I read Star Trek fanfiction only when it started to be professionally published--I somehow missed the whole mimeographed-passed-between-the-hands-of-the-fans stage.
Then I discovered Harry Potter, which led me to Harry Potter for Grownups, my first Yahoo group. (I'm signed up for twenty of 'em now.) First read Paradigm of Uncertainty by lorax523 and then I was off exploring what else was out there. Discovered Draco Dormiens, of course, by epicyclical, like the rest of the universe, and have read much, much more.
Started reading Lord of the Rings fanfiction last year. Right now I'm pretty much split 50/50 reading HP/LOTR.
But with the exception of one very short LOTR scene which I posted under a pseudonym (and no, I'm not going to tell you where) I've NEVER written fanfiction. Nor do I beta it, although I have written to a number of fanfiction writers to urge them to consider working on their own original work so that they can publish professionally. I'm trying to write my own original work, and I have plenty to do beta-ing other authors' work, intended for professional publication. I also am happy to answer writing questions in general, and I do like mentoring and encouraging other writers. I know that fanfiction is a great learning ground for baby writers, and many professional authors started that way. But I didn't. I just sort of skipped that stage, somehow.
I don't read RPS, in fact I avoid it like the plague. I have friends who are authors who have been stalked by fans who think that the authors' fiction is some sort of invitation to invade their (the authors') personal lives. Don't want to get anything that blurs that personal boundary at all.
I just have to say I'm happy that you got published! I'm sure that was your main ambition. *throws confetti*
Today I searched in the Library for your book. To no avail, the search proved futile. How long have you been published? I guess I'll have to buy the book off Amazon if I can't find it there.
That's so cool of you to be a mentor! Lord knows how much I could use one! My parents refuse me to do what I want. It all boils down to three choices: Doctor, Lawyer, or Business. It has to be something professional and 'solid'. God forbid, I actually want to follow what I feel strongly about.
You skipped the 'fandom' scene, eh? Lucky... You are a pure person then. Having not been influenced by the fandom at all and everything! I can tell you honestly, that had it not been for my subsequent discovery of Fiction Alley after reading my first fanfic (Slytherin Rising by the talented J.L. Matthews) -I would never have discovered this side of my own unbidden personality.
I'm just glad there are people out there that us lowly fandom folks actually know...that have made it to the top. *claps*
BTW, there is *Jane Austen* fanfiction out there?! *excited* But people probably only made NC-17 rated versions of her books right? Or maybe people have taken the time to allot a plot schedule that does not center itself with sex. ;D
If you don't mind me asking...Who/What is your major influence in writing? Your mentor?
I'm off to find your book! I know Alex mentioned it once in his lj -from which you answered me previously- so will go back to his old entries and such. :)Take care! Oh yes, the personal boundary...
If anything in this comment is swinging towards that direction -let me know. I wish not to be annoying and act like a stupid obsessed freak. Believe me. I have no idea how it is to be stalked or fan'ed. But I do know it certainly wouldn't be fun!
For Jane Austen fanfiction: besides the Bits of Ivory fanfiction board I pointed to in my last message, there is also quite a bit more at the Derbyshire Guild.
If you don't mind me asking...Who/What is your major influence in writing? Your mentor?
The city where I live, Minneapolis, has a startling number of successful published sf/fantasy writers. My primary mentors were probably Joel Rosenberg, Patricia C. Wrede, and Lois McMaster Bujold (I've been in writing groups with all of them, oh lucky me). Pamela Dean, who lives locally, has also been a big influence. kijjohnson is more of a writing peer: we sort of grew up into professional authorship together (we met in a freshman college English class). I've also button-holed many writers at many conventions, and pretty much all of them have been very gracious about answering questions.
Oh yes, the personal boundary... If anything in this comment is swinging towards that direction -let me know. I wish not to be annoying and act like a stupid obsessed freak. Believe me. I have no idea how it is to be stalked or fan'ed. But I do know it certainly wouldn't be fun!
