Because I already love THESE characters

[laceblade]

Although I haven't published much fanfiction that I can point my finger at, I have been fairly open about the fact that I'm working on a long Glee fanfiction with people who are not in fandom.

My mom knows, as do a few other members of my family (including a cousin who I hope might actually read it once posted). So do a couple of my co-workers, including one who is trying to understand more about fandom, even if she seems uninterested in being part of it (so far).

Sometimes when people learn that I've invested a 20k word count already, their reaction is, "Why don't you write some actual/real/original fiction?"

Is there a canned short response that can be given to such questions?
"Because this is the story that I want to tell right now" ?
"To me, this is valuable fiction. I like reading it and I want to contribute and write something too" ?

It's important to me to not just brush off the question because it would be cool for people to know how important fanfiction can be, but it's hard to summarize it in a way that doesn't lose people's interest, I think.
So far, though, I'm a lot better at talking this way about politics than I am about fandom - in a way that answers the question but doesn't mock people for not being part of it, or for giving a fuck, which is totally valid.
What do you say?

Comments

[kalmn]

I think the two short answers that will get ppl to shut up are "practicing" and "fuck off". Neither of which might be helpful.

[laceblade]

Yeah, I mean, I'm pretty confident in my ability to get people to drop a topic. I'm hoping to figure out what to say that doesn't turn them off entirely, I guess?

[sasha_feather]

I think the answers you give above are good. Part of why I write fanfic is because it is so community-oriented. I do it for and with my friends, which is important to me.

People are socialized to look down on fanfic as unimportant, and any way to gently challenge people's beliefs is good. Maybe saying that this is a hobby that you enjoy, and compare it to their hobbies? Plenty of our friends like quilting or biking, for instance, and don't go pro.

also re: hobbies

[bibliofile]

Do you know people who embroider or do needlepoint? Are they always following other people's patterns instead of creating their own? (This seems to be more common with embroidery & needlepoint than knitters, but that could just be me.)

[erinptah]

"It's a hobby, not a job. I'm writing it because it's fun, not because I want to sell it."

Alternatively,

"What do you mean, fanfiction isn't 'real' fiction? You know there are fanfic novels that have won real Pulitzers, right?" (March, based on Little Women, and A Thousand Acres, based on King Lear.)

[bibliofile]

Don't forget that there's also a meta-argument that mimetic fiction is fanfic for Real Life....

ETA: And some writers get paid to write fanfic, e.g., novels that tie in to film/TV series (ST/SW) or even video games (Halo).

[owlectomy]

I think your answers are good! Or something like "Writers gotta go where their heart/passion/creativity are. For some people that's science fiction, for some people that's romances, for some people that's fanfiction." But I like your second answer because it emphasizes fanfic as a community activity!

[umadoshi]

I tend to go with "because I enjoy it" and then only go into more detail if someone seems interested. (Although if someone makes disparaging noises about fanfic in my presence they usually get an earful. ^^;)

[littlebutfierce]

It is v. v. rare that I will talk about fic-writing w/ppl who are not in fandom, but I think I end up saying something about how I like to answer back to canon &... IDK, blah blah centering women, blah blah showing relationships outside monogamous het ones, blah blah.

This is such an interesting question & I totally give you props for being willing to engage non-fans on this!

I know we have a large overlap in our DW circles, but I might post this as a link & ask ppl to comment if they have anything to add -- is that all right?

[laceblade]

Ah, yes to all your reasons. So far I seem to only write gen stuff, but even still, the stuff that happens & the focus on women characters is usually quite different than the way things are handled on the store.
I especially like the way this is handled in Glee fandom, where the source is so problematic. In the show, one of the girls is outed as a lesbian by one of the boys & it's written off as being "okay," possibly even "heroic" that he did it! In fanfiction, this is never let off the hook so easily, which I appreciate (so messed up).

And yes, linking to public posts is always okay!

[amalnahurriyeh]

I think I end up saying something about how I like to answer back to canon &... IDK, blah blah centering women, blah blah showing relationships outside monogamous het ones, blah blah.

I use this one too, about as much as I use "hobby/fun/community" as an answer. But the ability to give this kind of answer probably has to do with who you're talking to? My whole friend circle is full of professors/grad students/political activists, all of whom will immediately buy "it's for radical transformation!" as a plausible answer to a question. Maybe other people don't?

Definitely I do get bugged about when I'm going to write something "real," though.

[littlebutfierce]

Oh, that's a good point -- the main person that I've been explaining fic to has, iirc, an undergrad degree in either cultural studies or sociology (I think the former?), so yes, primed to accept that sort of response!