In Defense of Fan Fiction.

In Defense of Fan Fiction.

I'm pretty sure nobody really reads this blog apart from Claudia (sup Claudia!), so it doesn't really matter that I update once in a blue moon. Right? ANYWAY:

I've been introduced to George R.R. Martin recently, and like any nosy would-be author, I looked him up on Wikipedia to find interesting tidbits about his life and work. Aside from the fact that he pretty much looks like every other fantasy writer (creepy, hairy, with glasses from the 70s), there wasn't anything else that sparked my attention, until I scrolled down the page and read this sentence:

"Martin is very strongly opposed to fan fiction, believing it to be copyright infringement and bad exercise for aspiring writers. He does not give permission for any of his intellectual property to be used in fan fiction."

My inner 12-year-old self started hyperventilating shortly after I read that sentence.

I think for a good 3-4 years, starting with the age of 12, I practically lived on Fictionalley.org. For those unfamiliar with it, Fictionalley.org is probably the biggest online community based on Harry Potter fan fiction. I read hundreds of fan fics on FA, participated in comments and discussions, and even spent some time as a BETA reader for some of my favorite authors. FA was THE SHIT, the BEE'S KNEES, the CAT'S PYJAMAS, etc.

I learned to write on FA. I learned to create characters on FA. When I was having shitty times as a 12-year-old, FA backed me up. To hear there are many people out there that are completely opposed to fan fiction really pulls on my heartstrings, which is why I want to introduce you to the multiple benefits of fan fiction.

First, let's play a game called "Things That Are Wrong With This Sentence":

"[...] believing [fan fiction] to be copyright infringement and bad exercise for aspiring writers."

Fan fiction isn't copyright infringement unless the person who created the fic EARNS MONEY from his or her work with YOUR intellectual property.

Most fan fiction sites (like FA) have disclaimers posted with every fic, that go something like this: "This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended."

That is the FA disclaimer; no one is making money off fan fiction. Fan fiction is solely what its name makes it out to be and that is fiction created by fans.

Mr. Martin, if your fans love your books so much that they want to create their own situations within your fictional realm, you should be flattered. Didn't anyone tell you that "imitation is sincerest form of flattery?" Clearly Mr. Martin hasn't read much of Charles Colton.

Let's move on to the second thing wrong with George Martin's sentence: fan fiction is "bad exercise for aspiring writers."

Listen up, George, I don't know how dark and repressed your formative years were, but last time I checked, aspiring writers need things to aspire to before they become writers. Writing sprouts out of the desire to mimic what you read...you become inspired by your favorite authors, you learn from their craft. A painter cannot learn to paint without admiring the works of those before him. I'm not saying plagiarism is okay, but as far as I'm concerned (in terms of any art form), inspiration has to come from someone or something else, which is why fan fiction is excellent writing exercise.

As a 12-year-old, it's hard to come up with believable characters, or a solid, believable story line; fan fiction helps kids (and/or adults) grasp the nature of the character they mimic. Although a lot of the time, granted, fan fics portray ridiculously OOC behaviors/situations, its main purposes are to entertain and to help those who write it learn to construct their own writing style.

Re-writing endings? Remember that high school exercise? It's the same principle. How do you learn to play music? You learn existing songs. Learning is imitation and fan fiction offers a great way of learning how to write.

Despite the benefits of fan fiction, you have people like Cassandra Clare, who continues to gain money and popularity from her fan fiction; Clare recycled her version of Draco Malfoy in her Mortal Instruments series and passed it off as her own. I think Cassandra Clare owes a lot to J.K. Rowling (I have great disdain for the MI series, I think it's shittier than Twilight). But then again, we're talking extremes here...I'm generally inclined to believe 12-year-olds don't make money off their fan fiction.

And so, Mr. Martin, I have to strongly disagree with your opinion on fan fiction. Fan fiction is teh shiet. Learn to love it.

Your books are pretty interesting though. WEIRD, but interesting.