Fanfiction and all
The journal entry that started me thinking about fanfiction again is the one in which a woman tries to link fanfiction with feminism, and equates the less than reputable situation of fanfiction with a purposefully downtrodden state of women in writing. ( http://cupidsbow.livejournal.com/239587.html?thread=2732515) I don't think this is a really good idea to equate the two, because what does it really say? That women can't come up with their own original ideas? That they have to write derivative material in order to be creative? And, well, besides it being something that is actually illegal? I just don't think this is the best 'feminist' ideal I've ever seen.
Derivative isn't always bad, of course. It just means it's not their original universe, and I've read some nice books based in other people's universes -- but they were done legally and within the canon of the originals. Some fanfiction is done within the canon of the original, but far more of it is not. I've had the unfortunate experience of trying to read some fanfiction -- things that got rave reviews -- and were truly horrible. People kept telling me to go read this and that... and I finally learned my lesson. Not all fanfiction is bad, but there is no distinction between good and bad fanfiction, which is just another mark against it as a 'writing experience' that will help people improve.
The idea that fanfiction isn't paid for because it's a way to silence the artistic voices of women is just... ridiculous. And it ignores copyright entirely, which is something that protects both male and female writers of original work. It also ignores that so much of it is crap -- and completely ignores that men write fanfiction as well.
Sure, there are a lot of things still wrong in the world where the equality of men and women is concerned. Everyone can come up with some example, from job discrimination to personal experiences. Do I think there should be more women authors on the book shelves? Yes, if they can write well.
I don't think fanfiction should have big sites like fanfiction.net... but then I think a lot of things that aren't going to make much difference in the world and I'm used to it. Those things include believing the original authors should have the final say about writing fanfiction and posting it. Really, no one can stop anyone from writing it and wouldn't even try, but the ability to post it -- to publish it -- ought to be in the author's hands.
For the rest -- yeah, go write fanfiction. It's fun. Share it with friends. Keep it in private groups, even. But have some respect for the original author, too. If an author is uncomfortable with the idea of you taking her stories, then respect it. I don't think that's really asking for too much. You aren't going to find many authors who say no, after all.