Fan Fiction
Some people (mostly snobby) say that "fan fiction isn't good writing."
I'm going to call BS on those people, and here's why: people who write in new worlds aren't the only ones who have good ideas. Just because you're playing in someone else's sandbox doesn't mean the stories are any less than others. In fact, some prominent authors actually started as fanfic writers or currently write it—Neil Gaiman, Meg Cabot, Naomi Novik, John Scalzi, and Orson Scott Card among them. One author is cited as saying that "The challenges in writing fan fiction and traditional fiction are essentially the same."
Here's why. You're still writing fiction. Surprise!
It doesn't matter whether you're writing Star Wars fanfic or if you're writing in an all-new universe—you're still going to have to deal with the same issues of plot and character. The main difference is that the setting is a little more fleshed out. At times that can be a challenge in itself, since you're trying to fit a story into already-existing frameworks.
For example, I've written a couple of Star Wars fan fiction pieces, and had just as many challenges writing them as I did others. The difference is that I was playing in a universe I already knew a lot about. I created new characters and came up with a completely new plot that happened in places apart from those in the films. I also left specifics out—namely, I didn't name the planet and I didn't give a specific timeframe. This let me fudge the events just enough that I could tell the story. But the other challenges are still there. How to move the plot along while filling out the characters. How to deepen the tension at a certain point. Where I'm going to get more caffeine. How to find time to get out the story in my head. And seriously, where am I going to get another Pepsi?
Whether you're reading or writing fan fiction, I just have to say not to give up because of certain people who say it's "not literature." Literature is what you make of it. If it's something you enjoy reading, then it's something worth reading. If it's something you like writing, then they're stories worth writing. And if you're willing to pay someone to write fanfic, you're just sticking it to the people who look down their noses at you.
Stick it to the man!
And thanks for wreading!
Jeff
I'm going to call BS on those people, and here's why: people who write in new worlds aren't the only ones who have good ideas. Just because you're playing in someone else's sandbox doesn't mean the stories are any less than others. In fact, some prominent authors actually started as fanfic writers or currently write it—Neil Gaiman, Meg Cabot, Naomi Novik, John Scalzi, and Orson Scott Card among them. One author is cited as saying that "The challenges in writing fan fiction and traditional fiction are essentially the same."
Here's why. You're still writing fiction. Surprise!
It doesn't matter whether you're writing Star Wars fanfic or if you're writing in an all-new universe—you're still going to have to deal with the same issues of plot and character. The main difference is that the setting is a little more fleshed out. At times that can be a challenge in itself, since you're trying to fit a story into already-existing frameworks.
For example, I've written a couple of Star Wars fan fiction pieces, and had just as many challenges writing them as I did others. The difference is that I was playing in a universe I already knew a lot about. I created new characters and came up with a completely new plot that happened in places apart from those in the films. I also left specifics out—namely, I didn't name the planet and I didn't give a specific timeframe. This let me fudge the events just enough that I could tell the story. But the other challenges are still there. How to move the plot along while filling out the characters. How to deepen the tension at a certain point. Where I'm going to get more caffeine. How to find time to get out the story in my head. And seriously, where am I going to get another Pepsi?
Whether you're reading or writing fan fiction, I just have to say not to give up because of certain people who say it's "not literature." Literature is what you make of it. If it's something you enjoy reading, then it's something worth reading. If it's something you like writing, then they're stories worth writing. And if you're willing to pay someone to write fanfic, you're just sticking it to the people who look down their noses at you.
Stick it to the man!
And thanks for wreading!
Jeff
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