No go areas. by MrBlueSun

BLUE SUN ROOM

No go areas.

POSTED BY: MRBLUESUN
UPDATED: Thursday, January 25, 2007 20:45
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VIEWED: 4253
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Thursday, January 25, 2007 12:03 AM

Just out of curiostity, are there any areas or subjects which a fanfic writor should give a wide bearth? It's just that i was intending to write a fic based around the Blue Sun Corporation, but i wasn't certain whether or not it was something which just shouldn't be touched, or even if ther are other subjects/scenarios in the 'verse which are off limits.
Please help me out!
Yours Curiously
MrBluesun

"If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do"

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:42 AM

AGENTROUKA

I don't understand.. why should that or any subject not be touched? The point of fanfic is to explore whatever you want to explore.

Some people may not like or disagree with what you write, or simply not be interested in the subject matter, but there is no such thing as a topic that cannot be touched! Go ahead!

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 2:14 AM

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Yep, it's pretty much what's been said - there aren't any rules, just areas that may bring you into slight dispute with other posters. And even then, most people who don't like the subject of a fic just ignore it.

Disputed areas I can think of are non-canon ships, relatives/friends of the characters we've never seen or heard of showing up suddenly and "space spawn" (any of the characters having kids.) It's not that they're no go areas - anything but! - it's just that they're the areas most likely to get a negative response from posters. And even then there'll always be a group of fans who love a certain non-canon ship or the idea that Zoe might be pregnant at the end of 'Serenity'. It's a pretty diverse board here, there are people of all opinions about.

It's all a matter of WWJD - what would Joss do? If you feel your fic fits in believably with the 'verse and you don't have to make too many changes or explain too many things then there's pretty much zero chance someone will object. If you're taking a bit of a leap (speculating on the origin of Blue Sun perhaps?) Then just say so in your fic's commentary and people will happily accept that. Heck, it's likely to lead to a lively and fun debate!

Honestly, as long as you ain't posting "Agony in Pink: The Kaylee Chapter" I think you're safe.

Graphics available at www.desktophippie.com

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:13 AM

JERAXUS

hey - its a good point

some fan fic authors have done incest stories between simon and river and when does it stop been a story and become porn(softcore or hardcore)
and when does the taboo become deeply perverted and ilegal - what if they desribe when simon and river were children and slept together?

would it be aloud or not?

i personaly think those sort of writers are (insert appropiet chinese swearwords of your choice here) weridos

Play with the best
Die like the rest

Play with yourself or child pornography and get arrested

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:22 AM

AGENTROUKA

Quote:
Originally posted by jeraxus:
hey - its a good point

some fan fic authors have done incest stories between simon and river and when does it stop been a story and become porn(softcore or hardcore)
and when does the taboo become deeply perverted and ilegal - what if they desribe when simon and river were children and slept together?

would it be aloud or not?

i personaly think those sort of writers are (insert appropiet chinese swearwords of your choice here) weridos

Play with the best
Die like the rest

Play with yourself or child pornography and get arrested

It's still just fiction, and in the case of Firefly fanfic writers, it's more than probably done to explore a disturbing aspect of the existing characters.

And even if it's just incestual porn, it's still just fiction. The immaterial product of one person's mind. You may find it distasteful, but to make it illegal is kind of.. weird.

It's no more a disturbing fantasy to me than the abundance of Mary-Sues populating the Blue Sun Room.

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 4:42 AM

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Go where it takes you , dude.

In the words of Walt Price ( and maybe, Jayne )
" Shoot first, and ask questions later."

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 5:31 AM

DATALESS

If you are writing for yourself there is no area that shouldn't be explored that you are comfortable with. If you are releasing to the public it should be something you are comfortable with the public (example your family might find it and read it if you post it online) reading. So think of all the possible consequences of releasing it.

What the harm in writing a story where Book is a mass murder, he then gives up that life and hides in the South Down Abby because he killed a child and then saw the error of his ways. People might not like it but who cares, that's there problem not yours.

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 5:34 AM

MAVOURNEEN

I agree. Go where it takes you. You'll get people who agree with what you've written, and people who don't. That's the nature of the Beast. Most people write because they want the 'Verse to continue, not to gain accolades. Write what is in your heart, guide it with a good dose of Jossiness, and you'll be alright.

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:
It's no more a disturbing fantasy to me than the abundance of Mary-Sues populating the Blue Sun Room.

Oh, Rouka...You and I both know the majority of the Mary-Sues in the BSR are first time writers who just want to get their story out. Hell...I started writing as an exercize to help my non-fic writing. My cycle of stories became 960KB of Mary Sue filled glory, novellas to which I have received PM's, high ratings ( through we both know that's not a good measure..)and inquiries as to when I'm going to post more.

At first, I denied the MS-eyness of my writing. Today, I embrace it, unashamed. I wanted the 'Verse to go on. When I wrote my stories, I had never heard the word "Mary Sue." I normally write non-fic, so when I went about creating an OC...I fell into the MS trap. I'm proud of what I've written. I'm ok if you aren't.

Mary Sues have a place in EVERY genre's fanfic'dom. If you google "In defense of the Mary Sue" there's a very insightful article a woman wrote on this very topic.

edit: Here. I've found it.
http://www.trickster.org/symposium/symp7.htm

(Though, in the case of Joss's Verse, there are strong female characters...)

As to distatesful subject matter...THAT'S why I truly appreciate when the author warns me ahead of time when they write something sooo off canon. I can choose whether to read or not. Usually, I choose not to read. But that's just me.

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:54 PM

LEIASKY

Write what you want to write and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That's my advice.

Not everyone will agree, or even like what you write. You have to realize that and move on. Don't try and please everyone.

I'm a stickler for characterization. If I don't believe a character would do or act a certain way, I won't like the story, or believe the events in it could even happen. But that's me. Others are less picky:)

"A government is a body of people usually notably ungoverned."

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Thursday, January 25, 2007 8:45 PM

AGENTROUKA

Hey Mauvereen,

I meant no personal insult in your direction, if that's somehow what you took away from my comment.

I don't, currently, have the time to read your linked article, but I understand that Mary-Sue stories are a means of self-exploration that is beneficial for the writer. And I also understand that positive and costructive feedback for those stories helps a budding writer improve.

It's just... to me MS stories are about as close to public masturbation as it can get without writing outright porn. It's all about the writer, a self-inserting self-celebration, and it disturbs me to read that, no less than other people would find incestual Simon/River porn or brutally violent death fic disturbing.

I was just trying to make a point against censorship. I don't think anything should be outright banned from the world of fanfiction, even if I occasionally fall all over myself in a somewhat meddlesome crucade to raise Mary-Sue awareness.

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