"The Fan Fiction Phenomena"

I just read an article written by Cathy Young that I think others will enjoy and find helpful on the subject of fan fiction, or fanfic for short. It is a great synopsis of the present and future of the (sub)genre. Cathy Young also divulges that she herself is a fan fiction author, so she has some insight into this (sub)genre of writing and a surprisingly objective view.

Here are some brief points of the article that I found very interesting. She reasons that many of our greatest literary works are primitive forms of fan fiction themselves. Ron Moore, the producer of Battlestar Galactica and fanfic author, admits that "Shakespeare wouldn't like a lot of the incarnations of Romeo & Juliet." What's funny is that Romeo & Juliet is adapted from another story.

She gives other more contemporary examples as well. I haven't read either of these books, but here is a list:

Tom Stoppard - Rosencrantz & Gildenstern are Dead
John Updike - Gertrude & Claudius

Both books are based on, or at least borrow heavily from, Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Ms. Young also points out that while some are labeled as fanfic writers - not in a positive way - others are given a pass, even though their works mirror each other, and insinuates that established authors might be given that pass more often than others. Pamela Morgen, a librarian (nice!) and not an author by trade, wrote a 3-part series based on Pride & Prejudice. Sally Beauman wrote Rebecca's Tale, based on Daphne du Mauriei's Rebecca, and is not stuck with the tag of fanfic author. Why? Because one is a librarian and one is a published author? Hmmm . . . . . .

I have to add this also. I know, I know, I am pretty much summing up the entire article. I thought this is a good debate topic, though. Lee Goldberg, who is "vehemently anti-fanfic," is the writer of authorized novels based on the TV shows Monk and Diagnosis Murder. He justifies this by saying that he only writes about these shows for a paycheck and reasons that he can't be a fanfic author if he doesn't take any joy in it. So, what do you think? Is he a hypocrite of the highest order or does his defense hold merit?

Please click directly on this blog title if you are interested in reading Ms. Young's article.