I certainly haven't had any uncomfortable experiences yet in the LiveJournal world at all. In contrast, everyone has been gracious and friendly. I understand how you might feel self-conscious about talking to a published author, because I have always felt that way when I try to talk to an author I admire. I still do. It sounds funny to have to say it, but some fans hardly believe it's true: published authors really are just humans, too. If you just remember the basics of civilized manners your parents taught you, you have nothing to worry about.
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Date: 2002-10-22 09:01 pm (UTC)What were the first fanfics you ever read? Good and Bad, they are what made us what we are today. ^_-
Fanfiction history
Date: 2002-10-24 04:43 am (UTC)I spent two years obsessed with Jane Austen fanfiction on The Republic of Pemberley
Then I discovered Harry Potter, which led me to Harry Potter for Grownups, my first Yahoo group. (I'm signed up for twenty of 'em now.) First read Paradigm of Uncertainty by
Started reading Lord of the Rings fanfiction last year. Right now I'm pretty much split 50/50 reading HP/LOTR.
But with the exception of one very short LOTR scene which I posted under a pseudonym (and no, I'm not going to tell you where) I've NEVER written fanfiction. Nor do I beta it, although I have written to a number of fanfiction writers to urge them to consider working on their own original work so that they can publish professionally. I'm trying to write my own original work, and I have plenty to do beta-ing other authors' work, intended for professional publication. I also am happy to answer writing questions in general, and I do like mentoring and encouraging other writers. I know that fanfiction is a great learning ground for baby writers, and many professional authors started that way. But I didn't. I just sort of skipped that stage, somehow.
I don't read RPS, in fact I avoid it like the plague. I have friends who are authors who have been stalked by fans who think that the authors' fiction is some sort of invitation to invade their (the authors') personal lives. Don't want to get anything that blurs that personal boundary at all.
Re: Fanfiction history
Date: 2002-10-24 07:26 pm (UTC)Today I searched in the Library for your book. To no avail, the search proved futile. How long have you been published? I guess I'll have to buy the book off Amazon if I can't find it there.
That's so cool of you to be a mentor! Lord knows how much I could use one! My parents refuse me to do what I want. It all boils down to three choices: Doctor, Lawyer, or Business. It has to be something professional and 'solid'. God forbid, I actually want to follow what I feel strongly about.
You skipped the 'fandom' scene, eh? Lucky... You are a pure person then. Having not been influenced by the fandom at all and everything! I can tell you honestly, that had it not been for my subsequent discovery of Fiction Alley after reading my first fanfic (Slytherin Rising by the talented J.L. Matthews) -I would never have discovered this side of my own unbidden personality.
I'm just glad there are people out there that us lowly fandom folks actually know...that have made it to the top. *claps*
BTW, there is *Jane Austen* fanfiction out there?! *excited* But people probably only made NC-17 rated versions of her books right? Or maybe people have taken the time to allot a plot schedule that does not center itself with sex. ;D
If you don't mind me asking...Who/What is your major influence in writing? Your mentor?
I'm off to find your book! I know Alex mentioned it once in his lj -from which you answered me previously- so will go back to his old entries and such. :)Take care! Oh yes, the personal boundary...
If anything in this comment is swinging towards that direction -let me know. I wish not to be annoying and act like a stupid obsessed freak. Believe me. I have no idea how it is to be stalked or fan'ed. But I do know it certainly wouldn't be fun!
Re: Fanfiction history
Date: 2002-10-24 08:33 pm (UTC)The city where I live, Minneapolis, has a startling number of successful published sf/fantasy writers. My primary mentors were probably Joel Rosenberg, Patricia C. Wrede, and Lois McMaster Bujold (I've been in writing groups with all of them, oh lucky me). Pamela Dean, who lives locally, has also been a big influence.
I certainly haven't had any uncomfortable experiences yet in the LiveJournal world at all. In contrast, everyone has been gracious and friendly. I understand how you might feel self-conscious about talking to a published author, because I have always felt that way when I try to talk to an author I admire. I still do. It sounds funny to have to say it, but some fans hardly believe it's true: published authors really are just humans, too. If you just remember the basics of civilized manners your parents taught you, you have nothing to worry about.
Cheers,
Peg