How Do You Write A Fanfic?

[KFelidae]

I suppose some writers would get angry at the idea of someone else perverting their characters. And he does have a point. I think that the numbers apply to most fanfic: 90% IS pure trash. And the other 10% ain't all that great. But there's a miniscule number, too low to even be counted on the percentage scale, that's alright. I'm not saying anything I write falls in there, no matter how proud of it I am, but I have read stuff that is by far better than some of the "originals", too.

Now, I'll try to keep this short, because it's really getting off topic.

About "consumption" of fanfic... The only time a company, entity, or artist should threaten lawsuit is if the actions of another is violating copyright law. Writing fanfic and distributing it freely over the internet is NOT violating any copyright law at all, as no money is being made from it. And, as the internet is viewed as one large group of friends anyway, sharing between them should be seen as no different than letting your neighbor borrow a book. It might offend someone, might fray nerves and raise hackles, but really, as long as no money is being made, there's no foul.

I would HATE it if someone took my Kittybirg character and made it a perverted freak of doom. But as long as they weren't making money, I would not cause a fuss outside of my own ranting. She's mine. I know what she's like. I know her quirks and loves and little spot behind the wings that makes her leg do the funny thing. Nothing would change that. And if other people knew her, they'd know that, too. I'd hope that the people who "love" my character would stop if I asked nicely. I would question their devotion if I had to call out the LAPD in riot gear.

...okay, I'm done with that load of sap. *snerks*

Sirius, you've been a very good sport in keeping this civil. Many other people might have broken down into kindergarten name calling.

Stay well, man.


-KF

[Sirius]

I did not say that this was exactly my opinion.
But as a law student who's had to handle cases like this believe me the potential for harm is both real and not negligible..
And i am afraid you're wrong about that it is violating copyright law.Even if profit is not being made.I'm not saying I agree with copyright law.But it is a violation nonetheless.
The ammount of harm is directly related to the ammount of brand recognition of the interlectiual property and the ammount of licensing it does.
Take for example Star Wars some fanfic is well written I agree with that.
But why should anyone want to buy the official star wars books.
When they can get the fanfic for free.
Basically it really all comes down to what the author wants.
If he says no then it's no.
No ammount of arguing is going to change that.
At least not according to the law.

[Stratadrake]

[quote]Writing fanfic gives two people common ground.[/quote]

Sometimes you run across a fic that would have been really good, if only the author hadn't left so many things for the reader to know. Relying on the "common ground" at the price of good description, characterization, etc. is another thing that brings down a lot of fics.


_________________
Strata here: [url=http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/242293]Nanowrimo[/url] - [url=www.fanart-central.net/user-Stratadrake.php]FAC[/url] - [url=http://stratadrake.deviantart.com]dA[/url] - [url=www.furaffinity.net/user/Stratadrake/]FA[/url]
[size=9]Disclaimer: Posts may contain URLs. Click [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife]at your own risk.[/url][/size]

[fallenangel]

I'm not about to read all that, but you do realize, honey, that you're on a FANART site...right? The same laws apply to images as they do to writing. Fanart is quite technically ILLEGAL just the same. It violates trademark. But unless the person is making a profit, most authors and artists don't care. Those that do (the Pern lady, Anne Rice, etc.) make it known, and yes some others ask fanart and fanfiction not be created. However, I hardly see the difference between writing a story about a character and drawing them in that same situation. There isn't one.

I'm not a fanfiction author (anymore), but I see no harm in it. Some are extremely talented. There are just as many crappy fanartists as there are fanfiction authors. And then there are those that are incredibly talented. Plenty talented to write their own work, and they usually do. But fanfiction, just like fanart, is expanding on the original because you like the character and want more of them past whatever was originally created. It's illegal, yes, and publishing it on the internet is still publishing, but there's no harm in it. If a particular author finds it and asks you take it down, fine. But there are just as many that could care less or will tolerate it.

I just can't see how you would be here on a fanart site telling people not to write fanfiction. Why not tell people to stop drawing fanart and do original work? Why not tell Denis to take the site down because it's illegal? You have to draw the line somewhere.

_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Sirius]

I'm not telling people what to do.
I only wanted to make another perspective about this subject known.
And not all the art that goes onto this site is technically fanart.
Alot is actually original work.
And the reason why i have less problems with drawings.
Is that most comic book artists actually learned their trade by drawing characters from other comic book artists.Plus the fact that a lot of the trademarks for comics are not with the original creator anymore.And anime series are actually drawn by a lot of people.I don't believe that's true for fiction.

[fallenangel]

It depends. Yeah there's a lot of original work on this site, but I've seen some original stories, too. Neither of which belong, but Denis lets them stay. The site is technically for fanart.

