McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Fanfiction: Is It Real Writing?
Zuriel:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on June 26, 2012, 02:48:52 PM ---My rational opinion, fwiw, is that fanfic can be a good way of learning some writing-associated skills in a context where others are provided for you (pre-existing worlds and characters and so on) but that sticking with it long term is holding yourself back from developing other skills (such as original worldbuilding). And that there are no ethical issues with fanfic of a) authors who have given permission, b) authors who are dead, and c) widely shared universes (such as DC Comics), but otherwise it can feel like theft.
(I have an irrational opinion too, which is that if anyone ever fanfics anything of mine I will come after them with harmful intent and a sharpened teaspoon.)
--- End quote ---
If a writer has no further ambition, it doesn't mean they aren't improving if they stick to fanfic...but I would think most progress to their own creations as they learn, gather knowledge and information to form their own characters and worlds as a challenge to themselves.
And the keyword is permission. Most fanfic writers abide by the wishes of the original creators, if they are ethical at all, and don't infringe on those who don't want anyone to mess with their works.
And the majority of fanfic is harmless, intent on adding further enjoyment to an already-established creation. And it can be worldbuilding, especially in UF, since you can add traveling to new dimensions of your own design, which leads to original characters and settings within that dimension. I especially like adding these aspects to my writing as I've always found other worlds a fountain of possibilities, though I tend not to include a lot of science fiction elements, which just, personally, don't appeal to me all that much...preferring a good mix of just about everything else. I guess I'm a little tired of flying saucers and robotic creatures (I'm over Star Trek and the like) and gravitate toward the magical and mystical sides of the universe as they interact and influence the real world. For now. :)
Shecky:
It comes down to this: is the fanfic-writing the person's hobby or is it a step in a greater dream? If it's a hobby, we have no place criticizing them for doing it. To tell the truth, we have no place criticizing them even if it IS supposed to be a stepping-stone; people have their own paths to follow, and not everyone is supposed to share the same path.
Snowleopard:
--- Quote from: Zuriel on June 26, 2012, 02:31:39 PM ---Thanks to everyone who responded!
And I think as writers, we all pretty much agree on the same things, which I suspected would be the case. I just wanted to have a weightier comeback for my relative on the subject. I don't think she realizes she does the same thing when she paints. Most of the time she has to have an image or photo to copy, maybe adding a few of her own original touches, but ultimately she's no different. Sounds like visual fanfic to me. :) I need to point that out...
I don't mind fanfic as long as it stays within canon limits and doesn't wander off into unrecognizable territory. And for me it was great practice to see if I could give the established, iconic characters the same voice in my stories as they're known for. I got that down pretty good and then worked on my own original characters. Both are fun to do in their own ways.
Since I'm relatively new to this writing thing, I still have a lot to learn, but at least I can look back at what I did months ago and see a big improvement. And practice, practice, practice will only make it better.
--- End quote ---
I started with fanfic then moved into trying scripts (very different than prose) and also 'filing off the serial numbers' as they say and turning my fanfic prose into something original. Great practice and fun.
LDWriter2:
I haven't read all the other posts but in my opinion I would say yes it can be. I know from personal experience that writing using other people's characters or universe, can be just as hard as using your own. But at the same time how many fanfic writers try to get better or work at making their stories the best? I know some do. In fact some pros writers started in fanfic. But other fanfic writers just write what they have in mind. They either don't care or don't know about the rules-guidelines-better techniques of writing. So I'm not sure what they do is real writing.
Much fanfic is illegal even though some published writers don't care if you write in their universes while others do.
I would love to write in Butcher's Dresden universe, without his characters though. Come to think of it, that could be harder writing because you have to keep in mind his rules and any "canon" he wouldn't want changed.
Aminar:
Is it writing? Yes.
Should it be marketable? No.(But it has been.)
I mean, at some point I plan on writing a crossover between my conventions mascots, Alien, Predator, and Avatar. Because it would be hilarious. I wrote a really good Name of the Wind mock-fanfiction and run a panel where I read bad fanfics to people. That said, I would never call it professional writing(professional being defined as something I would put in a writing resume style thing.)
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