On reading.

[emmagrant01]

I just read this post by maeglinyedi about the recent Laurell K. Hamilton wank, and followed the links there for some entertaining reading. And while checking out the comments left on several of those posts, it occurred to me that I only vaguely know who that author is.

Because here's the thing: with the exception of the HP books and some Star Wars profic, I haven't read fiction in... years. I can only recall reading one novel in the last five years -- Playing With Boys, by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez. And I only read that because I was about to get on a long flight and it was half-price in the airport book shop. It was okay, though I remember thinking at the time that it really wasn't as good as a lot of the fanfic I read.

It sounds kind of weird, but my pleasure reading consists almost exclusively of fan fiction these days. And you know, I don't feel a bit bad about that. I know I should read some of that great "literature" professional writers produce, but... I'd really rather read fanfic. There's more HP fanfic out there than I could ever hope to read, and it's (1) free, (2) written by people who share my obsession with the HP-verse, (3) contains much better quality smut (het and slash) than anything I've ever encountered in profic (including pro erotica), and (4) a few keystrokes away. If I read something I like, I can leave a comment for the author and most likely will get an acknowledgment. I can get to know the writer on LJ, and she can get to know me too, if she likes. We might even end up drinking beer together at a con sometime, heh.

But I think the big thing that draws me to fanfic is that there are authors writing in fandom who are incredibly talented, whose writing is far better than that of the majority of published novelists, and they're doing it in their spare time, just for the fun of it. And then they are generous enough to give it to other fans for free, expecting nothing in return. Many of them spend a great deal of their own time and money maintaining web sites for their fiction, just to make it easier for readers to find. That's the greatest thing ever, really. ♥

Fandom may have its wank, but hey -- read LKH's wanky blog post, and tell me that's not worse than the most spoiled and self-obsessed BNF rant you've ever seen. I'll take fandom, thanks. ;-)

Comments

[inell.livejournal.com]

love you! Since I discovered fanfic in 1999, my outside reading has all but dwindled to an occasional badly written romance novel that has me muttering "I could write better than this" or "I read better on my F-list last night" or an occasional re-read of Agatha Christie. Oh, and of course, Harry Potter books *grin* Fanfic is my reading of choice. I can always find something that suits my mood, can hop fandoms if I'm in a mood for something different, can find much better written fic (and don't even get me started on how much better the erotica is in quality fanfic) and, if something bugs me or totally turns me off, I can click a back button for free and didn't waste $5+ dollars buying the bloody thing.

So, yes, heartfelt YES from me!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

if something bugs me or totally turns me off, I can click a back button for free and didn't waste $5+ dollars buying the bloody thing.

Yes, absolutely! I think that reading fanfic has made me a much pickier reader than I used to be. I probably don't finish half the fics I start reading, just because I don't have to. I didn't pay for it, so I feel no obligation to slog through something that doesn't appeal to me. There's be twenty more to choose from, and I'm sure to find something to fit my mood. You can't really do that with books. :-P

[sullacat.livejournal.com]

It's funny you mentioned that, because I was feeling the same way until, oh, a couple of months ago. So I picked up a book from my shelf and proceeded to read, like I used to, right before bed each night, in that precious nine o'clock that used to be devoted to the fanfic.

I got caught up in a couple of them now, and haven't yet escaped. Its part of the reason I haven't read as many of the fest fics as I'd have liked to by now.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

You know, there've been a couple of times that I thought I should read a book, but that would cut into my fandom time. When school is in session, I only have a little time after MDH goes to bed at night to do fandom stuff, and I'm reluctant to give that up. :-P

[coffeejunkii.livejournal.com]

i have stopped reading books, too [unless they are for work]. i bought a book to read on the plane this christmas, and while the story was entertaining enough, i never cared about the characters and the writing was horrendous in parts. i def. prefer fic, esp. due to the possibility to actually have a conversation with the author.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, the possibility of interaction is really important to me too. I like the community aspect of fandom (wanky as it can sometimes be), and that just isn't present when I'm reading a book. I mean, I'm sure you can find small fandoms or discussion boards where you can talk to people about whatever book you're reading, but it isn't the same.

[doro-chan.livejournal.com]

Well, I still like to read books, but reading fanfics turned me into a very very picky person. I mean, there are a lot of good stories out there I can read for free, so when I decide to spend my money on a book I want it to be special. I want it to be well researched, well written and without a Mary Sue. Unfortunately, most books lack in at least one area.

But fortunately, I was always able to find good books to read so far. They are out there, you just have to look really hard, and preferably not in a normal bookstore.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I just don't have time to do both, you know? I have to pick one, so I pick fandom. ;-)

But yeah, I'm an incredibly picky reader now!

