The chapter that would not die. · 7:58pm Mar 29th, 2014
Since posting chapter 7, which honestly was the preamble to chapter 8, I have sat down at my computer every night thinking 'finally, I'll be able to finish tonight!'
Only to all but fall asleep at my keyboard, the work still not done.
For perspective, I wrote the end part of chapter 8 back in November, and only just integrated it into the final product last night.
I have a document that more or less spells out the plotlines for each chapter I've envisioned. Of all of them, these two were the shortest, just "story," nothing more. I always knew what would take place in these sections - it was the core idea that led to this fic. Executing the idea ended up being far more difficult than I ever imagined.
I disliked having to copy over so much dialogue directly from the book, but given the mechanism by which Ender told his story, it had to happen. It smacks of plagiarism and laziness when in fact, it was the most difficult part of writing these two chapters. I knew it would also seem boring to those who had already read the book, so I tried to spice it up by adding bits and pieces to the existing narrative - be it scenes that I imagined happening between the lines of Ender's Game or Ender's own commentary and perspective on the events of his life.
All in all, the inquiry took more time, effort and imagination than the rest of the fic combined.
It was worth it, though. Now the first arc of the story is complete and I can begin on the plot proper. I can't tell you how good that feels.
From someone who read the book it does not feel lazy.
I have loved this fic and will love it till the end keep it up
I thought you handled it rather well. Being a fan of the book and it's sequels I found your rendition of Ender was very good, and you used his self-commentary in this story effectively. You provided a concise, and entertaining abridged version of Ender's game. And did so in a manner that added to rather than distracting from this story. Bravo.
The ponies reactions and comments were also handled very well.
Skystrider, you have thus far written a difficult crossover. One that I was skeptical about(based on difficulty writing in/with two well crafted works that are so fundamentally different thematically).
I have to say it's kind of funny that after this absolutely gigantic chapter (I think the only longer ones I've read on this site were from "Background Pony") you're now getting to the actual intended plot of the story. Not that I have a problem with that. I loved this chapter and heartily look forward to the next.
That's why fan fiction is such a legal gray area. It sucks to use somebody else's material verbatim in order to advance an original plot, but sometimes it's the only option. As for being bored by having to re-read parts of Scott-Card's book that have already been read, I don't think that's an issue. For myself, at least, it's not about re-covering well trod ground, but enjoying it again through another person's eyes. Or pony. Whatever.
I don't find how you had to use parts of the original fiction in your fan-made work plagiarism. Only that it was necessary in order to advance the plot, and quite frankly, using words that are not your own is somewhat expected when making a fanfic of a novel or series of such. Besides, the disclaimer of that part kinda comes with saying what it's a crossover from, and anyone who has read/seen/played the original work will know an OC from a character already established in the canon. To most people reading my post, it may look like I'm pointing out loopholes, when in fact I'm highlighting exceptions.
Just know that I assure you, that while it is a 'legal grey area', as you said, they simply don't care if you use parts of the original in order to further the fan-made, especially if there is a disclaimer, which there undoubtedly is, due to the statement of what the crossover consists of in the story description.