Un Petit (or not-so) Discours on FanFic
Hi everyone. Wow, three fanfic entries in a row! I promise the next one will be something else, but I have to do this now.
I'm aware this was a Writer's Block question recently (and probably because of this incident), but in light of reading some things, I don't think I did a good enough job explaining why I feel it's okay, and limitations I have on it. Basically, an author was ranting quite vehemently against fanfic, and in a way that many found quite offensive. THAT started an (almost equally offensive in some cases) Internet firestorm about it.
Well, I know I'm VERY late to get in on, but still. Here we go.
I guess the first thing is to clarify my position: I support fanfic (no, really?). BUT I don't think that it should be done if the author is opposed to it (that's his prerogative), and certainly not to make money.
So, for example, Internet fanfic communities, like FFN or here on LJ, are, in my opinion perfectly fine. BUT I do have a problem with those that are published; for example, you see a lot of the Jane Austen novels being "ficisized" (melding them with zombies or sea monsters, for instance, or even the version of P&P in Darcy's POV). That I don't think is right, because of copyright laws, and just general decency. Seems like stealing, in my mind.
Hmm... writing that made me think about that new House book that's coming out; it clearly says 'unofficial' in the title... At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I'm going to say that that's not exactly the same thing. It's more like an analysis thing, from what I've read of it. Like, the type of thing you'd find in a "Literature for Students" anthology with scholarly articles, if House were a book.
That brings the EXCELLENT point that it's really not always fair to draw definite lines and say "THIS is okay, but THIS is not". There's always grey areas. And everyone (myself included!) could remember that.
I think, that a good distinction for the "morality", if you will, of fic is the result of said fic.
Things like the House book, or the fics that were written between HP books, or currently as we wait for the movie, those things can increase the enthusiasm for the canon work, tiding fans over if you will. Which means better sales or ratings for the canon work, when it does return. Those kinds of things are okay, because they have a positive effect.
However, an example to the contrary: someone publishes a fic, which takes away sales from the original or makes people tune out of the next season. That is hurting the livelihood of the author/creator/person-who-owns-the-canon-source, and is NOT, in my opinion, acceptable.
This could be expanded, as well. If authors feel flattered and encouraged by fans writing fic about their work, seeing it as a sign of how much their world is loved, how much people enjoy it and how easy it is to imagine oneself in it, then it's 100% fine, since it encourages more writing/producing (because, really, who doesn't like good feedback?) BUT, authors who are offended by it might find it a disincentive to continue (something like, "My characters are being ruined by these fanon tropes here", as a random and, admittedly most likely not very accurate example.), and in that case it could be a bad thing.
So, yeah. An attempt to balance the two sides on this issue. Hopefully it isn't overly simplistic... but lemme know if it is. And, because I can:
Rebuttal of Common Anti-Fanfic Points
1) "Most of it is horribly written/it's all PWP": Firstly, whether something is "horribly written" is an opinion. People agree, generally, one bad vs. good, but the degree of said badness is debateable. And, the simple solution is obviously don't read poorly-written stuff, or the PWPs (I certainly don't). It doesn't hurt anyone, really. And, those of you who are in fan communities will know, writers of fanfic hate the horrible stuff too! We recognize it's deplorable, and frequently make fun of it or harshly critique. It insults the good writers out there (and there are MANY) to say that they can't do what they love because of authors who are NOT THEM who are bad.
(Side note: I agree that 13 year olds shouldn't be writing PWP. In fact, there are some 20 year olds who shouldn't be writing it. But just because certain people shouldn't be doing doesn't mean NO ONE can do it.)
2) "The good stuff is a waste of authors' talent": Oh, really? Ask authors and they will tell you how to become a good writer: WRITE. A lot. And read a lot too. So, if you take someone who has talent, the only way to polish it is to PRACTICE. And fanfic is a good way to do that (and to read, for that matter). Every idea doesn't have to be new and unique, especially if you're just doing it as an exercise. In fact, there could be something said in favor of doing it purposefully, rather than having your beloved original idea rejected countless times as you improve your style and getting disouraged. And, anyway, if that's what they choose to use their talent on, who are YOU to judge? At least you're seeing something from them, instead of nothing.
3) "Characters are my children! Don't mess with them": I LOVE characters. They're why I write and why I read. But, the point of them is usually to be believable. And real-life people often do things of which their parents disapprove. And, you wouldn't keep real children locked up away from the world would you? You'd want them to experience new things. And if it's an issue of "that's not something the character who do, ever!"... well, that's why it's fic and not canon. Plsu I like to think everyone might have (at least a slightly) different view of the characters, in which said action could be possible. [[This is a really difficult one for me to discuss, since I've never felt that way about characters. There's things I don't think they should do/think are wrong, but I don't see why I need to begrudge someone their idea of what could happen. So, this argument is pretty weak. Sorry.]]
4)Copyright law stuff: I have NO knowledge of copyright law, at all. So I really shouldn't say anything about it. (So, of course, the stupid idiot that I am, I will say: I feel like the intent of the laws was to prevent other people from making money off of someone's original idea. So, if there's no monewy being made, it may not violate the laws.)
