On fanfiction...

[sparkfrost]

So, another author has come out against fanfiction. I have no problem with Diana Gabaldon declaring that she doesn't want fanfiction written about her Outlander or Lord John series. But I do have a problem with how she said it. Comparing fic writers to burglars, husband-stealers, and perverts trying to mack on her underaged daughter just pisses me off. Fandom Wank has a great round-up of all of this mess, and I'd definitely recommend following the link to bookshop's post on the matter.

One of the reactions to Ms. Gabaldon's post was the writer stating that they would never read her books. Which, fair enough. If you've been offended by an author, why would you want to give them money? What confused me though, was one specific person's reaction- they said that Ms. Gabaldon had been added to their do-not-read list, which also includes Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton, both of which are also anti-fanfiction. But, if I recall correctly, both were quite professional about their desire to not have fanfiction written in their worlds. No insults, no calling fanfiction immoral, just a statement that they did not want fic written about their characters. So that means that this commenter just dismissed authors solely on that basis. Why? There are plenty of authors who don't allow fanfic who I still like, read, and have respect for. Granted, I was disappointed that Robin Hobb was one of them, mostly because I had wanted to try to find and maybe even write fic in her Farseer verse... but I'm not going to burn my books now that I know she doesn't allow fic- I just won't write or look for fic. Same with George R. R. Martin. Still eagerly awaiting the next book in the series (and the HBO show!), even though he doesn't allow fanfic.

I don't know. What do you all think? Does an author disallowing fanfiction make you not want to read him/her?

Comments

[ernestinewalker.livejournal.com]

Y'know, even though I personally don't enjoy fanfic, I still think folks should have the ability to write it. Honestly, what's the difference between a decent fanfic and an essay reviewing the piece and What It Means To Me, etc? Furthermore, regardless of what an author wants, people are still going to do whatever the hell they want to do. When I was a kid, I read a lot (a LOT) of The Saddle Club, and when I played with my horse toys, they were often the characters from The Saddle Club. What's the diff, y'know? I can see how some authors are protective of what they've created, but as one professor I had said, "When you publish a work- be it a poem, a short story, and essay, or a novel, you're basically giving it to the world. And you have NO CHOICE over how the world is going to interpret it. It's going to mean something different to every single person. And if you can't handle that? Don't publish." (mildly paraphrased)

[sparkfrost.livejournal.com]

I love that quote by your professor, and I really agree. By publishing something you are giving it up to the world. Even copyright doesn't mean that you own the idea, it means that you have certain rights to use it!

Fanfiction isn't for everyone, but I really don't get authors who deny their fans the ability to write it.