Curious: Fan Fiction?

[sandiek]

I'm curious. What is the general opinion of fan fic around here? I've heard it both condemned and praised. It seems like one either loves it or hates it. Personally, I've never minded it, and it may or may not be a guilty pleasure.

[Umbvix]

I judge on a case-by-case basis. I would never condemn all of fanfiction, but I would also never praise all of it. It's like rejecting an entire genre of books. You could miss out on something great and never realize it.

[devilishlybookish]

I second the case-by-case basis way of thinking. I'm not big on fanfiction myself, but I know there is some great stuff out there. Fanfiction can be a great creative outlet for people as well as even more of a fix for big fans of a particular fandom.

[cyanea]

Another voice for the "case by case" thing. I've written fanfiction. I enjoy dabbling in someone else's universe every now and again.

All of the Star Wars/Star Trek/Doctor Who books that I read are technically fan fiction anyway. The only difference between that and what's online is publication. (I would say quality...but I've read some REALLY BAD published works in those universes.) I don't have a problem with it when the writer sticks to the rules of the universe and the character.

[embonpoint]

I used to read it all the time, and there was a period where I wrote zillions, but it just doesn't interest me any more. I think that it can be really good in terms of writing practice because y'know, any writing is better than none and FF can be really good practice with creating worlds and characters (avoiding Mary-Sues etc) so I would never condemn it; at the same time, though, boy, is there some shit out there and (it appears to me that) the shit far outweighs the good stuff and so I think FF does get a bum rap when perhaps it shouldn't.

[Dodger Thirteen]

I hate it. I think that it's irritating and unfair to the author to write about their characters; however, that being said, if you just use the same world but your own OCs, I'm okay with that.

/unpopular opinion

[onlyaworkingtitle]

I... don't take it too seriously. Sure, I had a fanfiction phase in my youth (who hasn't?), but it tends to get old once you realize that, ultimately, it's a waste of writing energy -- unless it's Star Trek fanfic, it's never going to be published. I mean, I guess it's good writing practice, but wouldn't it be better writing practice to write original work with a potential future?

But hey, when the plot-bunnies come, the plot-bunnies breed, and it's definitely better to write fanfiction than clone the plot-bunny-inspiring work, rename the characters, and call it original. Because that, my friends, is called plagiarism, and Not Okay.

And about it being unfair to the author: I dunno, I think I'd just be flattered if people wrote fanfiction of my work. And if an author doesn't like it, they can take legal action and have FF.net post a notice that fanfiction of that author's work won't be posted, but a) that only limits what goes up on FF.net and b) not many authors do that.

[Josefine]

Well written fanfic, any time! It's just hard to find these days (I suspect my standards just grew higher?). Personally, I've never felt comfortable writing fanfic when I didn't think I knew the characters well enough & it usually takes a long time till I do. But if the fanfic is actually written in character, why not?

I think it's a great way to start writing, because you have the ready-made characters that you just have to get to know and not completely invent for yourself. Obviously it's not to be taken too seriously, but at least it gets people to write and read who might not do so otherwise?

[andy]

Unless the writer(s) has clearly said that they are okay with other people taking elements from their work, it's plagiarism and you shouldn't be writing it. Otherwise, it's just a kind of writing like any other, I see no reason to disapprove of it.

[Umbvix]

Is it really plagiarism to do it? I figured it fell somewhere under something like how you can make Internet reviews of a movie and not technically be in trouble for showing clips because it's (usually) parody. I think if it was plagiarism, most authors would find a way to crack down and at least make sure things like that can't be posted online (since it's RARELY published).

[cyanea]

It's plagiarism is you take it and call it your own, like I publish a Star Wars fanfic and say I invented the universe.

I don't think fanfic authors are trying to claim characters, stories, etc as their own.

[Umbvix]

Right, most fanfic writers (that aren't newbies) make sure to put disclaimers and credit to the original author for the characters and world or whatever elements they may borrow from.