Remixing question

[texanfan]

I have my eye on a longer story.  Well, actually, remixing a piece of a longer story.  Do remixes have to be completely stand alone or can you refer to the original story as necessary background?  I'm just wondering how much of the set up I need to include in my story.

Comments

[isiscolo]

There are opinions on both sides of this issue. My own is that every story (remixes included) should stand alone.

[texanfan]

Thanks for responding, I genuinely appreciate it.

[texanfan]

Trying to fit everything needed into the beginning of the story I intended to tell yielded some interesting results. I now find I'm writing something completely different from what I originally intended. It's kind of cool.

[beatrice_otter]

I've sen both kinds of remixes, those that can't stand alone and those that can. Some people, when reading remixes, read the original and then the remix. Me, I only read the original if the remix is really good, or if I'm curious about how the remixer changed things up. A remix that can't stand alone, I probably would give up on rather than go read the original and then come back to the remix. Unless it were the most awesome story ever.

[texanfan]

I'm still relatively new to this so I wasn't sure what was proper. Thanks for weighing in.

[musesfool]

I think a remix needs to be able to stand alone as a story and also needs to refer to the original - if it doesn't intersect with the original story, then it's a sequel or a prequel, not a remix. I also generally don't read the original story until after the remix, so a remix that relies too heavily on knowledge of the original won't work for me, but there has to be enough that when I read the original I go, Oh, I see what you did there now.

[texanfan]

Well, I think I have my answer. now I just have to figure out how much set up I need to include to make it stand alone. I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this.

[jelazakazone]

Ok, I'm wondering about a similar question. I think in the rules it said something about not being able to change major plot points, but I guess I'm wondering about twisting elements and if that's ok.

Basically, a lot of fanfic is remixes based on eps, right? I guess I'm wondering how far the liberties extend for the remix fest. It's ok to go beyond the ending that someone else wrote, correct?

I feel like there are some very subtle issues that I'm trying to grasp at the same time as trying to write a very subtle story. My brain my explode:) (Also, I'm very new to writing fanfic (only about six months.)).

[musesfool]

Yes, you can go beyond the ending, or start before the beginning, but you can't just write a prequel or a sequel. You can twist elements - I'm pretty sure the sea witch didn't have minion fish named flotsam and jetsam in the original Little Mermaid (and also, um, she dies in the Andersen version of the story) - but it's up to you to use your judgement.