It's probably worth the experiment, for your own thinkyness if for nothing else. Take one of those fics and see what happens when you try to turn it original!
There are other examples in the publishing world of books that started out as fic, and then the authors filed off the serial numbers... but the one that I know of for sure is a stunning writer, so it worked really well. (That would be Shards of Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold, based off her earlier Trek fics about Spock's parents. Scifi with military intrigue... really very, very good.)
I myself have tried to turn one of my shorter fics into a short film. It's not going so well, but I think the exercise of doing it is helpful for me.
I've read only excerpted snippets of the book, which would have driven me running and screaming from the book itself even were the subject matter to my taste. However, based on those snippets and general discussion, I've concluded that Fifty Shades of Gray is succeeding because it's catering to the id in a way that other popular writing has not, or at least not in a way that its audience finds so satisfying. Catering to the id is something that fanfiction does really well and pro fiction frequently does not. At least, pro fiction generally does a sorry job of catering to my id, although it's possible I just haven't found the right authors. I think Twilight (which I have read) is successful for the same reason, although again, it's not my id that's being catered to there.
So. I think that's a major component of why these novels are selling so well, and I think it's one way fanfic writers are ahead of the pros. Now, when fic authors who can tap the id and develop the loving and nuanced characterization fanfiction excels at, and also
( ... )
*taps fingertips together plottingly* Hm . . . Might I use you as a test audience for one of the fics should I decide to give it a go? It's quite an old fic, and I haven't been in the fandom in a long time . . . You might be able to tell me if it works separate from the source material
( ... )
Might I use you as a test audience for one of the fics should I decide to give it a go?
Sure, if you don't mind that there might be a slow turnaround. It's a busy period right now. :) Um, if you want to email, it's my username at gmail.
The thing about 50 Shades is . . . I think it's the PR machine and the exposure (um, no pun intended) as much as anything.
That's also a good point. The one thing I've heard around fandom a lot is, "Why is everyone paying money for this when there's porn that's so much better for free on the Internet?" But it's because people know about this book, and they don't know about fannish porn. (Also because there's a bit of a learning curve to negotiating fandom, and there isn't to buying erotica from B&N.)
I mean, I'm considering reading Stephen King's Salem's Lot this summer because I love the miniseries. Oh yes? I read the book last summer and might be interested in the miniseries. I had my usual experience with early/mid-career Stephen King, which is that I loved all the character work in the first
( ... )
Much of it, too, I'm sure, is that the books are selling to people who have no idea what fanfic is. I've actually had to explain to someone what 50Shades is, what fanfic is, etc.
Still, I think the best think about the book is probably the cover. Because admittedly, the cover art is pretty cool.
Re: Salem's Lot . . . Oh, I have stories about my experience with the miniseries. It came out when I was . . . 10 years old. And it scared the bejeebers out of me!
It aired in the fall, so of course I was working on Christmas ornaments at the time, while I watched. So each year, whenever I hang my Snow White appliqué ornaments on the tree, I think of Salem's Lot. Hee!
If you can get a hold of the miniseries (1979), I recommend. I didn't even know they did a remake until I IMDb'ed it just now.
No idea what 50 shades is, never heard of it. But i think for you to know if you can divorce your story from canon you should try and do that. If you won't be able to do that in your head it's ok the knowledge worth the try. But if you'll be able to do that there'll be next steps to make and i think it'll be an interesting experience to you. Baby steps and all that.
Don't worry. From what I've heard, you're not missing anything.
I think I might give it a go and see how it works out. Ooh! Perhaps you could be a test audience for one of my older stories? Just to see if it makes sense without knowing the characters' canon backgrounds?
My office had a staff lunch today - and I had to sit quiet and still (and maintain a cordial smile) while all the women seated around me squeed about how much they love the Fifty Shades series.
I, too, peeked at it on Amazon, and it's just...no. So much "no."
I think I've learned all I need to know about it just by reading the reviews. I just . . . I don't mind 1st person narration (unless it's fic and sounds nothing like the character), but I just . . . no.
And you know? I'm actually somewhat intrigued by certain parts of the premise from a psychological character study POV. But then I remember what people have said about the quality of writing, and I just have no patience for that.
I'll have to give the vid a look-see when YT is cooperating. (Sometimes it gets cantankerous and makes my computer not respond.)
Oh! Hey! Could I maybe use you as a test audience on one of my older stories?
Also, you wrote a couple of tie-in novels for QL, right? Do you know anything--as in just passing knowledge--about being published in magazines or anything?
My publication history is kind of an unusual case. The editor of the QL books went to all the QL cons and collected zines, looking for authors she liked. I introduced myself to her and asked if I could submit a proposal - she already knew who I was, and said to go ahead and give it a try. That's the only situation I know of that's worked that way.
The only customary, legit way I know to submit anything to magazines or book publishers is to buy a copy of Writer's Market for the current year and follow the instructions. Or, you could try e-publishing on Amazon. Judging by the quantity of e-published material on there, it can't be too difficult. I suspect e-publishing is the easiest, least frustrating way to go.