[winstonmom.livejournal.com]

Amen!
There are times when the fan fiction it's so good, I feel I should be paying to read it. Btw, you nailed it when you said that the fiction we read is being writen by people who are as obsess about HP as we are.
All good points.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

It's funny how much time I've spent in this universe, and I'm not bored with it. There are so many stories to read, and I never get tired of it. I guess that's the definition of obsessed, huh? :-P

[charlotteschaos.livejournal.com]

I tend to read more books than fanfic. I feel like I need to commune with characters and situations outside of fandom to maintain my sanity.

*laughs* But yeah.. LKH and Anne Rice? It's not as if pro authors don't wank like mad or are horridly snarky to one another in a grudgematch to the death over readers. And... as I was saying last night on the topic of reviews... no one likes being criticized. Some might be smart enough to step away from the computer, and some may take it more in stride and try and figure out how to use it, but... liking it? Obvs picking up a check at the end of the day doesn't make anyone immune ;)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I don't have time for both, you know? Or maybe it's that I don't want to make time. If I have free time, I spend it doing fandom stuff.

I still harbor the occasional fantasy of being a professional writer, but I'd never be able to write anything that would bring me more personal rewards than writing fanfic. No one becomes a writer for the money, and precious few are able to make a living at it. I'm happy here, you know? Wank and all. ;-)

[carvedwood.livejournal.com]

It used to be that I could read several books a week, while now, I'm reading several fanfics instead. It's not that my reading time has dropped off, it's where I'm getting my reading, and how much it costs me, that's different. So I totally understand where you're coming from.

Fanfic is directly responsible, actually, for my finding a couple of new authors whose books I was willing to buy. I found Josh Lanyon's (http://www.joshlanyon.com/) website through an AFF.net advertisement, and read his first Adrien English novel online, and bought the rest of them. Through Lanyon, I discovered P.A. Brown (http://www.pabrown.ca/), whose novel I added to my Amazon shopping cart.
And I normally don't even read mysteries, gay or otherwise. How would I have known what I was missing?

ETA: Sorry about that ugly bad-coding comment that I had to delete and repost.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I actually read more by reading in fandom than I would if I stuck to profic. I've learned to be far more analytical about what I read in fandom than I would have without it, not to mention how much I've learned about writing. :-)

[littleroo27.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you. Sometimes I feel bad when I look at my pile of "to read" books that haven't been touched, but then I think of the thousands of pages I read each year in fanfic. I mean, that's all I do in my free time!!! My poor eyes will probably just give up one day and fall out, lol. The one book I did read was actually written by my favorite Snarry fanfic writer and it was wonderful.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

When someone asks me who my favorite writers are, I have to bite my tongue, because otherwise I'll be listing off fanfic writers, heh. I think part of what I like about fandom is being a participant, though. There's a completely different level of engagement between reading a book and reading and writing in a fandom.

[dramedy.livejournal.com]

I still try and read books, but I definitely have cut down since being more active in fandom :O I feel very spoiled to be able to find stories about my fav characters who I know and like, and I don't have to pay, or go out and get it. It's there for me.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know -- it's just so easy! And fun. :-D

[worn-words.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that ever since I got into the HP fandom I've been reading much less profic and much more fanfic. it's really nice too! you get to see all these different people's interpretations of the same characters. there's so much more variety and imagination, that's how I feel anyway.

I'm so grateful to have you fanfic writers around :D you're really great people (who give us free stories!)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think that's one of the things I really like too. There's a sense in which reading, writing, and discussing fanfic is just another way of talking about all the things we see in the source material. It lends itself to obsession! ;-)

[wivern.livejournal.com]

*nods* me too mostly. If I read it tends to be re reading old favourites, I have just gone through the Lord Peter Wimsey novels again and am starting on Georgette Heyer. And my standards are higher too since fanfic I find myself editing pro fic. *g*

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

LOL, yes! I've read stuff before and wanted to ask the author if she had a beta. :-P

[sulky-rhino.livejournal.com]

I also haven't read that many books since I started reading fanfiction. I think it's just because it's so easily available. I don't have to go to the library and then probably reserve and wait for the book I'd like to read for months because it's so popular, or have to go to a book store to buy it (or wait for it to be delivered home). I can just turn on the laptop and click and get to read a story. :) And it's also so easy to find something you'd like too, since there are so many reccer. Plus you get to discuss the fic or ask questions afterwards. :D

I do still read the occasional book though. Mostly new books of authors that I know I like (like Pratchett), or when somebody recommends it. Most of the time I do it when I don't have access to the internet. And, obviously, I read books for uni, but that's different. :)

(I can't believe I'm up this late again.)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know, it's SO easy to read tons of fanfic, just sitting at your computer. And yes, I love the community aspect of it. The last time I did read a book, I had some thoughts about it at the end, and it was sort of a weird feeling to know that there wasn't an easy way to get them to her.

