As someone who reads a lot of fanfic, this excites me! LOL.
- What is the difference between reading books and fanfic? Okay, so... When you read a standalone book, that's it. It's done. Sometimes this is good in that there isn't any more story to tell, all the ends have been taken care of, and there's closure. When reading a book series, while each book has its plot that ties up at the end, you still get the satisfaction of seeing what else happens with your favorite characters. This is fanfic for me. Each fic is either an episode or another book to a series where you've already fallen in love with the characters. Yes, there is the question of canon and deviation from what the author originally intended, but it gives us more exposure and directions the official author might not have thought of or didn't want to take the character in.
- Do you think that fanfic can be as good or better than published books?Definitely. I have read some truly horrible published books and some fanfic that was so truly amazing that I wondered
( ... )
It always makes me so happy to see people mention Tamora Pierce. I often say that Harry Potter was my first fandom but her books are where my roots really are.
I've only been introduced to her in the past few years (in which I have marathon read all of the Tortall books) and now going to start on her other series. I wish I'd had these books when I was younger. Though, I had Anne Shirley, so I cannot complain much!
Each fic is either an episode or another book to a series where you've already fallen in love with the characters. This is a great way of putting it. In a way, all the fics written for a specific fandom or pairing are all aspects of the same thing. It's like a neverending stream of more content for a thing you love. (Unless you're trapped in small fandom hell, in which case forget the 'neverending stream of more content' and substitute with 'the same ten fics you'll read over and over'... :p)
I didn't answer the published book that used to be fanfics question because I didn't want to go off on a rant about... well, one or two currently popular things. Let's just say that I understand the wish to be published. And there are instances where it goes right, where the story is changed enough that you'll only see it if you know where to look or don't even see it at all anymore. And then there's cases where.... well, where it seems like someone went on a search & replace rampage to change the names and called it good.
AHahaha, I was trying to vague up my rant. But it hurts when I see garbage making millions and I see my author friends struggling and their books are really good.
The freedom. I mentioned it earlier, but the freedom of the fanfic author to do things with the characters that the official writers cannot. Like fusion fics, crossover fics, alternate universe fics.
Definitely. Sometimes TV/movie writers can't put things in due to time constraints, censors, budget, etc. Sometimes book writers can't put things in due to market expectations/publisher's guidelines, etc. And crossover and alternate universe fics are some of my favorite things. I love that freedom as a writer and consumer of fanfic.
I love it when writers are not afraid to explore all the possibilities that are censored for whatever reason in the professional 'world'. I love that they are able to explore relationships or consider endings for canceled shows, or different outcomes to events seen in a show or movie.
If the universe froze over and I was ever a published author, I'd totally be the one writing fanfic of my own stuff under a pseudonym. And then after 10 years of crazy fanfic I'd be all GUESS WHAT, THAT'S ALL CANON. LOOL.
I have read some truly horrible published books and some fanfic that was so truly amazing that I wondered why the fic author wasn't trying to get a book published.
I think, also, it's a way for people to LEARN to write well. I have seen writers start out messy, but the ideas are solid. But, as time progresses (with help from decent betas, on many occasions), the writing tightens up, the punctuation is better, and it not only helps them grow new ideas, but it also makes them better readers and writers.
On the flip side, I know that reading good fanfic has also meant I haven't read a lot of the popular books, out there, because my standards got a little too high. LOL
Oh man. There's some works of forking ART out there. Like, I read published books and go "this is absolutely horrible... I wouldn't read this in fanfic, why did I pay for this?" It's bad.
That's so the worst. Like.. you know the author won't take concrit well and you're just DYING because wow. It's why I'm very selective in my beta'ing, LOL.
- What is the difference between reading books and fanfic?
Okay, so... When you read a standalone book, that's it. It's done. Sometimes this is good in that there isn't any more story to tell, all the ends have been taken care of, and there's closure. When reading a book series, while each book has its plot that ties up at the end, you still get the satisfaction of seeing what else happens with your favorite characters. This is fanfic for me. Each fic is either an episode or another book to a series where you've already fallen in love with the characters. Yes, there is the question of canon and deviation from what the author originally intended, but it gives us more exposure and directions the official author might not have thought of or didn't want to take the character in.
- Do you think that fanfic can be as good or better than published books?Definitely. I have read some truly horrible published books and some fanfic that was so truly amazing that I wondered ( ... )
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This is a great way of putting it. In a way, all the fics written for a specific fandom or pairing are all aspects of the same thing. It's like a neverending stream of more content for a thing you love. (Unless you're trapped in small fandom hell, in which case forget the 'neverending stream of more content' and substitute with 'the same ten fics you'll read over and over'... :p)
I didn't answer the published book that used to be fanfics question because I didn't want to go off on a rant about... well, one or two currently popular things. Let's just say that I understand the wish to be published. And there are instances where it goes right, where the story is changed enough that you'll only see it if you know where to look or don't even see it at all anymore. And then there's cases where.... well, where it seems like someone went on a search & replace rampage to change the names and called it good.
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Definitely. Sometimes TV/movie writers can't put things in due to time constraints, censors, budget, etc. Sometimes book writers can't put things in due to market expectations/publisher's guidelines, etc. And crossover and alternate universe fics are some of my favorite things. I love that freedom as a writer and consumer of fanfic.
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I'd be hilarious.
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I think, also, it's a way for people to LEARN to write well. I have seen writers start out messy, but the ideas are solid. But, as time progresses (with help from decent betas, on many occasions), the writing tightens up, the punctuation is better, and it not only helps them grow new ideas, but it also makes them better readers and writers.
On the flip side, I know that reading good fanfic has also meant I haven't read a lot of the popular books, out there, because my standards got a little too high. LOL
Erin // Clubs
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I've had some REAL BAD STUFF to beta and I want to tell the writer it's bad, but I just can't/ So I fix it as best as I can and hope for the best. :\
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