Regarding Fan Fiction

C

ChocolateCurls9

New member
I apologize if this thread is in the wrong section; I had hoped to ask a moderator before I created this thread, but I wanted to discuss the issue and I hope that no harm comes from it. I do not intend for this thread to discuss specific works, nor do I intend for this thread to promote any particular story. The purpose of this thread is to discuss whether or not it is even possible for fan works to match the quality of canon works, and whether or not most animation fans are even willing to read fan fiction.

You see, try as I might, I can’t bring myself to read fan fiction. I love a plethora of animated programs, many of which are no longer airing on television, but every time I try to read something that a fan made, it doesn’t seem right and I never make it too far into it. However, many of these works were highly praised by various communities and their authors put tremendous effort into writing them. Personally, I don’t believe that it’s possible for fans to create “legitimate” works based on their own experiences, and by legitimate, I mean works that would actually work as an episode of the animated program that it’s based upon.

I don’t know much about the industry, but most people who work on animated programs have a lot of material to work with. They have access to the show bible and can converse with the other writers, not to mention the people who created the characters and made the show a reality. Fans, on the other hand, can only work with their own experiences of the show. From my perspective, this causes problems because it leads to bias, though the fact that the people obviously can’t remember every detail about the show leads to further complications.

However, all of this analysis seems like a moot point. As I’ve said, I’ve tried to read some of the highest praised works of fan fiction for animated programs and I just couldn’t enjoy it. Now, we’re at the point of this thread where I ask for your input.

When it comes to animated programs, do you believe that fan works can ever match the quality of canonical works? Also, do you believe that people like me, who can’t enjoy fan fiction because of the differences from canonical works, are being too harsh?

I would rather much like to discuss this issue, though I acknowledge that it’s a sensitive subject.
 
I don?t believe awkward is the right word. Sure, there are definitely some bizarre works out there, but most stories? Well? I?m not quite sure how to describe them. Perhaps it?s merely a battle of expectations. I can speak from experience; animation aficionados tend to be extremely loyal to the shows that they love. When I read a work of fan fiction, I can?t help but compare it to the work that it was based upon. Such is inherently unfair, but the problem itself is inherent. Works of fan fiction will inevitably be compared to the canonical works that they?re based upon. This always puts fan works at a disadvantage, though perhaps that?s merely from my perspective.

Opposing viewpoints are welcome. I hope to have a discussion.
 
(I really love your topics, Huntsman, they're very interesting)

Well, first of all, fanfiction initself can never really match up to cannonical works as a whole, due to being written in a completely different manner than what you'd find in the canon. Reading something in script form and reading something a prose form are two very different experiences.

And that's just it.
Fanfiction, despite how well written, how canonical, and how awesome it may be, can never really match up to the real thing, because they're not the same thing. I don't think you're being too harsh in your judgement, per se, but it's really asking a bit too much to expect fanfiction to be on par with the real deal. Such a thing very rarely happens.
Besides, in the end, animation is meant to be seen, not read and that's why it's so hard to capture the real essence of the show with words alone.

I think this may be the problem with a lot of fanfiction out there, it can't decide if it wants to sound like an actual story, or just a script. Because it is, in a way, a different medium, it needs to be worked with in a different way if your fic is going to have a feel for the show, not just in terms of dialouge and plotline, but in terms of description, voice, narraration, and tone.
Personally, I've always thought keeping the right tone and voice, maybe moreso than the plot itself, were the most essential elements to writing a convincing fic. It can't feel too dark or serious if the show you're writing for is a partian comedy, and it can't derive too far from things in the show itself. It has to be consistant with the Universe, and the writing should reflect that.

In terms of the "wierder" things of fanfiction (wierd pairings, yaoi, alternate universe, OCs/Mary sues, and lemons) that more depends a lot on the fandom, the "fannon" of said fandom, and personal taste. Some love it, some hate it, some are just wierded out by it.

Edit:
Also, what's your stance on fancomics?
 
I appreciate your kind words.


