11 replies to this topic

[AJ]

There's been quite a bit of controversy over Fan Fiction over at ADWOFF as of late. As many of you know, ADWOFF does not allow Nora fan fiction of any kind to be posted on their site. I've largely remained silent on this subject mostly because while I don't understand their strong opposition to it, I do feel that what they allow or don't allow on their message board is their business. One of the reasons I opened up a Fan Fiction section here was because I was seeing that so many people wanted it, but there was not a place for it.

Many of you might have seen the disclaimer on FanFiction.net that states there is to be NO Nora Roberts fan fiction posted on that site per the author's request. Many of you might have also seen, on ADWOFF and re-posted here, Nora's answer to the fan fiction question when asked several months ago which was:

I've never read any fanfic, but I don't have a problem with it. As long as nobody tries to pass the characters, etc, off as their own creation, it's find with me. I imagine it's fun.

It understandably makes you confused, I'm sure. Does Nora oppose Fan Fiction, or not? Should I write Nora fan fiction? Is it disrespecting Nora's wishes to write Nora fan fiction?

This is the controversy that has been going on there at ADWOFF for awhile.

Today on ADWOFF, Nora attempted to clear up the mystery surrounding her feelings on Fan Fiction. Here's what she said:

Well, let me try to explain my thoughts and feelings on this.

I don't mind fanfic--on sites devoted to or encouraging it.

On a personal level I'm divided in two parts on the subject. It's flattering, without a doubt, that readers are so excited by a story or characters, or so intrigued by them and want to spend the time and the effort to write stories that spring from or involve them. And I certainly understand the fun factor.

The other part of me isn't entirely comfortable with seeing characters or situations I created in the hands of someone else. That's, I'd guess, a territorial sort of thing.

It doesn't make me nuts or anything. The fact is, I don't read it.

But I'd say on your own site, or a site that supports or is structured for fanfic--go for it, and have a good time.

Nora

I think we can all understand her reluctance to see her stories and characters in the hands of others. Any one of us might feel the same way in the same situation. However, what this statement says to me is even though she might be uncomfortable to read it herself, she doesn't mind if any of you want to write it. That being the case, unless I get some kind of Cease and Desist letter from her publishers, Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb fan fiction will always have a place here at InDeath.net.

In Nora's own words: go for it, and have a good time.

:-)

AJ

[AJ]

Now Dana...you're trying to cause problems for me, aren't you?

I am quite happy to give Nora fan fiction a home here. And I'm really hoping that nobody who has any power will ever find this place and try to force me to shut that section down.

But yes, even if they did, I'd find a way around it, I'm sure.

;-)

AJ

[Carole]

I can understand how Nora feels. I have read fan fiction in other areas that is so bad, you want to find the author and break his/her fingers so they can't inflict that kind of damage anymore. And to have that happen to your own characters must be devastating!
But at the same time, I know people who have started in fanfic and gone on to write their own stuff, some seeking publication, some just for the joy of creativity. So there are good points to it as well as the bad.
If ADWOFF chooses not to publish fan-fic, that's up to them. That's what freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment is all about--no one tells you want to say, or not say, what to publish or not publish. It's as wrong to criticize ADWOFF for not publishing fan fic as it would be to criticize AJ for doing it.
That's my :2cents: anyway.

[whiskey]

I think she seems surprisingly comforatble with the idea, considering most authors would consider it a threat to their livelihood. I am a writer and I understand possibly feeling that way. She knows we are going to buy the books anyway! ;-) So I guess that it then does not matter to her as much. In a way, she is sharing the wealth (of ideas) with us.:-D

Writing Fanfic is often where writers shake out their skills, so it's nice that she lets people enjoy writing about her characters.

She's a cool lady. Thanks for posting this.

[vimmie]

AJ lets hope no one with power finds out about the fan fiction ..the stories i have read i have really enjoyed so good on u for giving them a chance..vimmie

[AJ]

shebody wrote:
if nora is so gung ho about fanfic, then why arent we allowed to put it in fanfiction.net?

My theory is that it was actually Nora's publisher or someone like that who contacted fanfiction.net and asked them to stop publishing Nora's stuff. I guess from a publisher's point of view that could be seen as competition...though I don't know why. But since it seems like Nora herself doesn't care, I can only assume that it's someone other than her who wanted it stopped on fanfiction.net, and her publisher seems the most likely one.

AJ

[Carole]

if nora is so gung ho about fanfic, then why arent we allowed to put it in fanfiction.net?

I would not call Nora's position "gung ho", I think she is willing to tolerate the existence of fan fic, but she doesn't read it, doesn't encourage it. I'd say her attitude is more serenity about something she can't change.

[Blue]

I have to admit I there are a lot of Nora fanfiction that I would love to see happen. I can understand her unwillingness to read it after all it would only take one person to accuse her of plagiarising their 'In Death' idea to cause a whole hoo haa. i think something similar once happened to Mercedes Lackey.

As a writer and having seen some of the godawful fanfic out there by people I think I would be awful as a reader of something based on mine. I'd sit there scowling at the scene yelling My character wouldn't do that. Have you even read the book! So I think Nora is being especially gracious!

FFnet is having all kinds of problems with publishing houses snapping at their heels telling them not to write stuff based on their author there. Most of the time the author isn't bothered but it's the suits getting worked up.