33 réponses à ce sujet

[SharpWalkers]

As someone who is writing his own story and spends painstaking hours - though lovingly so - creating his secondary world, I always wonder: Why write fanfiction? 

 

I'm a fan of numerous things and never felt that impuls, and my views on it probably is more inclined towards those of authors like George RR Martin, Robin Hobb, and Diana Gabaldon. I always - using "always" loosely here - wonder: why, if you have an insterest in writing and - to tie it to DA - perhaps in fantasy settings, not use the time and creativity to create non-fan-fiction, and your own world (and characters - if you use existing ones)? Surely that's more fulfilling than writing in someone else's universe, using, perhaps, someone else's characters? 

 

 

PS. I'm not trying to rile anyone up, or anything - I really do wonder about this.

[kalenath]

Personally?

 

I have little else to do in my life currently. I cannot work and my computer cannot handle a lot of the newer games. Not to mention, I cannot afford a lot of the newer games.

 

I write to relax and to practice my writing for what I intend to publish. I have always loved writing stories, but getting them published is a PAIN.

 

Writing can be a lot of fun, but it is a lot of work too.

 

[Edit] I usually just say 'Writer of Fanfiction'. lol.

[Riftwalker]

I don't know about anyone else, but I like the challenge of it. Writing my own stuff is entertaining enough, but in a world I create, I'm establishing all the rules, conventions, characters, and can do whatever I please with it. Writing for someone else's world presents a far more complicated challenge, because I'm dealing with a universe that already has an established story, with developed characters, and those characters have developed voices and personalities. The world has an established status quo of "the way things are."

 

When writing fanfic for an established universe, I have to keep all of that in mind. If I'm using established characters, I have to write with their voice (incidentally, my rule of thumb is usually if I can hear the VA speaking the line in my head, then it works, if I cannot, or if it sounds awkward, then I need to fix it). If I'm adding an original character, I have to develop that character all the while making sure that they feasibly fit within that universe in a way that feels like yes, this person could actually exist in this world.

 

And usually, when I'm doing fanfic, it's because I'm trying to address or take a closer look at something in lore that wasn't defined to my satisfaction. So I write fiction to work out the plot details that seem like they needed another logical step to fit together, or to look at a character that seemed like they really had more to say or look at. The one piece of fan fiction I posted here does a bit of all of those things - I took a look at a shaky period of Kirkwall's history through the eyes of someone who wasn't a hero at all, tied it back into Inquisition, and dug around in the Iron Bull's head while I was at it, because it felt like there was a lot more there that just hadn't been said, whether due to time and space constraints, or just because it hadn't been looked at yet. And on top of that I poked around with the logistics and reasoning behind the Qun, because I find it a fascinating concept for a fantasy setting.

 

If I do all of these things right, the piece should read like a logical extension of canon lore.

 

But that's me - and I'm pretty sure there are just as many different reasons out there for writing fanfic as there are writing in general.

[Mordray Darkblood]

I do both actually.

 

Fanfiction is what I use to cleanse my mental palate and because it's a challenge to write within the confines of another's world. The experience often helps keep me grounded within my own creations.

[Riftwalker]

I should add, it's also excellent practice for working with licensed properties - if you want to look at it that way, that's what a lot of novelists that write material for licensed works do, really - it's fanfiction. Only it's canon material, because they're being hired to write it. But it's the same kind of thing - writing within an existing universe, making sure the material fits, etc.

[thats1evildude]

To satisfy depraved fetishistic lust. Why else would someone write fanfiction?

[Andromelek]

Often is because we love a franchise and have ideas for plot or characters that would likely not appear on a game because the copyright does not belong to us, personally I also write to give more development and love to some characters that are actually being underappreciated.

[SharpWalkers]

Personally?

 

I have little else to do in my life currently. I cannot work and my computer cannot handle a lot of the newer games. Not to mention, I cannot afford a lot of the newer games.

 

I write to relax and to practice my writing for what I intend to publish. I have always loved writing stories, but getting them published is a PAIN.

 

Writing can be a lot of fun, but it is a lot of work too.

 

[Edit] I usually just say 'Writer of Fanfiction'. lol.