You bring up a valid point. I have several scripts, even though it’s for an animated program without words, and they’re quite different than the works of fan fiction that were based upon the show. I suppose fan fiction is actually harder to write in that regard, as scripts are usually used in addition with storyboards, while most works of fan fiction don’t have that luxury. Fan fiction has to blend in descriptive elements alongside character dialogue, which makes it harder to write.


That is likely the case. I wish there would a way to do a controlled test on this subject; for example, if somebody who hates fan fiction were given an official script for an episode that they weren’t aware existed, and told that the official script was merely fan fiction, I wonder what they would think about the script in question. Even though the official script would be fully legitimate, perhaps the mere fact that they’re forced to read it instead of watch it is enough to cause them to assume it’s not the real deal.


I’m afraid that I’ve never seen any. I’d imagine that they would be less forgiving of flaws, since actually seeing the characters provides an extra layer of familiarity, but I’d need to check some out before I can say much more than that.
 
I remember reading a fan comic on DeviantArt, and I must say that, while not exactly catching the characters personalities, it was pretty accurate.
 
My 2 cents:

I don't have a problem with fan fictions when they're well-written and executed, but the problem is that (based on what I've read) a great deal of them aren't. Fanfics to me are like stand-up comics: for every good one, there are at least 20 mediocre ones, and when a fanfic fails, it fails COLOSSALLY.

Part of the problem is simply that fanfics aren't written by the original show creators and therefore they're not using the creators' voice, but rather their own. As hard as some authors may try, there's no substituting the original. And many fanfic authors don't even try to capture the spirit of the actual shows: many of them just use the shows as a springboard to vent and/or parade their neuroses/lusts/hatreds/obsessions around. I get that in fanfic you can do stuff that you'd never see on the actual shows, but too many authors abuse that privilege. I can't tell you how many lousy fanfics I've read which depict our favorite fictional characters getting raped, murdered, pregnant, committing suicide, contemplating suicide, getting drunk and/or stoned or doing the 'dirty deed' as a substitute for genuine plot and character development.

And don't get me started on the shipper, crossover and Mary Sue fics. :ack:
 
Quoted for truth. I wouldn't touch fan fiction with a ten foot pole.

And the idea of written fan fiction based on animated programs doesn't even make sense. It's a visual medium first and foremost. Why would you want to read it?

That brings us to fan art. Better or worse?
 
Personaly, I like fanfiction - GOOD fanfiction. I've been lucky enough to run across a few stories that could very easily work into the cannon stuff, and I've even read stuff that takes it in another direction that's easily as interesting as the actual show.

But for every good fic, there's 10,000 badfics. :ack: That's just how fandom rolls.

Ultimately, it's fun though. Fun to read, fun to write. :)

When it comes to fanart... well, that's just fun all around. XD
 
It's true there's a lot garbage in fan-fiction, but couldn't that be said of official stuff as well? Yeah, a lot of fan-fiction is just rabid fanboy/girl ramblings but there are some really good stories out there, they may not be high art, but at least a well-written one can be very entertaining.
 
Well, a lot of people don’t have access to the technology that would allow them to create animated works, and even if they did there’s a large chance that they wouldn’t be able to figure the programs out. Now, I know that some people do create their own animated episodes of their favorite animated programs, using their own scripts and techniques, but for most people, the written word has to suffice. The whole point of fan fiction is the transition of ideas; people think up new scenarios and stories for their favorite cartoons, in which they share them with other fans in order to keep the fandom thriving. I agree with you that the written word does have its drawbacks, but stories have existed for millennia and even though I dislike fan fiction, I can understand why people write their stories.


I would rather not have this thread digress into fan art, since it’s devoted towards fan fiction, but I personally have no problem with fan art. I browse deviantART all the time looking for new pictures. However, I do dislike it when people make alterations to the characters, such as making them fat. I also believe people obsess too much over their fan characters; when I look for fan art for a show, I want to see that show’s characters, not characters that people created for that show.
 
I don't mind well-written fan-fiction. It's hard to come by, of course, but the ones I have read I enjoyed.

Haven't read any for animated programs, but I've read a few movie or TV-inspired ones. I once read a Back To The Future fan-fic that depicted what Marty and Doc did over that first weekend in 1955 (of which only Saturday is seen in the film), and I was pleasantly surprised. I felt like I was "watching" an entire deleted sequence from the film. The author really captured the spirit of the characters and the situation.

