Fanfiction

[Delta40]

Does anyone here write this stuff or even read it? I had the misfortune to come across Mr Darcy Bites at a bookshop and couldn't believe the twisted plot contrived by the author, not to mention how poorly it was written.

What are your views about the market for this area?

[Volya]

In my opinion if you're gonna write something then write something original rather than hijacking other people's ideas - especially when what you're writing is far, far worse than the original (which seems to often be the case).

[sandy14]

It depends. Fanfic can be a lot of fun, especially when it parodies the source material. It's also a useful means of writers gaining experience at actually writing stuff. The characters are already there, so the writing is a bit easier, because one may have to focus on plot development and all the other stuff. Useful for writing exercises for beginning writers, and if your friends enjoy them, then why not? If writing is your hobby, then it's better to write something your friend are going to enjoy.

There again, what's fanfic, and what's not? Is Bridget Jones' Diary a piece of fanfic (essentially it's a modern take on Pride and Prejudice). Then there's the Bond novels commissioned by the Fleming estate - are these fanfic?

I agree with Volya that more often than not the result is not always great, but then in most cases nobody's been paid, so where's the harm? Is Pride & Prejudice with Seamonsters fanfic, an affectionate parody, or both?

In some cases I can't help thinking that sometimes it's a concept thought up by publishers to sell Xmas gifts.

But then, artists (including writers) do like to build on others work - there's a conversation across the generations. V for Vendetta owes much to 1984, is that fanfic, or a strong influence.

In addition a decent piece of fanfic can have the character names changed and go on to have lives of their own. After all 50 Shades of Grey started out as fanfic which then turned into a big seller.

[Delta40]

I watched V for Vendetta for the first time yesterday.

My youngest daughter is more likely to read Mr Darcy Bites than Pride and Prejudice because of the werewolf factor.... Is this a concern?

[Calidore]

I watched V for Vendetta for the first time yesterday.

Haven't seen the movie myself, but the graphic novel is worth checking out.


My youngest daughter is more likely to read Mr Darcy Bites than Pride and Prejudice because of the werewolf factor.... Is this a concern?

I'd say, if it gets her interested in the original (and if it's age-appropriate), why not? As long as she's reading something.

[Dark Muse]

For me it depends, when it comes to written fanfic I mostly avoid it, reading some one else's take on an authors characters and ideas doesn't usually appeal to me. I prefer to read someone's own original characters and ideas (or at least as original as possible as I know the argument can be made that nothing is truly original, but at least make an effort at orginality instead of just taking some one else's creation and rewriting it). But when it comes to visual arts I think it can be interesting to see how different people might interpret what a character from a book or a certain scene from a book looks like.

I also agree that most written fanfic is just plain and simple bad witting. It seems like a lot of armatures rely upon fanfic because they simply do not know how to conceptualize their own ideas.

I think there is a difference (though in some cases it might be a fine line) between someone being strongly influenced/inspired by another work and actual Fanfic.

[Delta40]

It's a good point Calidore. The readability of a lot of fanfic can provide an avenue for some who would not otherwise have known such classic characters.

[sandy14]

My youngest daughter is more likely to read Mr Darcy Bites than Pride and Prejudice because of the werewolf factor.... Is this a concern?

No, because your daughter is reading and if she's actively choosing stuff that she wants to read, then I wouldn't be concerned, I'd be celebrating.

Children/young adults with the biggest problems are those that don't read at all.

If your daughter is picking up books, then the battle is pretty much won. I only read fantasy and science fiction in my teens. Twenty years on, I barely touch it and read other stuff. Tastes change as folk get older, and adults forget a lot of the "trash" they read when they were younger. Reading has to be fun first. There's nothing wrong with making recommendations, but don't force it as it may cause more harm than good.

[Lokasenna]

If you consider the likes of Tolkien, Lewis and Morris as writers of medieval fanfiction then I am most definitely one as well!

[JBI]

Some of it is successful - Romance of the Three Kingdoms is very much a collection of fan-fiction on the History of the Three Kingdoms.

Still, the vast majority - even more so than the general amount of literature out there - is absolute rubbish.

[Poetaster]

Fan fiction can be a good place for young writers to make a start, and develop story writing sensibilities and techniques. But I think that (like Ayn Rand's philosophy) it's something most people should grow out of very quickly.

[Volya]

Speak of the devil... There's some fanfiction in the Writing forums!