What is fanfic?

[owlmoose]

Dear Diana Gabaldon,

I wasn't going to weigh in on your screed against fanfic for a number of reasons, not least because a lot of people got there before me and did it better (in particular, I refer you here, here, and especially here), but on reflection, it turns out that I have something to say after all.

I'm a long-time fan of the Outlander series

Comments

[vieralynn]

It seems Diana Gabaldon has taken down her post, but I'm guessing that it is similar to the Robin Hobb anti-fanfic screed a few years ago?

The link you provide to bookshop's response is amazing.

[owlmoose]

Yeah, it's very much along the same lines, with bonus comparisons of fic writing to various sorts of violent crime. Fandom Wank has most of the relevant details, if you're interested, and a few screencaps.

I love bookshop's response, especially her near-comprehensive list of derivative works. This has been going on for a very, very long time. Have you ever read "The Democratic Genre" by Pough? (I might not have that name spelled right.) It's a book that looks at fanfiction/derivative fiction from a literary perspective, and it's really thought provoking. I've been meaning to re-read it and do a write up for awhile now; maybe this is a good opportunity.

[vieralynn]

The ""The Democratic Genre" looks interesting, and it's now on my summer reading list. \o/

Historically, we can find a very long tradition of story transforming prior story. When authors have moments of anti-fanfic ranting, I often wonder if they slept through their (history of) literature class. :/