Fandom Meta: Why I Write Fanfic

[dodger_winslow]

Because these sorts of topics always interest me, and because I can never fit my response into the word count allowed by a comment box, here's my response to a post by fantasyenabler off something posted to metafandom called Why Do I Write Fanfic Poll detailing why I couldn't click-it in any of the options provided, but rather felt a need to go on

Comments

[smilla02]

What a nice way to put it all into the right perspective. I, obviously, agree on what you say. The art form, the fun, the setting ready there that allows for a tuning of your abilities to experiment and grow and challenge your writing skills, to focus on characterization. And of course I agree with all of this:
to have Jeffrey Dean Morgan or Jensen Ackles whispering funny lines in your ear when you're writing John or Dean Winchester

Because having them fleshed out by actors we can see and observe, having the visual of the way an eyebrow bends, a mouth grin, the eyes narrow, makes it all very tactile, if it makes sense.

That guy from down the street is one of me. He's saying what he says because he loves the same sort of things I doYes that probably is the summit of the experience. It doesn't matter thow different the motivations, the interpretation, we do it for love, each one of us, and it is a fantastic feeling, you know, that someone will tell you that because they love the same thing that move us

[dodger_winslow]

The actor thing is invaluable. It breaths life into the characters for people who are visually-oriented (as I am) in a way that then takes off on its own and totally redefines something that wouldn't exist if the characters weren't living people in your head.

In a non-crazy way, of course.

[ingriam]

I agree with everything in this; and bonus, you've inspired me to make a new userpic. Thanks! I feel I must eHug you.

[dodger_winslow]

eHugs back! Always glad to inspire new icons. I'm a firm believe that everyone should have more user pics than they can every use in one lifetime. :D

[erinrua]

Found this whilst trawling for more fics, and I just want to say:

word.

:-) Too late in the day to get thinkier than that, so I'll just say I love what you've expressed here, and certainly more eloquently than I ever have. Hope you don't mind that I'm saving this to mems as a meta-post, because this may be something I'll want to reread, next time someone asks why I waste time with something like fan fiction when I should be concentrating on writing my own stories. Thanks for this! :-)
Cheers ~

Erin

[dodger_winslow]

Thanks. :D There are a lot of people who write mainstream who catch flak for playing in fanfic, so don't feel like the lone ranger on being frustrated with that repetative question/criticism from others. Writing is a discipline, and practice is the thing. HOW you practice is essential. On what subject? Pffft. Polishing your writing skills with fanfic can be just as effective as any other way of polishing them. And it is invariably a HELL of a lot more fun. ;)

[erinrua]

Polishing your writing skills with fanfic can be just as effective as any other way of polishing them.

There. That right there. If we're actively endevoring to perfect our writing craft, why the *bleep* should it be more "honorable" to write pointless exersizes in some creative writing class, than to enjoy ourselves writing actual stories people will enjoy along with us? :-)

And it is invariably a HELL of a lot more fun.

Cut and print. *G*

~ Erin