[HPforGrownups] WAS: UnFunny Things - NOW Something Else

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 16268

Magda Grantwich wrote:

> Several times I have read that a particular character is
> such-and-such because this and this and then this happened as detailed
> in someone's fanfiction and thus this is what that section of
> PS/CoS/PoA/GoF refers to or means.  Just where does fanfiction sit in
> terms of discussion of the books?
>
> I haven't read anything but the books.  I'm prepared to make
> predictions of future actions or deduce past actions (like Snape's
> background or Draco's home life) but based on the "canon" as it's been
> called.
>
> Clarification, anyone?

This is the main reason why I won't read fanfiction. Judging from the
quality of the posters who say they write it, some of it's fantastic,
but I know me and I will inevitably "fuzz" the line between the canon
characters and their fic cousins. I have a lot of fun speculating on the
canon, and I want my "take" on the flavor and "feel" and well, character
of the characters to be strictly based on JKR, at least during the
production of the seven books.

I haven't actually seen any posts that have made mistaken assumptions
involving fanfiction (yet). I have seen a couple where people were
making "canon" statements based on information not in the books, but
from JKR (interview or chat). So I don't think the discussions on this
list have been too "tainted;" most people are apparently better than I
am at keeping the sources separate.

And I again second whoever made the suggestion that someone do a quiz,
with questions based on canon and on fanfiction, to see if fanfiction
has muddled anyone. No idea how to do that, but it'd sure be
interesting.

--Amanda, one of the what, 25%, that didn't read fanfiction according to
the poll?


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