Fanfiction Ranting!
May. 5th, 2011 10:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
magog_83I am feeling a little ragey this morning, because I went on Tumblr and found numerous links to Dan's feelings on Fanfiction. Apparently this guy normally blogs about Twilight and Harry Potter, which is totally a more valid use of his free time and creativity than any fanfic I could ever write. Do you see Anne's face there in my icon? THAT IS THE FACE OF SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TOLD THEIR CREATIVITY IS MISGUIDED.
I think it's a shame so many defences of fanfic seem to be based solely on its use as a practice for writing original fiction later. It absolutely is and can be that, but I feel like using that as the primary defence is measuring it against Dan's and others opinion about what is, or isn't, valid as a form of creative expression. Like saying, "I know it's only fanfiction, but I'm using it as practice for when I do something REAL and IMPORTANT with my creativity!" It's almost like apologising for it, or making excuses for why it's ok. I don't think we should have to make any excuses for why we read and write fanfic. We do it because we love it, and if I were to spend my whole life writing fanfic in my spare time and never pen a word of original fiction, I would no more have wasted my time and creativity than someone who spent their free time playing Grand Theft Auto, following a football team or blogging about some else's fiction series - all of which are apparently fun and 'normal' hobbies.
Anyway, I probably said it better on Tumblr so I'll paste that in too.
No creativity is misguided, and I don't much care what HE thinks I should do with MY creativity and free time. Also, while a lot of people are (quite rightly) making the case for fanfiction as good practice for original fiction writing, I would like to add that sometimes people have no desire to move onto original fiction and that's ok too. Sometimes fanfiction is just a hobby, it's just a fun way to explore a world you love, to make friends, squee and share stories that bring you great enjoyment. It provides people with a harmless escape from jobs/academic work/whatever and allows them to use their imagination in a way they might not get to during the usual 9-5 workday and to get a confidence boost from comments and recommendations, or simply to lose themselves in stories others have written. Sure, I could probably try to write original fiction, but guess what, I don't want to. You write what you are moved to write, be that the next Great British Novel or crack fic about Prince Arthur being hit with a truth spell and suffering the consequences.
I have read some truly awful original fiction, and I have read some truly stunning fanfiction which I would have no difficulty in saying was better than the show/book it's based on. The same goes for Dan's dreaded "slash fiction". I 'ship' Merlin and Arthur together. I didn't go into the show looking for a same sex pairing to read and write about, I followed the chemistry (chemistry and homo-erotic subtext that was acknowledged by many reviewers too) and I fell in love with them as a pairing because if one of them had been cast as female they would already BE a pairing in canon. Is it hurting the show if I read and write fanfiction about them? No. Is it damaging the integrity of the characters we see on screen every Saturday? Of course not. Did I have to re-write their personalities and the way they interact in my stories to make a romantic relationship between them believeable? AHAHAHAHA NO.
Unless you're out in your yard sawing up bodies, or otherwise breaking the law, no-one should have to justify how they choose to spend their free time, or alter the way they spend it in order to conform to someone else's idea of what is, or isn't, a waste of their time.
Ok, rant over, sorry everyone.
ps.On the good news front, I finally found a part time job yesterday so I can actually start earning again. Though perhaps it was wrong that the first thing I thought when the lady told me to start Saturday was "Oooh, I will have enough money to go see Island in Cardiff in June! YAY." WHAT WOULD DAN THINK OF THAT, I WONDER? :D
I think it's a shame so many defences of fanfic seem to be based solely on its use as a practice for writing original fiction later. It absolutely is and can be that, but I feel like using that as the primary defence is measuring it against Dan's and others opinion about what is, or isn't, valid as a form of creative expression. Like saying, "I know it's only fanfiction, but I'm using it as practice for when I do something REAL and IMPORTANT with my creativity!" It's almost like apologising for it, or making excuses for why it's ok. I don't think we should have to make any excuses for why we read and write fanfic. We do it because we love it, and if I were to spend my whole life writing fanfic in my spare time and never pen a word of original fiction, I would no more have wasted my time and creativity than someone who spent their free time playing Grand Theft Auto, following a football team or blogging about some else's fiction series - all of which are apparently fun and 'normal' hobbies.
