The Fan Fiction Thread

[Deleted]

I agree that I don't like what's behind the criticism; a lot of it seems elitist and just plain nasty, like people who feel that just because they have advanced degrees that gives them a right to tell other people what they can and can't like.

Well. That's... I don't even know what to say in response to that. I guess if it's elitism to expect a best-selling novel to at least have a passing acquaintance with silly, "advanced degree" things like proper grammar and syntax, story, character development, and interjections other than "jeez" then I'm an elitist.

And yes. People who don't like that a shitty fanfiction writer is making millions off of her shitty fanfiction are jus' jellous. That's exactly it.

[Mutagen]

Not only that, but I think I lot of women want to make fun of 50 Shades because it's a female-driven phenomenon and they're horrified that someone might mistake them for one of the silly women who like it.

I agree that women should be allowed to like poorly-written erotica without it being treated like aliens have landed from outer space. I've made the Transformers/Twilight comparison myself and I hate the way female-driven entertainment is treated as uniquely stupid and emotional.

OTOH, a woman who has a problem with others assuming she's into 50 Shades... that's a little more loaded. While some women may mock the book out of internalized misogyny and a desire for special snowflake status, some may also find the borderline-abuse aspects of the relationship* upsetting and triggering and may resent the widespread assumption that 50 Shades represents what women really, secretly want.

It's not a problem that the type of kink represented in 50 Shades is popular, but I do think it's a problem that it's treated as THE kink women get off on. Which is not the fault of 50 Shades' fanbase, it's the fault of our society's general inability to wrap its head around the fact that, gasp, different women get off on different things.

* I know not everybody agrees the main relationship is abusive, but for some readers it may be too close for comfort.

[Neurochick]

Well. That's... I don't even know what to say in response to that. I guess if it's elitism to expect a best-selling novel to at least have a passing acquaintance with silly, "advanced degree" things like proper grammar and syntax, story, character development, and interjections other than "jeez" then I'm an elitist.

I think a lot of the criticisms are elitist; but heck, I went to college and grad school too and yet I have no problem reading book, I don't scream and say, "Oh, the grammar is bad!" Well it is, but for me, I take the whole picture, if the characters grab me then I don't give a shit about anything else.

And yes. People who don't like that a shitty fanfiction writer is making millions off of her shitty fanfiction are jus' jellous. That's exactly it.

If it's not it, then why are people so upset that she's making money off it. I say, more power to her.

[Freelance Exorcist]

like people who feel that just because they have advanced degrees that gives them a right to tell other people what they can and can't like.

I have a Bachelor's degree. From an online college. And I think 50 Shades is absolute crap. So much for that highfalutin' academic elitism.

While some women may mock the book out of internalized misogyny and a desire for special snowflake status

Or maybe they just mock it because they think it's highly mockable crap. Lots of people hate the things I like, I just chalk it up to taste and don't assume it's because of a character flaw.

[gitsie007]

I never really paid attention to this '50 Shades of Gray' stuff until recently. So, from what I understand, it is smut that has gotten a lot of attention. Okay.

Speaking of fan-fiction, I've read some that is great and some that is not so great. It depends on if I have the hots for the man in the story and if I get turned on or not.

[chonies]

Non 50SOG post: Is anyone a member of Archive of Our Own? And willing to spare an invite?

[chiqui]

What is this archive? Sounds interesting.

[comfortablynumb]

Apparently,AO3 is having some issues with filters and invitations right now. Initially, I just requested an invite from the home page, which is some kind of automatic thing that puts you in a queue. Took me about 6 weeks to get the invite. I just now tried to get an invite to send to you, but it says they currently don't have any. I don't really know what I couldn't do without the invite. You can still browse and read stories, I'm sure you just can't submit stories. I do love it though. Better to me than fanfiction.net. Sorry!

[Deleted]

I have an AO3. I'll see if I can figure out how to send an invite tonight - if you don't hear from me, chonies, shoot me a PM because I've likely forgot.

ETA: Yeah, no go. (I didn't see the post before mine, oops.) I'll keep an eye out, though.

[chonies]

Aww, thanks kungfuwaynewho and comfortablynumb!