Fanfic in TIME

[mystizan]

Hey all :)

Just saw this in TIME (online) & it made me happy. I like fanfic but I never really understood the possible legal ramifications until after I read the article. Although, clearly, I am pro-fanfic. This is because I've read a ton of it & written a little of it & know that when you find good fic? It's one of the most fun things outside of your Canon!Show or Canon!Book that you love so much. And s'times fic fixes things in Canon. Outside of that tho, there r some RLY talented fic writers out there & it lets us gather & love on them & get good fic in the process. Win/win in my book. I wish those who give us canon & hate fic could see that you don't fic s'thing unless you love it & are passionate abt it. & yea, if u see terrible fic or OOC fic u will cringe but idk if there's a way around that.

Anyway, hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did (rabid fangirl that I've become) & that u guys r having a FABULOUS time. *hugs*

Comments

[railise]

I do see it as a legal grey area, in that I don't think it's actually breaking existing laws, but wouldn't want to contest that in a court of law. However, I think it's arrogant and close-minded of authors to forbid fans from writing fanfic; partially because most of them say their characters are their "children", which makes me want to barf a little every time I hear it (I have no idea how such special snowflakes survive the world of publishing, seriously), and also because it's such a great way to get fans engaged, which keeps them interested in your work. It just seems like they're shooting themselves in the foot, really.

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

it's such a great way to get fans engaged, which keeps them interested in your work. It just seems like they're shooting themselves in the foot, really. This. Yes. I mean, when we're writing fic we are very actively engaged with canon. It's an easy way to generate & maintain interest in ur work (i.e. Canon) actually. AND it's free. Srsly. Win/win. I didn't expect anyone to comment so the fact that u did? :D

[railise]

Everything you said-- that's EXACTLY it. People need to learn how to use the internet as a tool to keep their audience engaged, and authors and show/movie runners who encourage fanfic get it, I think.

lol, it's an issue I'm very interested in. :D

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

Yea...cuz if they saw what I saw (good fic) & felt what we felt (much love for their Canon) then why would they forbid us from playing in their sandbox some more?

it's an issue I'm very interested in. :D :) Before this article? Never gave it a passing thought.

[railise]

Some see it as infringement of their creative property. While I get what they're saying, I disagree, because they've put it out there for an audience, and any sort of audience engagement does require some amount of creativity on the part of the audience. There's a larger amount required of readers than viewers (and it's mostly authors who seem to have an issue with it), but you do need some ability to believe a world to watch a TV show or movie, too. Basically, I think the people who are getting all huffy and assholey about it need to stop being so precious, but that's just my opinion. ;)

I've had a few conversations with people before about it-- it's an interesting topic. I can see both sides, but I know for sure which one I agree with. ;)

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

YES. It's fiction so I have to engage to believe what u put b4 me. So yea, authors want me to engage but limit how far I can go. I too am pro-fic. The only thing that I'd agree with the authors abt is banning bad fic cuz man! There is some terrible stuff out there. But if u let ur babies out to play u can't limit what ppl will do with it, good, bad or ugly.

[railise]

Not only that, calling your characters your "children" is not healthy, man. XD

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course not. *hides stash of TV Husbands, TV bffs & other assorted fictional r'ships* Not healthy at all.

[railise]

That's... different...-ish... *shifty eyes*

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

LOL! Ummm...right.

[tinny]

That article has been recced left and right on my flist, because it is the *first* one *ever* that looks at the topic from an open POV. Noone else has ever taken fangirls and fanfic seriously. This article may not be entirely serious, but it's not derisive, either. It feels like it's written by a fangirl (which would seriously lessen its value), but I understand it wasn't. It was just a reporter who took the time to do research.

So, yeah, cool article. It's a bit scary that fanfic is coming out of the underground a little, but I'm not too worried about it. We'll always stay a fringe group and that's fine with me.

[mystizan.livejournal.com]

Noone else has ever taken fangirls and fanfic seriously. :O Srsly? cuz I've not been in Fandom long, but I'd think they'd have figured out pretty quickly that fangirls & fanboys r the reason they make the kinds of profit margins that they do. We ARE their most loyal & enthusiastic consumers. Why would fanfic coming above ground scare u?