A puzzlement

[vr_trakowski]

Out of all possibilities, why do I write fanfiction? I did original for many years, until fic sucked my attention completely away; I wrote adventure and romance and drama and even dabbled in horror (silly, because I won't read it) and the occasional piece of poetry, but now it seems I do nothing but mess around with other people's characters.

Is it because of the near-instant feedback? Is it because it's easier to write about characters already formed and described? Am I just lazy, preferring the situation-on-a-platter that fanfiction offers?

Someone important to me believes that I am cheating myself by writing fic, that I should concentrate on original stories, and while I don't agree with her entirely I can see her point. I hate disappointing her.

And yet, the muse leads me into the TV screen instead of back into my head. Relatively speaking. Who am I, to refuse inspiration? And yet, maybe I should...

Comments

[anansay.livejournal.com]

Someone important to me believes that I am cheating myself by writing fic, that I should concentrate on original stories, and while I don't agree with her entirely I can see her point. I hate disappointing her.

I have a good friend who tells me the same thing. She wants me to write original stuff, publish it and make money.

From someone who barely writes original, that thought is quite scary.

I think it is the near-instant feedback; within a few hours we get pats on the back and grins and gushes and we feel good.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

True, the feedback is such a rush! It lets one know that one is getting at least something right. And the thought of trying to publish can be terrifying.

I guess it comes down to doing what works best for oneself. Not sticking to the same old thing, necessarily, but doing what one does best...

[anansay.livejournal.com]

It lets one know that one is getting at least something right.

Yes. That's it. It's almost like testing the waters before plunging in with an actual book publishing quest.