on the most recent discussion of the validity of fic: a tangent

I'm primarily bouncing off of merryish's work here: Fan fiction as it exists (mostly online) today is inextricably tied to the fannish culture it's created for. While it may succeed outside of fandom, it isn't written for that purpose. It's written as part of an ongoing conversation between the fan writer and other members of fandom. It's not just a creative work; it's a cultural communication, as well. And it has to succeed as both to be considered "good" fan fiction. The former can be judged by outsiders; the latter never really can.

One of the interesting things about writing for Yuletide - and I think this has been discussed around the meta circle before - is that you're working without the community net. These are rare fadoms; you haven't read a gazillion and one stories involving these characters, or at least not a gazillion and one written in fannish style, and sensible of fannish concerns. You've just got your canon. Someone mentioned in a long-past discussion that Yuletide fic often looks more "okay" to outsiders, that when non-fen ask to see fic we show them our Yuletide stuff. It's less weird, more normal. I think that this is a direct function of the rarity of the fandoms, and the lack of communal writing.

( And what are you that, wanting you, I should be kept awake As many nights as there are days With weeping for your sake? )

eta: fannish hivebrain alert. I love it when this happens; Flambeau has kindly explained it all already.

waaaahmbulance

gah I need more iconspace!

eta: GIP!