I just found this article in the Guardian online about fanfiction, mostly with reference to Fifty Shades, but with a general overview of 'the history' of fanfiction
( Read more... )
Yeah, I lost a lot of respect at the point where he gave a completely incorrect definition of slash! And all the vast, sweeping (and frequently incorrect) generalisations...
I think llincathryn's comment (posted 13 August 7:30PM)is spot on!
I didn't know Fifty Shades of Grey originated from fanfic! I haven't read it yet, and I don't think I will. First of all because it's het with some BDSM (I don't mind het nor BDSM, but not three books full of it), but most of all, because I hear it's badly written. I rather prefer fanfic on my favourite comm *g*
I might pop back and see what other comments have been made on it since last night. I think the article must have appeared in the evening, because there weren't many comments when i read it.
Yeah, I'm not overly keen on reading it, mostly because I've heard it's so badly written. Which is a shame, because otherwise, I actually quite like reading het bdsm... ;-)
I love the logic fail of the commenter who singles out a link as "the worst fanfic ever" and then describes it as "sadly representative".
I don't think the article is bad bad but it does seem to fall into the problem of fixating on the sex and then trying to offer up pop psychology to explain a phenomena the author doesn't properly understand. I've read much better mainstream articles explaining fan fiction, though I have also read much worse.
Yes, I noticed the fixating on the sex thing, and the frequently incorrect definitions of things (such as slash, for starters!). Didn't really inspire confidence in the writer's ability to offer sensible commentary.
It was certainly interesting to see an article about fanfic in the Guardian, and get a viewpoint of how others outside of fanom see it.
The Lev Grossman article in time referenced by several of the commenters (and which can be found here) is much better and shows that mainstream journalists can do this properly if they care to.
Yes, the focus on sex really wasn't useful, neither were the several factual inacuracies, and vast sweeping generalisations.
This is the kind of thing behind my refusal to read fanfic at Writers' Club, and the fact that I've only told a few people at the club who I know understand it.
I didn't agree with some of it but it was interesting to see an article on fanfic. There are plenty of spinoffs of existing TV series/Films like all the Dr Who audio books that could be classed as fanfic - I don't think being professional/getting paid for it makes it any less fanfic (if that makes sense).
And there is more to fanfic than sex & I think you're on very dodgy ground if you start generalising on people's motives for writing certain types of fanfic.
I do think tho' that many years from now slashfic/fanfic will become an accepted part of the marketing for a TV series/film - that the makers will incorporate it in spin off novels etc.
It was definitely interesting to see an article in mainstream media about fanfic, although it;s a shame the writer made so many sweeping generalisations, factual innacuraceies, and focussed on the sex so much. :-(
The whole thing with TV tie-in novels, etc, is intereting. I suppose the main difference really is the fact that 'official' stuff is generally commisioned and paid for, whereas fanfic is written by fans simply for fun and the love of the show/book/whatever.
Comments 15
Reply
Reply
I didn't know Fifty Shades of Grey originated from fanfic! I haven't read it yet, and I don't think I will. First of all because it's het with some BDSM (I don't mind het nor BDSM, but not three books full of it), but most of all, because I hear it's badly written. I rather prefer fanfic on my favourite comm *g*
Reply
Yeah, I'm not overly keen on reading it, mostly because I've heard it's so badly written. Which is a shame, because otherwise, I actually quite like reading het bdsm... ;-)
Reply
I don't think the article is bad bad but it does seem to fall into the problem of fixating on the sex and then trying to offer up pop psychology to explain a phenomena the author doesn't properly understand. I've read much better mainstream articles explaining fan fiction, though I have also read much worse.
Reply
It was certainly interesting to see an article about fanfic in the Guardian, and get a viewpoint of how others outside of fanom see it.
Reply
Reply
Looks like the author has got quite a hang up about sex.
Reply
This is the kind of thing behind my refusal to read fanfic at Writers' Club, and the fact that I've only told a few people at the club who I know understand it.
Reply
Reply
There are plenty of spinoffs of existing TV series/Films like all the Dr Who audio books that could be classed as fanfic - I don't think being professional/getting paid for it makes it any less fanfic (if that makes sense).
And there is more to fanfic than sex & I think you're on very dodgy ground if you start generalising on people's motives for writing certain types of fanfic.
I do think tho' that many years from now slashfic/fanfic will become an accepted part of the marketing for a TV series/film - that the makers will incorporate it in spin off novels etc.
Reply
The whole thing with TV tie-in novels, etc, is intereting. I suppose the main difference really is the fact that 'official' stuff is generally commisioned and paid for, whereas fanfic is written by fans simply for fun and the love of the show/book/whatever.
Reply
Leave a comment