So from what I've just read on fanhistory on the matter, I'm to understand that the Claire plagiarism scandal has nothing to do with The Mortal Instruments and everything to do with her time as a fanfic writer? So she copied ideas from a published work of fiction and used it in her own fic? I was initially under the impression that there were claims of plagiarism in regards to her published fiction, not her fanfic.
I understand yours and many other people's positions on the issue of integrity and what have you, but I guess I feel a little differently. Maybe that's wrong of me. Was it shitty to copy from other writers? Definitely. But a lot of people in fandom do, credited or otherwise. No one makes a fuss over it because they aren't published authors; that's the only difference. Not to mention that the whole act of writing fanfiction is considered plagiarism to some degree; this has been a huge source of contention between the fandom and professional worlds, especially recently. Some writers encourage fanworks, some will prosecute for them.
So I definitely understand where you're coming from, Y. And I think you have a very valid reason for not supporting her work and holding your grudge. It wasn't an acceptable thing to do. But, that being said, I'm more willing to separate her fandom life five or ten years ago from her professional life now. I wasn't involved with fandom at all at the the time, so those who were around closer to that time period probably feel a lot differently about it.
And I don't say any of this in defense of Claire. Honestly, I don't really care about her in the first place. What I am concerned about is understanding the fandom backlash and mar on the series that I've been hearing about. Should I, personally, take her fandom life into consideration when I read her novel or not? Basically, that's what I'm worried about. I hope that makes sense.
Ideas are one thing, though she did literally, liberally, insert entire passages and pages of published works not related to Potter practically word-for-word (changing, say, John to Draco).... actually, it can be read all about it here - the author of that account includes side-by-side comparisons so the reader can see for themselves.
I get what you mean about fanfiction involving some level of plagiarism. This is definitely true! But I see the Cassandra Clare debacle as like this - what if another Lily/James writer took passages of Muggle Studies for their Potter fic, and didn't mention that they'd taken it, much less credit you? I mean, sure, it's all fanfic in the end, but it's the principle of it, I guess. We're all using JKR's work, but most people I know make clear that they're using her world as a playground, and not trying to pass off Avada Kedavra as their own invention, for example. (To be fair though, Cassandra Claire did credit certain things, though, like the excessive Buffy quotes, but not all.) Probably a faulty analogy, but I hope some semblance of point made it through. :S
Though, I didn't mean to say it as "She sucks, this is why, and you shouldn't read her books" - but I wanted to mention that there are legitimate reasons for the bitterness and bad blood, you know? :S :S Especially when it was her "fandom connections" that got her the book deals (and entry into the NYC YA writing circle she's in), ultimately.
Should I, personally, take her fandom life into consideration when I read her novel or not? Basically, that's what I'm worried about. I hope that makes sense. Absolutely! And that's a fair and balanced way to go about it, too. For what it's worth, I was interested to see your comments! And actually quite tempted to check out The Clockwork Angel from the library, since it's apparently got a Victorian element, but I've seen only mixed reviews.
Yeah, I completely understand what you're saying and where you're coming from! :) Talking about these sorts of plagiarism issues within the context of fanfiction is so difficult to do, especially when some credit is given and some isn't. And I definitely understand the outrage because no one likes to see anyone's work stolen, and honestly, there should never be a reason for plagiarism to begin with.
My major concern was that you might take it as me saying plagiarism is okay, lol! I definitely don't want you to think that! This is just me ignoring this aspect of her life because I, personally, don't find it relevant to my reading of her work. It's always important to approach literature knowing certain things about an author, definitely. But at some point we all have to decide where to draw the line on what we're going to allow to affect our perspective, and that's why I didn't look into the matter further before starting the novel. :)
It was my mistake in in phrasing the line above as people being "pissy". That was unfair of me, and I'm sorry if I seemed to be brushing the legitimate complaints of people off! I definitely didn't mean to. After hearing so many negative remarks about it/her, you start to wonder if it isn't just half-truths wank, and that's where I was coming from.
I understand yours and many other people's positions on the issue of integrity and what have you, but I guess I feel a little differently. Maybe that's wrong of me. Was it shitty to copy from other writers? Definitely. But a lot of people in fandom do, credited or otherwise. No one makes a fuss over it because they aren't published authors; that's the only difference. Not to mention that the whole act of writing fanfiction is considered plagiarism to some degree; this has been a huge source of contention between the fandom and professional worlds, especially recently. Some writers encourage fanworks, some will prosecute for them.
So I definitely understand where you're coming from, Y. And I think you have a very valid reason for not supporting her work and holding your grudge. It wasn't an acceptable thing to do. But, that being said, I'm more willing to separate her fandom life five or ten years ago from her professional life now. I wasn't involved with fandom at all at the the time, so those who were around closer to that time period probably feel a lot differently about it.
And I don't say any of this in defense of Claire. Honestly, I don't really care about her in the first place. What I am concerned about is understanding the fandom backlash and mar on the series that I've been hearing about. Should I, personally, take her fandom life into consideration when I read her novel or not? Basically, that's what I'm worried about. I hope that makes sense.
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I get what you mean about fanfiction involving some level of plagiarism. This is definitely true! But I see the Cassandra Clare debacle as like this - what if another Lily/James writer took passages of Muggle Studies for their Potter fic, and didn't mention that they'd taken it, much less credit you? I mean, sure, it's all fanfic in the end, but it's the principle of it, I guess. We're all using JKR's work, but most people I know make clear that they're using her world as a playground, and not trying to pass off Avada Kedavra as their own invention, for example. (To be fair though, Cassandra Claire did credit certain things, though, like the excessive Buffy quotes, but not all.) Probably a faulty analogy, but I hope some semblance of point made it through. :S
Though, I didn't mean to say it as "She sucks, this is why, and you shouldn't read her books" - but I wanted to mention that there are legitimate reasons for the bitterness and bad blood, you know? :S :S Especially when it was her "fandom connections" that got her the book deals (and entry into the NYC YA writing circle she's in), ultimately.
Should I, personally, take her fandom life into consideration when I read her novel or not? Basically, that's what I'm worried about. I hope that makes sense.
Absolutely! And that's a fair and balanced way to go about it, too. For what it's worth, I was interested to see your comments! And actually quite tempted to check out The Clockwork Angel from the library, since it's apparently got a Victorian element, but I've seen only mixed reviews.
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My major concern was that you might take it as me saying plagiarism is okay, lol! I definitely don't want you to think that! This is just me ignoring this aspect of her life because I, personally, don't find it relevant to my reading of her work. It's always important to approach literature knowing certain things about an author, definitely. But at some point we all have to decide where to draw the line on what we're going to allow to affect our perspective, and that's why I didn't look into the matter further before starting the novel. :)
It was my mistake in in phrasing the line above as people being "pissy". That was unfair of me, and I'm sorry if I seemed to be brushing the legitimate complaints of people off! I definitely didn't mean to. After hearing so many negative remarks about it/her, you start to wonder if it isn't just half-truths wank, and that's where I was coming from.
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