Oh! Hey! Could I maybe use you as a test audience on one of my older stories?Well...it depends on what kind of input you're looking for. Between the new job (at which I have literally *no* spare time), running two comms, and trying to put together new stories of my own - I don't have a lot of available time. Six months ago I
( ... )
Okay, cool. I've been looking at the oldest of the two stories (also the one least likely to be recognized), and I feel like I have a lot of tweaking to do on the details. But I guess my first port of call would just be to find out if it works independently of knowing any of the backstory.
I've never read 50 Shades, but it amuses me to no end that suburban housewives have now discovered internet porn by proxy. (And bad internet porn at that. But I suspect the success is more a result of initial support from the Twihard fanbase, which is a powerful, albeit nutty bunch.)
I have, however, read the first three Twilight novels. Don't.
Comments 14
There are other examples in the publishing world of books that started out as fic, and then the authors filed off the serial numbers... but the one that I know of for sure is a stunning writer, so it worked really well. (That would be Shards of Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold, based off her earlier Trek fics about Spock's parents. Scifi with military intrigue... really very, very good.)
I myself have tried to turn one of my shorter fics into a short film. It's not going so well, but I think the exercise of doing it is helpful for me.
Reply
Also? Kevlar-clad Fedcakes. Oh, N3. You are wonderful.
Reply
So. I think that's a major component of why these novels are selling so well, and I think it's one way fanfic writers are ahead of the pros. Now, when fic authors who can tap the id and develop the loving and nuanced characterization fanfiction excels at, and also ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Sure, if you don't mind that there might be a slow turnaround. It's a busy period right now. :) Um, if you want to email, it's my username at gmail.
The thing about 50 Shades is . . . I think it's the PR machine and the exposure (um, no pun intended) as much as anything.
That's also a good point. The one thing I've heard around fandom a lot is, "Why is everyone paying money for this when there's porn that's so much better for free on the Internet?" But it's because people know about this book, and they don't know about fannish porn. (Also because there's a bit of a learning curve to negotiating fandom, and there isn't to buying erotica from B&N.)
I mean, I'm considering reading Stephen King's Salem's Lot this summer because I love the miniseries. Oh yes? I read the book last summer and might be interested in the miniseries. I had my usual experience with early/mid-career Stephen King, which is that I loved all the character work in the first ( ... )
Reply
Still, I think the best think about the book is probably the cover. Because admittedly, the cover art is pretty cool.
Re: Salem's Lot . . . Oh, I have stories about my experience with the miniseries. It came out when I was . . . 10 years old. And it scared the bejeebers out of me!
It aired in the fall, so of course I was working on Christmas ornaments at the time, while I watched. So each year, whenever I hang my Snow White appliqué ornaments on the tree, I think of Salem's Lot. Hee!
If you can get a hold of the miniseries (1979), I recommend. I didn't even know they did a remake until I IMDb'ed it just now.
Reply
But i think for you to know if you can divorce your story from canon you should try and do that. If you won't be able to do that in your head it's ok the knowledge worth the try. But if you'll be able to do that there'll be next steps to make and i think it'll be an interesting experience to you. Baby steps and all that.
Reply
I think I might give it a go and see how it works out. Ooh! Perhaps you could be a test audience for one of my older stories? Just to see if it makes sense without knowing the characters' canon backgrounds?
Reply
I, too, peeked at it on Amazon, and it's just...no. So much "no."
But there's this, which you definitely should watch. It's HILARIOUS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FV-nuhlB5A&feature=player_embedded
Reply
And you know? I'm actually somewhat intrigued by certain parts of the premise from a psychological character study POV. But then I remember what people have said about the quality of writing, and I just have no patience for that.
I'll have to give the vid a look-see when YT is cooperating. (Sometimes it gets cantankerous and makes my computer not respond.)
Oh! Hey! Could I maybe use you as a test audience on one of my older stories?
Also, you wrote a couple of tie-in novels for QL, right? Do you know anything--as in just passing knowledge--about being published in magazines or anything?
Reply
The only customary, legit way I know to submit anything to magazines or book publishers is to buy a copy of Writer's Market for the current year and follow the instructions. Or, you could try e-publishing on Amazon. Judging by the quantity of e-published material on there, it can't be too difficult. I suspect e-publishing is the easiest, least frustrating way to go.
Oh! Hey! Could I maybe use you as a test audience on one of my older stories?Well...it depends on what kind of input you're looking for. Between the new job (at which I have literally *no* spare time), running two comms, and trying to put together new stories of my own - I don't have a lot of available time. Six months ago I ( ... )
Reply
I'll let you know.
Reply
I have, however, read the first three Twilight novels. Don't.
Reply
I just wonder when the next time will be when I have the opportunity to ask someone, "You know it's based on the Twilight books, right?"
Reply
Leave a comment