Anyway, I probably said it better on Tumblr so I'll paste that in too.
No creativity is misguided, and I don't much care what HE thinks I should do with MY creativity and free time. Also, while a lot of people are (quite rightly) making the case for fanfiction as good practice for original fiction writing, I would like to add that sometimes people have no desire to move onto original fiction and that's ok too. Sometimes fanfiction is just a hobby, it's just a fun way to explore a world you love, to make friends, squee and share stories that bring you great enjoyment. It provides people with a harmless escape from jobs/academic work/whatever and allows them to use their imagination in a way they might not get to during the usual 9-5 workday and to get a confidence boost from comments and recommendations, or simply to lose themselves in stories others have written. Sure, I could probably try to write original fiction, but guess what, I don't want to. You write what you are moved to write, be that the next Great British Novel or crack fic about Prince Arthur being hit with a truth spell and suffering the consequences.
I have read some truly awful original fiction, and I have read some truly stunning fanfiction which I would have no difficulty in saying was better than the show/book it's based on. The same goes for Dan's dreaded "slash fiction". I 'ship' Merlin and Arthur together. I didn't go into the show looking for a same sex pairing to read and write about, I followed the chemistry (chemistry and homo-erotic subtext that was acknowledged by many reviewers too) and I fell in love with them as a pairing because if one of them had been cast as female they would already BE a pairing in canon. Is it hurting the show if I read and write fanfiction about them? No. Is it damaging the integrity of the characters we see on screen every Saturday? Of course not. Did I have to re-write their personalities and the way they interact in my stories to make a romantic relationship between them believeable? AHAHAHAHA NO.
Unless you're out in your yard sawing up bodies, or otherwise breaking the law, no-one should have to justify how they choose to spend their free time, or alter the way they spend it in order to conform to someone else's idea of what is, or isn't, a waste of their time.
Ok, rant over, sorry everyone.
ps.On the good news front, I finally found a part time job yesterday so I can actually start earning again. Though perhaps it was wrong that the first thing I thought when the lady told me to start Saturday was "Oooh, I will have enough money to go see Island in Cardiff in June! YAY." WHAT WOULD DAN THINK OF THAT, I WONDER? :D
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no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 11:41 am (UTC)I'm done explaining to people why fanfiction is okay
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 11:47 am (UTC)I do not get his attitude towards slash fic AT ALL. Someone calls him out for homophobia in the comments and he took great personal affront to it, but I don't see how you could read his point on slash fiction and NOT find it homophobic. He's already made the point that he doesn't think fanfic writers should be allowed to play with other people's characters, so why is their sexuality such a specific issue? Why is that so much worse than just sticking Merlin and Arthur in a circus or whatever.
All I can say is that he is missing out on so much wonderful stuff!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 11:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 11:59 am (UTC)I wonder what he thinks of television screenwriters. OH NOES, THEY ARE NOT BEING CREATIVE AND USING THEIR OWN CHARACTERS! *epic sadface* Poor things making a living from writing what is basically FANFICTION. I suppose we should pity them all.
*eyeroll*
(I've read some HORRIBLE original fiction published books. I think I'll send them to him and go back to reading some amazing fanfic.)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 12:13 pm (UTC)Also, that's such a good point. But apparently certain kinds of fanfic are A-OK. No-one's going to say screenwriters are wrong, or Tom Stoppard for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Hell, I remember reading a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and another fic that told the story from Darcy's POV, both popular and published works and both fanfiction by the definition that it is not written by the original author or with their input.
And then he has the gall to call US small minded! ::blows raspberry at him::
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 12:42 pm (UTC)In effect, it's done to garner attention for themselves and without a care to whom it might hurt, malign or mislead.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 01:49 pm (UTC)Frankly, anyone can write original fiction. Creating your own characters and worlds and situations is easy when compared to taking someone else's creations and making up a situation for those characters and trying to KEEP THEM IN CHARACTER. And then to place that on the internet for INSTANT CRITIQUE? That takes a hell of a lot more bravery than writing a novel and sending a manuscript off to some faceless editor who may or may not toss it straight into the trash with no feedback whatsoever. How is that more noble and special and worthy of accolade? I don't fucking get it.
