Yes, and everything has been done before. That's a challenge. 

My personal take on fanfiction is that I want it to differ from published literature. Every now and then, there is a gem that is so well-written, so mature, so original and so long that it feels more like an original novel than a fanfiction. And that is of course amazing, and I wish the author all the best and hope they can get anything published if that's their wish, because they deserve it.

But that is not what I am looking for in a fanfic. To me, a good fanfic is something else than good literature. 

It's hard to explain without being misunderstood. I don't mean that fanfic "should" be "bad". I can't get thorugh a fic myself if the language is poor and the characters are too superficial. But when you publish a work, it needs a different kind of quality. It needs to be streamlined and suitable for the general public. 

In fanfic, you are loosened from all that restraint. Creativitiy can unfold itself without worrying about PR, editors, sales and literature reviews. That does mean that a lof of fanfic can be seen as quite bad, and it does also mean that a great part of it is just porn. But it also means that you get some truly wonderful gems that are really well written, really creative and really fun to read - but so far off the map of what is viewed as publish-worthy material that it would never find it's way into the book shelf.

THAT is what I love about fanfics. The freedom to take your characters whereever you want them, no matter how weird, depraved, odd or insane that might be. That doesn't mean I myself enjoy all of it. There are several types of tags and fic-verses I am not interested in at all, and shy away from immediately. But I love that it's there, I love the freedom and absolutely insane creativity fanfic sparks. It's so insanely colourful and free of any inhibition, shame or self-consciousness.

tonnaree wrote:

I'm currently rereading Performance in a Leading Role and it is hands down one of the most original Sherlock fics I've ever read.  MadLori creates a whole new setting and yet each character is still "In character."  Even if Sherlock and John are actors, Irene a manager and Sally a PA, they still feel like Sherlock, John, Irene and Sally.  I avoided it for a long time beacuse I've never been fond of AU's before but PILR is amazing.

Yeah, I usually avoid AUs as well, for the same reason. That is why I haven't read PILR, and still feel very hesitant to read it. Not because I don't think it's good, but because I'm usually not one for AUs.

However, I have read AUs that surpised me in being a really well-thoughout story and being much bigger than I thought they would be. So sometimes it can be rewarding go outside of your comfort zone.

I know. And I might read it someday, it's probably awesome. I am just not ready for that kind of AU yet.

In the recommendation thread we had also quite some people who didn't like PIALR that much, so don't worry, Vhanja, some like it a lot, but it doesn't work on all.

Last edited by Harriet (March 2, 2015 9:00 pm)

Vhanja wrote:

nakahara wrote:

The "Waste of breath" I just recommended fullfills that criteria, I believe. 

Just read a few chapters of this, and it seems to be just what I was looking for so far. A little new twist that I'm not used to in these fics, but that can be interesting.

Thanks!

Also, I've already read "Bloodied, but Unbowed" and really liked it.
 

Brilliant fic. 

I've only read a small handful of fanfic and haven't yet found what I like. I did read one Johnlock story where Sherlock was asexual and just wanted to cuddle John - it was well written and really sweet. Then I read a couple of threesome stories with Sherlock/John/Sally. One that was sweet, and the other was really raunchy porn. I've read bits of others, including one with Irene sitting on Sherlock's lap while he drives a Corvette at high speed, but haven't really gotten into it enough to read the whole thing. I guess I will have to keep hunting for the right combination of elements. I look forward to checking out the recommendations here, thanks everyone

Sherlock/John/Sally?  *shudder*

Here is something that was brought to my attention yesterday, and I would really like to discuss it here.

Apparently, there is a course at Berkley University on fanfiction this spring, run by students. They gave out a list with fics that needed to be read and every student taking part in that course had to leave a comment on each fic.

The writers were not informed about it, and were apparently wondering why there were so many harsh comments all of a sudden.

For the reading list, see here: (It's at the bottom of the first post)
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=997886

For some cirtical reactions, see here:
http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/berkeley-fanfiction-class-backlash/

Have you heard about it before? What do you think?

Very interesting topic, Schmiezi. Here are my two cents:

Of course the Internet is in a way public and if you put up your work there, it becomes accessible. But, and this is a big but, on fanfic sites you expect to share your stories with like-minded people. People who want to read fics about their favourite shows, ships, etc. In my opinion it is abusing the purpose of such sites to use the fics in this way. You may discuss them in class since they have been made public but to post negative comments born out of the academic analysis of such fics feels inacceptable to me.