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

[daemonnoire.livejournal.com]

I'm generally not a fan of fanfic, on the grounds that it is typically horrible. But no matter how it's put, I can feel for those authors who really don't want people writing about their characters. It's not like building a sandbox, and then showing it off to people, and then getting upset when they play in it. It's more like making puppets, building a pretty stage, and writing a play for the puppets, only to have someone come along later who has made bad knockoffs of your puppets and your stage, and is now getting praise for putting on plays of their own. Sure, she was a little over the top about it, but she did come back later and give a more reasoned explanation for what she feels.

[sparkfrost.livejournal.com]

A lot of fanfic is terrible, but there is also a good amount that is wonderful. I don't blame a writer for not wanting their characters used by others, but I think that fanfic is pretty harmless and I don't really *get* that attitude.

As for Ms. Gabaldon, sure her second post was more reasonable, but she never even mentioned all the horrible things she said about fic writers, her *fans* whom she offended badly. She may feel "violated" by fanfic involving her characters, but to compare that to rape is incredibly insensitive and ignorant.