Via a link from the boards over at TF.N, I just read this wonderful article by Mr. Cory Doctorow. I think he's done a wonderful job of defending fanfic, as well as pointing out some of its obvious shortcomings.
Probably my favorite part of the article though is this paragraph:
Writers can't ask readers not to interpret their work. You can't enjoy a novel that you haven't interpreted — unless you model the author's characters in your head, you can't care about what they do and why they do it. And once readers model a character, it's only natural that readers will take pleasure in imagining what that character might do offstage, to noodle around with it. This isn't disrespect: it's active reading.It just reads so much like my own thinking on things. Thanks for the article, Mr. Doctorow!
Posts
4 comments:
I agree with the 'active reading' thought completely. Fanfic is the very opposite of the passivity that we often see when it comes to things like television. It is to be commended.
oh, I concur. I kind of have to, being a fanfic'er and all ;)
Yay for active readers!
jessica: most definitely!
Post a Comment