The very first thing I want to say is that I don't hate fan fiction. I am not against fan fiction. There has been some fan fiction written that has caught my attention, but that is rare.
Fan fiction, or as I like to call it dueling copies, is when you take someone else's work and create your own story around it. Popular ones are based on books like 'The Hunger Games', 'Twilight' or 'Divergent'. Also considered fan fiction is when an author bases their book around characters in a movie, television show or even a band. Basically if you are using a character that is not your own, a plot that is not your own or a real person, it is fan fiction. One huge following for fan fiction right now is the band One Direction.
Personally I get frustrated with majority of fan fiction. It does not show talent on the authors part. They do not take the time to create dimensional characters or locations. They use the world someone else has created and put their twist on it. This is not creative to me.
The main thing that frustrates me about fan fiction is also the reason I refer to it as dueling copies. They are all the same. Now, some fan fictions are creative and do not follow the plot others have written for them. EL James took the characters from 'Twilight' and created an entirely different story. For those that were unaware, yes, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' is a 'Twilight' fan fiction. The original main characters in the book were Bella and Edward. The word being passed around is that she changed the characters because people didn't like picturing Bella and Edward that way. But, it is a fan fiction none the less. It was a unique idea and has done very well.
Things like that I will read and not make fun of. But most of the fan fiction is the same. I'm not just referring to the characters, the plot is the same. The writing style is different but the events of the story remain the same as a hundred others. Why would anyone want to read the same story a hundred times where the only change is how it is worded? I just don't understand.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Handling criticism
Criticism is something that happens to every writer. How we handle means everything. We can either decide to ignore it, or we can use it.
I feel it is important to understand that there are different types of criticism. Constructive criticism is feedback that helps us improve and can be used. Within this there are also two subtypes. There is criticism we agree with, and criticism we don't. Compared to constructive criticism we also face blatant or harsh criticism.
Constructive criticism is given with the idea that it improves our writing. It is not meant to be hurtful or destructive. We don't always have to use it or even agree with it. The source it is coming from must be considered. It would be very rare that a junior high student would have any rational means of criticizing a work written by someone in college or higher. The rules for writing in high school and college are different and at that young of an age, they may not understand that message being conveyed.
This is what I mean by choosing to use it, or ignore it. When someone comments on what they believe to be errors in my work I feel a bit defensive at first. How dare they find fault in what I wrote, it's fabulous of course! But that is why I don't respond immediately. I think it over, and often research what they say. I consider the source. Would it be someone that wants to help? Or is it someone that wants to sabotage my work to benefit on their own.
That leads into harsh criticism. Sometimes people are just mean. It sounds so simple but it's true. People may be jealous of your writing and want to bring you down. If you find these people discussing your work. IGNORE THEM! This is absolutely the best route. You can confront them, but if you do, make sure you are professional and politically correct.
The best thing someone can do with criticism is be mature about it. Even an author with twenty published books doesn't know everything about writing. That's why they have editors! If someone is sincere in their criticism use it to your advantage. It's free advice and it's tough to find anything free anymore. Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to use it. It's your story after all. You call the shots.
I feel it is important to understand that there are different types of criticism. Constructive criticism is feedback that helps us improve and can be used. Within this there are also two subtypes. There is criticism we agree with, and criticism we don't. Compared to constructive criticism we also face blatant or harsh criticism.
Constructive criticism is given with the idea that it improves our writing. It is not meant to be hurtful or destructive. We don't always have to use it or even agree with it. The source it is coming from must be considered. It would be very rare that a junior high student would have any rational means of criticizing a work written by someone in college or higher. The rules for writing in high school and college are different and at that young of an age, they may not understand that message being conveyed.
This is what I mean by choosing to use it, or ignore it. When someone comments on what they believe to be errors in my work I feel a bit defensive at first. How dare they find fault in what I wrote, it's fabulous of course! But that is why I don't respond immediately. I think it over, and often research what they say. I consider the source. Would it be someone that wants to help? Or is it someone that wants to sabotage my work to benefit on their own.
That leads into harsh criticism. Sometimes people are just mean. It sounds so simple but it's true. People may be jealous of your writing and want to bring you down. If you find these people discussing your work. IGNORE THEM! This is absolutely the best route. You can confront them, but if you do, make sure you are professional and politically correct.
The best thing someone can do with criticism is be mature about it. Even an author with twenty published books doesn't know everything about writing. That's why they have editors! If someone is sincere in their criticism use it to your advantage. It's free advice and it's tough to find anything free anymore. Just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to use it. It's your story after all. You call the shots.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Setting the mood *wink wink*
There are days when I have a thousand ideas running through my head but it is difficult to sort them. Often in those situations I find I need to sit still for a moment (often difficult), find something to inspire me, and then let my fingers organize what is in my head.
For me there are a few methods to set the mood. Oh, you thought set the mood meant something else? Silly you.
-I am inspired by fragrance. I use aromatherapy for many things in life. I always have a candle on hand with a scent that makes me feel carefree. When I sit down to write I light the candle and the smell helps me stay in the right frame of mind.
-Music. This one is huge for me. Many of the scenes I write are inspired by emotions from songs. I listen to music that moves me, makes me feel something in my soul. If I need to get a thought right or feel the correct emotion for the scene, I will pull up YouTube and listen to a song that relates to what is happening in the story.
-If nothing else is working I think back to a memory. I think about a situation I was in and how I felt at that time. I try to imagine things changing or going differently.
There are also days where I will get this miraculous idea for another story. If I don't do something about it, it will most likely end up forgotten. So what to do...
Well I have a couple options. Many people will put their current project on hold and work on the new one. I can't do that. I get so involved in my stories (I truly obsess over them) that I can't move on to another world I create. I need to keep living in the current world i created until it is finalized.
So...
I take my whole idea and write a synopsis of it. I create a note for myself with everything I had the idea for. Currently while writing Lily's War I have three pending projects.
For me there are a few methods to set the mood. Oh, you thought set the mood meant something else? Silly you.
-I am inspired by fragrance. I use aromatherapy for many things in life. I always have a candle on hand with a scent that makes me feel carefree. When I sit down to write I light the candle and the smell helps me stay in the right frame of mind.
-Music. This one is huge for me. Many of the scenes I write are inspired by emotions from songs. I listen to music that moves me, makes me feel something in my soul. If I need to get a thought right or feel the correct emotion for the scene, I will pull up YouTube and listen to a song that relates to what is happening in the story.
-If nothing else is working I think back to a memory. I think about a situation I was in and how I felt at that time. I try to imagine things changing or going differently.
There are also days where I will get this miraculous idea for another story. If I don't do something about it, it will most likely end up forgotten. So what to do...
Well I have a couple options. Many people will put their current project on hold and work on the new one. I can't do that. I get so involved in my stories (I truly obsess over them) that I can't move on to another world I create. I need to keep living in the current world i created until it is finalized.
So...
I take my whole idea and write a synopsis of it. I create a note for myself with everything I had the idea for. Currently while writing Lily's War I have three pending projects.
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