| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Faraer |
Posted - 09 May 2007 : 20:58:21
. . . and intellectual property, with contributions from Jane Yolen: here. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 01 Dec 2011 : 16:51:14
The quote the author of the article in LS's link: "I think debates about fanfiction are boring. And pointless. And such a waste of perfectly good time when people could be telling stories." |
| Markustay |
Posted - 01 Dec 2011 : 15:58:41
On more then one occassion, I have been asked by published FR authors if some of the stuff I post here is 'canon'. I try to always make the canon bits known when I weave new (homebrew) lore, to avoid this confusion, but it still occurs on a regular basis (and I apologize for that - sometimes canon and non-canon bits are woven together a bit too tightly in my musings).
And in a least one case I can think of, several of my musing were later added to canon, and I find that very flattering, and have absolutely no problem with it (and made such a disclaimer on the WotC site, so as to avoid any problems for such gracious writers in the future).
Basically, I am agreeing with Sage here - Candlekeep and the scribes here - even when we post on other sites - try to contribute to the setting as whole, and even try to rectify some of the continuity gaffs, which I feel is a positive thing. 'Fan-fic' has a negative connotation - its the sort of rubbish that finds Hermione in bed with Snape - and folks here don't go that route. The Realms aren't here for our personal fantasies - and thats what fan-fic is - it exists because Ed greenwood was kind enough to share it with us, and we owe it more respect then fan-fic usually shows to a setting. Its that level of respect that IMHO sets us apart.
<soapbox mode over> |
| Lady Shadowflame |
Posted - 01 Dec 2011 : 15:44:29
Fanfiction is just a different way of interacting with the source material.
Plenty of it is lousy; 90% of everything sucks, after all. Think of all the unpublished novels, the movie scripts that never sold because they were dreadful.
Only some of those novels later got self-published, because the writer wanted to get them out there.
The difference is, fanfiction is a little more... egalitarian, shall we say? about its distribution. There are fanfics out there that are part of the 10% that would stun you with the sheer skill involved in their writing.
A published author's opinion on fanfiction, here, includes the comment 'But if anybody loves my work so much they want to play in that sandbox, so be it. I'm flattered that I've affected them on that level, and the best I can promise is an amused pretense at complete ignorance that any such thing even goes on around here.'
And here we have a very impressive list of things that are technically fanfiction, but should not be dismissed because of it. I urge you to read all the way through before going "But..." because chances are, the answer is in there.
This TIME article, 'How Harry Potter Became The Boy Who Lived Forever', goes into a lot of the issues involved. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 07:37:15
The Candlekeep Compedium is mostly fanfic. And that's one of the few exceptions I was talking about in the above post. [Though I don't read them from cover to cover. Just the parts that interest me most.] |
| Yoss |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 07:08:30
From what I've seen mostly terribly written, if they don't feature original Mary sue characters then one of the "canon" characters gets turned into one. And if they don't have that, then they're either lame attempts at comedy that turn the characters into ridiculous paraodies and charicatures (sp?) or creepy outlets for teenage girls to play out sexual fantasies anonymously online. And realms-related, those people only seem tp know Drizzt. Best avoided at all costs. Not that I've ever spent a significant amount of time reading that garbage, but I have come across far too much fanfiction in general. I think sage or wooly mentioned in another scroll Myatery Science Theatering the stuff. I used to find that stuff funny, there was a livejourmal community that used to make me laugh the way people picked apart the ridiculous House fanfiction (back from the first couple seasons, I don't watch tv anymore or care about that show anymore, so I have no idea if it's still out there) that I read far more often than I'd like to admit. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 26 Nov 2011 : 09:57:42
I tend to avoid them. There are exceptions, though, but very few. |
| Zireael |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 16:04:01
Back to the fanfic - what do you, oh hallowed scribes, think of it? |
| Yoss |
Posted - 24 Nov 2011 : 02:17:11
Cool, thanks. |
| Faraer |
Posted - 24 Nov 2011 : 00:11:14
Archive.org preserves (you'll have to copy and paste these URLs):
http://web.archive.org/web/20070525101635/http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/007464.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20070523082759/http://www.robinhobb.com/rant.html |