[ellie-nor.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it's not just me! And what inell said about the back button.

Actually, I do read professionally published fiction, but it's almost exclusively Young Adult - His Dark Materials, the Abhorsen series, the Bartimaeus trilogy, etc.; intelligent, compassionate and thought-provoking, for the most part. How much adult fiction is like that any more (barring U le Guin)?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I've felt guilty about it, especially when I see people on my flist posting about all the books they've read. But then I go back to reading fanfic anyway. ;-)

[ex-ella-bane358.livejournal.com]

Ever since I discovered fan fic, the sex scenes I've read in bodice rippers and mainstream fiction are horribly bland. I can't blame it on the fact that it's m/f either. The scenes are just boring! I don't know if it's because the authors are not allowed to use certain words, or because fan fic writers hone erotica writing.

We're so lucky to get so much quality entertainment for free! This is why I love to comment on fic I like; it's the only 'dollar' I can give. :-) (Though I'm woefully behind on fic this month!)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, absolutely -- sex scenes in profic seemed trite and purple to me after just a year in fandom. I remember reading a sex scene in a novel where the writer actually used the terms "manhood" and "womanly folds", and I was practically sticking a finger down my throat. :-P

It's rare that I don't comment on a fic I read, for exactly that reason. :-)

[kawaiililme.livejournal.com]

Fanfic is also my major source of reading since discovering it, not that I've given up on novels (I'm reading Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series, which you may enjoy...good plot, not so good author). I would like to recommend lightningwave's fanfiction. She has just finished 7 books (over 4 millions words I believe) of HP fanfic, HPDM slash though that's not the major focus. It's amazing and well written and should take up considerable amounts of your time, but it's well worth it.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

There's SO much to read isn't there? I'm only beginning to read through the holiday exchange fic!

[rabidpotterfan.livejournal.com]

I am so glad I am not the only one who reads mostly fan-fic as opposed to published novels! :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Judging by the comments here, it's not just you and me! ;-)

[tm-nicholas.livejournal.com]

Wow... she has problems with grammar and punctuation. LKH, that is. I couldn't read much more than the first paragraph without my eyes bleeding.

And I agree re: fanfic. Some of the best things I've read have been right here on my eljay friends page. Now, I must admit that I can't do without real books. But that's how my addiction works... I have a book that I read during lunch, between work and school, before bed, while I'm drinking coffee, etc; but I also read just about everything that someone on my flist posts. Especially you. -is brown-noser- Unless it's het. -wrinkles nose-

P.S. - The H/D you posted the other day was excellent. Unfortunately I'm really bad about commenting. Maybe I'll make that my 2007 Resolution. But, yeah... loved it. :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Well, you just commented, though in a different spot. So thank you! ;-)

Uh, the Smutmas fic or the one for SA?

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

That wank is one HUGE massive wank. I don't think I've ever seen a author come out and be that childish, self-centered & wanky before. It totally equals Anne Rice.

I feel like writing to this woman and telling her how disappointed a whole bunch of people I know are in her latest books, and how I stand up for them consistantly, saying that they should get better. And then tell her now that she's been that wanky, congratulations, she might have lost another reader.

And hey, I've gone months without picking up a paperback book, whilst I've been reading so much fanfic it's been leaking out of my ears. There's so much good stuff written in people's spare time, one almost feel obligated to celebrate it :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, it really is an exceptional wank. And I can honestly say that it makes me really uninterested in reading any of her stuff. If she were in fandom, I'd unfriend her, you know? :-P

It's amazing how much good fic there is, particularly at this time of year!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know! Scalzi's post killed me, especially this bit:

Then suddenly you've got a whole colony of crazy screechy monkeys hooting and flinging their poo at you, and all you have is a stick. You can't poke them all. They move too quickly, and eventually their poo gets into your eyes. If you try, everyone watching you is going to say "look, that person is trying to fight an entire colony of crazy screechy poo-flinging monkeys with a stick. What an asstard." Then they'll laugh and point at you.

I mean, DUDE. That's the entire basis of Fandom_Wank!

