For my research I was thinking it would be a good idea to get information and opinions on how authors feel about fanfiction. I know quite a few fanfic authors and I decided to ask a few of my favourite authors and archivers a few questions. What I did was I emailed them 11 questions and waited for their responses. I found out quite an interesting array of individual thoughts and prose on this subject. Below are their responses to the 11 questions I asked.
Questions which I asked were:
1.How many TF or non TF fanfics have you written?
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups and downs of being an archiver?
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why not?
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?) If so how many?
0-50, 50-100, over 100.
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done for you?
11.What is your opinion on the TF fanfic universe?
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups
and downs of being an archiver?
No, I haven't archived anything yet since I don't have
a site and people keep forgetting to put them up :D
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
The challenge of it. I grew up on this show and know
the characters fairly well. I just like the idea of
expanding the little personalities that the writers
gave certain characters.
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why
not?
I think its valuable since it helps one write better
through the organization of their ideas and attention
to detail.
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?)
If so how many have you ever read--> 0-50,
50-100,over 100.
I usually read friends fanfics since I find them far
more enjoyable. The reason for this is I tend to know
the characters fairly well and I know where the writer
is coming from. At the most maybe I've read 50-100
since University keeps me pretty busy.
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
That question couldn't be better timed. Right now I'm
working on a rather large project. It's not related to
TFs at all and is kind of a complicated plotline.
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
Never been there and not sure if I'll ever be able to
go. It tends to be in the United States which kills
the Can. dollar.
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
Very rarely. I wish I received more. How else am I
going to improve?
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
Yes I would, it's a great creative outlet when one has
time.
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done
for you? (Ex..met people, learn more about yourself.etc.)
It's definitely allowed me to meet new wonderful
people. I'd like to say it's made me a better writer
but my T.A would disagree.
11.What is your opinion of the TF fanfic universe?
It's interesting to see other's points of views on
what happened in the series. The only problem I might
have is the fanfics can get pretty far fetched at
times.
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups and downs of being an archiver?
Not me, yet.
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
I like TF because
it adds a little bit of "what if" to your stories. There is no set
line that says, you can't do that… you can always get around it if you want.
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why not?
Yes it's
a good hobby, it lets the imagination work its thing.
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?) If so how many
have you ever read--> 0-50, 50-100,over 100.
I'm in the 0-50 range. I tend to follow certain writers.
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
I like writing
stories that bend the mind. For example, "In Dreams We Trust" and my newest
piece "That's life". I love irony.
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
Don't know, I've never been.
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
Very little. I'm
a little known writer and those who read my writing want me to write more.
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
I think
I would suggest normal short story writing before. Fanfics are hard
for one reason. You are writing with other peoples' characters.
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done for you? (Ex..met
people,learn more about yourself.etc.)
ummm… I'm really not sure.
Oh, that I hate waiting for my stories to go up on my friends site (just joking =p)
11.What is your opinion of the TF fanfic universe?
Very, Very big.
A person could get lost in there. =o)
extra--->do you have any other comments on fanfiction?
That about covers it.
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups and downs of being an
archiver?
The down sides are:
Oh God, do I ever archive fanfiction! :-)
The pluses are:
* Learning new skills, like HTML, Photoshop, Frontpage, CGI etc. I'm
considering going into business creating web pages because I enjoy it so much.
* Having a site I can be proud of, that many people use and submit fanfics to
* Reading every single fanfic that I put up. I have to manually change the
paragraphs of every fanfic I put up, and I read as I go. An extra plus is that
I can weed out the pornographic or extremely violent fanfics that I refuse to
put up.
* Keeping in contact with the fanfic writing and reading crowd. They're a cut
above regular TF fans!
* Constantly being in front of a PC. I use one at work 8 hours a day, then I do
another 4 hours each night at least, putting up fanfic and answering e-mails.
* Feeling guilty if I'm not up to date. I planned to move all the fanfics from
my old site (Charl's Transformers Fanfic Page) before I added any new stuff, but
I've had more than 80 fanfic submissions in the last couple of weeks so I've
only added a few fanfics from CTLP. And this week, I had family problems and
wasn't able to keep up with fanfic submissions. The result? A bulging Inbox and
heaps of guilt.
* Technical problems. Lexicon has already reached 14 megs, and it takes nearly
45 minutes for the 'publish' function of Frontpage, the editor I'm using, to
complete it's cycle. Sometimes it crashes and I have to start from scratch.
* Turning down unacceptable fanfics. I hate to be a censorship Nazi, but TF
fanfics are frequently read by little kids.
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
I love the TF characters and universe. The TFs are so alien, yet, in many ways
so human, that it's a universe I love to write and read about.
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why not?
It's not something easily shared. I have a lot of online Transfans friends but
only 3 of them are within driving distance. We go out occasionally and have a
great time, but the friends I see more often don't know about my little
'addiction'.
On the plus side, fanfiction greatly increases your writing skills and
imagination.
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?) If so how many have you ever
read--> 0-50, 50-100,over 100.
There are well over 1200 TF fanfics in existence. I've probably read more than
three quarters of them. I've forgotten more fanfics that most people would ever
read! And I want more!
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
Not often. I rarely have the time to write any more. I usually write down my
feelings whenever something is upsetting me, and I had to write heaps of essays
while completing my graduate diploma, but whenever I get the chance to write,
it's TF all the way.
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
An amazing experience. I flew from Sydney to LA to attend Botcon 98 and it was
worth every cent.
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
That I portray Decepticons as if they were decent beings rather than murderous,
doublecrossing fiends.