| Yoss |
Posted - 22 Nov 2011 : 09:58:44
James Joyce's "The Dead.". I still can't see how that was turned into a movie in the first place, let alone fantastically so. And I still think the movie version of Fight Club is better than the book, but that might have something to do with hating Palahniuk's style and liking The Pixies's song that clearly didn't play in the book. ;)
Alas, this is such an old thread that neither the rant link or the fan fic discussion link in the OP still work. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 Nov 2011 : 05:13:11
I Am Number Four is a good one, too. In some ways, even better than the novel. Pettyfer and Olyphant did a remarkable job in their roles. |
| Icelander |
Posted - 22 Nov 2011 : 05:07:43
The BBC adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy also did the novel excellent justice and the marvellous ensemble cast managed to imbue the dialogue with a delicious combination of pathos and crackling wit that made it even more enjoyable than the novel. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 Nov 2011 : 04:54:59
quote:
Originally posted by Reefy
And something I agree with and have tried to explain to people before - as good as some film adaptations of books are, I can't think of any films off the top of my head that are better than, or indeed as good as the book. For starters you just cannot pack as much into a film.
Not quite. If the author himself/herself is involved in the production, the film usually gives the book its deserved justice. Such was the case in Stardust and Goblet of Fire. |
| Icelander |
Posted - 22 Nov 2011 : 04:48:20
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
In general, I agree with you, Reefy. But I've always thought that the movie version of The Maltese Falcon may be the exception. For my money, it really does tell the story just about as effectively as Hammett's original novel.
Blade Runner is far superior to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, in my opinion. |
| Richard Lee Byers |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 22:54:10
In general, I agree with you, Reefy. But I've always thought that the movie version of The Maltese Falcon may be the exception. For my money, it really does tell the story just about as effectively as Hammett's original novel. |
| Reefy |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 21:53:38
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Robin Hobb's 'Book to Movie Rant' is worth reading, and pertains to Realms computer games and (theoretical) films.
That was a good read too.
Concurs. And something I agree with and have tried to explain to people before - as good as some film adaptations of books are, I can't think of any films off the top of my head that are better than, or indeed as good as the book. For starters you just cannot pack as much into a film. |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 12:17:55
Sorry--didn't mean to sidetrack or kill the discussion. It's just that my initial post could be considered . . . less than tactful, seeing that other FR writers are involved in fanfic on this very site. I was not aware of this when I posted, and do not wish to imply disrespect to those colleagues who do not share my opinion on this matter. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 02:28:59
'Tis sent Elaine. Let me know whether you've received it?
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 02:15:38
Hmmm... I apparently didn't have any of these addresses on file. I'll use these instead and re-send my message.
|
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 02:09:56
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
And Elaine, there were some further points I wanted to discuss with you... though, in line with your wishes here, I've taken them to the email.
Please check your inbox.
Nothing in the inbox. I think there's a black hole between me and thee, as I never received the "Hamish files" you sent me more than once. Alas.
Are you sending to elainecunningham@cox.net? Could you also try sending a cc to my gmail account, gwengellman@gmail.com?
Thanks!
ec
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| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:38:59
And Elaine, there were some further points I wanted to discuss with you... though, in line with your wishes here, I've taken them to the email.
Please check your inbox.
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:32:12
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Very wise words, Elaine. Very wise indeed.
I'm copying this into the Candlekeep's Guide to Forgotten Realms FAQ. 'Tis a useful and informative reply that will be of benefit to others curious about such topics.
Sage, I've deleted my post, and I'd appreciate it if you'd also delete the copy in the FAQ. I'm bowing out of this discussion.
Thanks.
Best,
ec
I understand, Elaine. Think nothing more of it.
If it's okay with you, I will delete the official copy and just keep a version for my personal use?
