In a well-written, non-p0rny way. Which is easier to find in some fandoms than others.
No argument about the needing of therapy, though. The giant octopus sex actually disturbs me less than pedophilia or incest common in some fandoms. ICK ICK ICK.
Jonathan has written some Last Airbender ff and he's starting on something else, I forget what. No, it's not that great. Is this his first attempt at writing anything? Yes. Do I encourage him? Of course I do! The more he writes the better he gets.
When I look back at my early stuff, I just cringe, so I try to be sympathetic and not so heavy handed with the editing.
That doesn't stop me from casting the first stone at other people who've been writing it forever and never improve, though. *smirk*
I so agree. I remember when Ann first started austen.com, that was one of her biggest drives for creating the site: to encourage people, especially the young 'uns, to write and learn and write some more. Good for Jon!
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At its worst, fanfiction is only bad writing, and there's plenty of that going on in original ficiton as well. At best, it can be an incubator for writing talent, a community that spawns friendships and discussion, and a very good way to introduce people to books/movies/tv/etc. that they might never have considered before. I've bought books and watched movies and shows I'd never heard of after reading particularly excellent fanfiction. I think, when well done, it can help original artists more than it hurts them. Piracy, not fanfiction, is the bigger infringement.
And for the record, she has just sold a book (to be published March 2011) that started out as (non-Austen) fanfiction.
I think we can agree that, in the Austen sphere, we have ample proof of the "bad writing" she refers to. :)
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And I'd never write it. NEVAH.
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It's just a pity that so many fandoms center on $ex. I'd be hesitant to tell anyone I read and write fanfic, for that reason. Obviously JA centers on pairings. That JA fanfic centers on that is therefore logical. But there is no logic to pairing off anyone with anyone in crime or children's series. It may be fun to those involved in the fandom, but I once stumbled on some female character having intercourse with a giant octopus, and I'm sorry, but the person who wrote that needs therapy. Or better, a bed partner of her own.
I shudder to think what these people did before fanfic existed.
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No argument about the needing of therapy, though. The giant octopus sex actually disturbs me less than pedophilia or incest common in some fandoms. ICK ICK ICK.
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When I look back at my early stuff, I just cringe, so I try to be sympathetic and not so heavy handed with the editing.
That doesn't stop me from casting the first stone at other people who've been writing it forever and never improve, though. *smirk*
So it's a love/hate relationship for me.
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