Well ain't that the truth. Creating that secondary world, all it's history, the map and lore, is so much work - very fulfilling, though, especially if you like doing it.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I like the challenge of it. Writing my own stuff is entertaining enough, [1] but in a world I create, I'm establishing all the rules, conventions, characters, and can do whatever I please with it. Writing for someone else's world presents a far more complicated challenge, because I'm dealing with a universe that already has an established story, with developed characters, and those characters have developed voices and personalities. The world has an established status quo of "the way things are."

 

When writing fanfic for an established universe, I have to keep all of that in mind. If I'm using established characters, I have to write with their voice (incidentally, my rule of thumb is usually if I can hear the VA speaking the line in my head, then it works, if I cannot, or if it sounds awkward, then I need to fix it). If I'm adding an original character, I have to develop that character all the while making sure that they feasibly fit within that universe in a way that feels like yes, this person could actually exist in this world.

 

[2] And usually, when I'm doing fanfic, it's because I'm trying to address or take a closer look at something in lore that wasn't defined to my satisfaction. So I write fiction to work out the plot details that seem like they needed another logical step to fit together, or to look at a character that seemed like they really had more to say or look at. The one piece of fan fiction I posted here does a bit of all of those things - I took a look at a shaky period of Kirkwall's history through the eyes of someone who wasn't a hero at all, tied it back into Inquisition, and dug around in the Iron Bull's head while I was at it, because it felt like there was a lot more there that just hadn't been said, whether due to time and space constraints, or just because it hadn't been looked at yet. And on top of that I poked around with the logistics and reasoning behind the Qun, because I find it a fascinating concept for a fantasy setting.

 

If I do all of these things right, the piece should read like a logical extension of canon lore.

 

But that's me - and I'm pretty sure there are just as many different reasons out there for writing fanfic as there are writing in general.

[1] I can get that. Though when you've created your own world - and while you can create whatever you want - you do have to stick to the internal logic of what you created. E.g. in my world there's no magic, therefore it would not make sense for me to do things that one might otherwise be explained away with magic. 

 

[2] What do you do/would you do then when a character or event like that is expanded upon in a next game or a book, comic, you name it. Do you kinda ignore it, in the sense of 'it was written before that', or accomodate to the new info?  

 

To satisfy depraved fetishistic lust. Why else would someone write fanfiction?

Valid reason. Worked for a Twilight fanfiction... what was it... 40 Tints of Ashen?

 

 

Thanks already for the answers!

[Riftwalker]

Well ain't that the truth. Creating that secondary world, all it's history, the map and lore, is so much work - very fulfilling, though, especially if you like doing it.

 

[1] I can get that. Though when you've created your own world - and while you can create whatever you want - you do have to stick to the internal logic of what you created. E.g. in my world there's no magic, therefore it would not make sense for me to do things that one might otherwise be explained away with magic. 

 

[2] What do you do/would you do then when a character or event like that is expanded upon in a next game or a book, comic, you name it. Do you kinda ignore it, in the sense of 'it was written before that', or accomodate to the new info?  

 

Valid reason. Worked for a Twilight fanfiction... what was it... 40 Tints of Ashen?

 

 

Thanks already for the answers!

 

[1] Well, yes, obviously that's the case. But you're still the one making up the rules, and you can change those rules as you see fit. Can't do that with someone else's universe, so you have to find a way to write around it and make it fit. That's where the puzzle and the challenge comes from, for me.

 

[2] Once a story's done, it's done. Same with any article I've ever written. If something came out while I was in the middle of writing a story, well that would just be more fun because the rules change in the middle and I get to puzzle out how to absorb and account for that. It's really...more like a game to me, something that's fun. I write for a living - fanfic is the fun writing I do when I'm not writing for a paycheck.

[Serelir]

I'd never written fiction before, so writing a story set in a fantasy world I was already familiar with and in collaboration with other fans has been a way for me to learn about writing while bouncing ideas off like-minded writers. Writing is a solitary occupation, generally. It's great fun to have a common setting and write with other fans, a form of roleplay that develops into complete stories.