Also, people like him don't understand the whole fandom experience. For me, it's more than just writing, it's the whole enchilada - reading, writing, squeeing, bonding with fellow fans, meetups, and the epic levels of love we all have for our fandoms, including their creators and everyone associated. Non-fandomers will never "get" it and that's fine, it's their loss. We crazy fan-brats will just smile pityingly at them and carry on.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 12:31 pm (UTC)Also, WHEEEE MONEY. MMM, SMELLS GOOD ♥
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:10 pm (UTC)YAY MONEY. MONEY I CAN USE FOR
MERLINNOBLE PURPOSES.no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 07:07 am (UTC)I still have yet to purchase Merlin DVDs - and by that I mean I WANT THE UK VERSIONS DAMMIT THE AUSTRALIAN VERSIONS HAVE NOTHING D< - and I sincerely believe they are noble causes (that I can't afford from ebay right now)
I kind of ignore things these type of people say. I mean, they're either wanting to start wank, trolls, or stupid and foolish, you know? And what's the point of getting up in arms over something they want you to get up in arms with it. I mean, ignorant guy, just:
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 12:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:17 pm (UTC)I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. The plotbunnies keep distracting me from his whining :D Now I'm imagining Merlin or Arthur as a fanfic writer and the other is all dismissive of it until they read some really amazing slash fic Merlin/Arthur has written and are surprisingly turned on by it...
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:04 pm (UTC)A little off topic but slightly related anecdote: The boyfriend was messing around with my iPod last night and somehow found my slash stash and asked me what I've been reading. Anyway, about a month ago I was trying to explain the Kinsey Scale to him and last night I found myself explaining what OTP means and why I ship Arthur/Merlin. I think he's still mostly confused about the whole thing, but I'm gonna think of it as baby steps. I'm gonna educate him about slash one concept at a time.
I wanna watch Island too. Make it possible, internets!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:31 pm (UTC)The bigotry and snobbery surrounding fanfic/fanvids etc is really annoying. As dysonrules said above, they don't get the fun to be found in playing with worlds and characters you love, sharing it with other fans and really building a community out of it. Look at the wonderful fandom auctions run to help victims of real life disasters! Not to mention all the help and support I've personally had from fandom people for things entirely unrelated to Merlin. As a hobby it's fun, creative, helps you hone your writing (if you want it to) and brings enjoyment to a lot of people. There are far worse ways to spend your free time! :D
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:52 pm (UTC)Anyway, yes, baby steps! If we ever have another conversation about this I'd probably end up explaining (or trying to) the whole concept of slash fiction and latent homoeroticism in tv shows.
My argument for shipping A/M mostly consisted of "they're always together and they keep saving each other and talking about their ~~feelings~~" haha.
They don't know what they're missing. Fandom people are wonderful and very creative. I can't even begin to describe how much fun I've had since I discovered this online community of people who share a lot of my interest.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 03:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:24 pm (UTC)Also, if he's going to put on his Serious Judgmental Face, some legitimate knowledge of what he's actually judging would be nice. But more power to him, putting those under-researched, ignorant opinions out there to be ripped apart. We accept your challenge, sir. *seconds the
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 03:08 pm (UTC)But more power to him, putting those under-researched, ignorant opinions out there to be ripped apart. We accept your challenge, sir
:D :D SO TRUE. Fortunately, people have started leaving defences over there, after the first couple of pages of sycophantic agreement and "FINALLY SOMEONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO SAY IT" type comments. I feel kind of sad that someone who is evidently immersed in online culture and various fandoms can be quite that ignorant :/
(also, someone accused him of being homophobic and he was all HOW DARE YOU! which I find...unconvincing) ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 03:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 02:26 pm (UTC)At least I can congratulate him on his concise writing. It's not easy to fit all the stereotypes, ignorance, and homophobia in a blog 'essay' as short as this one. Heck, I'd probably need at least 10 000 words to address all the issues I have with it. (Now that would be a waste of time.)