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And... yep. I've talked myself out. Now it's your turn! Agree? Disagree? Let me know! You know how I love intelligent conversation and debate ;)
I'm aware this was a Writer's Block question recently (and probably because of this incident), but in light of reading some things, I don't think I did a good enough job explaining why I feel it's okay, and limitations I have on it. Basically, an author was ranting quite vehemently against fanfic, and in a way that many found quite offensive. THAT started an (almost equally offensive in some cases) Internet firestorm about it.
Well, I know I'm VERY late to get in on, but still. Here we go.
I guess the first thing is to clarify my position: I support fanfic (no, really?). BUT I don't think that it should be done if the author is opposed to it (that's his prerogative), and certainly not to make money.
So, for example, Internet fanfic communities, like FFN or here on LJ, are, in my opinion perfectly fine. BUT I do have a problem with those that are published; for example, you see a lot of the Jane Austen novels being "ficisized" (melding them with zombies or sea monsters, for instance, or even the version of P&P in Darcy's POV). That I don't think is right, because of copyright laws, and just general decency. Seems like stealing, in my mind.
Hmm... writing that made me think about that new House book that's coming out; it clearly says 'unofficial' in the title... At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I'm going to say that that's not exactly the same thing. It's more like an analysis thing, from what I've read of it. Like, the type of thing you'd find in a "Literature for Students" anthology with scholarly articles, if House were a book.
That brings the EXCELLENT point that it's really not always fair to draw definite lines and say "THIS is okay, but THIS is not". There's always grey areas. And everyone (myself included!) could remember that.
I think, that a good distinction for the "morality", if you will, of fic is the result of said fic.
Things like the House book, or the fics that were written between HP books, or currently as we wait for the movie, those things can increase the enthusiasm for the canon work, tiding fans over if you will. Which means better sales or ratings for the canon work, when it does return. Those kinds of things are okay, because they have a positive effect.
However, an example to the contrary: someone publishes a fic, which takes away sales from the original or makes people tune out of the next season. That is hurting the livelihood of the author/creator/person-who-owns-the-canon-source, and is NOT, in my opinion, acceptable.
This could be expanded, as well. If authors feel flattered and encouraged by fans writing fic about their work, seeing it as a sign of how much their world is loved, how much people enjoy it and how easy it is to imagine oneself in it, then it's 100% fine, since it encourages more writing/producing (because, really, who doesn't like good feedback?) BUT, authors who are offended by it might find it a disincentive to continue (something like, "My characters are being ruined by these fanon tropes here", as a random and, admittedly most likely not very accurate example.), and in that case it could be a bad thing.
So, yeah. An attempt to balance the two sides on this issue. Hopefully it isn't overly simplistic... but lemme know if it is. And, because I can:
Rebuttal of Common Anti-Fanfic Points
1) "Most of it is horribly written/it's all PWP": Firstly, whether something is "horribly written" is an opinion. People agree, generally, one bad vs. good, but the degree of said badness is debateable. And, the simple solution is obviously don't read poorly-written stuff, or the PWPs (I certainly don't). It doesn't hurt anyone, really. And, those of you who are in fan communities will know, writers of fanfic hate the horrible stuff too! We recognize it's deplorable, and frequently make fun of it or harshly critique. It insults the good writers out there (and there are MANY) to say that they can't do what they love because of authors who are NOT THEM who are bad.
(Side note: I agree that 13 year olds shouldn't be writing PWP. In fact, there are some 20 year olds who shouldn't be writing it. But just because certain people shouldn't be doing doesn't mean NO ONE can do it.)
2) "The good stuff is a waste of authors' talent": Oh, really? Ask authors and they will tell you how to become a good writer: WRITE. A lot. And read a lot too. So, if you take someone who has talent, the only way to polish it is to PRACTICE. And fanfic is a good way to do that (and to read, for that matter). Every idea doesn't have to be new and unique, especially if you're just doing it as an exercise. In fact, there could be something said in favor of doing it purposefully, rather than having your beloved original idea rejected countless times as you improve your style and getting disouraged. And, anyway, if that's what they choose to use their talent on, who are YOU to judge? At least you're seeing something from them, instead of nothing.
3) "Characters are my children! Don't mess with them": I LOVE characters. They're why I write and why I read. But, the point of them is usually to be believable. And real-life people often do things of which their parents disapprove. And, you wouldn't keep real children locked up away from the world would you? You'd want them to experience new things. And if it's an issue of "that's not something the character who do, ever!"... well, that's why it's fic and not canon. Plsu I like to think everyone might have (at least a slightly) different view of the characters, in which said action could be possible. [[This is a really difficult one for me to discuss, since I've never felt that way about characters. There's things I don't think they should do/think are wrong, but I don't see why I need to begrudge someone their idea of what could happen. So, this argument is pretty weak. Sorry.]]
4)Copyright law stuff: I have NO knowledge of copyright law, at all. So I really shouldn't say anything about it. (So, of course, the stupid idiot that I am, I will say: I feel like the intent of the laws was to prevent other people from making money off of someone's original idea. So, if there's no monewy being made, it may not violate the laws.)
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And... yep. I've talked myself out. Now it's your turn! Agree? Disagree? Let me know! You know how I love intelligent conversation and debate ;)