I recently began reading some fanfiction for a TV show and i was wondeirng what the escapist thought about the whole FanFiction thing.
Poll: FanFiction, your opinion
- Thread starter Donttazemehbro
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Its interesting to me. I can't stand reading it, but I think it is a great way for fans to dabble in expanding on or playing around with something they already enjoy... or hate. Whatever is your fancy.
I have a friend that likes it, but like I said, I couldn't stand reading much. Some of it is written really well, and some of the writers seemed to do a great job of putting together interesting scenarios, it just seemed a little wasteful that they couldn't have written something original.
Overall, its what people do in there free time. They put it out so that other people with similar interests may find it and also like it. Nothing wrong with that.
I have a friend that likes it, but like I said, I couldn't stand reading much. Some of it is written really well, and some of the writers seemed to do a great job of putting together interesting scenarios, it just seemed a little wasteful that they couldn't have written something original.
Overall, its what people do in there free time. They put it out so that other people with similar interests may find it and also like it. Nothing wrong with that.
Its ridiculous, embarrassing and most of the times even too bad to be laughed at.Its just a mass of reasons why stupid teens shouldnt think they are able to write.
I hate it with a passion. On one hand, I completely understand why someone can write it -- maybe to expand on the lore of the original story in a "oh, I hadn't thought of that" way.
On the other hand, it usually freaking sucks. Hard. I have never run into good fanfiction.
On the other hand, it usually freaking sucks. Hard. I have never run into good fanfiction.
I suppose it's possible there's good fanfiction out there, but i've never seen it. It's usually written by people for whom all language is foreign. If they do have a firm grasp of language, they still usually completely miss the point of the source material, essentially sticking their hands up the asses of the characters and manipulating them like crude, childish puppets.
I've read a couple of good pieces, and a lot of mediocre-to-bad pieces. Because of the former, I have few objections to the concept as a whole.
Truth be told, if I objected, I'd be a massive hypocrite. I actually don't read much written fanfiction, but I read a crapton of doujin comics (particularly Type-Moon related), a few of which have actually been fantastic.
Truth be told, if I objected, I'd be a massive hypocrite. I actually don't read much written fanfiction, but I read a crapton of doujin comics (particularly Type-Moon related), a few of which have actually been fantastic.
I have nothing against the people who write it and can understand the desire to write in a beloved setting.
That being said, all the badly written crap and weird/sex-obsessed nonsense overshadow any quality stories that are made.
That being said, all the badly written crap and weird/sex-obsessed nonsense overshadow any quality stories that are made.
Maybe they should redirect their creativity to something more productive, like writing an original novel or not writing fanfiction, or perhaps getting a job.
I prefer the 'non-fan' fiction. Where someone with criticisms addresses them by going through the story and rewriting the bile. These can result in stuff like Harry Potter applying scientific method, ME2 not being completely stupid, Twilight being worth a read, PPG being the manliest thing ever.
(It can't make Yugi-oh GX not be the stupidest thing ever though, that's impossible.)
(It can't make Yugi-oh GX not be the stupidest thing ever though, that's impossible.)
While I will agree that A Lot of FanFiction is written pretty bad. Many people just write random stuff that they want the characters to do without giving a good story to it. Their are a few that are very well written with deep and interesting story lines, just look for an author known for writing good stories.
Fanfiction is the ultimate example of Sturgeon's Law. 90% of everything is shit, 10% is good. The problem with fanfiction is that there aren't any marketing blurbs or adverts or any handholding to lead you to what's good.
I like fanfiction. I write it, I read it, I critique it. The bad stuff is usually easy to spot, so I just ignore it (often you can tell what's going to be bad from the blurb alone), and the good stuff can be fantastic, as good as or better than professional level.
For example, the Mass Effect fandom has a writer called sinvraal, who wrote two excellent pieces called Iunctio and Exitus, which are in my opinion better and more fun to read than any of Drew Kaplan's official novels. And that isn't an insult to Drew, I actually think sinvraal is that good.