And yes, absolutely. :-)

[joesther.livejournal.com]

Very valid points. My "for fun" (not for studying) reading is largely fanfic as well, and I agree with you about the wank. That's actually a large part of the reason I like JKR so much - she does all she can, to my eye, to avoid the wank that lesser authors fall into. It takes a strong character to avoid wank, and a stronger one to get out of it once they've been dragged in, and although to a large extent I'm a lurker in HP fandom, I can't recall JKR being involved in any wank directly.

I'm really not a fan of the whole BNF BS. I know people who might be "worthy" of the title, as per their works and donations to fandom, but don't act like it and thus are still normal and sweet and kind. And that's why I like them. I think that when people are really deserving of the title (with all the negativity that it implies these days) is when the oxygen is cut off from their brains and they begin to act like knowitalls: Ladies and Gentlemen, the humility has left the building. And I don't call people like that my friends, or even people I want to get to know. I've known BNFs up close and personal in the past; I speak from experience.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Yes, JKR really has done a good job of staying above it all and away from fandom. She's cool about fanfic and seems to see it as a positive thing. That's really good for the fandom, which is ultimately good for her. :-)

[zentariana.livejournal.com]

I've tried reading other books, but usually I just get disappointed that Harry Potter's not in it and return to fanfic. I used to read so many books that this stresses me out sometimes, but then I realize that it's okay and those books will be there later.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

LOL, me too! I keep thinking, "I could be reading me some smutty Harry/Draco fic. And it would be better than this anyway." :-D

[edido.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that link. The Scalzi post was hilarious--"look, that person is trying to fight an entire colony of crazy screechy poo-flinging monkeys with a stick. What an asstard." ROFL

This discussion is really interesting. Since discovering fandom (and mostly as a lurker/reader, at that) I've often wondered how everyone finds so much time to read fic, write fic, beta, blog, comment, leave feedback, etc. and still be as well-read as everyone seems to be. I've always been a voracious reader, and I was alarmed to see how much my other reading dropped off once I discovered H/D. It's rebounded a bit, now that the shine has worn off some. Right now I'm feeling very gratified to know that I'm not the only one!

As much as I agree with you about the quality of a lot of fanfic, there are still things I can only get out of pro fic. I have a taste for historical fiction that could never be satisfied by fanfic. And...not to bring up any in-fandom wank, but I love to crit and analyse what I read (HP4GU everyday, for instance)--and though the community thing is great--this is an area that doesn't really exist for fanfic stories themselves. It gets a little touchy. Also, I like a nice, plotty story along with good characterization, and while there are some really great, plotty, long, fics out there, it's not enough for me. I like something epic sometimes. Plus...I'm always on the lookout for new characters to love.

I guess I'm not ready to throw my books away yet!

[ellie-nor.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say, there's a lot of historical fanfiction out there. I'll see if I can badger a friend for some links.

[vlredreign.livejournal.com]

Former LKH reader here. Well, sorta.

The first forum I ever belonged to was the original LKH board. This was way back when I was in love with her Anita-verse. She was about 7 books in at that point, and they were still pretty good. Then, as much as she says no way, are you crazy, she divorced her first husband and married a fanboy. Seriously. And all of a sudden, her books take this bizarre turn, where Anita Blake turned into Anita-ho, fucking everything in sight. She swears that her re-marrying had nothing to do with the turn in her books, but read from the last book she wrote while married to husband 1 to the first one written with hubby 2. Big difference.

Most of her long time fans cried foul, because it pretty much went against the character that LKH created. I stuck in there for a few more books, hoping that things would get better. Wrong. The editing is for shit, Anita is around the bend, not to mention a sooper-hero with sooper-dooper powers, and the series is for all intents and purposes toast.

I read that blog a few days ago, and while I agree that if you don't like something, don't read, but when an author slaps her long-time fanbase in the face with that, then I'm through. You were right, that was the most self-inflated anything that I've ever read. And, like you, I've read fanfic almost exclusively for the last couple years, too. It was just...it really sucks when an author that you liked turns out to not give a shit about the fact that her books have turned her fans off so much, and she only cares whether or not you're putting money in her pockets.

Doesn't quality count for anything?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I haven't followed her books, but it sounds like she's lost something along the way, when she used to be a really good writer with a great series. It really is sad.

[grey-hunter.livejournal.com]

Oh. Good. I was beginning to think I was the only fanfic-freak here, thinking that some fanfic writers do a better job than the average professional fiction writer. Even though I have at least as many books in pdf format as I have on my shelf. And I have recently downloaded some from Stephen Hawking that I'm looking forward to reading... but haven't started yet. um... yeah.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Hee! Yeah, I have shelves of books I may never read. :-P

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know. It actually makes me think that pro writers aren't really that different from fanfic writers. :-P