Though I know it's mean, there's this persistent little thought in my head; this guy just might be part of the reason why the book industry churns an enviable amount of uninspiring books each month.
Typo
Date: 2011-05-05 02:36 pm (UTC)BTW, I forgot to say it before - I'm glad you got a part time job!
Re: Typo
Date: 2011-05-05 03:16 pm (UTC)At least I can congratulate him on his concise writing. It's not easy to fit all the stereotypes, ignorance, and homophobia in a blog 'essay' as short as this one.
Hahahaha I love sarcasm. It is the ultimate weapon! When I read it I just couldn't believe the sheer lack of understanding of what fanfic actually IS and the condescending attitude throughout. At the very least, it's so mean spirited, to mock and deride something that brings great enjoyment just because you personally don't do it. Thank goodness we're not all like him!
Re: Typo
Date: 2011-05-05 03:24 pm (UTC)Now that I think about it, you can use your minis as an excuse. ;)
And ack, I think my day has already been too long, because I misunderstood and actually thought Dan Bergstein is a creative writing teacher. (Hee, I'm really glad I was wrong about that.)
Re: Typo
Date: 2011-05-05 03:28 pm (UTC)You make a very good point about the Mini Thems!! They'll drag me off sightseeing before you know it, or at least demand a constant supply of Mini Creme Eggs :D :D
Re: Typo
Date: 2011-05-05 03:52 pm (UTC)And I fully agree that the blogger's post is condescending and inaccurate.
But it's funny that apparently many commentators who applaud the blog don't read fanfiction (because it's baaaad-baaaaaad, and the whole flock of sheep repeats baaaaad-baaaad-baaaaa-baaaaa) but know a great deal about it anyway.
It's like fanfiction is some kind of dirty secret that many keep but only a few are willing to admit. (Or at best it's a shameful past.)
Well, I don't want to be ashamed of my fanfics/fanvids, and I have little appreciation for those who imply that I should.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:23 am (UTC)I'm hoping that as the fandom/internet culture becauses more normal as time goes on (when people won't even remember a time before computers) that this sort of thing won't happen as much. People just don't understand it, I guess :/
It always makes me think of Battlestar Galactica. In the original series Starbucks and Apollo were men and we had bromance. In the new series they made Starbucks a woman and they ended up having hot sex.
PERFECT example! They, for whatever reason, gave Merlin and Arthur the classic fiesty romance set up (bickering+tension+growing respect and affection etc) and then they shunt the romantic focus over to A/G and wonder why a load of us are left floundering!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 03:50 pm (UTC)And "misguided creativity"? I mean, really? Here are all these people, using their time to write and create stuff about something they love, and creating connections with other people who could be halfway across the globe who also love and squee over that fandom they like, when some people have been gnashing their teeth over the decline of literature and oh no, people don't read that many books anymore, except for stuff with wizards and sparkly vampires!
As for the slash and shipping stuff, sure, there's a lot of badfic out there, and if slash isn't really your thing, then fine,but don't condemn the millions who do like it.
I mean, I really didn't get Harry Potter slash when I was first in fandom, but Merlin changed all that. :D
The good fic is out there. IT TOTALLY IS.
I really liked bookshop's defence of fanfiction. I wonder if anybody shot off a link to Dan yet.
And thanks for ranting about this. Also I feel your last line deserves a rimshot. *badum-DUM!*
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:29 am (UTC)I wish someone WOULD send Dan a link to that defence! It's so well articulated :D
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 04:46 pm (UTC)Congrats on the new job!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:34 am (UTC)I totally agree with your whole comment! I think it's just human nature to embellish and imagine the 'what ifs'. I don't see how books being written using all the previous works of Arthurian legend, or even the sequels to Peter Pan and Pride and Prejudice are any different. In fact, I would say that at least fanfiction writers are doing it out of love and no other incentive. We make no money from it, and in fact we probably put money back IN to the show/book by buying the books, dvds, merchandise, tuning in every week. I think people are crazy to look down on it. Bloody hell, even Merlin itself is like a fanfic of the original Arthurian legend.
