Fan vs Original
I was checking out a roleplaying game that looked cute (it was characters from all worlds coming together at a bar at the end of the universe, kinda like a Doglas Adams thing) I thought it was a cute idea, so I asked if I could apply with Michael and they were like "Ew, no... you can't play your own character!" I was like "Uhhh...." and explained that he was technically a published character if that was the problem. The conversation went a little like
"No, you can only play someone else's published character. It'd be like... Joss Whedon playing Buffy or something, LOL!"
"So... if Joss Whedon applied to play Buffy you'd say no, but if he applied as Batman, that'd be fine."
"Exactly! That's the idea."
I've also noticed that when joining a lot of writing prompt communities, there's a certain amount of prejudice towards someone bringing in a character from their own completely original work. It's like original fiction marks you as some sort of pariah.
So... this has lead me to wonder if there are things I don't understand. Don't get offended by the questions, I really just want to figure out what the hell the appeal of this may be.
1. What is the appeal of writing fanficiton?
My feelings on the subject: If you can write well - why don't you make your own original characters and setting? If you can't write well enough to do that.... why are you writing?
2.Why do a lot of roleplaying and prompt communities seem to think like this?
Fan Fic > Original work of Fiction
and/or
Existing Show/Movie/Book/TV Character & Setting > Original Creation
My feelings on the subject: Where does this thought come from? Why is it better to expand upon an idea someone else already had and explored than to come up with your own completely new direction?
3. Does 'fan' have a negative connotation to you? Can you be a fan of something without being part of a fandom? Can you like something a lot without being a 'fan'? What is the line?
My feelings on the subject: I feel like i can't claim to be a 'fan' of anything because I have developed such a negative connotation towards that word. Saying I'm a fan of a certain type of music or a series of novels or something once meant to me "I really enjoy these works! They're pretty sweet." Now to me, fan implies 'fandom', which implies 'obsessive group of like minded crazy people' and the definition of 'fan' has come to mean 'overly obsessed person.'
4. Why does having a 'fandom' seem to override social (and common sense) taboos like incest and underage sex?
My feelings on the subject: I'm tired of seeing things marked as 'twincest' - obviously I don't click the link, but I think it's rather sickening that they come up with a 'cute' little word for forcing two related characters to mac on each other. Not to mention, as a parent of twins, this is just extra sick that someone has taken the closeness of a sibling bond and perverted it for their own desires.
I realise this is some pretty controversial stuff. Let's debate civilly, though.
Anything else you want to add ? Please do.
"No, you can only play someone else's published character. It'd be like... Joss Whedon playing Buffy or something, LOL!"
"So... if Joss Whedon applied to play Buffy you'd say no, but if he applied as Batman, that'd be fine."
"Exactly! That's the idea."
I've also noticed that when joining a lot of writing prompt communities, there's a certain amount of prejudice towards someone bringing in a character from their own completely original work. It's like original fiction marks you as some sort of pariah.
So... this has lead me to wonder if there are things I don't understand. Don't get offended by the questions, I really just want to figure out what the hell the appeal of this may be.
1. What is the appeal of writing fanficiton?
My feelings on the subject: If you can write well - why don't you make your own original characters and setting? If you can't write well enough to do that.... why are you writing?
2.Why do a lot of roleplaying and prompt communities seem to think like this?
Fan Fic > Original work of Fiction
and/or
Existing Show/Movie/Book/TV Character & Setting > Original Creation
My feelings on the subject: Where does this thought come from? Why is it better to expand upon an idea someone else already had and explored than to come up with your own completely new direction?
3. Does 'fan' have a negative connotation to you? Can you be a fan of something without being part of a fandom? Can you like something a lot without being a 'fan'? What is the line?
My feelings on the subject: I feel like i can't claim to be a 'fan' of anything because I have developed such a negative connotation towards that word. Saying I'm a fan of a certain type of music or a series of novels or something once meant to me "I really enjoy these works! They're pretty sweet." Now to me, fan implies 'fandom', which implies 'obsessive group of like minded crazy people' and the definition of 'fan' has come to mean 'overly obsessed person.'
4. Why does having a 'fandom' seem to override social (and common sense) taboos like incest and underage sex?
My feelings on the subject: I'm tired of seeing things marked as 'twincest' - obviously I don't click the link, but I think it's rather sickening that they come up with a 'cute' little word for forcing two related characters to mac on each other. Not to mention, as a parent of twins, this is just extra sick that someone has taken the closeness of a sibling bond and perverted it for their own desires.
I realise this is some pretty controversial stuff. Let's debate civilly, though.
Anything else you want to add ? Please do.