on derivative works and serial numbers

[tielan]

taraljc has a great explanation of Why Fanfic Relies On Context (a.k.a. Why Filing Off The Serial Numbers Doesn't Work)

I've written original fiction where I essentially filed off the serial numbers. More than one story, in fact. However, in each case, the context of the story bears little to no resemblance to the original universes; only the characters and their essential personalities have been transported through the looking-glass and into the story. I like to think that the characters are more archetypical, "based upon" rather than direct copies of. On the other hand, readers knowledgeable about my fandoms and favourites could spot the prototype characters in those stories from five klicks away and probably wouldn't even need glasses to do so.

Regarding pro-authors against fanfic:

One of my favourite authors once requested that fans not write fanfiction about her worlds and characters - partly because of the copyright issue, but also because she said she wanted fans to write their own stories and worlds so she could read them. I don't know if her perspective has changed in the decade since she said this, or if she's re-couched it in different phrasing. Certainly her fandom is small and fairly close-knit, she hasn't written much since the turn of the millenium, and so most people have observed her wishes in this.

And, we're back to serial numbers and filing them off, again. Because this author started off in fanfiction. In fact, she's sold novels that are more or less rewrites of stuff she wrote while in fandom. Those serial numbers? Are filed off pretty good. But if you look at the basic story of betrayal and power and redemption, the way the characters interact, or even the archetypes they represent, the serial numbers spring back into sharp relief.

It's a damned good story.

Which isn't to say that taraljc is wrong or that Gabaldon is right.

The truth is, one can file off the serial numbers if one wishes to - it can be done. But most fanficcers don't want to, because the fanfic is all about 'what if' and alternative possibilities (even porn in fanfiction is primarily a sexual 'what if' tailored to one's own preferences and kinks) - and for a 'what if' or AU to fully work, knowledge of the original scenario is necessary.

Plus, it's always fun playing in a pre-setup sandbox, where you don't have to sell people on the existence of the sandbox in the first place.

Comments

[havocthecat]

Oh, seriously, I know what you mean. I've filed off the serial numbers before, and that's hard work. You have to take your basic premise and rework the whole world, most of the time.

And, mind you, I find that fun, and I think you do too. :)

But fanfic is its own kind of fun. It's a different kind of writing (easier in some ways) and it's got a set of rewards that involve an already-established community.

[tielan]

Oh, yes - it's the world that needs to be reworked in "filing off the serial numbers" - in which Gabaldon really missed the point. You're not just filing off serial numbers, you're filing off everything external about the characters and their situation. Almost anything that could be identified as specific characters. And yeah, that's a lot of effort (and, yes, it's enjoyable, too).

It's a different kind of writing (easier in some ways) and it's got a set of rewards that involve an already-established community.

And it's very much a training ground for writing, if you're intelligent enough to recognise it as a learning experience.

I know that I'm a better writer now than I was ten years ago when I started writing fanfiction; I know that I can complete a novel-length story, I know how to structure a plot, I know how to write characters. I may not be very good at it, but I was even worse at it ten years ago.