Fan Fiction

[alicambs]

On one of my more active lists an author used, without permission, a scenario from another writer's just published story and expanded on it. The author was not best pleased and the moderators went into action. There was agreement that common courtsey meant that you should always ask for permission to use other writers characters/scenarios. On the

Comments

I agree

[alyburns]

There is NO difference, in my mind, between fanfiction based on a movie, a series, or a book. But that being said, there could be a fine line, as seen by the legal system, between writing fan fiction based on a book for the simple reason that the fan fic author is using the same medium (or darn close) as the original author, but again, the authors aren't "publishing" or making any monetary gain, so I think they're safe

Re: I agree

[alicambs]

I was beginning to get a mite fed up with all the sanctimonious, 'my fandom's acceptable, but I disapprove of yours' type of sentiments, hence the mild vent. *g* As to the poor person who 'borrowed' the scenario, I bet she feels really bad now, but I guess she's learnt to ask first and write later!

[eldritchhobbit]

Great link. Thanks so much!

[alicambs]

'makes sweeping curtsey' My pleasure, Ma'am. *g*

[kitzen_kat]

If we place it in a longer tradition of fanfic, it's just plain rude to nick someone else's creation or work further on it without permission, whether or not the characters have been 'poached' from a tv show or film that a production company has created. It's courtesy, fan to fan.

[alicambs]

True, but the person who did it, did it without malice and in ignorance of the customs and ways of fan fiction/fandom and certainly mentioned the author, scene she was borrowing from and her hope that the author didn't mind. I guess she was pretty blown away by the angry, and occasional sanctimonious, reaction to her error and will probably never write again. I suppose I feel the whole thing could have been dealt with in a far less high handed manner.

Mind you, the subject that really got my goat was people feeling that they had an absolutely right to tell us that they were squicked or offended by fan fiction from books and films because it wasn't 'right'. We're fan fic writers/readers for crying out loud! Nothing of what we do is exactly 'legal', but since it reality it harms nobody I'm happy to do it. What I don't need is other 'fans' telling me that certain fandoms, and ones I may well enjoy, are beyond the pale. I mean, who placed them as arbitrators of taste and validity? (you can probably see it's still getting my goat *g*)

[alicambs]

I think we're talking about the same list, but please do elucidate... I fancy a good bitch. *g*