On Writing

[tarion_anarore]

So, there's been some interesting discussion on "canon" lately. I don't honestly have much to say on the subject, except that those of you who know me also probably are aware that I pick and choose whatever I darn well please from canon. So yes.

Comments

[tarion_anarore]

Yes, and I think also that people tend to think that if something is not canon, it's bad and shouldn't be used. For example, I don't generally call HoME "canon'. Does that mean it should not be used as a source of inspiration or reference upon which to shape a story or details if you so choose? Of course not. Even I've written a ficlet or two inspired by the dreaded HoME. ;)

But criticizing a story because a Gondorian character has the wrong hair colour? Urgh.

Exactly. And like you said, people often abuse the term canon to criticize a story that just doesn't follow their exact interpretation. I remember one story featuring young Galadriel and Angrod (or Aegnor? Eh, one of them) that got labeled as "un-canon" by a reviewer, when so far as I can recall, there is not anything mentioned about Galadriel's early childhood. And if there is, I'm willing to bet that there is still a lot of room for fleshing out and interpretation!

And then there's the tendency of wanting to make other people do what you say, conform to whatever you happen to like best/happen to think about canon.

Sure. And there are certainly times when I (and probably anyone else who reads fanfic) read a story that doesn't fit well with my personal canon, and maybe it takes me out of the story enough to where I don't enjoy it. But at least I can still recognize that that is a valid interpretation. If you can't enjoy others' interpretations, don't read any other fanfic besides your own.