Flogging a dead horse

[maderr]

I really don't get why so many authors disapprove of fanfiction. Granted, I'd be a little O_o if someday I read a fic where Karmikel or Bastion or whoever was in a pych ward or being raped or went on a killing spree...but whatever floats the fanficcer's boat. I wouldn't be *rage and anger* about it. I've seen stranger stuff done to even more random chars.

I also know exactly what it's like to have someone slash your straight characters. *looks at the guilty party* I died laughing. Maybe something changes when you're raking in the bucks. Dunno. But I don't see why it's something to get upset about it. What makes me saddest, really, is that if I ever do make professional (hahahaha), I probably won't be "allowed" to read any fanfics of my stories.

Seriously. What's to get upset about? The fact that someone would donate hours, days, weeks, even months or quite possibly years of their lives writing about your characters? How dare they!

I'm making coffee. Decaf. Then laundry >_< And Dad I swear I'll get to those lists I ow you tonight. Should have them by the end of the week. So so so so sorry I've taken this long. You should yell at me or something.

Comments

the guilty party

[rykaine.livejournal.com]

*looks innocent* What?

Re: the guilty party

[maderr.livejournal.com]

You do innocence like Beej does normal.

Re: the guilty party

[rykaine.livejournal.com]

Those two are so canon, and if that's not an OT3, I don't know what is.

And dude, like hell you won't be allowed to read the fanfiction. I'm owning that fandom, and I'l make you read every last fic written for it. By god.

I don't understand this thing where we're disinclined to follow the crowd and be like them all, until we start researching the people who make up the careers we want and suddenly realize we don't act like any of them do and OMG I won't be able to do it then. Who the fuck cares what they do or don't do. That doesn't make it allowed or not allowed, and it doesn't make you unsuited to it.

It just means you're on a different side. ^_~

You're allowed to read whatever the hell you want to read. There are no written rules on that. So why concern yourself over it, or make it any sort of issue.

Canon!

[thealisonbailey.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. The reasoning behind it must be above and beyond me, 'cause I can't figure it out. Who doesn't get giddy over fan stuff? I'm sure it gets a little repetative and boring once you've got a larger fan following, but wouldn't you rather have fans doing work based on your characters than not having fans at all?

[stardance.livejournal.com]

You'll be allowed. Have your fans send you URLs rather than the stories. They can't screen your internets :D

Authors who don't treat their fans well annoy me. I understand that some people are creepy but I think it's disappointing how (for the most part) the more famous an author is, the less he or she likes his or her fans. I still make it a point to let people know when I appreciate their stuff, though. And the authors I hear back from (Lynn Flewelling, David Levithan and Neil Gaiman, currently) or who I know *care* about the people who are directly responsible for their success raise in esteem in my eyes :D

I think you'll be great.

Re: the guilty party

[maderr.livejournal.com]

I think it's a lawsuit thing. Like if I published prisoner and then for some dumbfuck reason decided to write a sequel...if my idea unintentionally mimics a fanfic, I could get in a world of trouble (I think?) unless I had never ever read fanfiction. Makes me sad, b/c I would love to see what people do with this lot. They'd probably all pick up your OTPS.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Generally in a debate you're supposed to see things from the other side to better understand and counter...but I'm telling you, I cannot see another side to this. Why would you possibly be offended that people want to play? And how is it any different than rewriting Cinderalla a bajillion times? Or rewriting Peter Pan? Frankenstein? I've got two books on my shelf - one is a Peter Pan AU and the other is a story about Captain Hook as a boy. Tell me how those don't count as Fanfiction? B/c they're based on lit? The writer's not around to bitch? WTFever. And don't even get me started on Frankenstein rewrites. Why is it okay to make money fanning those stories but other stories, written voluntary and for no profit, with utmost adoration and enthusias, get ganked? It makes no sense.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Good idea ^_^

Yeah. I know it's slim that I'll ever have a large following, but should it happen I like to think I wont' turn cynical or snotty about it. And if there is *ever* a notice that I want my stories removed? It ain't me, but a vile impersonator who will die a slow slow death.

[thecookietheory.livejournal.com]

Oh god. Ohgodohgodohgod.

a fic where Karmikel or Bastion or whoever was in a pych ward or being raped or went on a killing spree...

That's not something you tell me when I'm reading Kidnapped and I JUST GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY GET WATER DUMPED ON THEM because then my brain goes OMGSIDEFICWHERE!?

[thealisonbailey.livejournal.com]

I can kinda' understand when people make money off of fanworks, but outside of that it make my brain hurt trying to figure out the logic.

Tell me how those don't count as Fanfiction? They're outside the 75 year copyright limitation laws, I guess. (I think it's 75...) In visual art, I think the rule of thumb is that you can use a copyrighted entity as long as you cange it by at least 75% (again, I'm relying on what I've heard from professors when I wasn't really listening), so maybe that rule can apply with written work as well.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

I see.

[rykaine.livejournal.com]

I get that part. But you make it sound like after learning about all these authors you suddenly have to start being and behaving like all of them. I was just trying to get that through.

I don't really care why you are/aren't allowed to read fanfic. The fact of the matter is, you can read whatever you want. All the ideas have pretty much been written otherwise. Unless you take it word for word, name by name, and hour by hour, who the fuck cares.

Besides, if you're published and working on a sequel, odds are you already know what you're doing. And generally, inspiration comes from anywhere and everwhere.

So long as you cover all your basis, none of the rest should matter anyway.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

*laughs* You can write it.

[thealisonbailey.livejournal.com]

If we all live long enough, our fanfics will no longer be illegal! =D

[maderr.livejournal.com]

^_^

[rykaine.livejournal.com]

Does this mean I can request canon!drabble without getting smacked now?

[thecookietheory.livejournal.com]

Brain: *overload*

.___.;;

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Heh. If you can successfully do all three, I'll write all of Embrace in Feb (got too much to do before that). Hehehehe.


...
...
...should I be arrested for character abuse?

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Yes, you may.

[rykaine.livejournal.com]

Awesome.

Can I request a canon!drabble?

[twilight-angel.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'd be flattered if someone wrote about my characters (you know, when I actually get published). In fact, I have this plan. After I've published, I'm going to write fanfiction for my own stories, just so that I can have someone flame me with "OMG, that's so wouldn't happen! You're so OOC! OMG!" ^___^

[stardance.livejournal.com]

OMG DO IT thecookietheory!!!!! This is a golden opportunity.

[stardance.livejournal.com]

I plan to write new versions of the bible and the american revolution someday :D Do those count as fanfiction?

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Dude, that would be insane amounts of fun. Sekkret identity fanficcer! *dies laughing* I'd so write the most off the wall stuff I could, just so people could flame me for writing my own characters.

You are brilliant.

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Nah, you'd just write a more interesting variation of history. I've always wanted to do AR slash. Something really angsty and pretty about an american soldier and one pro-british. Such a perfect scenario for the ol' hurt/comfort standard. (that and I really really like the uniforms...)