Defending fan fiction

[Firebird]

Another thing, that at least I do, when writing fanfics now: "research".
When I started, I just wrote and hoped for the best - later on, I did at least some research, e.g. in one of the stories I have posted here, I looked at the map of Washington D.C. and went through the whole city via google streetview, to see, what could be used as clue. Actually, that was as much as fun, as writing the whole thing.

In almost every episode I write, I always do some bit of research to ensure I’ve got the scientific or historical details correct. I’ve had to look into subjects as varied as quasars and the Manzanar War Relocation Camp. Every detail doesn’t necessarily make it into a script, but it informs all of my decisions.

This also is what I'm doing. My Trek fanfic stories are written with a TV series in mind. I write them in present tense because I imagine converting them to a screen play. It means I write in a different style, with different goals than novel writing. I don't build the scenery as much, let the director and prop directors have that leeway. Present tense feels more like stage directions, and I don't write about what characters are thinking. What is best for a performance? Fan fiction allows me to skim the visuals and the staging, because that has already been set in the minds of the readers. Fan fiction and the desire to virtually produce my own version of a beloved TV show, has made me aware of how different styles of writing are required for different goals.

,-Will

Yup, I specifically write in screenplay format because it’s what I’ve self-trained for. And honestly? I like the sparse, almost just the facts ma’am style. I can boil things down and focus on the characters, story, and dialogue. Though, there are times where I put a little more effort into descriptions because I need to fill out the details.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

My comic book style stories were written in present tense because I described the scenes as though I were looking at the drawings.

 

[CaptainCalvinCat]

In almost every episode I write, I always do some bit of research to ensure I’ve got the scientific or historical details correct. I’ve had to look into subjects as varied as quasars and the Manzanar War Relocation Camp. Every detail doesn’t necessarily make it into a script, but it informs all of my decisions.

of course not every detail needs to be put in the script - or correct . I remember reading "Illuminati" and my girlfriend, who is a great fan of the city of Rome told me "That's not exactly how that is in real life". I mean, if it turns out to be as close to the original as possible, that completely suffices.

By the way - just a short message: We have a new Pope. I just watched the ceremony on TV, it was interesting.

Yup, I specifically write in screenplay format because it’s what I’ve self-trained for. And honestly? I like the sparse, almost just the facts ma’am style. I can boil things down and focus on the characters, story, and dialogue. Though, there are times where I put a little more effort into descriptions because I need to fill out the details.

Concerning writing, I like both styles. I actually did start with script-style, but right now, I'm more fond of the more elaborate novel-style.

My comic book style stories were written in present tense because I described the scenes as though I were looking at the drawings.

That is actually quite clever.

 

[Will The Serious]

That is actually quite clever.

Agreed.

-Will

 

[CmdrJoe]

I've long said that fanfiction is a powerful tool for the expression of creative imagination. It also depends on how much effort you put into the story. I love fanfics (and stories in general) that have a "message" for the reader - something STAR TREK itself excels at. There are many audiofics on my website that try to convey a message to the listener in a similar way.

 

[FredH]

My comic book style stories were written in present tense because I described the scenes as though I were looking at the drawings.

Not for fanfiction specifically, but so far I’ve found that comic-script format is the only format I’ve managed to write something “novel-length” in (though it didn’t sell). In prose format I’ve managed short stories, but just can’t maintain it at longer lengths for some reason. The script format somehow lets you just get on with it. Alas, I can’t draw, so that’s not going anywhere.

 

[CmdrJoe]

I've always defended fanfiction as no different than fan films. It is a way to express our creative imagination using our favorite universe and characters (or our own characters) as a means to do so.

I've been putting fanfiction into an audiobook-presentation format (initially as a way to reach the visually impaired, a sort of charity project) for over a dozen years now. Sadly, AI is catching up to the point that folks can easily make voice overs for videos, but I maintain that the audio format I create is more listenable than a monotone narration (though AI is catching up with inflections, too), and I have recently created a new private forum where fans can submit their own short fics for audio production - I believe that much in the power of creative expression within the realm of our fandom.