And you might disagree with me, but then some people think that Drew is no good, whereas somethink he's the best writer ever. The only thing that sets fanfiction apart is that it's much harder to find the good amongst the bad.
Also, anyone who reads long running graphic novels, watches long running tv shows, or watches almost any movie series ever, has automatically watched or read fanfiction. Officially licensed fanfiction yes, but it is still someone else taking an established character and applying their own interpretation to them.
If you enjoyed Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or 'Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow,' you were reading fanfiction. Technically Watchmen was also Charlton Comics fanfiction with the names changed as well. If you watched and enjoyed Aliens, you were watching fanfiction. If you watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer all the way to the end, you were watching fanfiction, watching and enjoying modern Doctor Who is watching and enjoying fanfiction, need I go on?
And finally, obligatory plug of my own fanfiction. I wrote a Mass Effect novelisation!
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2151039/MelasZepheos
I like fanfiction. I write it, I read it, I critique it. The bad stuff is usually easy to spot, so I just ignore it (often you can tell what's going to be bad from the blurb alone), and the good stuff can be fantastic, as good as or better than professional level.
For example, the Mass Effect fandom has a writer called sinvraal, who wrote two excellent pieces called Iunctio and Exitus, which are in my opinion better and more fun to read than any of Drew Kaplan's official novels. And that isn't an insult to Drew, I actually think sinvraal is that good.
And you might disagree with me, but then some people think that Drew is no good, whereas somethink he's the best writer ever. The only thing that sets fanfiction apart is that it's much harder to find the good amongst the bad.
Also, anyone who reads long running graphic novels, watches long running tv shows, or watches almost any movie series ever, has automatically watched or read fanfiction. Officially licensed fanfiction yes, but it is still someone else taking an established character and applying their own interpretation to them.
If you enjoyed Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or 'Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow,' you were reading fanfiction. Technically Watchmen was also Charlton Comics fanfiction with the names changed as well. If you watched and enjoyed Aliens, you were watching fanfiction. If you watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer all the way to the end, you were watching fanfiction, watching and enjoying modern Doctor Who is watching and enjoying fanfiction, need I go on?
And finally, obligatory plug of my own fanfiction. I wrote a Mass Effect novelisation!
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/2151039/MelasZepheos
I've had a job since I was sixteen, I've written five original 100,000 word novels, two 70,000 word novels and a 40,000 word novella, as well as multiple other in progress works, and I write fanfiction. Am I still not productive in your eyes?TheIronRuler said:
TheYellowCellPhone said:
Here you go [http://masseffectfanfic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fanfic&action=display&thread=10]Ephraim J. Witchwood said:
Some Fanfics are good, some are interesting, but some are just plain shite. Lucky for me, I seem to be steering clear of the shite.
Mixed feelings, really. Most are garbage due to bad writing, some are garbage due to mindless author self-indulgence, there are probably a couple good ones, but even those feel like a waste when someone with actual writing talent could write their own story instead.
I used to write it... >.> I've since purged the internet of the horror that it was.
I still read the occasional one. The problem is trying to find that diamond amongst all the billion tons of utter shite out there. So I generally don't bother unless my friend comes running with one I simply "MUST read!"
I do think it's perfectly acceptable. I mean, if fanART exists, why not fanFICTION? In some cases it allows you to hone writing skills before you leap into original fiction. Of course, there is the danger of turning your "original" characters and story into clones of the book/anime/tv show you used to do fanfiction on...
There are some truly horrendous fanfics out there though. So-bad-I-weep-for-humanity bad. But hey, Twilight got published... *ba-dum-dish*
I still read the occasional one. The problem is trying to find that diamond amongst all the billion tons of utter shite out there. So I generally don't bother unless my friend comes running with one I simply "MUST read!"
I do think it's perfectly acceptable. I mean, if fanART exists, why not fanFICTION? In some cases it allows you to hone writing skills before you leap into original fiction. Of course, there is the danger of turning your "original" characters and story into clones of the book/anime/tv show you used to do fanfiction on...
There are some truly horrendous fanfics out there though. So-bad-I-weep-for-humanity bad. But hey, Twilight got published... *ba-dum-dish*