 

As Andromelek pointed out, using the world of Thedas as my setting enables me to explore places that have been mentioned, but not visited, in the games. I can also explore how my own characters would interact with the circumstances and constraints of this particular place. This is satisfying to me, because I often find myself thinking, "Well, I wouldn't say that or do that!" when I am playing the games. For instance, I haven't been satisfied with the elven characters, nor with the mages, and find myself at odds with the paths and choices the games force me to take.

 

And if the next game is set in Tevinter and is completely different from the way I envision Tevinter in my mind, as it almost certainly will be given the few bits and pieces that have come out, I still have my personal vision of a place I have come to love. 

 

After all, people write historical fiction about the "real" world in settings they had no part in creating. They have to rely on whatever evidence is at hand to support their description of those places and times, and may have a different interpretation than another writer. Should we make fun of them for using a historian's documents as the basis for their stories?

[Toasted Llama]

Most of the time when I write fanfiction it's because I like a character or a concept of the games and want to elaborate on that more than the games do.

 

As far as how fulfilling it is to write in an established universe; it's a lot... easier? And sometimes I have much more fun playing with the rules of an established universe rather than play with rules I made up myself.

 

Though I think the most important reason why I don't write (much) non-fanfiction and prefer to write fanfiction has to do with confidence. I don't have confidence in my writing skills. My confidence in my creativity is even worse. Even when I'm drawing/painting/3D-modeling (which I do have confidence in), I prefer to make fanart rather than my own original work. Making fanfiction and fanart is comfortable and easy. No extra nasty remarks along the lines of "Your idea is terrible."

 

 

Now that I think about it, my entire reason for writing more fanfiction than non-fanfiction can be summed up as "Aaah! I'm too scared my original work sucks!"...

[Serelir]

Now that I think about it, my entire reason for writing more fanfiction than non-fanfiction can be summed up as "Aaah! I'm too scared my original work sucks!"...

 

You're not alone, llama. I never had the confidence to write or draw until I found supportive friends here. I don't even care if no one but my few friends read what I write - I'm just happy I made myself start writing and continue to write a little every day, even if I don't post it.

 

To satisfy depraved fetishistic lust. Why else would someone write fanfiction?

 

I discovered that writing smut is actually quite difficult, at least for me. There are only so many words to describe the acts without using ludicrous metaphors. Getting around the censor spurs my creativity, too! I was wondering just the other day if all sexting is the same: if you had to write it every day, what new situations and descriptions could you come up with?

[kalenath]

 

I discovered that writing smut is actually quite difficult, at least for me. There are only so many words to describe the acts without using ludicrous metaphors. Getting around the censor spurs my creativity, too! I was wondering just the other day if all sexting is the same: if you had to write it every day, what new situations and descriptions could you come up with?

 

So very true. Everyone's imagination has limits.

 

Writing erotica that is not 'read for 10 seconds and then throw it away' is VERY hard to do right. Not JUST the fact that reading such bothers some people or violates some EULA and TOS agreements, but it often is HARD to make it believable.

 

Anyone can write a scene and call it erotic. That does not make it erotic. It may just be DISTURBING. Yes, there is a difference.

 

This is public forum. Lets keep that way, okay?

[SharpWalkers]

Should we make fun of them for using a historian's documents as the basis for their stories?

Here to iterate that I'm not trying to make fun of anyone writing fan-fiction. You might not have meant that, but considering no one in the thread is making fun of it, I just wanted to point that out.

 

I'd never written fiction before, so writing a story set in a fantasy world I was already familiar with and in collaboration with other fans has been a way for me to learn about writing while bouncing ideas off like-minded writers.

 Have you written in a setting you've created yourself since? Would love to hear about it.

 

Now that I think about it, my entire reason for writing more fanfiction than non-fanfiction can be summed up as "Aaah! I'm too scared my original work sucks!"...

Well, it's your own work, still, isn't it? If you can find confidence in you writting fan-fiction, then perhaps you're being too hard on your original work.

But I certainly feel your pain. I've had to learn so much - most of what I know now, I wouldn't attribute to school, for example (school was not my thing - the schooling part at least); I would attribute it to me looking it up in recent years. Rules of punctuation for example. If I come across things I've written (e-mails, YT comments, etc.) before, I cringe constantly - worse the farther back in time. Now going from that to trying to write a story is quite... anxiety inducing. I'm constantly thinking I'm doing everything wrong!

