McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Fanfiction - Good or Evil?
terioncalling:
Guilty of being a fanfic writer. Have one Harry Potter fanfic that's over 600 pages long (rewrote the first 4 books and then made up original plotlines for the other 3).
Writing all the fanfic's that I have has really helped me out with writing my original stuff. I've gotten a great deal better since I first began writing (my very first original stuff read like crap) and it's all because of what fanfic's I've written. Still write fanfic's (mainly Buffy now with a few HP mixed in) but I'm trying to work more on my original stuff.
Paige:
This simply blows my mind. I asked a similar question on a writers loop...(wherein everyone on the list writes and most strive for publication or have already attained publication)
The question was, how do you feel about fan fiction based on your own personal worlds and characters. Love it, hate it, don’t care.
The response is almost exactly half and half. Half the writers love it, half hate it. It seems so odd that there isn’t a more decided view one way or the other.
One thing is certain, Fan Fiction elicits strong feelings (good and bad). Few people are indifferent about it.
With what I’ve read on this thread and what I learned from my unscientific poll, it seems to me, that the decision should be left to the original author. If he/she loves fan fiction then his/her fans should go to town and have a blast. But if the original author has made it clear they’d rather not have people playing with his/her toys then the fans should have enough respect to abide by it.
Kilsokwa:
--- Quote from: Blitz on June 26, 2006, 12:57:21 AM ---My question: Is fanfiction helpful to aspiring writers, or does it hurt? I've heard people vehemently opposed to the very idea, and those who gush over their latest masterpieces. What do you think? I suppose my opinion is that originality is always better, but fanfiction will help you in the way that any writing helps you: practice, practice, practice.
(And I know we're supposed to avoid actual fanfiction within earshot of Jim on the forums, but I figured a discussion about its uses couldn't hurt.)
--- End quote ---
If people were trying to plagerize and steal characters etc, I could see folks being down on the fan-fiction.
Most of the stuff I've read is just writers wanting to express themselves with characters they love. I've done much the same, though I'm such a nervy creature I keep all mine hidden at home where only my Hubby may ever see it. ;)
Fan-fiction for me is just exercise, just like doing some yoga or working with weights. When it works, you end up with a little magic. You feel kinda good, the way a nice round with weights or a good game of hoops makes you feel. I dont think writing fan-fiction cheats, or is in anyway a kind of laziness. It can be very challenging, and rewarding.
Like Jim I keep the focus on any writing on the craft of it more than just kicking up my heels. That's what a work out does, isn't it?
Kilsokwa
trboturtle:
Hmm.....
Speaking as a fanfic writer, I see fanfiction as a good thing. Yes, there are problems -- there are several anime series that have been overwritten for (If I see another InYasha fic, I will scream! :P) -- and most fanfiction is. . . .poor.
As for me, I've written in a couple of anime series -- Bubblegum Crisis (OVA series, and not that Thing called BGC 2040), and Salior Moon (Yes, but I try to avoid the real silliness) I flirted with Ranma 1/2 (But don't have the time for it right now.) I have written Self-Insert stories (Author as character), and have story plots for others.
Right now, I'm involved with writing stories based in the Battletech Universe. Now, because of the way the universe is set up, there is no need to use established characters. Writring in this universe allows the author to develop his own characters, create situations, all without invaladating anything that has happened in the time line. It's a rich universe, with many factions, many levels of story, and many places to set said story. I love it.
Fanfiction allows me to release some creative energy in a structured format, with no need to sit down and work out all the small details a completely original story requires. Once I felt comfortable in my writing as it pertained to fanfiction, it allowed me to take that next step and start writing original stories. To me, Fanfiction is a tool, a stepping stone to my own original stories.
Craig
terioncalling:
--- Quote from: trboturtle on August 24, 2006, 07:54:09 PM ---Right now, I'm involved with writing stories based in the Battletech Universe. Now, because of the way the universe is set up, there is no need to use established characters. Writring in this universe allows the author to develop his own characters, create situations, all without invaladating anything that has happened in the time line. It's a rich universe, with many factions, many levels of story, and many places to set said story. I love it.
--- End quote ---
Ooo, Battletech? Do you have stuff posted anywhere? I'd love to read it.
And I definetly agree. With CBT you can run with anything you want. I was trying my hand at writing a story in that universe myself, involving the Kell Hounds and Clan Wolf-in-Exile, but I don't know if I'll ever complete that story.
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