Kerfuffle Shudder

[shipperx]

God, apparently the current kerfuffle has made it out of our fandom and spreading:
http://leegoldberg.typepad.com/a_writers_life/2005/08/pay_me_for_my_f.html

Guh!

And, while there are reasonable points, I also want to kick some of THESE people in the nads because... condescending much?

Yes, the 'pay me for fic' thing was outrageous and dumb (and rather illegal). But you can take your 'I'm SO superior to fanfic' crap and stick it as well.

Have any of these people ever read what passes for licensed tie-in novels? Some of those suck far more than fanfic.

So on the one hand, I'm shuddering at the public humiliation of the fandom. And on the other hand I'm sort of pissed on fandom's behalf because of these holier than thou 'fanfic is for losers' crowd.

Basically, I agree with KellyHK's point the other day. Fanfic and fandom are not vocations. It should not be confused with a vocation. It is a hobby. If you want to be a really, real writer then sit down, do the work, and struggle to be published. If, however, your vocation is elsewhere and you're just looking for a way to amuse yourself and share your HOBBY with others of a like mind, awesome.

Professional fic and fanfic serve different needs and different purposes. There is a difference between these things. Fanfic authors shouldn't get it into their heads that what they produce is the actual equivalent of professional fic (and this isn't about the quality of said fiction. I've read some BtVS tie-in novels and 99% cannot compare to the better BtVS fanfics. BtVS tie-in novels are mostly crap). But, there are different conditions and parameters involved in creating fanfic, and -- for the love of God -- different legalities involved. If you write fanfic, it is not professional fiction. On the other hand, I roll my eyes at the endless hordes who act superior because they write original fiction. Yeah. And I bet 90% of fanficcers have some original novel (or three) lurking on their hard drives too. You're not special. And I've seen some complete tripe become published, so professional doesn't automatically mean that you're good. Take the soap box, dust it off, and pack it into the attic. I'm unimpressed with the self-righteous posturing. And, hey, I read the Anne Rice rant on Amazon. Professional writers have their clueless crazies in need of wanking as well.

But just to make clear. Fanfic = hobby Not only is that the way that it is, that's the way that it SHOULD BE.

Comments

[shapinglight]

I don't think I'm going to follow your link.

Agree with you, though, about the complete crapness of much of what's published compared to a lot of fanfic.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's all quite civil. It's just a bit too damn smug for my tastes.

Someone should remind them that they have crazies like Anne Rice "I AM Lestat and I don't need no stinking editors" in the 'professional writers' column.

[shapinglight]

Yes, and Nancy Holder and the other BtVS/AtS novel writers.

[hazel75.livejournal.com]

Oh, God. If I were Jean, I'd want to die. I'd yank my journal off the web so fast that it would make your head spin. I can't imagine being under that kind of scrutiny.

And, great, this is just the kind of attention this particular kerfluffle needed to get. I hope that someone sends it to Fox.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I hope that someone DOESN'T! At first I thought people were exaggerating about the possible legal blow-up that could ensue from this. Now, I'm not so sure.

[hazel75.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was being sarcastic, for sure.

It's rather frightening how blown up this whole thing has gotten. And, frankly, if this does come to the attention of some studio, I'm afraid it will be due in part to what the ensuing five hundred zillion people who joined in the fray.

Heck, I have someone on my friendslist who works for Fox. I know he's not a narc, but this may call for a private email requesting that he not mention this crap to anyone he works with even in a joking manner.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think the dogpiling has blown-up a private 'family' embarrassment into a Jerry Springer spectacle. ::Shudder::

[hazel75.livejournal.com]

My friend who works for Fox (and has had the responsibility of sending out C&D letters before) doesn't think that we have anything to worry about. He says Fox doesn't get really concerned about shows that are off the air -- they're more concerned about ongoing franchises (AI, etc.). He also said he would never report any Buffy/AtS people (I can't do Buffy/Ang...still can't do it) as he loves Buffy to much :P

[fishsanwitt]

I followed the link. Smug indeed. They should remember Anne Rice. ::shudder::

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Always remember Anne Rice! Hee!

[sp23.livejournal.com]

Jesus. You know, I've seen the word "entitlement" thrown up at lot in relation to Jean, but I can't help but say that a lot (or perhaps I should say most) of the people who have joined in this fray seem to have a major sense of entitlement to come over to a stranger's journal and flog a dead horse until it's merely a stain on the ground. Jean got the fucking message after about forty lj messages and a bunch of e-mails.

She. Got. The. Message. Just shut up already, wankers.

But what I don't understand is why the hell she just didn't delete her journal or at least mark it as private? ::Is confused::

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

I posted yesterday somewhere that the gleeful hoardes descending on this story might eventually lead to this kerfuffle getting to the ears of people who could really use it to do some damage. It should have been left to be dealt with by CJ's F-list and those affected.

And as to the " oh so superior" tone taken by those who create original characters or those who write for a living frankly this type of nonsense makes me want to slap them. There are astoundingly talented fan-fic writers and quite astonishingly untalented *professional* writers.

As a published author I can tell you that it's really not so much to do with talent as it is to do with pure blind luck . I have friends on LJ and in real life who are far better writers than I can ever hope to be , but I struck lucky and got a break and their turn hasn't come yet . It's as simple as that .

[sp23.livejournal.com]

I made a comment somewhere about that very issue. I find I'm reading much more fanfic than professionally published fiction because I find too much of the published stuff to be far too formulaic. And just because what I write will never be good enough to publish, doesn't mean I should give up my hobby and only worship at the alter of published authors.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Not everyone is going to be a published, professional author. That doesn't mean we cannot enjoy writing, and it doesn't mean we cannot enjoy sharing what we write.

It's called a hobby, and we're allowed to have them without people being snotty and condescending about it.

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

"Fanfic and fandom are not a vocations. It should not be confused with a vocation."

Right. They are Avocations!

I love my avocation. But it's just that. If I want money to come into the house, I earn it. And then, if I choose to spend it on fun, it might go towards my avocation.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Heh. Love your taking my typo and making it brilliant!

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

*grin*

We all have our moments!!

*Raises Avocation Banner* ;)

flaunts own explanation of BNF-ness

[rowanswhimsy.livejournal.com]

A guy who wrote for Diagnosis Murder is picking on fanfic writers? He's got some big balls. (I'll just assume the Monk episodes that he wrote are the few that suck.)

Ditto on the licensed tie-in novels.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, the wank sort of writes itself. "Those amateur schlockmeisters! I write PROFESSIONAL schlock!"