It helped that I know that feeling well from making music. 

[Serelir]

Here to iterate that I'm not trying to make fun of anyone writing fan-fiction. You might not have meant that, but considering no one in the thread is making fun of it, I just wanted to point that out.

I didn't think you were, except for the slight implication that FF writers depend on someone else's work for their inspiration and can't or won't come up with their own setting. I do feel embarrassed to tell people that I'm writing FF, because it's generally seen as a dubious pastime.

 

I was reminded of that feeling when I listened to a piece on the new "Stieg Larsson" novel this morning. It was written by a ghostwriter, David Lagercrantz. I'm sure he feels tremendous pressure to live up to the fans' expectations.

 

And no, I only started writing at the end of June and have not created my own world yet.

[mousestalker]

Several reasons, but the two that hold the most validity for me are a love of the setting and a love of the characters. In the first, putting your own characters in a pre-defined setting can be interesting. For the second, let's just say shipping characters is a sign of an active imagination.

 

[SharpWalkers]

except for the slight implication that FF writers depend on someone else's work for their inspiration and can't or won't come up with their own setting. I do feel embarrassed to tell people that I'm writing FF, because it's generally seen as a dubious pastime.

I don't think I implied that anywhere. In my OP I even ask why not use that creativity for 'non-fan-fiction'. Maybe it's me but I don't corelate someones creativity with depending on someone else's. Influence aside, of course. 

Let's just chalk that up to a misunderstanding. 

 

I'd say most pastimes are dubious, depending on who you ask. My stepdad does golf... very dubious pastime I say.

[Toasted Llama]

You're not alone, llama. I never had the confidence to write or draw until I found supportive friends here. I don't even care if no one but my few friends read what I write - I'm just happy I made myself start writing and continue to write a little every day, even if I don't post it.

A supportive community or supportive friends interested in the same things as you are does really amazing things to motivation. I feel part of the reason why I draw and write much less than before has partially to do with the fact that I stopped sharing it with other people.

 

 

Well, it's your own work, still, isn't it? If you can find confidence in you writting fan-fiction, then perhaps you're being too hard on your original work.

But I certainly feel your pain. I've had to learn so much - most of what I know now, I wouldn't attribute to school, for example (school was not my thing - the schooling part at least); I would attribute it to me looking it up in recent years. Rules of punctuation for example. If I come across things I've written (e-mails, YT comments, etc.) before, I cringe constantly - worse the farther back in time. Now going from that to trying to write a story is quite... anxiety inducing. I'm constantly thinking I'm doing everything wrong!

It helped that I know that feeling well from making music. 

I always felt the bar for "good" fanfiction is much lower compared to "good" original fiction. Partially because I think the writers of fanfiction are generally (much) younger than original fiction. Though I admit I don't read much original fiction either, so perhaps my idea is skewered because I've probably consumed more fanfiction than books. (Considering things like Twilight exist and are popular, I suppose my idea is truly skewered )

That gave me the idea that I'm allowed to make much more mistakes in fan fiction rather than in original fiction.

 

Agh, cringing at older work is so anxiety inducing! "If I wrote cringe-worthy stuff only a few years ago, surely I would be writing cringe-worthy stuff right now as well!".

[Abelas Forever!]

I just started to write fanfiction and I started doing it because I have always wanted to write but I have never had the courage to do that and in a way I haven't known how to write. I have ideas in my head but actually writing them down is really hard and I don't have much patience to do that. I'm also quite demanding to myself. To me writing fanfiction is easier because I think that it doesn't have to be perfect but if I would create my own world I would want it to be something unique and that's very difficult to do.

English is not my native language which makes writing even harder but I have seen others who have written fanfiction even though their native language isn't english and that gave me courage to write in english. I don't think I could ever write a book in english because my language skills are lacking. Well I don't think I could ever write book in my native language either because I'm just not that good writer and I don't believe I could ever become one.

Anyway to me writing stories in DA world or ME world is much easier because there is already established world and rules in it and the characters so I only have to create some other characters who do some stuff in that world and with those known characters. I can create stories and explore what if scenarios and this means romances The romances could develop in different ways if your PCs for example would be different. For example the romance with Alistair and warden follows the certain pattern but it would be slightly different depending on your PC and what kind of things could happen with them that aren't in a game. Of course there is also the possibility to alter some of the events slightly or as much as I like.