I've also written a batch of fan-fiction, mostly for one particular show, but it was a show I was heavily into at the time, and I went out of my way to try and stay true to the characters and the show. Judging from fan reaction, I did a better job than I thought after the first couple of "episodes." When I tried to resume additional stories after about two years, I found myself unable to get back into the groove of the things and the stories were clearly coming out differently, so I didn't even bother finishing them because I knew they were too different.
 
Agreed. Because last time I checked, being a fan of something means enjoying it as is. Most of the fan fic as you describe, the writers seem more like fairweather fans in that aspect.



At the risk of sounding biased on the shipper, fics, along as it doesn't contradict with the canon pair and the writer has a genuine reason (Not just for being pretty together). Plus some shows end when an official shipping is resolved, so it's nice to see a lighthearted fic (in the daily life of their relationship type thing) that depicts the happy couple.
 
I am well aware that there are a lot of quality stories out there, but despite my best efforts, I just can?t finish reading them. When I try, I always compare it to the canon material and each sentence feels like a minor injustice. I can tolerate certain differences, for the sake of plot and interesting scenarios, but? It?s a weird feeling and I can?t quite explain it. For comedic characters, I think some authors try too hard to be as funny as they remember the character being, and more often than not, the characters become extreme shells of their former selves. Others tend to accept their inability to match the level of humor, and take comedic characters and make them dramatic, which obviously opens up an entirely different can of worms. I need to contemplate on this subject some more before I can figure out all of my thoughts.
 
I can't defend all writers with what I'm about to say, but I'll say it anyway:

I've written a few fanfiction. Why? Because I'm trying to become a writer and writing fanfiction is the only way I can get feedback. I want to know which facets of my writing style are good, and which can be improved.

But why not write original stuff, then? Well, I am writing my own stuff, but since I'm hoping to become a published writer one day, I can't put it on the Internet because someone may steal it. So I use fanfiction. I don't care if anyone steals those, it's not like they can do anything with them. My fanfiction is all way too specific to the fandom anyway, it can't be turned into something original.

I know lots of cases of people who are currently doing this. They want to become published writers, and they form small groups of people where they share their works. Ever heard of NaNoWriMo? It's an awesome group of writers (original stuff and fanfiction) who beta-read each other and are open to every genre. A couple dozens have even become published writers thanks to it.

On my personal experience reading it, yeah, there's tons of crap stuff, but I've come through lots of amazing works of fanfiction. One example that I'll never forget is a crossover fic whose idea sounded WAY too ridiculous in a synopsis, but once the fic rolled in, it's AMAZING how the writer blended the series together. I almost felt like I was reading the official storyline of a crossover movie.

The only real type of writers I can't stand are the ones who take their fics as part of the actual show so much that they ask the readers to ignore the show's canon and pretend their fics are the real deal. I just shake my head at those.

And if you're wondering what that crossover was, it was Hey Arnold/Men in Black.
 
I'm not that much in to fanfiction either. I once wrote one myself several years back, but never bothered doing more. Not because I didn't like the way it turned out, but because I felt it was just a waste of time to write a script that would never be used by the makers of the show anyway.

Fancomics and fanart is fine by me as long as it doesn't have fan characters or pornographic elements.
 
The only fan fiction I've ever fully read was a little bit of Sonic the Hedgehog stuff, back when I was a big fan, but I couldn't get into most of it. The only stuff I remember actually finishing was a couple of Dan Drazen's stories, which I thought were good at the time, and a long adaptation of Sonic 3 & Knuckles, which thenonly had two chapters done, but I thought was one of the best things ever. I think I'll find that one and re-read it.

In general though, fan fiction's pretty awful.
 
I am not ashamed to admit I have written about 80 fanfics over the course of four years.I also have written a few regular,non-fanfic stories and a little bit of poetry as well.Fanfiction is just another form of expressing how you like a show/movie/book etc. and sharing it with others who may or may not care either way.Is it canon?Nope.It's fanon.Sometimes people may find fanfics better then the original,some people will not.It's just the way the cookie crumbles. ;)
 
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