Bette Davis didn't have this problem

[teleidoplex]

Y'know, most of the time I think Robin Hobb is bit of a crackpot with her somewhat luddite stance regarding the internet and writers:

http://www.robinhobb.com/rant.html

but then something happens like today, where I sit down to take a brief break from writing, and end up spending an hour on Youtube because I found some new and cool thing and got distracted.

Today's distraction: Speed Painting.

This one's my favorite. Fricken' Mascara, man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sahHSNy_Uk

Uh. Back to work. I'm pretty sure I have a character's life to screw over. That's easily as fun as speed painting, right?

(for the record, I love Robin's work, I just think she's a little too on the "what's bad for me is bad for everyone else" side of the fence).

Comments

[teleidoplex]

I totally acknowlege what she's saying on a personal level for her. I even agree that sometimes her experience is similar to mine, but to condemn it out of hand for all people, regardless of the particular ways that individuals use it...

Well, I'm not drinking that Kool-Aid.

She's also anti-fanfic. That's strike two. I swear, if I didn't love the character of the Fool so much (even if s/he did get a rather shafteriffic ending)...

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

What's her reason against fanfic?

[teleidoplex]

I dunno. On her FAQ, she says:

{snip}
May I write fan-fiction based on your characters or set in your world?
No. I do not permit fan-fiction.

I've created artwork based on your characters or world. Can I display it on my website?
Yes.

I read that you allow fan art but not fan fiction. That's not fair! Why do you do that?
Fan art can never be confused with my writing. Art is pictures (or sculptures, etc.) It isn't words on a page. No one will look at a picture of a wolf and say, "That is Robin Hobb's work." Even if you Google for Robin Hobb and Nighteyes, and that image comes up, no one will think it is a page of text from my book. It's that simple."

{snip}

Apparently, there was a very long and somewhat famous rant. It used to be at the link that the Blog rant is now on. I found a copy of it here:

http://www.whedon.info/The-Fan-Fiction-Rant-buffy-mention.html

It's a long rant, but basically it comes down to:
1. Fanfic is similar to identity theft, with creative rather than economic repercussions.
2. Fanfic is an insult to the original author's creative intent.
3. Fanfic helps people become good writers about as much as coloring Barbie's hair green in a coloring book helps kids become great artists.
4. Writing Fanfic is like being an Elvis impersonator your whole life, instead of going out and becoming a performer in your own right.


To be fair, on this matter of ficcing her own works, I respect her request. Most people do (I don't know of any fics out there with her characters... although I haven't really gone looking because I take respecting her request as not *reading* as well as not writing). Once again, where I get rubbed a little raw is when she takes things out of the realm of her own preferences and makes sweeping, morally righteous claims. It's my understanding that she also comes across as very pugnacious and intractable in discussion on this matter. So, I guess you just gotta nod your head and let her be. Still, I'm insulted on behalf of:

1. People who believe mimicry is the best form of flattery, not a way to run up your creative credit and stick you with the bills
2. People who intend to insult the author's creative intent... like critics! Where's the love?
3. Kids who colored Barbie's hair green and found the experience rich and fulfilling for a variety of reasons that may or may not have anything to do with ambitions to become serious artists.
4. Elvis Impersonators.

...especially Elvis Impersonators.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

You know, artists used to be (maybe still are) taught their craft partly by copying Old Masters, and creating imitative works in those styles.

[teleidoplex]

And dancers are taught well-known choreographies and bits of choreography, and taught to dance in styles developed by choreographers. And I still try to sound like Julie Andrews or Jane Monheit when I sing. Preaching to the choir, man.

[swan-tower.livejournal.com]

Mmmm. I'm not sure I'd go with those comparisons, actually; dancers may be choreographers, but they customarily perform works designed by others. Writers (and artists) operate in a different framework.

(We're agreeing on the broad point; I'm just being nitpicky on the approach. I blame the fact that I'm editing MNC right now.)