McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Fanfiction - Good or Evil?
Maiafay:
The only thing I will say...is I like slash, but only when done well, and IC. Which brings me to non-con, and basically darker stories. I'm not apologizing for liking slash or fanfiction, and I'm getting a slight vibe that I should be doing so...but I'm won't.
To each their own. While I'm using it as a stepping stone, getting my mistakes and style ironed out, others may say I should do it with orignial works. Well, I guess we'll agree to disagree, and leave it at that.
milesje:
Like most people I have both read and written a few fanfics myself. I have found some that I really like and many more that were just bad. But, if used correctly it can be a great help for may budding writers to get there feet wet, and explore there style of writing without having to worry about developing characters and a world to place them in. Most fanfics that I have written where based in the world of the original author but developed my own characters because I am much better a character development than at world development. I have now started a new story and I am creating my own world, but because I have written some fanfics I feel more comfortable about creating my own place now. But on the flip side many people can become fanatics about what they think is great, and it be nothing but unimaginative crap that no one in the right mind would enjoy reading. These people are the reason many authors do not like fanfics. It is the few (or many) bad apples that make the world difficult for the rest of us.
Nemo:
For me, most fanfic is pure crap. I can say that because I used to write crap, and know it when I have the misfortune of coming across it.
That being said, if you are going to write it then follow these rules:
1. Use secondary characters that never get fully developed
2. Avoid slash unless you want to die a firy death
3. Show it off for about a week, then burn it
4. Afterwards, never write any more fanfic
Maiafay:
--- Quote from: Nemo on March 06, 2007, 02:21:32 AM ---For me, most fanfic is pure crap. I can say that because I used to write crap, and know it when I have the misfortune of coming across it.
That being said, if you are going to write it then follow these rules:
1. Use secondary characters that never get fully developed
2. Avoid slash unless you want to die a firy death
3. Show it off for about a week, then burn it
4. Afterwards, never write any more fanfic
--- End quote ---
Not to be mean...but all because you used to write crap...doesn't mean everyone does. I don't consider my work crap, and neither do the folks that read it. I've seen stories that actually outdo the original author, and can tell the writer will probably be published someday. I've read authors that dabbled in fanfic at one point of time. However, I did see you said "most" fanfic...which is why I'm not "really' ranting. But...
1. Secondary characters are very developed in my work...in fact, I revised a story to flesh out all OC secondary characters MORE than what I had.
2. Slash is an acquired taste...not everyone likes it--but many do. As long as it's handled well...and realistic, then I have no issue with it--and prefer it.
3. As for showing it off--been showing it off for around two years now...and learned a lot from reviewers and constructive feedback.
4. Maybe, maybe not...depends if I ever get published. If I do...then I'll have that to occupy my time instead of stomping across another's Sandbox. Till then however...
I'm assuming you're joking...but if you aren't...then you haven't looked hard enough through the crap to find the gems.
Nemo:
--- Quote from: Maiafay on March 06, 2007, 03:21:33 AM ---I'm assuming you're joking...but if you aren't...then you haven't looked hard enough through the crap to find the gems.
--- End quote ---
In part, yes I am joking. I have found a couple of gems, but not many. Therefore, I haven't been looking. If somebody asks me to read their work, I will out of courtesy and give an honest critique. I always try to be constructive and not negative.
My statement about having written crap and knowing it when I see it is kind of an inside joke about movie critic Roger Ebert. He wrote the script for Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which he admits was pure crap. As a result, he knows crap when he sees it.
I must also admit that I have a special loathing for Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fanfiction. My ex-wife spent twelve hours a day reading and writing both. I was subjected to a lot of very bad fanfic. When I began looking for good fanfic, I found very little.
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