And some rebuttals to actual arguments I've actually seen about fanfics

[seriousfic]

1. Why don't you just grow up and write your own stuff about original characters?

You mean, like Chris Nolan?



Or David Fincher?



Or maybe J.J. Abrams?



2. That's not fanfic, it's official!

Because official is an automatic show of quality. If something is not official, like a fanfic, it must suck. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go marathon Alien 3, The Phantom Menace, and a few episodes of Voyager. Woo!

3. Fanfic is okay, but just so long as you're using it as training to write your own stories that you can sell.

So a hobby is only worthwhile because it could eventually lead to making money? There's no worth in taking pleasure in an activity in and of itself? I suppose everyone who runs a fantasy football league should eventually try out for the NFL, and everyone who plays Guitar Hero should form a garage band, and everyone who mocks bad movies on the Internet should try to become Roger Ebert.

I think our culture has enough problems being shallow and materialistic as is, so... stop adding to them? Please?

4. But it's just about characters hooking up!

First, no, it isn't.

Second, what's wrong with that? Where's it written that all good stories should have explosions and car chases and bikini models?

5. But it's just about MALE characters hooking up!

Now you're just being homophobic. And dismissive of female sexuality. And pigeon-holing yourself into a little niche where you can only enjoy what it's "manly" to enjoy.

6. But it's smut about characters hooking up!

Oh, let's not even pretend you don't like porn. You do. You know you do.

7. I don't like porn.

You've got bigger problems than fanfics.

ETA: Watchmen is a fanfic Alan Moore wrote of the Charlton universe. It's an AU.

Comments

[museofspeed.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

[sinanju.livejournal.com]

Absolutely right.

If my hobby was sewing or cooking or gardening, nobody would assume that I was only doing it as practice to become a professional tailor, chef or farmer. Nobody would think that UNLESS I was working toward a career in tailoring, cooking or farming that I was wasting my time. Hobbies are their own reward, whether it's community theatre or fanfic.

5. But it's just about MALE characters hooking up! Well, I have less than zero interest in slash--but so what? I'm clearly in the minority in the world of fanfic, and that's okay. I get my jollies from het slash or femmeslash, and that's okay too. There's plenty of that around to keep me entertained. If other people get their jollies from Kirk/Spock or Magnificent 7 slash, no skin off my nose!

[cissie-king.livejournal.com]

Speak for yourself. With my stamp collection I'll be Post Master General in no time!

So that's how it's done

[(Anonymous)]

Wow, I didn't know you could trade in postage stamps like that. I thought it only worked for box tops.

Does this mean if I collect enough box tops I can own Kellogg's?

[legendarytobes.livejournal.com]

ZOMG, that's hilarious. I had someone about a year back troll and get very nasty about the point of fanfics and this is the funniest and most concise list explaining why I do what I do.

[vagrantdream.livejournal.com]

This is an amazingly good list. Amen to #2.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go marathon Alien 3, The Phantom Menace, and a few episodes of Voyager. Woo!...
the snark is awesome.
That should set 'em straight.

[dragonbat2006.livejournal.com]

I'm adding this to my memories. It's going to come in handy the next time I deal with the kind of people that prompted this rebuttal!

[rocaw.livejournal.com]

LOL! I'm so with you! =)