I like romances and exploring how they develop. I can do that in fanfiction without too much concentrating on the world around my characters or what kind of world Thedas is because everybody knows that. But if I would create my own world I would have to think about these things and tell the reader what kind of world this is.

I started to write my own story quite many years ago. Lately after writing some fanfiction I have thought about starting to write it again. So maybe after writing some fanfiction I could continue writing this story. But the problem is. What I'm going to do with it after I have finished it? It feels so pointless to write without posting it anywhere.

[SharpWalkers]

English is not my native language which makes writing even harder but I have seen others who have written fanfiction even though their native language isn't english and that gave me courage to write in english. I don't think I could ever write a book in english because my language skills are lacking. Well I don't think I could ever write book in my native language either because I'm just not that good writer and I don't believe I could ever become one.

 

I'm actually writing my story in English even though it's not my native language. But to me it's actually pretty natural. I guess through growing up with English language television, movies, games and music, my mind has started to work in English - most of the time, at least. That's definately a big load off when trying to write in English, though there's still some difficulties. Descriptions of more specific things, mostly, not knowing the clearest way to describe it. It often ends in a mess that's only ends up fixed through a editing it at a later time. I always just think in those moments, "would I actually even know how to describe this clearly in my native language?" The answer is always no. I guess it's just the difficulty of description, period. 

Funnily enough, I've actually had moments in day-to-day life where I end up having to translate from English into Dutch (my native language). Apparently it's the same for my sister. 

 

 

 

I started to write my own story quite many years ago. Lately after writing some fanfiction I have thought about starting to write it again. So maybe after writing some fanfiction I could continue writing this story. But the problem is. What I'm going to do with it after I have finished it? It feels so pointless to write without posting it anywhere.

You could always take the big shot at sending the manuscript to publishers. Or create a website for it, post it there, try to get readers. 

[TheEnigmousPretentiator]

I always - using "always" loosely here - wonder: why, if you have an insterest in writing and - to tie it to DA - perhaps in fantasy settings, not use the time and creativity to create non-fan-fiction, and your own world (and characters - if you use existing ones)? Surely that's more fulfilling than writing in someone else's universe, using, perhaps, someone else's characters?

Who says I don't worldbuild? But to answer the question, I have no interest in being a paid author; that is why I bifurcate my free time for writing with fanfiction.

And I only write fanfic in role-playing worlds. I am allowed to make some decisions with the characters who are presented with histories and personalities for me to interpret, thus I will write about the 'in-between' stuff and create my own characters anyway.

 

As for GRRM's views on fanfiction: LadyNerevar seemed to have addressed them rather well, in my opinion. https://www.reddit.c...ocrypha/csnb9vx

 

I cannot comment on the others as I am not familiar with their work.
 

It feels so pointless to write without posting it anywhere.

Did you improve in the endeavor?

[Abelas Forever!]

I'm actually writing my story in English even though it's not my native language. But to me it's actually pretty natural. I guess through growing up with English language television, movies, games and music, my mind has started to work in English - most of the time, at least. That's definately a big load off when trying to write in English, though there's still some difficulties. Descriptions of more specific things, mostly, not knowing the clearest way to describe it. It often ends in a mess that's only ends up fixed through a editing it at a later time. I always just think in those moments, "would I actually even know how to describe this clearly in my native language?" The answer is always no. I guess it's just the difficulty of description, period. 

Funnily enough, I've actually had moments in day-to-day life where I end up having to translate from English into Dutch (my native language). Apparently it's the same for my sister. 

 

What are you going to do with your story? Are you going to publish it? I'm very interested because a while ago I was thinking do people whose native language isn't english write their stories in english and do those stories get published. I was thinking this because I would like to write sci-fi but it feels somehow weird to write it in other language than english.