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
Absolutely, the more fanfic the better!
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done for you? (Ex..met people,
learn more about yourself.etc.)
Taught me I can do anything if I just try hard enough. Four years ago, I
dreamed of owning a TF fanfic site that could contain every TF fanfic ever
written. Today this dream is finally coming true.
11.What is your opinion of the TF fanfic universe?
Frequently deeper, funnier, more tragic and simply more enjoyable, than the
'canon' TF universe. Certainly more suitable for people over the age of 14!
extra--->do you have any other comments on fanfiction?
Keep writing it!
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups and downs of
being
an archiver?
---> Yes, I archive fanfics. The plus side to archiving is that
you read all kinds of interesting stories from lots of different people. It
gives you an idea of what they're like and how they view the world around
them, and the one they create. The down side is all the HTML code you have to
type in and all the space those stories take up on your hard drive. I also get
flack sometimes about a story someone has written that I've archived on my
webpage. It never gets to the point where I get stressed out or I'm forced to
remove that particular story, but it is an annoying aspect I deal with on
occasion.
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
---> It's a fascinating
universe, and also one of the most original I've seen in the sci-fi genre
(looking past Star Trek for a moment). Others have tried to copy Transformers
to varying degrees of success, but there's still nothing like the original.
I've been a fan since it started back in 1984, and although I've had other
interests throughout the years I always come back to Transformers, and I tell
you, it's addicting. Just ask my family.
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why not?
---> It's an
excellent hobby. Not only do you get to read fascinating stories about
whatever established universe you're into, but you get to meet other people
who enjoy them as well. I personally have gained tons of great friends
through fanfiction alone, and it feels wonderful to have so many to talk to
who are into the same thing you are.
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?) If so how many have you
ever read?
---> Roughly between 50-100.
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
---> I try, but so
far I haven't met with much success. My mind goes blank and I find myself
just staring at the computer screen with my hands on the keyboard. It's not a
very healthy position to be in hours at a time.
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
---> Botcon is the most
awesome event to hit Transfandom since the show itself. Glen Hallitt and the
Hartmans (the guys who started and who run the convention year to year) spend
huge amounts of time and money putting it together, and if you've ever read
the Transformer newsgroups afterwards, you'd see the tremendous response from
the fan community. Mostly positive, I might add. I've never been to one, but
I plan to go this year.
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
---> Most of the criticism I
receive is along the lines of "You must have a lot of time on your hands".
I've been very fortunate to receive a lot of positive feedback on my stories,
but I've seen some of the nasty things others have gotten from their fanfics.
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
---> Absolutely.
You never know what you're capable of until you try, and then you find out
you're a lot better than you would've given yourself credit for. My one piece
of advice to those just starting out would be to not take criticism
personally.
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done for you? (Ex..met
people,
learn more about yourself.etc.)
---> I've learned more about myself, but I've
also met people I wouldn't have under normal circumstances. I have more
respect and confidence in myself and my stories than I had before I started
writing fanfics. Not only that, but my stories have improved tremendously
over the years due to my increased confidence. It's been a great ride, and
it's only just begun.
11.What is your opinion of the TF fanfic universe?
---> Well, for one
thing, it's got variety. Everybody's got their own opinion on Transformers
and some have very inventive theories on existing storylines, or canon. If
one person's idea of Transformers doesn't appeal to you, there are thousands
out there that might. That's why I enjoy TF fanfics so much - it's
so
creative!
2.Do you archive fanfiction? If so what are the ups and downs of
being an archiver?
Sometimes the authors forget that they have their stories archived at my
site, therefore they don't send any fanfics beyond the initial ones.
3.Why do you like to write about TF in particular?
Haven't written any in a while, so I can't really reply to this one. I can
say that when I did write it, I like the human perspective of giant
transforming robots on earth.
4.Do you feel fanfiction is a good hobby? Why or why not?
It's a fantastic hobby. Although you don't always get the feedback you
want. It is my belief that it improves your writing skills, and also hones
your skills for reading, and re-reading.
5.Do you read other fanfics on the web? (TF or not?) If so how many have you
ever read--> 0-50, 50-100,over 100.
Well over 100.
6.Do you ever try writing topics other than TF?
Pokemon
7.What is your opinion on BotCon? Ever been?
Yes, and Botcon '97 and '98 were both fantastic. Can't say much for '99,
though...
8.What criticism do you receive on your work?
Everything ranging from a simple "You suck", to very long articulate letters
from people who bothered to take some time out of their day to say how much
they liked my work, and gave out some suggestions on improvement, instead of
just shooting me down.
9.Would you recommend fanfic writing to others?
Absolutely! You never know how good you are at something until you try! I've
seen some newbies that have just blown me away on their first ever fanfic,
they're THAT good, while others could use some improvement, but they're not
necessarily *bad*. :)
10.What interesting things has your fanfiction done for you? (Ex..met
people, learn more about yourself.etc.)
Meeting people is definitely a high point. Another is learning to accept
extremely harsh criticism. I've learned that if I'm not writing for myself,
if I'm just writing to get feedback, then I shouldn't be writing at all.
11.What is your opinion of the TF fanfic universe?
There's a wide range out there. Rarely is there a "you can't do that", out
there. Anything is possible in any fanfics, not just TFs
extra--->
do you have any other comments on fanfiction?
A note to authors: RE-READ and CHECK FOR ERRORS! It annoys me to no end when
people have consistently poor fanfics, only because they have poor writing
skills! Get a spellchecker, or have a friend read over the fanfic and check
for errors. It'll be worth it in the long run!