He is such a silly man, and he's missing out on so much!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 06:35 pm (UTC)not writing in my blogwriting about stuff I love. One of us is having a good time.'2. It’s Empty
I never felt invested in any of the fan fiction stories because I knew they weren’t real ... Who's gonna break it to him that sparkly vampires don't actually exist, then? Or is Twilight actually non-fiction? Have I been doing it wrong all these years??
I have had SO MUCH fun over the past few years, and for the most part I've only been lurking. Merlin has dragged me out of my shell, though, \o/, and writing and speculating and flailing with others is one of my favourite ways to spend my time.
I fell in love with them as a pairing because if one of them had been cast as female they would already BE a pairing in canon UGH SO TRUE. They fight and get angry at each other but push each other to try and be better (even when out of each other's presence *cough*)and save each other's life and are 'two sides of the same coin' One half of the other - what were they thinking when they put that in? 'Hey, hey, Johnny, I've written this, what do you think?' 'Oh, wow, that's extremely platonic, Julian, well done.' I don't understand how people don't see how if one of them WAS a woman, they would be together by now, or heading that way. Then we'd have TWO things to elongate the series with - Johnny would be thrilled!! XD
...long comment is long. Uh... I blame all my ~feelings.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:44 am (UTC)His 'empty' argument is just weird. WE KNOW IT ISN'T REAL, DAN. No-one is writing their Harry Potter fanfic in the delusion that will be published or replace Rowling's books. Nor does it mean they can no longer read her books and enjoy them. You bring your own biases and interpretations when you read/watch perhaps. Just as we look for M/A eyesexing and little Arthur touches, so I can remember Harry/Draco fans loving that bit in the last film when Harry and Draco stare at each other for ages (even I thought it, when I first saw the film). But the point is we are going to do that ANYWAY. Writing/reading fanfic is just putting their interpretation down on paper and sharing it. I started shipping M/A before I realised I was even doing it, then I went looking for fanfiction to support the view I already had of the characters. I don't think Merlin is really running a radio show in Camelot and using it to give Arthur a stomach ulcer, it's just a way of playing around with the universe on screen and my own interpretations of the characters.
I definitely take issue with the 'not being invested' thing. If a story is well written, it takes on a life of its own and you WILL care about the characters and plot.
I seem to have rambled all over the place there. I think my feelings are getting the better of me too!
'Hey, hey, Johnny, I've written this, what do you think?' 'Oh, wow, that's extremely platonic, Julian, well done.'
:D :D :D THAT IS EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENED. Seriously, they've given them what is almost the most cliche of romantic set ups. There's even a TV tropes page devoted to the cliche ('slap slap kiss'). If gender didn't figure into it, there would be absolutely no reason to suppose they weren't heading for a romantic relationship. All we're doing is overlooking the OMG WE CAN'T HAVE GAY PEOPLE! and following the natural character progress and chemistry.
And Merlin fandom is very fun. I wouldn't be without it!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:47 am (UTC)He is apparently quite a popular blogger who live blogs his reading of Twilight and Harry Potter. And also hates people spending their free time in ways he does not approve of. Apparently ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-05-05 09:33 pm (UTC)... I hope this didn't get too ranty now :)! Congrats on the part time job! And I'd say that we can safely not give a toss about what Dan would think of that ... :D
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:50 am (UTC)We're not even doing it for financial gain! We do it purely out of love for the source material and that can't be a terrible thing, surely.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 09:45 am (UTC)Also, he goes on about things naturally ending when the author says they do.
Oh that's just complete and utter nonsense! A story is never over as long as there are people who think there's something left to tell. The best example for that would be the Arthurian legend - I mean, how long has that story been around? Close to a thousand years I think and still people keep reinventing the story and adding to it. As lovely as it is to create something completely new I think we all enjoy revisiting stories and characters we know and love. Actually I think that most of my favourite books would never even have been published if one of the criteria for writing a story was complete originality, in the way Dan defines it! He couldn't be more wrong in my opinion!
no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-06 08:51 am (UTC)86656556
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