 

Do you mean that you think in english? Because it happens to me if I have written english and while I'm trying write something I think in english instead of trying to translate my thoughts from my native language to english. Anyway if I write in english a lot then after a while I start to think in english as well. Sometimes I have difficulties in situations with other people where I want to say something but the words are in english in my head

 

I have huge difficulties explaining things in my native language as well as in english Sometimes I can see in my mind how some scene plays out but writing that is very hard because I don't see the details of the surroundings or what kind of clothes people wear. So the whole thing is quite blurry. I might feel the feelings my protagonist is feeling in that moment but describing them is very hard. I'll have to pay attention that I will describe things because otherwise people who read my story wouldn't understand a thing I'm talking about

 

 

You could always take the big shot at sending the manuscript to publishers. Or create a website for it, post it there, try to get readers. 

I think posting my story to some website would be a good idea. For me it's important that I can put it somewhere and say that I write this and by doing that is rewarding enough. If somebody will like it then it's like a huge bonus.

 

 

 

Did you improve in the endeavor?

I believe I did. I believe that whatever people will do and in this case write they will get better at it.

[SharpWalkers]

What are you going to do with your story? Are you going to publish it? I'm very interested because a while ago I was thinking do people whose native language isn't english write their stories in english and do those stories get published. I was thinking this because I would like to write sci-fi but it feels somehow weird to write it in other language than english.

 

Do you mean that you think in english? Because it happens to me if I have written english and while I'm trying write something I think in english instead of trying to translate my thoughts from my native language to english. Anyway if I write in english a lot then after a while I start to think in english as well. Sometimes I have difficulties in situations with other people where I want to say something but the words are in english in my head

 

I have huge difficulties explaining things in my native language as well as in english Sometimes I can see in my mind how some scene plays out but writing that is very hard because I don't see the details of the surroundings or what kind of clothes people wear. So the whole thing is quite blurry. I might feel the feelings my protagonist is feeling in that moment but describing them is very hard. I'll have to pay attention that I will describe things because otherwise people who read my story wouldn't understand a thing I'm talking about

 

I would love to get a publisher when it's good and done! That's of course very unlikely, but if you don't take that gamble it's not gonna happen either way, and I'd like to believe I'd take that gamble when it's done. If rejected everywhere yet I think it's good enough, I'd probably make a website and try to spread the word in fantasy communities. I've got big visions for my world, so I would want it to be read.

 

Yeah, my mind works/I think in English most of the time. In my mind I have entire conversations in English, haha. Often when I end up having to translate from English, I just give up and say it in English anyway. 

[Abelas Forever!]

I have seen series of books where the first book is free but you will have to pay for its sequels. I have been thinking that this might be a good way for writers that aren't  known to get readers. I noticed that I'm more willing  to try out a book if it's free and if I like the book I'm also willing to pay for its sequels because I already know how the writer writes and I know whether I like her/his writing style or not.

[kalenath]

I have seen series of books where the first book is free but you will have to pay for its sequels. I have been thinking that this might be a good way for writers that aren't  known to get readers. I noticed that I'm more willing  to try out a book if it's free and if I like the book I'm also willing to pay for its sequels because I already know how the writer writes and I know whether I like her/his writing style or not.

 

That can work. Especially if the writer is prolific.

 

Getting a publisher to even LOOK at a new author is a PAIN IN THE ASS. This is nothing new.

 

Madeleine L'Engle wrote 'A Wrinkle In Time', one of the BEST fantasy stories I have ever read in 1953 and it took her 10 YEARS to get it published. Not because it wasn't good, because EVERYONE said it WAS. But the reason was that the publishers could not classify it. It is not religious, it is not science fiction, it is not fantasy, it is not a children's book, it is ALL of these and NONE. (and it is AWESOME, read it if you haven't!)

 

Even that book or more recently, J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series, were GAMBLES. Those paid off, but such are rare in the literary world. Publishers DO NOT like gambles, they want sure things. They want solid. They want dependable, even if it is boring as hell. This is why Diana Cross and James Patterson sell so well. The books are often boring and predictable. But people want more. So they sell. Money talks.

 

Every single publisher I have contacted has said the same thing: 'We don't know you. Get lost.'

 

Agents can be a good thing or a horrible thing, depending on the agent. I self published my own story because I didn't trust the single agent who deigned to talk to me. (He wanted 50%. HELL NO!) But publishers are and always have been a pain in the ass. They likely always will be.