And artists may learn their trade by drawing the characters of others, but isn't it quite possible for people to improve their writing skills by writing about another person's character? To develop their technical skills of characterization, description, plot, dialogue, etc. just as artists practice anatomy, lineart, pose, etc.? Either way those technical skills then improve that person's original work in either area.
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Sirius]

From what i've read.
From interviews etc which i've read with writers most of them either develop original characters or try their hand at short story writing first.When writing short stories its mostly about the idea and the ability to condense your story than about character development.
what can also help i've heard is to play rpg like d&d and adventures and campaigns for that.it's not exactly the same as writing stories,but close.
and honestly you can borrow basic things from fantasy stories such as elves.dwarfs etc.And imitation is the sincerest form of flatery.
But I still believe that it's not that hard to create an orignal fantasy world.
Ok it might not be that good at first but if you work hard at it and refine it over the years.You'll have a lot more fun.

[fallenangel]

I'm not saying people shouldn't aim to write their own things. Of course they should, especially if they want to go into writing seriously. But the problem with a lot of younger people these days is they don't like to write or read or do anything that involves more work than staring at a screen (obviously not true for everyone, but take a poll of an average group of kids and see how many enjoy reading or writing stories). If a kid likes a specific thing and is motivated to write because they want to write a story about it, I think that's great. Just like those who don't like to read but will read fanfiction, while it's not the best source of literature, it's still reading.

Creating an entire world is very overwhelming, especially to create a good one. Developing one's technical writing skills lets a lot more effort and time be devoted to creating a believable, interesting fantasy universe than trying to make proper sentences or enough description. Yeah, the same thing can be achieved by exercises, short stories, etc. to practice specific things, but if the person isn't seriously dedicated to improving their writing, they generally won't want to do it. Writing a whole story and putting it online for peope to see is much more exciting.
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Sirius]

I agree with you fallen.
Just wanted to put writing fanfiction in a diffrent perspective that's all.

[fallenangel]

Alrighty. Just struck me as funny you were suggesting people not write fanfiction on a site devoted to fanart.
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[silver_dreams]

i see quite a few original stories and poems and suchlike on this site. but don't these people realize that by putting their ORIGINAL works online, someone can easily take it and use it as their own. Hence why the only writings i have online of mine are fanfics and other things that people would have no use exploiting

[Sirius]

[quote]i see quite a few original stories and poems and suchlike on this site. but don't these people realize that by putting their ORIGINAL works online, someone can easily take it and use it as their own. Hence why the only writings i have online of mine are fanfics and other things that people would have no use exploiting [/quote]

Other than the fact it's lame to steal other people's works.
It's also illegal
And seriously only about 1% of the writers who post these things online could ever hope to even make money writing fiction.

[KFelidae]

Ouch! Harsh! :lol:

I knew I wasn't a good writer, but now y'gone and crushed my dreams of being the next Stephen King! (sarcasm, I love it!)

Anywho... yeah, that does tend to happen, though obviously not as often as art thieft. People get their stories taken and passed off as someone else's, have their ideas multilated... It may be illegal, but major companies do it all the time! And sometimes, it even gets turned into a major franchise.

Hmm. Definetly something to think about!


-KF

[Sirius]

[quote]Anywho... yeah, that does tend to happen, though obviously not as often as art thieft. People get their stories taken and passed off as someone else's, have their ideas multilated... It may be illegal, but major companies do it all the time! And sometimes, it even gets turned into a major franchise.
[/quote]

Not on my watch!!!!

But seriously they don't really not as much as you'd think
Whenever you submit things to companies etc.
There's always disclaimers etc They're really afraid of being sued.
Just look inside the covers of books *all similarites etc etc between real people *.
But they do take story ideas that's because there's really not a lot of them to go about.I mean the boy who becomes a hero etc etc.If you really look there's really only a few themes running through human litterature.

[LadyoftheDeadlyDance]

So it's possible that writers can still sue fanfiction writers even if they put a disclaimer on all of their works? You learn something new everyday... ((is terrified))

[Bankotsus_Girl]

Well... what I do is I let the idea come to me. when it does, i think about what i want to happen & when. I keep it in my files in my overly small & cluttered brain. Then I just write. I try to use descriptive words, ones that are both elegant & effective. Its nice to sound intelligent ^_^ so then... Just write whatever comes to mind, & have someone who has written & read for al long time review it! Or at least someone who knows the topic. then, take the good criticism, ignore the bad, & reflect on the constructive!!!!
hope i was helpful... ^_^

[silver_dreams]

[quote="Sirius (The werewolf king)"] [quote]i see quite a few original stories and poems and suchlike on this site. but don't these people realize that by putting their ORIGINAL works online, someone can easily take it and use it as their own. Hence why the only writings i have online of mine are fanfics and other things that people would have no use exploiting [/quote]

Other than the fact it's lame to steal other people's works.
It's also illegal
And seriously only about 1% of the writers who post these things online could ever hope to even make money writing fiction. [/quote]
yea, but some people are really good, especially in poetry. Sliver's story 'Shadows Dress In Silver' is probably one that could make a good novel.