Professional fan fiction

[lucidscreamer]

In the latest issue of the TOR/Forge newsletter, Kevin J. Anderson talks about the latest novel in the classic Dune series, Paul of Dune* (co-written with Brian Herbert).

"What in the world happened between those two novels [Dune and Dune Messiah]? How can we explain the dramatic shift in Paul’s character? Paul of Dune is the untold story of

Comments

[akarii]

Amen.

Fanfiction differs from original writing mainly insofar as it uses other people's intellectual property, meaning background information, setting, character design and so on.

The term does not say anything about quality. And high sales figures are not in any way proportionally dependent on the sold article's quality either. Too many people are lacking taste for such a conclusion to be drawn.

[lucidscreamer]

Unfortunately, a great many people (usually non-fandom people, though not always writers themselves) think that any writing you're not actively getting paid for is a waste of time. I don't agree, obviously, since I've been doing this for well over 20 years, but there ya go.

[lucidscreamer]

Sure, if you want to. ^_^;

:blush: Thanks!

[myaibou]

I'm no KJA fan. He's largely responsible for ruining the Star Wars Expanded Universe, IMO. (Fortunately, there have been plenty of really good writers to fix the stuff he messed with...) But despite that, YEAH.

The thing that really bugs me about the fanfic issue is that it only seems to be writing, of all the arts, that has this stigma. If I draw fanart or anything else just for fun, everyone thinks it's a nice hobby. If I play a musical instrument but don't write my own songs or try to be a professional musician, then I'm someone who appreciates the arts. If I dance for fun or act in community theater but never try to make a dime doing it, then I'm well-rounded.

But writing for fun? Without trying to publish? Derivative works instead of my own original stories? Why, I'm a sicko, obsessed nutcase who should get a life who obviously has no talent or I'd do some REAL writing

[myaibou]

Why, I'm a sicko, obsessed nutcase who should get a life who obviously has no talent or I'd do some REAL writing.

Er, and sometimes I really CAN'T write. That should be "Why, I'm a sicko, obsessed nutcase who should get a life, and who obviously has no talent, or I'd do some REAL writing."

[lucidscreamer]

Heh. If you're like me, sometimes your brain gets ahead of your fingers while you're typing. Happens to me all the time... ;D

[lucidscreamer]

The thing that really bugs me about the fanfic issue is that it only seems to be writing, of all the arts, that has this stigma.

That's true, and it's a point I hadn't thought of.

Why is it different for writing? Why can't I do it for fun and not try to publish? Hell, why can't I strive to be the best writer I can be and still never attempt to get published? If I practiced my instrument every day--only playing songs written by other people, mind you--even though I never intended to go pro, would that be a bad thing? Of course not.
I don't get that either, but it seems to the same mindset that makes so many "real" writers have coronaries over NaNoWriMo. "OMG, they're not going to get paid for their novels! Why are they writing if they're not going to try to get published! Some are 'writing' fanfic! Why?? Why are they threatening our egos like this