I am willing to discuss this privately with you however, if you have any further concerns.
|
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:28:05
Oh, I wouldn't be offended by the title, and I agree that its in the same "sphere" as fanfic, but I think the intent is a bit different. A lot of fan fiction I've seen seems to move along the path of "this is where I wish these characters would go," or "this is how I wish they had differed from their original path," whereas I see a lot of the Compendium work as being more along the lines of "nobody has ever looked in this nook or cranny, so I'll just fill in the gap."
As I said though, I can see a definate relation between the two. |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:19:53
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I think that would depend on the individual FR author.
We do, after all, have noted FR designers and contributors also contributing to the submissions themselves -- apart from their official work on the Realms.
I must admit that saying to Ed to be carefull for reading it would be quite ridiculous. |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:11:51
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Very wise words, Elaine. Very wise indeed.
I'm copying this into the Candlekeep's Guide to Forgotten Realms FAQ. 'Tis a useful and informative reply that will be of benefit to others curious about such topics.
Sage, I've deleted my post, and I'd appreciate it if you'd also delete the copy in the FAQ. I'm bowing out of this discussion.
Thanks.
Best,
ec |
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 01:02:05
I think that would depend on the individual FR author.
We do, after all, have noted FR designers and contributors also contributing to the submissions themselves -- apart from their official work on the Realms.
|
| Skeptic |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 00:58:09
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I would disagree with that, for the most part.
Elaine, I would say that the content of the Compendium itself falls more into the category of "as-close-to-official-lore-without-being-published" as you can get. Each of the scribes who are working on submissions for the PDF are asked to stick as closely to established canon-Realms material as possible. We're working toward making each entry useful for DMs who use the core Realms material. There's very little deviation from what is canon for the Realms, and certainly not enough to warrant labelling most of the entries as "fanfic." That's incorrect.
For what "fanfic" there is, it's mostly tied toward how the monks of Candlekeep would tend to operate when working on such materials and collating them -- giving a voice to the scribes themselves as KEJR notes above.
There is indeed a difference.
Hmm.. just to be well understood :
1. I don't have anything agains't fanfic.
2. In my opinion, the Candlekeep Compendium's scribes do a great job.
However, from what I understand from Elaine's post, an FR author shouldn't read it. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 00:50:12
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Also, there are campaign logs that explain what happened in someone's game in the form of a narrative story. Some might consider that to be a form of fan-fiction.
Yes, but these are noted directly as "Campaign Logs." Readers are already aware that what will follow isn't always supposed to add anything to the officially recognised canon Realms, which is what most "fanfic" pieces are intended for by those who write them. "Campaign Logs" are different because every DM's FR campaign will differ in someway from what is officially published about the Realms.
True enough, I only pointed that out because many of those logs are stories written in narrative form, and therefore could be considered "fan-fiction" even if they meant to recount events that happened in someone's game. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 00:46:14
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Also, there are campaign logs that explain what happened in someone's game in the form of a narrative story. Some might consider that to be a form of fan-fiction.
Yes, but these are noted directly as "Campaign Logs." Readers are already aware that what will follow isn't always supposed to add anything to the officially recognised canon Realms, which is what most "fanfic" pieces are intended for by those who write them. "Campaign Logs" are different because every DM's FR campaign will differ in someway from what is officially published about the Realms.
|
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 00:40:29
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Candlekeep Compendium is fanfic.
I would disagree with that, for the most part.
Elaine, I would say that the content of the Compendium itself falls more into the category of "as-close-to-official-lore-without-being-published" as you can get. Each of the scribes who are working on submissions for the PDF are asked to stick as closely to established canon-Realms material as possible. We're working toward making each entry useful for DMs who use the core Realms material. There's very little deviation from what is canon for the Realms, and certainly not enough to warrant labelling most of the entries as "fanfic." That's incorrect.
For what "fanfic" there is, it's mostly tied toward how the monks of Candlekeep would tend to operate when working on such materials and collating them -- giving a voice to the scribes themselves as KEJR notes above.
There is indeed a difference.
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