(no subject)

[marnanightingale]

quigonejinn and I were discussing her Statement of Fannish Purpose, and she asked me if I had any rules written down somewhere.

Answer: no, but I do have them. Well.

It, really. Just one rule, though it's a long one, or at least heavily footnoted.

... no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame;
But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It, for the God of Things as They Are!

I have great, though not blind, love for the Hornblower movie series, and deep respect, though I shamefully admit to less love, for the Hornblower books.

I also have great and deep love and respect for Hornblower fandom.

As a fanfic writer, I can best express this by writing the best stories I am capable of and treating other fans in a respectful and friendly fashion.

Therefore:

I shall tell the stories I have to tell, because those are the stories I will tell best, and at all times my very best understanding, interpretation, and extrapolations from canon and actual history shall be the final authority.

I will recognise that every writer in this fandom takes different things from canon and from research and from their own experiences, and I shall read their work, enjoy and appreciate it, feedback promptly and often, and never ever forget that the variety of possible interpretations within this fandom is not a problem. It is a natural consequence of a wonderfully deep and rich canon, as approached by a diverse group of talented and committed writers.

I will not go one step from my path on account of fanon, neither to ape it nor to deliberately cross-grain it. Specifically, I will never, ever write a story either to pander to other fans, nor to puzzle, hurt, or aggravate them. I like to please other fans. I can best do so by writing the best stories I can and saving debate for meta.

Subclauses:

I have a cowriter. I admire, love and respect her as a writer and a person, and I can best express this by openly and respectfully contending at all times for The Thing As I See It. She wants me to be a cowriter. She picked me because she respects my work. She does NOT want me to be an echo. I will remember this at all times, especially when her brilliance and certainty intimidates me half to death.

I have betas. They are brilliant, clever, well-versed in the canon, and kind. I can best appreciate them by keeping my own vision clear in my mind while I listen to theirs, and using my own judgement to interpret their feedback.

I will be especially careful to show my appreciation when a beta performs the invaluable service of disagreeing with me in a way that does not make me change my mind but does make me reconsider my argument and end up even more certain of it, for Devil's Advocate is probably the most thankless beta job there is, and it strengthens the story enormously.

I am extremely fond of feedback, will cheerfully accept it in all forms, including strong criticism, will always presume it is offered in good faith, will answer it promptly, will read and consider it carefully, and will, in the end, do as I'll do, without defensiveness, anger, or apology.

So. That's my Rule. So far, it's working for me.

Comments

[cleverthylacine]

I like both your statements of purpose. Sadly, I want to go write one now, when what I really need to do is edit the stuff I wrote last week and post it.

But I am my own fandom. And I know this. Everything I write, looks more like everything else I write than the canon it came from. Some people like that; some don't. I need to find a way to say that without it sounding like I think I'm a better writer than my canonical sources. (Even though in one very well known case, I sort of do. But I humbly and truthfully admit that I don't actually get to SAY I do until I publish something and it actually sells.)

[quigonejinn.livejournal.com]

Sure, geez, be all mature and responsible and thoughtful and respectful. You sound like a grown up or something, and who wants that? XD

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

*hangs head*

I can't help it, on account of I may be twelve, but I am now twelve for the *counts* 24th year running.

[quigonejinn.livejournal.com]

Pfft. That's no excuse. 50 fart jokes and an hour giving eight-year olds swirlies in the toilet bowl for you, missy. -_-

In all seriousness, though, I really am absolutely amazed at how kind and tolerant and open-hearted the HH fandom is. *_* I think I would've been run out with pitchforks in most other places.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

Age of Sail Fandom: Come for the imaginary boys, stay for the real women.

*gets you drunk and teaches you really rude songs about sailors*

[quigonejinn.livejournal.com]

Hurrah! And teach me all the ones that make fun of the lobster, too, please.

[linaelyn.livejournal.com]

I like your rule.

[mtgat]

In from metafandom but sadly, all I have to say is word!

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

A better person would probably go out of her way to express how she values passionate criticim and disagreement over being agreed with so completely and in such a succinct fashion.

... On second thought, people like that are rather prim and aggravating, don'tcha think?

IOW, "word" is just lovely :)