Comments | gelbes_gilatier: Fanfiction, a definition. Or lack thereof.

gelbes_gilatier

Fanfiction, a definition. Or lack thereof.

Jul 29, 2011 13:43

First of all: OMG LIVEJOURNAL YOU'RE BACK OMG I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! Let's hope you're working again on all computers I use.

Second: following a couple discussions I had on the actual definition of fanfiction in regard to what to write I think I need another meta post. The thing that started the discussion was my review on a drabble that had a ( Read more... )

obsession of the week, mega meta disaster, fannish stuff

Comments 4

anuna_81 July 29 2011, 14:35:14 UTC

Oh yes. You'll find me completely agreeing, especially when we consider shows like "Life" or "Firefly" - I want more of that show, but there sin't any more because some douchebags holding the money sack have decided to kill it, so my only option? It's fanfiction. And if that fanfiction isn't in character, then I am definitely not getting what I'm looking for. I became rather strict about characterization over the years, I hold myself up to high standards and at least try to be better with every new fic. When it comes to research I know how nitpicky fandom can be about it, which is why I rarely do fics which involve tons of research in areas I'm not familiar with -- no time to do extensive research, to write something like it should be/like it deserves to be written usually leaves some ideas that I've had somewhere in the back, or in flocked drabbles on my LJ. I play with them a bit, but don't post them ( ... )

gelbes_gilatier July 29 2011, 16:10:06 UTC

If I had to choose though, I'd choose characterization over research.

Actually, I think that research is a big part of characterization. Research, in this case doesn't only apply to hard facts about the environment your characters are living in and/or came from (which is also a big part of characterization, seeing as someone entering the Air Force through the Academy is likely to have a different view on certain things and different professional relationships than someone who entered it through ROTC for example), it also applies to viewing specific eps to see how character X reacted in a situation that is similar to the one you're putting them in yourself or check the character's background in wikis etc.

It appears, though, that some people in fandom (mostly German fandom) aren't even willing to do that at least, if they aren't willing or able to check on Wiki if it actually makes sense to base a Marine close to or in San Francisco, for example (the answer, BTW, is no, it doesn't because the closest installation a Marine could be ( ... )

anuna_81 July 30 2011, 21:07:00 UTC

Yup, the way you put it makes sense. For example the job a person does influences hers or his personality in many ways. I think I should have been more sepcific - I've seen fics where authors have put ton of attention into detail regarding certain historic period, the way people were speaking, clothes they were wearing, but the characters come across kinda lifeless.

Yup I think we put the same value on characterization. Characters are supposed to be tretaed like real people. Only then you get a decent story. If you (general you, not yourself) threat them as dolls cut out of paper, not only the reading will be boring... but writing as well.

Yes, it's a free country but absolute freedom is a recepie for disaster. There are rules, with a reason. :)

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gelbes_gilatier July 29 2011, 23:48:40 UTC

But, still... there should be something about the way you write your characters that remind your readers of the character they know.

My point exactly. I'm okay with people interpreting characters differently from how I see them (although it's kind of amazing how little I get told that what I wrote is not really how my readers would interpret certain characters...) if their explanation is logical and most of all in the text (that is, there's consistent proof in canon material for the points they're making).

That's how I learned it at the university - you claim something about a text, you find proof in the text and if your explanation is logical, your professor will accept it even though it may differ from their own - and that's how I keep doing it (because it really did serve me well at university).

And that seems to be... well... really, really hard when it comes to Sam Carter.I think that's because she's such a complex character. I'm not saying she's above passion, for example... I'm just saying that she would reserve passion ( ... )