random post re:fanfiction and pro-writers

[permetaform]

So, I wonder.

Sometimes I don't get pro-writers, and their virulent hatred towards fic. I think, perhaps is that they feel all defensive and threatened.

I wonder, because for me, fanfic is like singing; I don't sing all that well, and I don't sing professionally. But I sing because it gives me joy, I sing because I can't *help* singing. And granted, most of my singing is in the bathroom or in the car, but I'm not going around going "OMG COPYRIGHTS" to people who sing for fun, 'cause while I sometimes sing tuneless songs most of the time I sing songs made by professional songwriters/artists. And sometimes I do riff and trills and grace-notes to decorate the song because it's fun to. Because I can't help it, because it bring me joy. I make no profit from singing, and I would say that most people who sing don't do it for profit.

Will the anti-fic people wish to rail against karaoke bars now, too? For violating the copywrite laws of singers/songwriters?

This post brought to you by metafandom and silly people.

[edit] "pro-writer" in the context of this post is referring to those who are using it as their label instead of "anti-fic", in particular the group that thinks that writing isn't valid unless you're getting paid for it (or eventually getting paid for it), and that anyone doing it for free is at best absurd and at worst a thief.

Comments

[elspethdixon.livejournal.com]

*nods vigorously* I'm not sure why writing is considered an all-or-nothing zero-sum game (only original and publishable pro-fic is worthwile, and writing for fun is self-indulgeant trash and/or a waste of time and talent) when society at large sees nothing unusual about being an amateur musician, cook, needlepoint afficionado, gardener, etc.

If I took up the violin for fun, nobody would think that I was wasting my time because I had no plans to join the New York Philharmonic. I can sing in church choirs and in the shower and along with the radio while driving and nobody will think that I'm just pathetically apeing Toby Keith because I can't get a recording contract, or stealing Charles Wesley's lyrics because I'm too lazy to write my own hymns. If music, despite the RCAA's iron-clad copyright laws, can still be sung for fun, than why is writing fiction for fun so hard for some people to conceive of?

[permetaform]

See I wonder if it's almost a difficulty thing? like how people also look at you wierd if you like science or math, but it's easier making money from writing? Like it's just barely hanging at that level of difficulty that seems like a pain in the ass but still do-able?