Why Fanfiction IS Literature, Illustrated · 11:46pm May 4th, 2013
So, Wanderer D, the awesome, Tony Stark-look-alike guy that he is, just posted a lengthy essay on why fan fiction is literature. It should come as no surprise to anyone who has delved into my ancient blog posts that I agree wholeheartedly (but for goodness sake, don't read my essay, read the linked essay—it's much better, written by someone who actually knows their stuff, and isn't a hastily copy-pasted forum post missing it's original context).
Anyway, as I said, the essay is lengthy so I thought I'd try illustrating one of Wanderer D's main points in terms of quickly digested images and text. More after the break.
Hey! Hey you, Mr Strawman? Okay, so you think fan fiction isn't literature or art because "fan fiction seems to mostly consist of uninspired self insert fiction with bad spelling, grammar and 'objectionable' content", or so you've been told? And maybe that's even true. Heck, just look at the new list most days on fimfiction. Okay, so you got me, right? The existence of crap pretty much invalidates it's parent art from, right? That is what you're saying?
Well, let me show you something I just did:
Yeah, this is a deliberately bad piece of art, but it was created to make a point about ART itself! Does that mean it is actually pretentious modern art?
That, right there, is a pretty bad example of some visual art. Looks like it's been drawn in MS Paint by someone who doens't know what they're doing, doesn't it? It gets worse! People who don't know what they're doing make crap in MS Paint every day. But, oh no! The existence of crap pretty much invalidates it's parent art from. We agreed that right? That's why we dismissed fan fiction. So I guess we can't appreciate stuff like this any more:
For an artist who never drew any Luna, Leonardo was pretty good.
Sorry Leonardo, you were doomed by the invention of MS Paint.
Or maybe, just maybe, Mr Strawman, we shouldn't pass judgement on an entire art form based on the worst example, or even the most typical. Maybe, we should focus on the best instead. Now, the better examples of fan fiction are harder to find because it takes a lot longer to judge a work of literature. You can just look at a picture, but reading a story takes time and focus. It's high risk and your time might be valuable. This is actually a legitimate problem with the medium, but it's not insurmountable. Look for recommendation lists or ask an avid reader. I, myself, started to believe that fan fiction could not only be good, but also be real literature after reading It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door[1] by Jetfire and the deal was sealed by Device Heretic's Eternal—but that's me and tastes can vary. However, please believe me when I say that there is good stuff out there mixed with the bad.
Still not convinced? Have a read of Wanderer D's essay.
So, I'm probably preaching to the choir here, sorry about that. The intention here was to produce something to link the uninitiated to. Comments and suggestions welcome.
[1] Well, it did for me, but I will admit there could be some nostalgia talking when I recommend it here. Certainly there are better, more recent fics that deserve mention such as Capn Chryssalid's The Best Night Ever. In fact, the good Captain's story is an excellent place to start as it's both a wonderful character story and generally appeals to a broad variety of tastes.
Woah, that's actually a really good point. I guess that means it's time to read a lengthy blog post!
Comments? I got a comment for you.
Why'd you pick Luna? Everybody loves Luna. I suspect half the fan community or more would approve of that picture.
Heck, submit it to Equestria Daily. I'll bet they'll even put it in a Drawfriend post for you.
Actually, come to think of it, I seriously think they might. I'll bet it's the sort of thing they really don't see very often, and they might even want to highlight it.
You have no idea how much I needed to read something like this right now. I know in my heart that fanfiction IS literature, and that what I do with my time isn't a waste, but in my heart of hearts, I held doubt. So, thank you
Time an focus, huh? Legitimated, too. You got some nits to pick.
1056125
*double facepalm* Thanks for pointing that out. I did proofread this, honest.
1056131
I might've kept it to myself, but... well... You made me read Wanderer D's essay first.
I did finally get around to reading It's a Dangerous Business Going Out Your Door and by no means should it be held up as a shining example of the fanfiction community. At best I would rate it a 6.6 out of 10. Much better examples would be The Keepers of Discord, The Best Night Ever, or The Immortal Game.
I should also mention that both of your stories received very high ratings from me, definitely better than Dangerous Business. On principle though, I do not include any stories with less than 10,000 words.
1056418
I may well be wearing some serious rose tinted glasses of nostalgia when I look back at Dangerous Business; I have no idea if it would stand up if I read it for the first time today. I do remember it had bad lavender unicorn syndrome that I noticed that even at the time, and the ending managed to come from nowhere (where did that world-snake even come from). But at the time I had this idea that fan fictions were a few thousand words long at most and couldn't possibly be good.
I think I will add a note that to that effect. I've not read Keepers of Discord so I can't comment there but Best Night Ever and The Immortal Game are worth mentions.
1056434
I know the feeling. For me 'that' story was The Dresden Fillies: Strange Friends. It took me quite a long time before I was willing to remove it from the top of my favorites list. The blog entry itself is good and makes the point well. Keepers is relatively short and definitely worth your time. Eternal is still on my to read list so I cannot attest to it yet. I will likely either be reading that, Within and Without, or Austraeoh next and hope that at least one is a really good, hopefully above an 8 out of 10.
1056807
People's reactions to Eternal seem to be very personal. Not everyone seems to like it, but those who do tend to love it. The only way to find it is to read it. I love Within and Without too, but I've not heard to Austraeoh, I'm afraid.
1056434 You haven't read Keepers of Discord yet? Get on that, brony. It's really good. It's [Alternate Universe] now, thanks to Keep Calm and Flutter On, but I think it's a better Discord-redemption story anyways. (Although I prefer to modify Flutter On with A Perfectly Discorderly Day, if I have to use it. Retcon'd Discord redeems better IMO.)